You can strike the Octavia Greenline off your list. It's crap. 1mpg better than the Elegance, nearly as expensive and much worse spec.

You can get rid of the Grande Punto, the interior is absolutely shocking.

Leon interior awful too.

Dump all the Frenchies. They make some decent diesel engines but the rest of the car sucks.

Dump the Astra too. Obviously.

Edited 27 August, 200916 yr by wega3k

Possibly the most unreliable Honda ever and tarnishing their fantastic reputation

absolutely. I bought a type s and only kept it 6 months as it was the worst car I have ever had. suspension changed 3 times (and still failed again), interior trim fell off as did the door handle:eek: The handling was also rubbish but to be fair the rear seats completely folded up which for the kids stuff was good.

.

You can get rid of the Grande Punto, the interior is absolutely shocking..

Oh come on - look at the price differential!! The Punto is a cracking car - full of Italian flair ................at a price point that dictates its considerably cheaper than competitors.

Possibly the most unreliable Honda ever and tarnishing their fantastic reputation

I didnt realise how bad they were..amusingly whilst on my way fishing on wednesday afternoon we passed a new one on trade plates pulled up at the side of the road with two unhappy looking people sat at the side of the road..one of them in a suit, I hope it wasnt a test drive

full of Italian flair ................

....and unfortunately Italian engineering too.

Possibly the most unreliable Honda ever and tarnishing their fantastic reputation

There's an echo in here

I think the Leon FR is flawed, but the car of choice on that list for me

There's an echo in here

I think the Leon FR is flawed, but the car of choice on that list for me

I really think the Leon is a pretty good car. The dash and plastics aren't the prettiest, but it's pretty rattle-free and drives well.

I didnt realise how bad they were..amusingly whilst on my way fishing on wednesday afternoon we passed a new one on trade plates pulled up at the side of the road with two unhappy looking people sat at the side of the road..one of them in a suit, I hope it wasnt a test drive

I know a chap with one and he raves about it. Ah well, it is not a good as the VRS that is all I know better than a Megane though.

Id take the Superb, or a 2 litre Elegance octy bring sensible.

failing that the FR

....and unfortunately Italian engineering too.

......and? Your point?

I ran a bright yellow Cinquecento Sporting for 50K and thrashed the living bejesus out of it everywhere. This was a tuned one too with some serious induction, larger injectors, high lift camshaft, de-catted etc and spax / eibach and over 100bhp per tonne and had a standard bottom end so it was .....shall we say "stressed". I did several trackdays at Castle Coombe, Auto Italia at Brooklands (where I came very close to getting a certain Mr.T Needell into it) and thrapped the nuts off it up and down to Cornwall several times. Had it five years and this is the list of things that broke;

• Central Lock motor drivers door
  
• er......thats it
  

Actually there was another failure but that wasn't down to Fiat it was a blown front shock due to aftermarket springs which the manufacturer shipped with incorrect rates so doesn't count.

I've just sold a Punto Multijet HGT after four years and 60K and this had a serious Angel remap and was used as a daily driver. Again I drove it like I'd stole it for pretty much all of those 60,0000 miles and this is the list of things that broke;

• Brake light switch @ 10K (Warranty)
  
• Door handle - didn't break just worked loose @ 12K (Warranty)
  
• Offside wheel bearing at 22K (Warranty)
  
• EGR valve at 52K
  

My father has a Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet Sporting (incidentally one of the most advanced diesels in the world). This has a 90bhp Angel remap and goes like stink. OK hes a bit of an old giffer but shall I tell you whats busted in 40K?

• NOTHING
  

Not only that but the bloody thing only costs him £30 a year to tax!!

So whats up with Italian engineering then?

I'm new to the forums but I've read about failures of all kinds with Skodas and many of them repeats - (failed air con compressors anybody?). VW engineering isn't as bulletproof as everybody makes out. We use BMW's as company cars and beleive me they fail....a lot and when they do they tend to do it properly too!

While I'll agree that FIAT used to stand for Fix It Again Tony, that simply doesn't apply these days and it kinda gets my goat when people rubbish them. You should remember that some people still have the same view about Skodas yet I doubt there is a single person on the forums who wouldn't jump to the defence................

I would have no qualms about buying a Grande Punto............. if my missus didn't want me to make her pregnant This is why I'm getting an Octy........and hoping that the air con compressor doesn't break.

You need the room, so many on the list are no good. It's a pity that there's nothing with the new VAG common-rail 2.0 diesel, so my choice would be the Mazda 6. The Honda Civic would be out for me because of the rear visibility which is so poor as to verge on the dangerous.

If you don't fancy a Mazda, then you could be happy with the Octavia or Superb with the 140 bhp PD engine: not as refined as they should be but they have plenty of oomph. Before my current vRS I had a VW Golf 2.0 TDI estate which was excellent in every way apart from noise.

Edit - sorry, this was addressed to Cherry who produced the list: I'd forgotten that Moley RUFC was the original poster - last heard of veering toward a race blue vRS. Great colour - that's what I have.

......and? Your point?

