New Company car

[studbuckle]

mini update:

Been to Skoda, the 1.9TDi 130 Superb has now been dropped. The only Auto Diesel they do is the V6. One of these would cost me an extra 40 quid a month in tax!

[Peter Cox]

my heart says Leon, but if the new one is like my "old" one it'll be a hard(er) ride.

[TrevP]

Given your position with your back problems the best thing you could do is test drive all the cars available.I'm sure the seat or the golf are good cars to drive but if they cause you pain then obviously there not for you.we all want a good drivers car but if they are uncomfortable whats the point.

[amc_black]

Would the elevated driving position of the Seat Altea perhaps be a bonus with your back issues?? Just having noted previously your preference for vehicles like the Disco 3??

[Mitchamidilly]

I drive the Vectra Estate and have back probs too. The lumbar support is great and you can adjust tilt and height on seat to get a good position. I'm happy with it and it has not let me down yet. Plus need a big car for kids and dogs so had to be an estate.

[studbuckle]

Interesting POV Mitchamidilly as you're pretty much the only person to say a Vectra might be the answer.

[Mark Stanton]

I used to have a Vectra estate, despite Clarksons condemnation .......... always found it be be very comfortable and reliable ............... heated seat option was great for back trouble in winter months      

[JeffC]

I dont have any back complaints, but If im unfortunate enough to have to drive a Vectra any long  distance Im crippled like an owld man when I get out        

have the same problem with Peugeots

[Rory's Dad]

I was concerned by the alleged firmness of the Altea's suspension but the excellent support provide by the seat made up for it - it just didn't feel firm as I had feared.  Reassuring through the bends and a nice ride over less than perfect surfaces.  As others have said test drives are the only way forward.  Some find some cars better than others but the only person that matters is you (and your poor old back)

Rory's Dad

[steve_m]

What makes people like the Seat and Golf so much ?  

[JeffC]

What makes people like the Seat and Golf so much ?  

looking at that list It would be the 2 I would go for.. given a free choice I wouldnt have any of them , none  would suit my needs   

we had a 2.0 gt tdi golf for swmbo  before the sportback and I / we think it was a cracking car, prob every bit as good as the sportback  

[studbuckle]

Ok, having been through the list in great detail I have discovered some important facts.

I have just submitted the list below as a sort of order of preference to test drive.

Some cars that look good in spec and price have had to go because they simply cost too much in Tax, The Skoda Superb being a good example. On price it had all the right criteria but Skoda have now dropped the 1.9D auto so the only auto Diesel is the 2.5V6 and despite the fact that it is Euro Iv compliant it would still cost me an additional £80 a month in TAX!

So:

SEAT ALTEA 2.0 TDi Reference5dr DSG

SEAT LEON 2.0 16V TDI Reference 5dr DSG

CITROEN C5 HATCHBACK 2.0 HDi 16V VTR 5dr Auto

FORD FOCUS 5DR 1.6 TDCi Ghia CVT Auto [110]

VAUXHALL ASTRA 5DR 1.9 CDTi Design [120] Auto

VAUXHALL VECTRA HATCHBACK 1.9 CDTi Exclusiv [150] 5dr Auto

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 SE TDI 5dr DSG

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 1.9 SE TDI PD 105 5dr DSG

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.9 SE TDI PD 4dr DSG

RENAULT LAGUNA 5DR 2.2 dCi 140 Privilege Auto

RENAULT MEGANE HB 1.9 dCi 130 Privilege 5dr Auto

[Guest]

well i'd actually go try the citroen ..........you might be surprised at how comfortable it is despite its rather unfashionable status.

[steve_m]

Laguna then . . . or possibly the Vectra if you don't mind a choppy ride.  Even though as harv says the C5 would be a soft ride, it looks very odd.

[studbuckle]

Laguna's heavy on tax. Vectra I will try. C5 looks good on paper.

I've also found out that the new fleet manager doesn't arrange test drives so it's down to me to sort out.....