Car choice

[crocodile13]

Hey guys im just about to start work with a new company and theyve given me a choice of company cars , what would you guys recommend :

• BMW 118d ES
  VW passat tdi S
  Peugeot 407 Hdi SE
  Ford mondeo TDCi Zetec
  Peugeot 407 1.8 iS
  Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
  Audi A3 1.6
  Honda civic 1.4Si

My main criteria would be speed handling and comfy seat ie plenty support (some cars play havoc with my back)

[grint]

I would have the Passat or Mondeo (hate the 1 series beemers).

[Spock2306]

I would prefer the VW passat tdi S. Looks good an my friends passat tdi has comfortable seats.

Spock

[Northernbloke]

I'm with grint Passat or Mondeo - they're on our company car list too and I tried them both before opting out of the car scheme and taking an allowance to buy my own car.

Would have had the Mondeo personally - much nicer drive and handling than the passat (and I REALLY hated the passat's little red led display for km/h in the middle of the speedo) you'd be doing 30mph in a 30 zone and your eyes keep getting drawn to the flashing red diplay showin g 40+km/h - I just hated that and no way to turn it off or change it to mph.

[Over Carl]

Just guessing because i've never driven them, but them beemer will be the smallest and ugliest, but quickest and best handling?

[urbsy]

I aren't a lover of the 1 series either so for me it would be the passatt, but don't under estimate the new mondeo tdci though as there a great car.
The best advice would be to actually test drive them and see how they feel to you, especially with a back problem.
Our kid had a similar choice recently and went for a golf gt tdi, one of them might be a bit more fun if there available m8.

urbsy

[GTI]

Controversial, but I would go for the Beemer. Before I settled on my company car, an Audi A3 2.0 TDI (170) S-tronic i test drove the 1-series and was very impressed with the handling, drivability and the fact that it gripped the road like a limpet. The ES is poverty spec but with a 6 speed gearbox and manual aircon as standard it really isn't too bad. The only issue i have with them is their looks, but once you're behind the wheel its a different story.

[kizroll]

A3

[crocodile13]

Thanks for all the input I must admit i think im drawn towards the beemer or the A3 , one of my mates has a series 1 bmw and it is comfy . Do anyof u know if any of these cars have an ipod connection on the stereo.

[GTI]

Thanks for all the input I must admit i think im drawn towards the beemer or the A3 , one of my mates has a series 1 bmw and it is comfy . Do anyof u know if any of these cars have an ipod connection on the stereo.

I know that with the A3 its a £180-ish option. So I've left it out of my build and will buy the exact same Ipod connection + dongle from Ebay for £70 and fit it myself when the car arrives.

[GTI]

A3

Croc, if there is any wiggle room see if you can get a diesel lump in the A3 e.g. 2.0 TDI (140bhp). Looks wise I would say the A3 is the best of that bunch, but i wouldn't pick a 1.6 engine.. its capable but not much fun to drive.

[crocodile13]

GTI ill speak to them tomorrow but swince the BMW comes with aux input to stereo ill prob go for that car
Thanks everybody for ur input

[Tommy J]

Personally I would narrow it down to the following:
BMW 118d ES
VW passat tdi S
Peugeot 407 Hdi SE
Audi A3 1.6

I'm not sure of the interior of the BM but they look quite basic. The Audi's are a good buy so too are the Pug & VW.

Take each for a test drive and see what you like. But watch out for the tax man :o)


I've just bought a 407, so that would be my choice.
Loads of room, all the extras as standard and pretty nippy.

[God is a DJ]

for me it would be the mondeo or the focus. Dont bother with the audi or beemer as with those engines u will feel short changed. The focus 1.6 is a great car to drive, not overly fast but quick enough nd theres somethign about it that puts a smile on ur face. plus relatively cheap to service nd run.

DJ

[snorty1uk]

Personally I would opt for the Pug being the se gives those extra touches!

[Epiphany]

Stay the hell away from the Peugeots. French shite with crap built quality and reliability. Do a search for previous threads about peugeots to see what i mean.

infact put peugeot and reliability in google and see what i mean...

The 1 series have great handling, but are a little cramped on the inside.
The Passat is comfy on the inside, but handles like a tank.
Not sure about the new Mondeo.
The A3 would be a god bet, quite roomy for a hatchback and not a bad drive either.
The Focus is a good drive again, but a bit plastic on the inside.
The Civic's a good car, but if you want speed, a 1.4si won't give you any.

[chesser]

I'd go with the A3