I'm considering opting back into the company car scheme at work and that would give me up to £25k to play with.

I would need to buy something that can comfortably seat four adults, it must be a diesel or hybrid and 4x4s [1] and convertibles are out.

I don't want another Mk2 Octavia, so they are out, unless there's a Mk3 due soon....

It would need a sunroof, cruise control, bluetooth and the ability to play MP3s. Oh, and metallic paint.

I don't want anything too slow, but would prefer a low CO2 figure for tax reasons.

So, what would you spend someone else's money on?

One of the likely candidates is a top spec Hyundai i40 Estate with a 136bhp diesel engine and only 119 carbons.

[1] So a 2WD Yeti would be fine but a 4x4 Superb wouldn't be. [2]

[2] Yes, I know that doesn't really make much sense but it's not my rules.

Yeti Greenline Elegance.

Plenty of toys, BIG sunroof an optional extra and 119g/km.

Within budget even with a few options. Probably got enough spare for Columbus sat-nav/bluetooth on top of the sunroof and metallic paint.

Superb Greenline - low emissions = low tax, and will seat four adults very comfortably.

If that's too slow then take the 2.0 140 but emissions will be higher

Yeti Greenline Elegance.

Plenty of toys, BIG sunroof an optional extra and 119g/km.

Within budget even with a few options. Probably got enough spare for Columbus sat-nav/bluetooth on top of the sunroof and metallic paint.

Yep, I saw that but I'm a little concerned that 105bhp is going to struggle on a car of that size. My Bravo has the same output and that's not exactly a rocketship, though it would be rude not to get a test drive of one and see how it goes. Shame they don't do the 140bhp engine with 2wd

Yeti Greenline Elegance.

Plenty of toys, BIG sunroof an optional extra and 119g/km.

This would be my choice Seriously liking the Yeti

Yep, I saw that but I'm a little concerned that 105bhp is going to struggle on a car of that size. My Bravo has the same output and that's not exactly a rocketship, though it would be rude not to get a test drive of one and see how it goes. Shame they don't do the 140bhp engine with 2wd

I got a Yeti Greenline SE for my Mum in October and it's not as slow as you'd think.

Skoda don't quote a 0-60/62mph time for it. While it's not fast (I guess 12 seconds-ish) it does feel fast as there is a nice spread of low down torque from 1500 to 2500rpm. Similar in performance to the 1.2 TSI petrol around town, but better on the open road due to the torque.

The Octavia with the same engine is 11.8 seconds to 62mph.

Worth a test drive for sure.

You may compromise a little on the performance, but the rest of the package is very good and you have a fair bit left over for options despite going for an Elegance. So that gives you leather, Xenons etc.. as standard.

How soon?

Mazda are claiming 119 carbons for their 2wd, 2.2d, 150 hp CX5 soft roader due some time this year. I'd expect a loaded version to be around 25k although no idea yet about sunroofs. It's one of the few factory options that they normally offer.

yeti is a really good drive too.....

How soon?

Mazda are claiming 119 carbons for their 2wd, 2.2d, 150 hp CX5 soft roader due some time this year. I'd expect a loaded version to be around 25k although no idea yet about sunroofs. It's one of the few factory options that they normally offer.

No rush at all.

The Bravo isn't 3 years old until the start of May, and I may end up just keeping that for another year anyway, but I've started looking now in case I find anything that has a long factory lead time.

I like the look of the CX7 but it's too costly so a slightly smaller car in the same style would be well worth a look.

I will be having a mooch through a Skoda showroom, but there's quite a lot of other cars that also meet the budget.

I could get an A3 with the 170bhp engine, A 140bhp Scirocco, A 150bhp 2wd Freelander GS, A 180bhp Renault Laguna Coupe and so on.

Those are all going to be more costly, but I don't necessarily need to go for the most efficient engines...

Someone else's money...

What about an Alfa Romeo 159?

In the 3yr you'll have it it might not even break.

A3 5d 2.0tdi(170ps) Quattro

Top of the range Mondeo diesel?

Citroen C5 (well under budget)

I have this issue but I have to take into account residuals of the car (as it reduces the cost of the rental). Having access to the CAP database helps :yes:

Someone else's money...

What about an Alfa Romeo 159?

In the 3yr you'll have it it might not even break.

A3 5d 2.0tdi(170ps) Quattro

Top of the range Mondeo diesel?

Citroen C5 (well under budget)

The 159 has been around for too long, so that's out.

An A3 quattro wouldn't be allowed because of the 4wd but there's an S-Line sportback with 170bhp for £24k that looks good.

C5 and Mondeo are out for being too boring.

The Laguna Coupe is getting more tempting at the mo.

http://cc.skoda-auto.com/gbr/Pages/Step6.aspx

The CO2 is 145 so dont know if that rules it out but otherwise should fit the bill.

I have this issue but I have to take into account residuals of the car (as it reduces the cost of the rental). Having access to the CAP database helps :yes:

Ours used to include residuals, but it was at so low a percentage that it only ruled out a Ssang Yong Rodius!

What's the Laguna like?

What's the Laguna like?

I've not had a close up look, but seen a few driving past and they look good, especially from the rear where they blatantly copy Aston Martin.

http://www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/newlagunacoupe/product.aspx

I've not had a close up look, but seen a few driving past and they look good, especially from the rear where they blatantly copy Aston Martin.

http://www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/newlagunacoupe/product.aspx

of course they look great but I meant to drive. Hope they match up to the expectation.

Yeah, big coupes from ordinary manufacturers haven't done well in the past.

Yeah, big coupes from ordinary manufacturers haven't done well in the past.

I also love the look of the Passat CC - Unfortunately VW have killed it and are calling it the VW CC and giving it the ugly straighter looks from the current passat.

Not sure on the exact prices but I'd be tempted by a (current) CC if it were under the threshold.

The new one is just out of budget with a diesel.

Well I have a 1.8 TSi Elegance octavia hatch as my CC at the moment and it is a great motor and i find its not too bad on the CC tax.

im looking for a new one soon and my budget wont stretch to another TSi so im looking at an Octy 1.6 TDi elegance estate with 17s and lowered suspension or a Superb Greenline se hatch.

But given the choice it would be a 1.8 TSi estate.

Have you looked at the SE Plus range as they are so well equiped.

The estates come with Sunset glass over the hatch.

They come with Sat Nav and bluetooth as standard as well.

Mazda 6 Sport Hatch 2.2 180, acres of interior space, loaded with toys, good choice of colours, 150 carbons.

I've done 52 thousand fault free miles in mine so far.

I will be looking at the CX-5 when it comes out, from initial road tests and figures it looks very good.

I have this decision to make in November, Audi A3 Sportback S-Line Black Edition with the 140 engine and some choice extras is currently top choice but this changes daily.

The Mazda 6 is a fine choice and a very good car, but there's five of them on the car park at work already and I don't want to join the herd so that's probably out (though I will have a look at one).

The superb is now probably also out due to the size - I've got two parking spaces outside the house and it's too bloody long! It will fit on ok, but then I can't open the garage door to get the bikes out without moving the car!

The Mazda 6 is a fine choice and a very good car, but there's five of them on the car park at work already and I don't want to join the herd so that's probably out (though I will have a look at one).

I know what you mean, I thought I was making the left field choice when I choose it over Insignia / Mondeo but they are common as muck now!

Lexus CT200h? Not very fast but the tax is super cheap, if the budget is based on monthly lease rather than list price you might be able to stretch to the F-Sport version which looks a bit meaner.