I'm new to the forums but I've read about failures of all kinds with Skodas and many of them repeats - (failed air con compressors anybody?). VW engineering isn't as bulletproof as everybody makes out. We use BMW's as company cars and beleive me they fail....a lot and when they do they tend to do it properly too!

While I'll agree that FIAT used to stand for Fix It Again Tony, that simply doesn't apply these days and it kinda gets my goat when people rubbish them. You should remember that some people still have the same view about Skodas yet I doubt there is a single person on the forums who wouldn't jump to the defence................

I would have no qualms about buying a Grande Punto............. if my missus didn't want me to make her pregnant This is why I'm getting an Octy........and hoping that the air con compressor doesn't break.

So what's wrong with a Multipla then if you don't really want an Octavia ? I know which I'd rather have and it isn't the ugly duckling.

Well I'm still headin gtowards the vRS in Blue I think now having bottled out of a White one. A few reasons for this firstly I'm still to see a white vRS and secondly I do upwards of 35k a year and whilst I love cleaning my car I don't want to do it every night after work.

However I still have a soft spot for the Leon which if I had I would only have in white

What was I saying about the cleaning :confused::confused:

My reasoning though it that white suits a smaller car. Focus RS, Cupra/FR, Astra VXR all look special in white (albeit people who are ''special'' tend to drive the Astra)

Anyway I have the weekend to finalise my thoughts................

Blue ones look great when they're clean and with some TLC stay that way for days. Mine does.

Well I'm still headin gtowards the vRS in Blue I think now having bottled out of a White one. A few reasons for this firstly I'm still to see a white vRS and secondly I do upwards of 35k a year and whilst I love cleaning my car I don't want to do it every night after work.

However I still have a soft spot for the Leon which if I had I would only have in white

What was I saying about the cleaning :confused::confused:

My reasoning though it that white suits a smaller car. Focus RS, Cupra/FR, Astra VXR all look special in white (albeit people who are ''special'' tend to drive the Astra)

Anyway I have the weekend to finalise my thoughts................

Mazda 3 sport with 2.2td - 185ps

[url=]http://www.worldcarfans.com/109020316718/largemini4/new-mazda3-mps-and-mazda3-i-stop-revealed-ahead-of-geneva-premiere[/url] - check out the pic of the white car

I've driven the new one, only a 1.6td but very nice, bette rthan the original, plenty of toys.

No thanks, had a Mazda 6 before my current Leon FR and I vowed never again. Servicing was a nightmare and they seemed to charge for anything!

Soime cars look great in white - a Golf GTI for example - whereas a Focus or Astra estate in white looks as if you've come to mend the photocopier. I can't decide which side of this particular coin the Octavia is.

So what's wrong with a Multipla then if you don't really want an Octavia ? I know which I'd rather have and it isn't the ugly duckling.

Becuase the Multipla is too big for me and to be honest, isn't quick enough!! I think its a cool family car if yoiu have three kids and much better (and cheaper) than a Galaxy. I'm going for the Octy purely because its the right size, the right engine - 170 CR and the right price. It could be Korean for all I care - I don't have an issue with badges!

RUFC - got for the Octy. Having been seriously impressed by a PD I drove last Sunday I can't wait to pick my CR up on Tuesday. The thing that really impressed me was the handling - yes I know its a MK5 Golf with multilink rear suspension but given the additional bulk, it's just plain wrong for this car to go as well as it does!!

The only thing I may have to do something about is the brakes - it felt as if I needed to apply more pressure and then all of a sudden it anchors up. Really odd and it may be that I'd literally just stepped out of a Punto with Brembos on the front but I may have to look into it if I can't get used to it after a week of so.

The cabin quality was ........ OK. Some people on here rave on about the quality feel and that its better than an Audi. Well its not better than an Audi but its pretty good. It IS substantially better than a Seat which is the most important thing for you!

There are some annoying omissions - no MFSW is a complete slap to the head and light alcantara seats - what were they on when they came up with that one?!! That said it is a suprisingly refined car that picks up its skirts and f**ks off down the road with quite frankly alarming ease!

I'm expecting a decision Monday and I'm hoping its an Octy but whatever, good luck with your decision. Its nice to be in the position of having the choice to begin with!

Okay guys, the crap continues! Sorry to ask again, but I've had an even worse (reduced) revised list - now I really am stumped. Looking like a Mazda6 now. Here it is:-

Make Model Name Trans

CITROEN C4 PICASSO DIESEL ESTATE 1.6HDi 16V LX 5dr [5 Seat] Manual

CITROEN C4 PICASSO DIESEL ESTATE 1.6HDi 16V SX 5dr [5 Seat] Manual

FIAT BRAVO DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 Multijet 120 Active 5dr Dualogic Automatic

FIAT BRAVO DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 Multijet 120 Dynamic 5dr Manual

FIAT BRAVO DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 Multijet 120 Dynamic 5dr Dualogic Automatic

FIAT BRAVO DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 Multijet 150 Dynamic 5dr Manual

FIAT BRAVO DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 Multijet 165 Dynamic 5dr Manual

