New Company car

[studbuckle]

Right, This is serious.

Following my back surgery last year I have not been able to drive my current company car (Skoda Octavia 2.0PD Elegance 6pd Manual) without a lot of discomfort/pain.

It's down to a combination of poor seats, floor mounted accelerator and manual gearbox. So, on Dr's orders i've put in a request to change.

The Poll shows ALL the cars I can get in my budget. so please, don't make other suggestions. All the cars on the list from our supplier that fit my criteria are listed.

All sensible opinons will be listened to.

I'm still trying to persuade them to let me opt out but not looking likely at the moment

Oh, and strictly speaking the Altea is slightly over budget.

I also have to consider the tax implications but at least as i'm forced down the Diesel route they can't stick me in a gas guzzling petrol auto like i'm driving as a hire car. However some of the cars above could cost me as much as 60 quid a month MORE in tax

[SADDLEWORTH]

Seat leon or a VW

[Pembroke Pat]

The question is what do you use the car for?  i.e. lots of motorway miles or lots of short hops, lugging around lots of stuff/kids or just yourself.

Otherwise seat leon

[samcooke]

Has to be the Leon. The VAG 1.9 TDi is a nasty, weedy, archaic, sooty, rattly thing, only really suitable for use as a small generator for camping trips.

Having said that, a Kia Carens could well be fantastic, but I haven't got the faintest idea what it is.  

[studbuckle]

The question is what do you use the car for?  i.e. lots of motorway miles or lots of short hops, lugging around lots of stuff/kids or just yourself.

Otherwise seat leon

Good question.

I do a commute 2 days a week which is 100 mile motorway round trip.

There's only the two of us so rear seat room is not a requirement

Rest of the journeys tend to be long haul to see friends down south or family up north for weekends away.

It's also used to lug the tools and support stuff around for Team Gently Hosting when we do a few sprints during the year.

I actually do in excess of 20,000 miles a year

[studbuckle]

Has to be the Leon. The VAG 1.9 TDi is a nasty, weedy, archaic, sooty, rattly thing, only really suitable for use as a small generator for camping trips.

Having said that, a Kia Carens could well be fantastic, but I haven't got the faintest idea what it is.  

I had a 115 PD Bora before the Skoda and I didn't think it was any of those things.

A Carens is:

[JeffC]

for me Golf or Seat , prefer the golf but If you like a bit of grunt go for the 2.0tdi in the  seat..

Ive had both the seats ,  leon and Altea in 2.0 tdi , very good engine , build quality not as good as the Golf  but prob reflected in the price also  , Altea is much roomier ( Golf plus size)  but handling is sloppy,they sit too high to corner,  Leon is lump  smaller but better to drive more sporty feel.  

Shame 2.0 140 tdi golf dsg   doesnt drop into your  budget. its a very good car.

We  noticed a lump more economy going from a 1.9 tdi 100bhp to the 140 2.0  and performance difference will be well worth it especially with an Auto  

[samcooke]

I had a 115 PD Bora before the Skoda and I didn't think it was any of those things

Then you need to drive the new 2.0, it's muuuuuuuuch better  

A Carens is:

Think I'd rather walk.  

[JeffC]

I had a 115 PD Bora before the Skoda and I didn't think it was any of those things

Then you need to drive the new 2.0, it's muuuuuuuuch better  

the 1.9 is cracking in 130 and even 115, its just the 100 that to me is poor.agree 2.0 is better, and remapped )195bhp) its bl**** phenominal          

[Rory's Dad]

Have high hopes of my Seat Toledo TDi Sport (Altea with a boot) which is due to arrive shortly so test drive exp. only.

I found the seats in the Sport really supportive and have ordered the heated versions for a bit more comfort.  Chose the car too for its high door opening so I can get in (head first) and out more easily.

I've bu99ered up two disks and am on constant medication to control pain in back and foot (caused by bits of cr@p and bone pressing on my spinal column).  

Tested a Golf+ (pricey and was underwhelmed by 'quality' image) and a C Max (also pricey but tdi engine was good).  The Seat seemed really good value from leasing companies and nicely finished although I could live without the carbon look-a-likey on the dash

Hope the surgery has made an improvement and you find a comfy car .

Rory's Dad

[studbuckle]

Then you need to drive the new 2.0, it's muuuuuuuuch better  

Er, The Skoda I have now and done 30K in is the 2.0PD 16v so I know the differences.

Rory's Dad: The Surgery has made a huge difference but then again, the consultant that did the microdiscectomy on me was suprised I could walk let alone sit and drive beforehand.

[headland blue]

you have gota go for the leon its a great car id have one gota get it in black

[Guest]

the leon you list is tricky as they don't make the tdi sport now because its been replace already by the FR up from 140 to 170 bhp , however on the dsg they don't do the dsg tdi yet , dunno why  but its comming so you might get a 140 months before it becomes a 170 .

the old 1.9tdi 150 feels way better than the new 2.0 tdi 140 which is why the 150 replacement is the 170 (same top end/ 0 to 60

also seat have not got the flappy paddle leavers on the dsg as you get in the audi A3

can you stall them before you order???

[peterg]

Whatever you get, make sure it has the DSG gearbox... my wife has the GT TDi Golf with it and I honestly don't think changing manually makes it go any faster in any scenario (the 0-60 time VW quote is faster than the manual version as it pulls away so sharply)    sometimes I take in preference to my 330d    

[steve_m]

Skoda Superb V6 TDi jumps out to me as the ideal car in the list . . . smooth, quiet, ideal for motorway journeys and probably with a comfy, supportive seat if you have back trouble