Problem is these days if you have an aversion to buying anything Chinese - you wouldn't have much choice left! They've done a good jobs and their new models such as the latest XC-90 hugely impressive. Volvo are doing far better now than they ever did under Ford ownership, in the same way Jaguar Land Rover are under Tata (Indian) owners.

To be honest VW Group haven't covered themselves in glory over deliberately falsifying emission tests and when caught out refuse to compensate their victims (sorry customers)!! They were made toon the States.

We looked at all sorts of cars before we bought the Volvo, VW Golf - local dealer's sales staff too arrogant to care less and believe they do customers a favour if they sell them a car; tried one, not anything like as comfortable, very austere interior, and hugely over priced in character more like a domestic appliance. Audi A3 much better but even more expensive and again not as comfortable, BMW 1 series just awful. Wouldn't touch Ford or Vauxhall - know too many that have had too many problems!

My aversion now is anything sold out to the chinese.

I try my best to avoid stuff made there, and I don't do a bad job. Depending on how much of a rush I'm in, I will go out of my way to avoid.

But yeah, sell out to them and its a big no no. Just like I was looking at a new provider for my mobile phone until the Europeans did us a big favour.

The Volvos do look good though, and I would probably like them if I tried them, as they are still pretty much a Swedish design and build.

Edited 18 July, 20169 yr by JungleJames

I'm going the other way! Selling my F30 330d xdrive and going to a Octy 3 Vrs TDI.

Is that a wise decision Zippeh? Your going to lose out on performance, refinement, build quality, driver appeal.....(wait to get flamed by the vRS fraternity now)!!

Is that a wise decision Zippeh? Your going to lose out on performance, refinement, build quality, driver appeal.....(wait to get flamed by the vRS fraternity now)!!

Definitely a wise idea.

3 Series quite bland. id happily forgo a bit of refinement.

Each to their own I guess - having owned a 335d and an Octavia the two cars are on a different planet ability wise - in fairness the BMW is much more expensive but the vRS isn't the drive of a 330d. and yes I have driven one! Yes it is very smartly styled, roomier and more economical than the 330d and those factors are clearly important to a lot of folks but as a driving experience nowhere near.

Is that a wise decision Zippeh? Your going to lose out on performance, refinement, build quality, driver appeal.....(wait to get flamed by the vRS fraternity now)!!

Fully aware of that the things I've found after spending so much on cars recently is that I don't think it's worth it for the driving I do! I'm getting the vrs on a two year PCH deal. I'll save a lot of money over that time, and then look again at what I want. 

 

If anyone wants to buy my 330d give me a shout