FIAT BRAVO DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 Multijet 165 Sport 5dr Manual

FIAT GRANDE PUNTO DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 Multijet Sporting 3dr Manual

FIAT QUBO DIESEL ESTATE 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 5dr Dualogic Automatic

FORD FUSION DIESEL ESTATE 1.6 TDCi Titanium 5dr Manual

FORD FUSION DIESEL ESTATE 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr [Climate] Manual

MAZDA MAZDA3 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6d TS 5dr Manual

MAZDA MAZDA3 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6d TS2 5dr Manual

MAZDA MAZDA3 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6d TS2 Nav 5dr Manual

MAZDA MAZDA3 DIESEL SALOON 1.6d TS 4dr Manual

MAZDA MAZDA6 DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.2d S [125] 5dr Manual

MAZDA MAZDA6 DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.2d TS [125] 5dr Manual

MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS DIESEL HATCHBACK A160 CDI Classic SE 5dr CVT Auto Automatic

PEUGEOT 308 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 HDi 110 S 5dr EGC Automatic

PEUGEOT 308 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 HDi 90 S 5dr Manual

PEUGEOT 308 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 HDi 90 Sport 5dr Manual

PEUGEOT 308 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 HDi 90 SR 5dr Manual

PEUGEOT 308 DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 HDi 90 Urban 5dr Manual

PEUGEOT 308 HATCHBACK SPECIAL EDITION 1.6 HDi 90 Verve 5dr Manual

RENAULT GRAND SCENIC DIESEL ESTATE 1.5 dCi Expression 5dr Manual

RENAULT GRAND SCENIC DIESEL ESTATE 1.5 dCi Extreme 5dr Manual

RENAULT LAGUNA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.5 dCi eco2 Expression 5dr Manual

RENAULT SCENIC DIESEL ESTATE 1.5 dCi Dynamique [106] 5dr Manual

RENAULT SCENIC DIESEL ESTATE 1.5 dCi Expression [106] 5dr Manual

RENAULT SCENIC DIESEL ESTATE 1.5 dCi Extreme [106] 5dr Manual

RENAULT SCENIC DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 dCi Expression 5dr Manual

SEAT ALTEA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI S 5dr Manual

SEAT ALTEA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI S Emocion 5dr Manual

SEAT ALTEA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI SE 5dr Manual

SEAT ALTEA XL DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI S 5dr Manual

SEAT ALTEA XL DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI SE 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI Ecomotive 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI Ecomotive S 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI Ecomotive SE 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI Emocion 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI S Emocion 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI SE 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr Nav Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 16V TDI Sport 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 16V TDI Stylance 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI SE 5dr Manual

SEAT LEON DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI Sport 5dr Manual

SEAT TOLEDO DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDi Stylance 5dr Manual

SKODA FABIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI PD 3 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.6 TDI CR Elegance 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.6 TDI CR Greenline 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.6 TDI CR S 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.6 TDI CR SE 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI PD Elegance 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI PD S 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI PD SE 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL ESTATE 2.0 TDI PD SE 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDI CR Elegance 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDI CR Greenline 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDI CR SE 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI PD Elegance 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI PD SE 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI PD Elegance 5dr Manual

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI PD SE 5dr Manual

SKODA SUPERB DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.9 TDI PD GreenLine 5dr Manual

VAUXHALL ASTRA DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.3 CDTi 16V Life [90] 5dr Manual

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDi 105 S 5dr Manual

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDi 105 SE 5dr Manual

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDi S 5dr Manual

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr Manual

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 TDI S 5dr Manual

VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN DIESEL ESTATE 1.9 TDI DPF BlueMotion S 105 5dr Manual

Is this rubbish or what?

Whoever put that list together is a pathetic pen-pusher who probably drives a Vauxhall. There seems to be no logic in it:

- why is the only Ford the Fusion, Ford's weakest model by coommon consent?

- why only the automatic A-class?

- why include Citroens and Fiats which depreciate like there's no tomorrow?

Either go for the Mazda 6 or the Octavia 2.0 TDI, or maybe opt out of the company car scheme and take the cash option if there is one.

Octy 2.0PD Estate would still get my vote

God what did you say to them to get that revised list?

Something about the war no doubt........

SKODA OCTAVIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI PD Elegance 5dr Manual would be my choice off this list.

God what did you say to them to get that revised list?

Something about the war no doubt........

lol!!! The MD is a fellow Welshman but has been living in Essex for 25 years, so that aspect doesn't seem to have any baring. Don't know how much German influance there has been... Problem is, due to the economy & building/new build being slow, we are concenquently slow in work, so things are a bit tight (we supply window/door manufacturers with hardware - locks, handles, etc). Coupled with this the MD & woman financial controller (both new to the company in the last two years) have absolutely no interest whatsoever in cars...

I'm still egding towards a Scenic, Octy is too basic even in Elegance spec, same as Mazda6 in TS spec, but I'll be taking a look at both. Scenic Dynamique is looking favourable due to fairly high spec, and believe me guys, I absolutely hate anything French, especially their cars, so its from a totally logical view point and nothing else.... :confused: