which diesel hatch?

Off the topic (ish), for those who have a vrs, what is the standard 8 speaker sound system like?

Its ok. Has a decent level of bass and can go quite loud before becoming distorted.

The headunit however looks terrible (mainly due to the use of the massive text displayed)
 
If you don't want a big car, but would like a diesel, I'd consider a Seat Ibiza TDi (I assume the same engine as the leon?), I had one in Spain recently (and another when I went in 2005) absolutely cracking motor, drove very well, seemed well built and was very economical.

I'd imagine it'll be quite a bit cheaper than £14k also.

I'd happily buy one over here if I wasn't so damn skint atm!

Just a thought. :)

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My Girlfriend liked it too! :D
 
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the top audi is dsg isnt it?
its not too far from me and fits what i am looking for also. under 10k isnt it?
 
Handling was good, although only took it out for 10-20 minutes on what was generally a straight road

It handles really well on a straight road ;) Show it a corner at anything approaching a reasonable speed and it will go around it whilst constantly telling you it doesn't want to.

The engine and gearbox combo can make for brisk progress over good surfaced roads and there is enough power at 70 in 6th to give you that extra overtaking speed when you need/want it without having to change down. It's not the pocket rocket some will have you believe. Power comes quickly and tails off even quicker. Don't be expecting "looks of shock" on peoples faces when you are overtaking them as a) they are probably not trying b) given you don't know them how could you possibly recognise what a look of shock was anyway c) really you should be looking at the road.

After 18 months/20k miles from new nothing has fallen off yet and a minor rattle was easily sorted. I commute 60 miles a day (30 each way) of mostly motorway mileage and the seats are comfortable for this distance. I've driven a couple of 400 mile round trips and my backside has not been pleased. The seats do mark easily as well but you would be aware of this before buying given the color and texture of the fabric. The door cards also mark very easily but a damp cloth will cure that.

Mine will be going in the new year once I have decided what I want next. What I don't want is another one of these (not that they make them anymore).
 
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Test drive the 120D ... I have one and love it. Boot is small and being 6ft3 you can forget getting anyone behind me (although my nephew in his car seat fits) but 99% of the time it is only me in the car so it is big enough. Go for the SE as the ride in the sport is too hard. As always... everything in the Beemer is an option so if you do like them look for the right one with the spec you want.
 
My budget is £14k tops.

With a budget like that to spend on a diesel hatch, I have to quote Kipling,

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it".

Personally, I'd go for any diesel hatch that has an auto box. Faffing around the North Circular, with constant stop start, anything close to rush hour and you'll be praying to the heavens that you went for an autobox.
 
For 14k you could get an adequate A3 TDI with DSG but it would not be worth it, have a look at a 1 series and a Leon FR TDI DSG.
 
To be honest i've thought about it and there's simply no need to splash out on an expensive car, as even though it can be done, for the moment i'd like a relatively cheap, comfortable, efficient motor that'll happily munch 90 miles a day.

What about the other alternatives, such as a civic or a golf?
 
Oh and the A3 is worlds apart from the Skoda and Seat, although they share the same engine the build quality, technology, parts, etc are different
 
Golf is overpriced, and the older style Civic diesel isn't that nice.

Newer Civic diesel is a nice car (I've got one, and a Fabia vRS). Engine is much more progressive than the Fabia vRS's - wider spread of power, slightly better mpg, less tractorish. Service intervals are further apart (12.5k vs 10k), but servicing seems to be expensive so far.

Spec is generally not too bad on these. I've got a Type S and it'a got alcantara seats, 6 speed gearbox, ESP, mp3 cd player, climate control, air con, CAT 1 alarm, 17" alloys, fairly simple computer for mpg etc. Not amazing, and all fairly standard these days, but the MP3 CD player and Climate control is a nice touch as standard. Doesn't have fog lights as standard which is strange.

Compared to the Fabia it's a bigger car inside, bigger boot, more comfortable and feels much more modern. Ride is quite bumpy. Inside/dash is very different - I like it, a lot don't and it'll probably age badly. Plastics quality could be better, but it appears well screwed together so far.

I like it - but I wish I'd bought an Octavia vRS TDi instead. :p
 
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octavia *** :)

get a nice l&k octybus you wont be dissapointed,

run forever, dont break great on fuel(our A5/mk2 gets us 100 miles to the tenner of stop/start taxiing or 120 on a run costs buttons on a weekly/monthly basis for lease/purchase oh and they seem to be holding values quite well atm (well unless you put 150k miles on them :)
 
Hello all. Just an update on this thread really I started a while back...

Having taken a nice long break (between jobs) to chill and test drive many cars, i've decided I want an A3.

The skoda was a fine car. However, after much deliberation, I couldn't see myself driving 90 miles a day in it, as the interior was too bland and I found the seats uncomfortable after just 30 minutes of driving. So, skoda out. The golf was nice, but for the same money I can get an Audi, which, I found felt a lot more solid and grounded after a few test drives.

I've got my eye on a toucon yellow S Line 2.0tdi DSG:



The interior is simple & classy, comfortable and generally a nice place to be in. I was impressed by the responsiveness of the DSG box, so would ideally like one over a std 6 speed manual. Hopefully I can strike a deal this week so that the car will be ready for when I get back from the states. Thanks for all your input guys, much appreciated, as always :)
 
Horrid colour. If yo uwant a better interior, search for the vRS anniversary edition, they have better seats. It's not uncomfortable though as mine is the daily runner (obviously! :P).

Good luck with the A3, awesome cars.
 
Mini Cooper D?

R56 interior is a bit of an eye sore.. but externally its quite nice if you slap the aero kit on with some 17s :)
 
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The interior is simple & classy, comfortable and generally a nice place to be in. I was impressed by the responsiveness of the DSG box, so would ideally like one over a std 6 speed manual. Hopefully I can strike a deal this week so that the car will be ready for when I get back from the states. Thanks for all your input guys, much appreciated, as always :)

Take a LONG test drive in a car with DSG, I had a Passat with the same engine and DSG for about 6 weeks, thinking it'd be quite nice and boy was I wrong. The worst automatic gearbox I've ever used, the delay while it sorts itself out at junctions is almost dangerous! It does change quickly though.
 
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