Looking for a new car on a lease..some thoughts?

[Spud1]

Due to a recent promotion at work..i;m looking to finally replace my 206! It's still running nicely, and whilst there is only around £800 of work to be done on it (half of it before the new MOT rules come into force), since I have the opportunity now i'm really tempted to pick up a replacement.

I'm only looking new at the moment - unless some screaming bargain comes along thats second hand..but not likely.

I'm looking at a lease (3+35) or PCP deal, ideally using my PUG as a deposit - it's worth around £2200 privately or £1800 on a trade in, obviously depending on the garage/dealer.

I'm looking for another hatch ideally, but something with a bit of oomph. I've had enough of the heavy 1.1 206 (all of 59bhp)...so it's got to be something a bit more powerful Road noise is also important to me, as my 206 is insanely loud when you get over 50mph.

Not too fussed about excessive levels of equipment, but a few toys would be nice.

I'm looking to lease over 3 years, and my budget is approx £250 (top end), although obviously the lower the better

I'm very tempted by a Fabia vRS - Love the looks, gets good reviews, good amount of power + equipment, and fits within budget on the current £220/mo 3+35 deal, including servicing + tires.

Going for a test drive at the weekend - but I like to do my research..so what other options have I got? I do tend to love/hate cars and how they look, and I don't want another peugeot, citroen or renault, and the Punto is also out...so that does kind of limit my choices in this market. A polo is another choice I have considered, but it's pretty much the same as the Fabia, just more expensive.

What do you think?

[idimmu]

i dont know much about leasing, but check out the golf (or any VAG) diesel cars. really good on mpg and plenty of poke. the top end golf tdi has 170bhp iirc.

[finlay666]

A polo is another choice I have considered, but it's pretty much the same as the Fabia, just more expensive.

What do you think?

Yes and no... the Polo gti has the same engine but a manual gearbox standard (not sure if you can get the automatic) instead of the semi auto 7 speed in the fabia vrs

[Spud1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been for a look around today at various options..and i've pretty much decided on something I didn't even consider - an Audi A1.

Really beautiful car inside, and pretty much your standard Audi average looks on the outside..but I sat in the S-Line today and instantly felt at home, more so than in the Fabia (which was still nice), and much more so than the Polo GTI, which was just plain boring.

Works out roughly the same as the VRS too at around £220 a month (s-line, 1.4 petrol) on a PCP deal using my PUG as deposit, very similar on the insurance too at just under £1k.

Going for a test drive in the correct model next week..and if it goes well I'll be signing up for sure! Roll on next weekend...

[Guy]

Yes and no... the Polo gti has the same engine but a manual gearbox standard (not sure if you can get the automatic) instead of the semi auto 7 speed in the fabia vrs

Nope, the trio of warm super minis from VAG (Fabia/Ibiza/Polo) all share the 1.4 TSI, mated to the 7 speed DSG box. No manual option was/is available.

[Andeh13]

http://www.lingscars.com/customers.php

Never used them, but heard good things about her^

[Spud1]

Yeah lings is good for a straight up lease not always the cheapest, but its useful website for comparison.

The deal i'm looking at is a PCP rather than straight lease now - slightly higher up front costs but much cheaper monthlies - £2k deposit instead of £900, but the price works out as £220 a month instead of £350. Thanks for the info though

[finlay666]

Nope, the trio of warm super minis from VAG (Fabia/Ibiza/Polo) all share the 1.4 TSI, mated to the 7 speed DSG box. No manual option was/is available.

Could have sworn it was one with the manual not the DSG that I saw on the car configurator a while ago, must have been a different one.

Shame, wonder how the flappy paddle is to get on with

[Spud1]

Just to update this thread with the final choice..Ordered an A1 1.4 TFSI Sport in metallic scuba blue at the weekend - should get it in about 2 weeks (they had the spec I wanted as a cancelled order..so its on the boat from Germany now!).

Can't wait for it

[PetrolHead]

Pics when it arrives please

[Spud1]

Pics when it arrives please

PIcked it up today It's really nice..looks great, drives great, really comfortable..I don't have any regrets at all. So much nicer than the equivalent polo/fabia/seat..it's a different class for a tiny premium when you spec up one of the other cars to this level.

Pics here:

http://img705.imageshack.us/g/img0499nx.jpg/

[vicar]

Looks very nice enjoy.

[McMav]

Love that shade of Blue enjoy it.

[Biscuit]

Wow thats a really nice looking car, i have never really looked at the A1. Congratz on your promotion btw!

Is the TFSI the same engine as the 1.4TSI? If so is the same 150-180BHP one you get in the other VAGs?

Could have sworn it was one with the manual not the DSG that I saw on the car configurator a while ago, must have been a different one.

Shame, wonder how the flappy paddle is to get on with

Ibiza diesel FR is the only one with manual IIRC

[PetrolHead]

Nice car buddy, i fancy a A1 now!

[Spud1]

Nice car buddy, i fancy a A1 now!

For the price I don't think you can beat it, IF you value a nice interior over pure performance (A Fabia VRS is cheaper, but looks wise there is no contest).

The most common criticism I have heard is that it's too expensive..but if you take it's chief competitors - the Mini and the Polo/Ibiza/Fabia, and then spec them up to the same level of equipment as my standard Sport model..they ALL come in at more expensive. For the basic models they are all cheaper (Circa 9k) but with zero equipment. Plus the cabin in all of the above is terrible compared to the A1, even if you fully spec up to GTI level. Non of them have a pop up colour screen with bluetooth/SD card audio as standard, for example

So i'm more than happy with my purchase, just looking forward to seeing the back of my first 1k miles so I can really start to push it..so far it's really quick and great to drive, but when I am allowed to put my foot down..should get even better :-)