Company car saga - and what to

[chrispattinson]

I have been let down again and again by VW for my company car, and would like some suggestions as to alternatives.

Here is my VW experience:

July 2010 - order Passat CC, delivery date Oct 2010
October 2010 - advised Nov 2010 delivery date
November 2010 - advised December 2010 devlivery date
December 2010 - advised Feb 2011 delivery date
January 2011 - advised April 2011 deliver date
February 2011 - advised June 2011 delivery date.

At this point, after reading on a number of VW forums that any builds that slip later than June 2011 will be cancelled, as VW cannot fulfill them, and as I now have two daughters (only had one when ordered the car), I phoned VW to cancel the order, and was talked into looking at the new Passat estate, as estimated delivery was 12 weeks. After a quick look at one, I was impressed, and ordered a red Passat Estate in Feb 2011

Febuary 2011 - ordered Passat Estate, estimated delivery 6th May 2011
27th April 2011 - email advising July 2011 delivery date
10th May (my birthday) letter advising August 2011 delivery date
24th May - letter advising Novermber 2011 delivery date.......

Im looking for a large diesel car to tow a caravan, carry race gear and kids stuff around in, with max 119 g/km co2 and max value of around £29000.

I'd like sports trim level, satnav, towbar, bluetooth phone prep and plenty other toys if available (I went for panoramic sunroof in Passat).

And comments on this, or suggestions of alternative vehicles is welcome:

Mondeo - I liked this but my wife didnt like it.
Insignia - didn't like the centre console button arrangement
BMW 3 series - too small??? value for money doesnt seem great?
Volvo V60 - havnt looked at this yet?
Accord - seems long in the tooth now? co2 appears too high

And comments on this, or suggestions of alternative vehicles is welcome:

[cmgreen]

Audi a6 3.0 tdi sljne ;-)

[Bagman]

For what your after I wouldn't go for the 3 series, you get a pram in the boot and then your full, probably not the best tow car either. Plus any spec options don't half add up.

[jcb]

Mazda 6 2.2d 180ps - £26.5k 143g/km co2 with every option possible.



Saab 9-3 or 9-5 for something different?

Think your request for under 119g/km co2 is a bit optimistic for a big car!

[Bagman]

You could try an Octavia estate the vrs one and for that budget you could fully load it up with toys. It's not my cup of tea but it's a question of if you want a fully loaded cheaper car or a basic more expensive car. Pity about the VW as it's one of the few middle ground cars.

[Chequered Flag Racing]

Originally Posted by chrispattinson

Mondeo - I liked this but my wife didnt like it.

let her know who's company car it is

[spud31]

easy peasy seat exeo, same car as passat an a4 cheaper an they actually have them

[panch]

Mazda 6 2.2 Sport, Same Chassis as the Mondeo but great value and you get plenty of toys on it for £23k for the top model

I have the hatch and the boot is massive but there is an estate version also

Went through a similar process as yourself I just didnt wait as long, compared this with some in your list and this stood out a clear winner for spec v price.

Similiar spec Mondeo was the Titanium which is over £30k and 3 series and C class similar price for the base models but with no toys on.

Done around 60k in mine in approx 18 months and never missed a beat

http://www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/mazda6/specs/

[Charles B]

Originally Posted by spud31

easy peasy seat exeo, same car as passat an a4 cheaper an they actually have them

Second this one, very nice car !

[MatJohnson]

Just had a chat with the folks in our vehicles department here (we do contract hire for companies etc), thats apparently the story for everyone with the Passat CC. They might be able to get you one sooner but not much.

The accord is heavy on car tax due to the CO2, but its a nice car, Not keen on the insignia, there seems to be a fair few with issues (some are good though) think the volvo is a bit steap on car tax for one that can tow.

What about an Octavia or a Superb? One of the fellas here has an Octavia vRS Diesel and its a great car.

[Hog]

Octavia VRS Estate would be my choice as well. Having had a Fabia VRS for 2 & 1/2 years now I hope to soon make the step up as I need more carrying capability with the kids racing SC10s as well as Mardaves!!

[spud31]

seat exeo 170ps sport same as octavia

[beef]

i ordered a VW Caravelle in Oct 2009 did not get it until may 2010...but it was well worth the wait. love this car.

[mattd3bt]

Seat, Passat, Octavia are all variants of the same platform, just go with the one with the most toys for the money / best contract hire rate. My money would go on the Skoda every day of the week. The Superb is nice drive too but big

[Speeed Freak:)]

Originally Posted by spud31

easy peasy seat exeo, same car as passat an a4 cheaper an they actually have them

I work in the car rental business, Seat all day long, 2ltr 170 tdi with DSG auto in any model would be great for towing! Great cars! Bluemotion ones for less tax!!

Leon FR for great fun!! No good for towing!!

[stegger]

Chris, Don't want to PEE you off but, i work for Canon and our entire fleet are VW. My line manager ordered his CC end of feb and recieved it mid april

[Spoolio]

Originally Posted by spud31

seat exeo 170ps sport same as octavia

Yeah but unlike the Octavia the boot in the Exeo is relatively small, more a match for a 3-series than a Passat. Remember, the Exeo is a re-heated Audi A4, to be Passat size you need to be up to something just a tad smaller than an A6.

Don't know what it's towing weights are for it but the new Mondeo 1.6 Duratorq diesel is getting straight A reviews and it's broadly where you want to be in terms of emissions (and hence tax). Plus the kit count on a top spec one is pretty good, and all for well under your budget (around £24k but its a Ford so haggle).

Also, what about Skoda Superb Greenline estate?

[Fast Eddie]

another seat exeo fan here, I have the leon FR at mo and its fantastic
the new model year exeo has more interior space I believe