Passat Estate - Alternatives?

BaZ87 · 20 Feb 2017 at 18:33

I'm going to be starting a new business in the next month or so that's going to require me driving throughout the country to exhibitions, shows and retailers. I need something that's going to be comfortable to drive on long motorway journeys but that also has the space to carry all the marketing junk that I'll need for exhibitions, stock and a couple of Cocker Spaniels from time to time.

I was initially looking at buying outright but with a fair bit of money going into other aspects of starting the business I'm likely to end up leasing for the time being. I've had a brief look around and test drove a Passat Estate 2.0 TDI DSG and it seemed to tick all the boxes and I can pick one of these up for around £12k (including VAT) over 3 years based on 12,000 miles per year.

What are the alternatives to the Passat that I should take a look at that before making a decision? I wouldn't want to spend a great deal more than what the Passat would cost but would consider it if it was worth the extra and my only requirements are:

Automatic
Sat Nav
Big boot and folding rear seats
Comfortable on long motorway journey

Thanks.

BaZ87 · 20 Feb 2017 at 19:12

Anything that's not a Skoda? I know, I'm a snob.

BaZ87 · 20 Feb 2017 at 19:19

Sorry if I wasn't clear. Yes, I'm looking to lease the car. It can be personal or business but the total cost over 3 years needs to be not much more than £12k.

BaZ87 · 20 Feb 2017 at 21:00

adam cool dude said:
Find it odd that you are starting a new business venture and start off with a lease which is one of the most financially incorrect things to do or does the "image" of a new car effect your business?

The image of the car makes zero difference, I'd just rather not have a Skoda as terrible as that sounds. As for it being the most financially incorrect thing to do, without knowing my circumstances that's some statement. I currently run 2 other business's and this car will be used for another one of the business's as well and replacing the car that's currently being used for that.

BaZ87 · 20 Feb 2017 at 22:09

I'll go take a look at one tomorrow morning.

BaZ87 · 21 Feb 2017 at 15:56

I popped into my local Skoda dealer this morning and had a brief look around a Superb Estate. I'll be honest I was fairly impressed. I didn't get a chance to have a test drive but possible next week I'll have a chance. I went through a few figures with the salesman. Initially we looked at a 2.0 TDI SE L Executive DSG and the price was coming in at around £270+vat on a 3+35 @ 12,000 miles per year. I noticed on the Passat that R line trim was working out cheaper on lease than the SE Executive so I asked for a price on the Sport Line trim on the same terms and I was pleasantly suprised with the response. £235+vat!

At that price, if the test drive goes well then I might just ignore the badge and go for it.

BaZ87 · 21 Feb 2017 at 16:24

Rroff said:
My parents run Passats and Tourans - dunno if the Touran is worth a look seems like a better vehicle and otherwise not a million miles removed from the Passat. Passats are kind of meh but they just keep on going.

We had a Touran before and I'll be honest, I hated it. I know the Passat isn't spectacular but it just needs to do the job and the Passat ticked all the boxes. I'm starting to be swayed towards the Superb.

garnett said:
I'm driving a Superb on a lease. £195 pm for 2yrs 8000mpa inc maintenance, business se, 2.0l manual (but dsg would have been same price).

It's a very good car, and skoda customer service has been very good. I haven't tried the Passat.

I should have got dsg, and if you're doing more miles then don't hesitate.

Boot is a wonder.

That's + vat I guess? Still a very nice price if DSG was no extra. Once I have the test drive I'll shop around and see what I can get because although the Sports Line is nice, the majority of kit isn't needed. It's only going to be used for the business's so as long as it has the basics then price will be the deciding factor.

BaZ87 · 26 Feb 2017 at 23:47

Adam said:
I have one of these: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/my-vw-passat-alltrack-190-dsg.18730187/

Fantastic family cars.

Yea, I remember that deal. If only something like that pops up again.

garnett said:
Nope, 193.83 inc Vat (plus a deposit of £863.08)

That's an incredible price. Still haven't had a chance for a test drive yet but I've been looking around and I think my local dealer made some kind of mistake on the quote he gave me on the Sport Line - everywhere else I've found are quoting upwards of £280 plus vat on a 3+23 or 3+35 basis. The SE Technology looks the best bet - they're going from as little as £210 plus vat on a 3+23 basis @ 10,000 miles per year.

I'll probably have to start looking around again from scratch as I'm not going to be in a position to go for anything until I've signed a contract for this new business which won't be until early April by the looks of things.

BaZ87 · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:16

Had the test drive this morning and it ticked all the boxes. The boot and space in the back really surprised me - I know all the reviews say it's big but I honestly wasn't expecting it to be quite as big as it was. I have to admit that the badge is still stopping me from fully commiting to it though but I'm definitely leaning towards it right now. The decision will come in around a months time once my new business is up and running and it will all depend on what offers are out there.

As I predicted, the dealer made some kind of mistake with the quote on the Sport Line. He ran the quote again today and it was coming out at £290+VAT rather than the £220+ he initially quoted me.

BaZ87 · 8 Mar 2017 at 19:12

Bit of an update. I've started to question the suitability of an estate altogether. As well as going to exhibitions I'm likely to be going to various county shows and the like and could do with something with a bit more off road ability. Nothing extreme but I'm not sure how a Passat or Superb estate will cope driving through a muddy field. Secondly and most importantly though, all the extra space the Passat and Superb have over the competition is likely to be useless to me as the max load weight will be reached before I run out of space. Going to these shows and exhibitions I'm going to be carrying all the marketing junk but also a fair bit of stock and the 650(isk)kg max load weight possibly won't be enough.

Something like a Pickup truck crossed my mind, for the off road ability and greater load weight but I'm a little unsure about how well they drive and how comfortable they'll be on long journeys.

BaZ87 · 8 Mar 2017 at 20:29

paradigm said:
Why not just get one of the "jacked up" 4WD versions of the estates? Passat Alltrack, Octavia Scout?

Thought of that but still doesn't solve the issue regarding load weight. I'll have to think it over a bit more and decide exactly what I need - everything with the new business won't be finalised until the first week of April so I've got time to make up my mind.

BaZ87 · 15 Mar 2017 at 13:20

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 520d SE Touring. Brand new outgoing model with metallic paint - a tad over £28k.

Give me reasons why I shouldn't but it but be quick as I'm just waiting on the dealer to call me back to put down the deposit.

BaZ87 · 16 Mar 2017 at 16:20

I ordered the car yesterday. It's in storage at the moment so they said it will take 7-10 days before it's ready for me. At the price I got it, I was struggling to justify even considering the Superb or Passat anymore.