Hi,

As i have got a new job, which involves around 20.000 - 25.000 miles/year incl. private and work driving, I`m looking at buying a diesel.

Here in Denmark the taxes on cars are very high, but we also have whats called yellow plated cars, that are being sold with out backseats, and therefor cheaper to buy.

I`m currently looking at:

Seat Altea FR - 170bhp diesel on yellow plates. Is this a strong engine - ehh, does it last long and doesn`t break?

Seat Altea 2.0 TDI 140 with DSG Gearbox on yellow plates. What about the DSG gearbox, are they robust, or?

Skoda Fabia Combi 1.9 TDI 100BHP. This is with backseats, and costs the same as the Altea`s. Now my problem is i like power, but i need to make up my mind if i need the backseat or not. If not, i think i will go for one of the Altea`s.

But how is the long term quality of the Altea compared to the Skoda?

I have driven both the Skoda and the Altea FR, and that 170BHP diesel is really impressive.

I have read that the DSG has a bit of lag when taking off at lights, junctions etc., is that correct?

What about remapping, regarding all 3 cars, anything i should know about?

No brainer for me - it would be the 170bhp and sacrifice the DSG

Chris

No brainer for me - it would be the 170bhp and sacrifice the DSG

Chris

He he, yeah, i have come to the same conclusion after some thinking.

But what are the build quality like on the new SEAT`s, long term wise, compared to the Skoda`s?

But what are the build quality like on the new SEAT`s, long term wise, compared to the Skoda`s?

I have friends with Leons/Ibizas who have had less problems with their cars than I did with my Skoda. At the end of the day, I don't think there's any real differences....

Chris

I have friends with Leons/Ibizas who have had less problems with their cars than I did with my Skoda. At the end of the day' date=' I don't think there's any real differences....

Chris[/quote']

That sounds perfect.

Now the qeustion is if I can get a company car, if yes, then theres no new Altea for me.

If No....mmm, 170BHP.

I`m kindda hoping i can`t get a company car....allthough it would be cheaper for me...but not so many horsies.

what do they have in the back to replace the rear seats ? and what happens to all the rear seats that are removed to make these yellow plate cars ? just seems very odd that to get a cheap car you have to sacrifice the rear seats in Denmark

what do they have in the back to replace the rear seats ? and what happens to all the rear seats that are removed to make these yellow plate cars ? just seems very odd that to get a cheap car you have to sacrifice the rear seats in Denmark

They remove the rear seats, and make an even cargo area the same height as the rest of the boot. I don`t know what they do with the leftover backseats.

In DK we have 180% tax on the cars price when on white plates (with backseats).

I think it is around 60% on yellow plates, when total weight is above 2025kg.

Yellow plates was only ment for cars to be used work related, but private people where also allowed to buy them.

But the goverment soon realised that they lost a lot of money on this, and in Feb. 1998, they made an extra tax for yellow plates being used privately.

So from that date, there is an extra tax every year of around 500 pounds when used only for private things, and if both work and private 250 pounds.

But, as i lay sleepless thinking about my economy, I came to the conclusion that I`d better buy a Fabia Combi instead of the Altea, as if i got made redundant at some point, the Fabia is much cheaper when not being driven, because of cheaper insurance, and no extra tax. :thumbdwn:

As a note to the yellow plates; From Feb. 98, they also changed the requirements for how much loadspace there should be available, so now only MPVs and bigger can be bought on yellow plates. In the 80`s the Golf 2`s where very popular on yellow plates.

My sister has a 6 month old Leon 2.0TDI 140 Reference Sport and absolutely loves it. Very economical and goes like "**** off a shovel" to quote her. The only gripe is it's a little bit uncomfortable on a very long journey.

I would try one... i found the "sports" seats incredibly narrow in the toledo i tried.. was a squeeze for me to sit right, and it would probably be uncomfortable on a journey..

also the dash was just a big slab of cheap plastic.. which i also didnt like :thumbdwn:

What a weird system -

In UK we are actively encouraged to share the car with as many others as possible for environmental reasons.(although not many car -share)

This just seems to promote more cars.

I found the LEON FR very Flimsy and cheaply made inside. Cant remeber the Altea much but just check its upto standard for you. The old Leons although dull and black inside were really strong inside the cabin area.

Seats look and feel cheaper but as posted above they're actually pretty solid.

I'm serisouly considering the new Leon FR TDi and I'd not be surprised one bit if it had less problems than the Furby.

Thanks for all your replys.

But I think I have to ditch the Altea`s, as if i get made redundant, they are far more expensive than a Fabia Combi TDI. But i need to sit down and think this through....mmm 170BHP.

As a side note: My sister called me today, and said she wanted a car, so we where at the dealers, and had a look at a 2000 Fabia 1.4 MPI with 60K miles on the clock. Is there anything i should be carefull about on such an early model?

No, I think she'll love the car - I have an octy and also drive a fabia sport 1.4 Mpi (with 195x15's). It is a fab little car - and would rather drive the fabia any day over the octavia as it is light, chuckable and corners around the tightest of bends with so much grip.

To give you some idea I followed the fabia in my missus' MX5 which has amazing handling and the fabia was pulling away around the bends.

It hasnt got much top end speed but will hit a ton no problem. - use the gears and it you will have good power across the rev range.

Fabia 1.4 is a great little runner. Enjoy....... You should be paying no more than 3 Grand for this IMHO!.

Take a look on the Autotrader website for loads more around this price or cheaper.

Hi Blanes->

I also have a Fabia 1.4 MPI, but from 2002. So justed wanted to know if there where any faults on the early models.

3 grand...if only....I live in Denmark, so more around the 7500 mark. :thumbdwn: :(