I can only think of three in contention.The three they always road test.BMW 3 series,Audi A4 and Merc C class.

No I don't think an x type jag hacks it at all.No,Volvo S50's don't do it for me either.No to the lexus as well.Possibly the Saabs though.

Whatever the car mags say,I would take an Audi A4 every time

Conversely, I wouldn't touch the Audi - would go for the Merc or Beemer in preference. Or the X-Type or Lexus...but not the Saab.

Agree on the Volvo though.

Rob.

Whats wrong with a Passat?

Had an X-Type before I got the Fabia, previous to the X-Type I had a 3 Series. Have to say the X Type was spot on, bags more character and I preferred the looks and interior over the BM as well

Conversely' date=' I wouldn't touch the Audi - would go for the Merc or Beemer in preference. Or the X-Type or Lexus...but not the Saab.

Agree on the Volvo though.

Rob.[/quote']

whats wrong with the A4 exactly :confused:

being honest but i am slightly biased i would still go for the A4 everytime. ive driven and now people that have owned the others. and have not been overly impressed

whats wrong with the A4 exactly :confused:

From an admittedly short drive, there's nothing really wrong with it... just they seemed to have removed a lot of the "feel" from the steering, and made it a bit boring. Has been the same with all the Audis I've driven though...maybe I'm just not an Audi person...

Rob.

From an admittedly short drive' date=' there's nothing really wrong with it... just they seemed to have removed a lot of the "feel" from the steering, and made it a bit boring. Has been the same with all the Audis I've driven though...maybe I'm just not an Audi person...

Rob.[/quote']

fair point mate, was it one of the sport models or was it just a normal A4. cause ive only ever driven the sport models.

ive found my a4 to be much better than my old octy to drive, ride and handle tbh

SAAB 9-3 V6 estate? It's got Impreza underpinnings apparently...

fair point mate, was it one of the sport models or was it just a normal A4. cause ive only ever driven the sport models.

Think it was a "normal" one...wasn't really paying much attention...

Rob.

SAAB 9-3 V6 estate? It's got Impreza underpinnings apparently...

Pretty sure the 9-3 shares it's platform with the Vectra! The 9-2 is what shared the Impreza platform (and was apparently a big flop!

Chris

Whats wrong with a Passat?

For a start, it's not exactly "executive", more "middle of the road familiy guy" tbh.

Unless we're talking a late model or the new one, build quality is decidely average - poor panel fit,rattles from random interior trim all the time, too soft to be rewarding as a drivers cars, sounds tinny when you shut the doors, central locking that really sounds like it's from an FSO Polonez......

And don't get me started on the attitude of the dealers to honouring the supposed 12 year anti-corrosion warranty....... they're view is normally ":finger: to you. you bought the car and now it's over 3 yers old we don't give a flying fork."

A4 everytime. Lovely to look at, and, having spent a weekend with a 1.8T Sport, lovely to drive at any speed. Much better composure and handling than the VW..

Pretty sure the 9-3 shares it's platform with the Vectra! The 9-2 is what shared the Impreza platform (and was apparently a big flop!

Chris

Oh, OK... I stand corrected!

A4 everytime. Lovely to look at' date=' and, having spent a weekend with a 1.8T Sport, lovely to drive at any speed. Much better composure and handling than the VW..[/quote']

couldnt agree more

couldnt agree more

was on a 53 plate, and had a mileage of.........

over 70,000.... :eek: :jawsmall:

still felt tight like it's just come off a forecourt, interior in better nick than my 2001 VW with only 49K on the clock.

In all fairness the Vectra bits really don't show - the Saab 9-3 is an awesome package, comfortable, quick, smooth, well specced.

Having seriously considered pretty much all the above as a company car (except the BM), I'm pretty much decided on the Saab.

In all fairness the Vectra bits really don't show - the Saab 9-3 is an awesome package' date=' comfortable, quick, smooth, well specced.

[/quote']

Apart from the moment when the handbrake of a delivery mileage model detached in my hand........ :eek:

never had that happen with a skoda.......

to be fair the saab 9-3 was on my shortlist when i was looking for my octy replacement. 4wd won the day tho

I love the A4 shape that Kenny has, the new one doesn't thrill me that much.

The BMW's are over rated unless you get a top spec engine/trim model and then you're talking mega bucks, the Lexus IS200/300 is full of toys and, in my opinion, looks better than all except the A4. The A4 is nice but a bit pokey in the back for the size of the car, the Saab - err don'yt know stopped taking any notice of them when they entered their doldrum years and the Merc is for pensioners.

Think the idea of the ' small Executive' car is a marketing con, but of of the choices would buy the A4, or my to be honest a high spec Octavia and 2 weeks in the caribbean for the next 5 years.

Octy 2 specced high up.

or my to be honest a high spec Octavia and 2 weeks in the caribbean for the next 5 years.

my 9 month old A4 quattro cost the same as a basic spec'd new vRS

yeah before someone jumps on my back its not like with like(new with new) buts just pointing out for the sake of 9months the octy isnt a total bargin compared with the listed cars

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop

The BM is a BMW therefore must be in contention, but isnt cos its a BM !! LOL

The Merc is synonymous with corner shop owners, therefore is NOT in contention

That leaves the Audi which is better than ALL of the above. Cos I like it !!

There. Done. You have your answer !!

whats wrong with the A4 exactly :confused:

being honest but i am slightly biased i would still go for the A4 everytime. ive driven and now people that have owned the others. and have not been overly impressed

Awesome !!! Thanx for the pics

Awesome !!! Thanx for the pics

no probs, wish it looked like that now, scottish winter seems well underway, cold an verybad flooding for days :(

And what's wrong with an Octy then?