A weeks test driving, purchase and a dream !

9designs2

9designs2

9designs2

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Joined
5 Jan 2003
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Somewhere in the middle
Just had a week test driving, looking for something to replace the Volvo S60 Company car I need to give back in a month or two.....Only had the S60 2.4D Sport for a month or so, as part of a "severance deal" ! .... I have to say I like it, wonderful 5 cylinder diesel engine, sounds great :-)

As much as wanted a 2 seat sports etc, need to carry a couple of bikes around, and not wanting an external rack meant a big boot is required...
The S60 can do it, but as a saloon it's difficult threading the bikes through the rear bulk head.

So started with a Mondeo ST TDCi.... which I had high hopes for, on paper it ticks all the boxes, load space, sporty, price..etc etc....
Sad to say getting out of a Volvo into one was big disappointment, it felt so cheap and poor quality inside. (both being an 06 my).

Next up was bit left field as the Volvo dealer offered a C30 R designs... now this was blowing the original budget of under 10K... But was nice car, never looked at one before..... But the boot with seats down looked just a bit to small....Drove real nice, sporty and refined.
The V50 R design was too expensive.... shame :-( ..not driven.

Next.... Audi A3 Sportsback 2.0TDi .... Size ok, but to be blunt disappointed.... ride nothing special, and again felt poor quality,,, a surprise and disappointment...

Ok BMW, tried a 123D M sport... space a little small, driving was nice, performance good....maybe bit to firm or twitchy in a small car on bumpy roads
320D SE..... Size good, engine nice (not as nice as 5 pot S60)...but felt heavy and large to drive...Need the M sport version I think......

Looked at Mazda 6, no demo car about..... walked away....

Back to Audi... A4 Avant 2.0 TDi 140 S Line...... Space good, performance quite good, ride/handling a good balance, more agile than the 320D SE.....
Quality felt mush better the A3, still behind S60..........
Well after some discussion, bought an 2006 plate in Black :-))) ....

THEN>>>>>>
On the way home, just had to stop at the Ford dealer....... for the test drive I really wanted..... Focus RS..... OMFG !!!! :eek:
This thing is awesome...... Just fantastic to drive, easy to potter around till the road opens up, then Wowwwwww let it go..... Brakes are just perfect feel, handling is amazing, performance is additive.... and ride is dam good as well.... The order goes in once I get a new job !!!!
 
Hehe you did go slightly over your original budget then. :p

Have you driven the standard ST?

Might be an idea if not, just to check if its worth the extra premium.
 
Worst. OP. Ever.

Seems like he has actually bought a 2006 Audi A3 diesel and might buy an RS once he gets A (not THE) new job.
 
Hell it not so easy to understand !!!....( was trying not to write "War and Peace" !!!) Yes ended up with a A4 Avant 2.0TDi 140 S Line spec in Black.... a little over budget ...LOL...... The New RS is for another day...when income returns, and feel brave to place an order..... The ST Focus is good, but for daily driving needed diesel economy....... the RS would be a second car ...
 
Fastest car in the world the A4 SLine. You could be driving around the Nardo High Speed Bowl in a Veyron and there would be a rep in an A4 S-Line 1mm off the rear bumper.
 
[TW]Fox;14330677 said:
Fastest car in the world the A4 SLine. You could be driving around the Nardo High Speed Bowl in a Veyron and there would be a rep in an A4 S-Line 1mm off the rear bumper.
Click to expand...

Excellent, just what I need to get across Europe to Slovakia from the UK ;) :p
 
i can't believe you took a 140bhp A4 over a 123d :(

although if it's purely for cross-continent cruising, i guess it makes sense..
although i'd rather be in an E90
 
cant beleive you said the e90 was too bloaty and not agile enough, possibly the M sport is needed, but then didnt try an msport and bought an a4? :s surely trying the Msport was the next logical step :p I had an e90 320D msport and if i needed a car that wasnt too expensive for doing decent mileage in id definitely get one, really nice drive for a 4 pot diesel
 
Yes 320 M Sport could have been a better compromise I agree, thing is they are harder to find and the budget was already exceeded and this was just going to push it even more !!!. One series felt a bit cramped and small as well, fun drive for sure.... not so good for a long cruise as well I felt.

So far over the cars driven this week, and this surprised me....the S60 is the best, just it's a saloon and difficult to put the bikes inside,,,, so needed Hatch or "Estate"...
Now I never driven or thought of a Volvo until having this one lent to me....... But I have grown to like it.... The 5 pot engine sounds lovely :)

Was difficult to find the right balance to replace it........ Hopefully the A4 will deliver (hmmm might have it tweaked to 180 horse as well ;) ....If not it should hold value ok, and I'll try something else....:)


Well can't compare an RS to the S60, total different car and reason to drive and own it.... For sure would never think to take the RS across Europe on my monthly commute !!
So you just get pleased and stimulated in different ways when you sit in and drive it. Excellent seat, feel and feed back on controls is superb....great noise....etc etc...
You know one car is just never enough !!! :D
 
9designs2 said:
Excellent, just what I need to get across Europe to Slovakia from the UK ;) :p
Click to expand...

Can I ask, which way do you go?

I have to do Manchester > Partizánske in July, and can't work out if I'm best off going through Czech, or heading through Austria into Bratislava?

Hell of a long way, glad I've got a nice 330d to do it in :p
 
[TW]Fox;14330677 said:
Fastest car in the world the A4 SLine. You could be driving around the Nardo High Speed Bowl in a Veyron and there would be a rep in an A4 S-Line 1mm off the rear bumper.
Click to expand...

I think he missed an opportunity. He should have bought a 530i, then joined OCUK forums and made sarcastic remarks in every thread he could find. Oh, wait a moment...:p
 
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