Company Car dilemma
Author
Discussion

Olderdubfan

Original Poster:

7 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
Due to order new company car v soon. Coming out of a Golf 2.0Tdi mk6. Due to pricing cannot replace like for like.
My options therefore are narrowed down to - Golf 1.4TSi Match, Audi A3 SE (no extras), Seat Leon FR 1.4ACT or 2.0 TDi .
Was set on Audi until realised it was missing 2-3 things I really need. Golf would be easy choice but Seat intrigues me and I could prob add any kit I wanted unless I got 184bhp diesel which would not even have tech pack. Only doubt on seat is whether interior will stand up to 4 years use. Any thoughts, experiences welcome

oldnbold

1,280 posts

177 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
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My two penny worth is that Seat interiors are very low rent compared to the rest of VAG cars. But if it's a company car what does it matter what it looks like after 4 years of use?

Jonno02

2,262 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
oldnbold said:
My two penny worth is that Seat interiors are very low rent compared to the rest of VAG cars. But if it's a company car what does it matter what it looks like after 4 years of use?
I'd agree until around 2011.

oldnbold

1,280 posts

177 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
Jonno02 said:
oldnbold said:
My two penny worth is that Seat interiors are very low rent compared to the rest of VAG cars. But if it's a company car what does it matter what it looks like after 4 years of use?
I'd agree until around 2011.
I looked at Seat this time last year, and VW, Audi and Skoda when choosing my new car, even the wife comented on how cheap and nasty Seat interiors where.

I got a BMW in the end.

Jonno02

2,262 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
oldnbold said:
I looked at Seat this time last year, and VW, Audi and Skoda when choosing my new car, even the wife comented on how cheap and nasty Seat interiors where.

I got a BMW in the end.
Suppose I've only got experience with the upgraded interior trim levels.

oldnbold

1,280 posts

177 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
Jonno02 said:
Suppose I've only got experience with the upgraded interior trim levels.
New to me, what upgraded interiors are you talking about? To me the dash, stalks and switches all felt very plasticy and cheap compared to the other brands in the VAG group.

Olderdubfan

Original Poster:

7 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
TI did borrow an SE for a few days (frustratingly only non ACT model) and it was ok. Is ok enough for 4 yrs of driving? didn't feel quite as nice as my golf now. Is the FR any different? I am hoping to get out in one tomorrow so will find out then I guess. While I realise only company car I would like to enjoy getting in every day

Olderdubfan

Original Poster:

7 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
TI did borrow an SE for a few days (frustratingly only non ACT model) and it was ok. Is ok enough for 4 yrs of driving? didn't feel quite as nice as my golf now. Is the FR any different? I am hoping to get out in one tomorrow so will find out then I guess. While I realise only company car I would like to enjoy getting in every day


Edited by Olderdubfan on Monday 16th March 08:52

acme

3,036 posts

229 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
See my thread on the 1.4 ACT engine I've got in my company Golf. Great engine and in my eyes much nicer than the 2.0 TDI alternative. But think, long & hard on DSG if you're tempted, mine just about justifies itself due to mileage but I do miss stirring a stick myself, if I did less miles & it was personal only it'd be manual all the way. DSG is hesitant & there's little fun in revving the turbo four pot, but only to be expected.

Jonno02

2,262 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
oldnbold said:
New to me, what upgraded interiors are you talking about? To me the dash, stalks and switches all felt very plasticy and cheap compared to the other brands in the VAG group.
Post 2011 FR models feel very solid.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

229 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
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How about "downgrading"? And bank more £ to do with as you please?

Seriously what about a Zoe? Zero car tax...

oldnbold

1,280 posts

177 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
Jonno02 said:
oldnbold said:
New to me, what upgraded interiors are you talking about? To me the dash, stalks and switches all felt very plasticy and cheap compared to the other brands in the VAG group.
Post 2011 FR models feel very solid.
I was looking at 2014 FR's, my comments are based on the FR, so I'm afraid I disagree. thumbup

Jonno02

2,262 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
oldnbold said:
I was looking at 2014 FR's, my comments are based on the FR, so I'm afraid I disagree. thumbup
Each to their own. I've had a 2009 Audi and the interior quality of that has put me off them. Can't comment on BMW.

Sheepshanks

41,342 posts

150 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
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Do you have a SEAT dealer within easy reach? In some areas they're quite thin on the ground - we had a SEAT until a couple of years ago and, although we live near a fairly big city, the nearest SEAT dealer is a 90 min round trip. Servicing and warranty issues became a pain.

The dealer was useless, and reading SEAT forums, that's a common complaint. To be fair, we replaced it with a Golf and the VW dealer was similar. It's the only car in our family "fleet" which I've taken out of the franchised dealer network for servicing.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 16th March 10:57

oldnbold

1,280 posts

177 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
Jonno02 said:
oldnbold said:
I was looking at 2014 FR's, my comments are based on the FR, so I'm afraid I disagree. thumbup
Each to their own. I've had a 2009 Audi and the interior quality of that has put me off them. Can't comment on BMW.
I previously had a 2011 Scirroco, the interior quality was head and shoulders above the Seat, infact it was probably better than the BMW. I was actually really wanting the Seat to be good, but even Skoda felt much much better.

Olderdubfan

Original Poster:

7 posts

140 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the feedback guys
Shame the golf gt is out of my budget.
Loved the engine in the Audi, just so low on the spec.

RumbleOfThunder

3,728 posts

234 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
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FR ACT for me, incredible technology in that thing.

anonymous-user

85 months

Sunday 15th March 2015
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What was missing in the Audi that makes it a deal breaker? What engine would the Audi have?

FreeLitres

6,128 posts

208 months

Monday 16th March 2015
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Note that the company car tax rates are going up in april for the 2015/16 year.

I'd be looking at very low CO2 unless you like tax!

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

229 months

Monday 16th March 2015
quotequote all
BMW i3?