". ." (xllx)
02/19/2015 at 18:58 • Filed to: None
0
13|
". ." (xllx)
02/19/2015 at 18:58 • Filed to: None | 0
| 13 |
And the latest Seat Leon Cupra was released not too long ago in my country. Apart from the fact that it's pretty damn ugly it seems like a stonking great car. It's also a proper bargain. One equipped with everything my mum would need (280hp version, manual gearbox, 5 door) and then some would cost under $35 000. Compared to that a similar Giulietta QV is about 5 grand more despite having 40 hp less and no limited slip diff or some other toys. The car is getting on a bit by now as well.
Other potential contenders include the Opel Astra OPC for around $38 000 and a Mercedes A250 or GLA250. Unfortunately, both are outlandishly expensive, costing with bare necessary kit around $45 000 and up to the areas of $55 000 if you get everything you really want. Absolutely crazy.
The biggest problem with the Astra is its 3 door body. Even though it's rather roomy in the back, the fact that the car's supposed to be used as a main family runabout for my parents and my younger brother makes a 3 door layout more than a bit impractical. The issue of practicality also killed my idea of my mum getting a GT86.
I guess for now the Leon is the leader. Great value, very high equipment levels, stunning performance (7:58 round the 'ring!) and easily refined enough to be a daily driver. I guess now all that's left is hoping that my mum likes the looks, but I won't hold my breath...
44444444444
> . .
02/19/2015 at 19:09 |
|
I'm gonna assume you're in the UK... Why not an RS6 Avant :D
|
. .
> 44444444444
02/19/2015 at 19:10 |
|
Too large, too expensive. My mum definitely wouldn't like it and it's supposed to be her car after all.
|
44444444444
> . .
02/19/2015 at 19:12 |
|
Oh yeah, I forgot... small in America = large everywhere else... What about an S3 hatchback?
|
44444444444
> . .
02/19/2015 at 19:12 |
|
Or a Volvo V40
Conan
> . .
02/19/2015 at 19:16 |
|
Seat seems the best of those choices by far.
F10M5
> . .
02/19/2015 at 19:17 |
|
What about the others germans? Audi S3, BMW M135i, 125i or even a Golf GTI/GTD/GTE?
|
. .
> 44444444444
02/19/2015 at 19:20 |
|
She always really liked Volvos, but at the moment they're not great value and really struggle in terms of reliability.
Just quickly slapped together a decently specced V40 T5 and it ended up at $41 000. I'm not too impressed but I bet my mum would love it.
|
. .
> F10M5
02/19/2015 at 19:23 |
|
The S3 and M135i are generally quite expensive and price wise would compete with the GLA. Unfortunately, that just seems too much for the sort of car my mum needs/wants. I've not really checked out the 125i, gonna do that in a minute. As for the Golf my mum decided that it's too vanilla and she just doesn't want one. They're also not as great value as the Seat.
|
F10M5
> . .
02/19/2015 at 19:39 |
|
Indeed, the Seat seems to have the best value, and also looks great IMO. I miss, both Seat and Alfa... They were sold in my country in the 90's, but never got back since then.
Klaus Schmoll
> . .
02/20/2015 at 04:34 |
|
It's weird! I always loved the Leon for its looks, but with this generation, it might even be the ugliest iteration of the Golf platform.
How about a Skoda Octavia RS? At 220hp it's reasonably quick and you get a lot of stuff at the entry price of €30K already. €35K should be enough to spec it to her every desire.
|
. .
> Klaus Schmoll
02/20/2015 at 04:42 |
|
Skoda's a no-go. My mum has a bit of an automotive rivalry going with my uncle and he's a huge Skoda fan. On that account my mum wouldn't be seen dead in one. :D
|
Klaus Schmoll
> . .
02/20/2015 at 04:50 |
|
I figured there would be something like that going on. Also, they still have a bit of a reputation of being Commie cars to shake off among people who experienced the Warsaw Pact in action. My mum would have the same reaction to Skoda, no matter how nice their current cars are.
|
. .
> Klaus Schmoll
02/20/2015 at 05:02 |
|
Yup. Many people still see Skodas as rather undesireable due to their history. And let's be honest, Skodas were still terrible less than 15 years ago.