Not sure what I'll get but there ain't a Skoda on the list.

Why no Skoda T, or is that a long story?

I need a medium sized estate too.

Accord: slow, tedious interior, bigger than I want to be bothered parking.

Mazda 6: slow and tedious interior but good discounts.

Volvo V50, either 2.4i or T5: fits the bill but somehow doesn't do it for me. Maybe because I know it's paying top dollar for a posh Focus.

Ford Focus: good value but decent engines not available in estate.

A4: again fits the bill but due for replacement soon and not great to drive.

Passat 2.0T: haven't driven new version but would like a drive when dealers get the T version in, bigger than ideal.

BMW 325i: great to drive and now discounts around that make it more appealing but tiny, awkward T-shaped boot with sloping roof.

Octy vRS: would suit well on paper but it's over-priced compared with the rest of the range with no discounts available, would find that interior a bit embarrassing and mightily peeved they don't give any option on that unlike their cheaper versions - and Skoda are totally clueless on date for the launch.

Now hovering more towards the 325i even though I know the lack of space just doesn't make sense for me. Big downer is the complex a lot of drivers have towards anyone in a BMW. Ok, a lot of geriatric beemers are driven by spotty posers but it's a greater piece of engineering that drives beautifully and can't be knocked for that. Never been chopped up by a beemer in my life but then I probably wouldn't notice.

So no perfect solution as yet. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated. Prefer my cars to look understated and shift faster than they look (so it makes my driving look nifty ).

Don't understand your statement about the A4, thought they just revised the range :confused:

And between the 3-Series and the A4, I'd go for the Audi personally. OK, doesn't drive quite as well, but I find them better built, better looking and have a better image than the Munich alternative.

Steve

Don't understand your statement about the A4, thought they just revised the range :confused:

Launched 2000, face-lifted and suspension tweaks last Feb, due for replacement 2006/7 depending who you believe.

And between the 3-Series and the A4' date=' I'd go for the Audi personally. OK, doesn't drive [i']quite[/i] as well, but I find them better built, better looking and have a better image than the Munich alternative.

Steve

I try to ignore "image", i.e. the way other people see a car, but who could honestly say they weren't influenced. Can't fault the feel of quality though details like not bothering to move the handbrake to the right side of the centre box for RHD strikes me as a tad naff in a quality car. Naff enough in a cheap car.

Equally naff is the arrangement for removing the dividing rail between the boot and the rear seats which I need to do a lot and putting the seats down if you have the drivers seat right back as I do. To get that partition rail off you have to fight it through the rear passenger doors, not just a couple of clips from the boot as with most estates. It's a five year old car now and don't think it's still up there with new 3 which is a fabulous car to drive on twisty roads, like the image or not.