The Gorse Fox has to make decision regarding the future of his current car. The lease is about to expire and he has not yet decided whether to keep the car, or replace it – and if he replaces it, what should he replace it with. This exercise typically takes place every three years – but always takes time. Thinking goes something like this:
Features
- It has to be reliable and comfortable
- The seats have to suit the Silver Vixen
- Practically it needs to have Automatic transmission and a diesel engine
- It needs to be relatively inexpensive to maintain
- It needs to be in a sensible Road Tax class
- Needs to be a comfortable saloon as Silver Vixen already has a practical RAV4
Choices
- BMW – the Gorse Fox begs your pardon, but just what sort of person do you think he is?
- Mercedes – nice cars, possible contender, but pricy.
- Lexus – no, the Gorse Fox sometimes needs to carry more than a sheet of paper in the boot (trunk) – and again pricy for what it is.
- Saab – aah yes, superb car – but recent corporate history makes him a tad cautious, but GF (and the Silver Vixen) would admit that the Saab was the best car he ever had. Servicing, however, and tyres were very expensive.
- Toyota – possible contender. Nothing flashy, but GF doesn’t need flashy. Possibly a little cramped in the back but worth a test drive.
- VW Golf – GF enjoyed his Golf, but it was a bit small – if extremely economical.
- VW Passat – GF has had two, and they have been brilliant. Current model is end of life and new model is not yet announced so residuals would be a problem
- VW Passat CC – astonishingly good looking car, more economical than current Passat, a serious contender. A test drive is in order.
- Audi – excellent cars, nice build quality, but test drive was disappointing in the A5. Certainly not worth the price differential over the VW Passat CC.
Variables
- Starfleet will provide GF with a car, or
- Starfleet will provide GF with an allowance
- Car scheme is changing but details not announced and won’t come into effect until Feb ‘11
- GF’s current allowance is fixed for next 3.5 years
- With retirement in 4.5 years, GF will probably hang on to the car at the end of the lease.
Decision needs to made in next few days. Suspect the decision is already in the bag, but need to perform “due diligence”.
4 comments:
Have you seen the new SAAB 9-5? Just coming out, reviews seem promising as an alternative.
Financials seem secure as well.
Other one I looked at was the Subaru Legacy, diesel is a tad agricultural compared to ze Germans but very well equipped cars. Dealers couldn't be more helpful either.
Just looked at the 9-5 on the website - love SAAB, but ... not quite convinced
Legacy - as you say, a bit agricultural - and this is likely to have to last me for a number of years
Legacy would survive a nuclear explosion, but can understand that you may appreciate something a tad more refined.
Of your list I'd have a Passat CC or a BMW (I adored my 3 series - best car I've owned from a drivers perspective), although the new Golf is a stunning piece of engineering. Problem with the CC is the boot opening - it's got a decent boot but the opening isn't as generous as it could be.
No Jag XF on that list? The 3.0d is quite a package.
Well the boot opening is not too much of an issue since the cubs left home. GF suspects the CC will get the vote after tomorrow's test drive.
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