Off Topic Two out of three ain't bad

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Off Topic Two out of three ain't bad

After all this time with three Pandas, this is the first time we've had all three parked up next to each other, facing the same way.

The axe hangs over the red Lounge, it's days are numbered.
It's off to the mother in laws on Thursday, but we'll be allowed to visit it!
What's the white one with the yellow mirrors? Is it an Antarctica?
 
Well my commander in chief's Panda Lounge is coming up to three years old and she wants another car.

As we've three Pandas at the moment, it been decided that perhaps a slightly bigger car with a tiny bit more space and comfort might be better rather than a straight Panda to Panda swap.

Her must haves:
Bluetooth Hands free phone connection
A higher riding position.
Places to dump stuff she'll never ever use.
Places to hang annoying trinkets from.

Her must haves (that I think)
15 or 16" Steel or at least non diamond cut wheels for ease of repair.
Lots and lots of body cladding.
Parking sensors, maybe with camera.
Easy clean interior.
Easy clean exterior.

My hopefully haves (not important to anyone but me)
Smallish petrol engine, probably turbo charged.
Sat nav.
Cruise.
Low road fund and decentish mpg.
99 years warranty, but more would be better.
Small enough to park on our crowded street, but not flash or tempting to all the toe rags.

We've had a look at a few cars already and dismissed some others (Nissan Puke for one)

Fiat 500X.
Nice, but neither of us are sold on it's looks and seeing as they've priced it and aimed it at the "looks" market, it's a bit more expensive than we both think it should be.
The deals on them are quite poor, we managed a healthy discount, but still the PCP deal was coming out expensive, probably due to a much higher interest rate.
The three year depreciation doesn't look great either, which adds to the higher deal cost.

Skoda Yeti.
Quite the opposite of the 500X in looks, you only need to squint a little and it could be a small van. (not a bad thing in my book)
Again it's £20k ish for the right model, PCP deals are ok but discounts are hard to come by.
The depreciation rate looks better and that does help with the PCP deal.
Skoda/VW seem to have sorted their small petrol engine woes out.

Renault Captur.
All the kit is there or available on lower, cheaper models as cheap options (whether it will still work in a week in another matter)
Prices are very keen £3k lower than the above 500X and on top of that we've been offered £3200 discount at the dealer or 19% off through NHS-Blue light card.
This all makes the PCP nearly half the price of the 500X even factoring in their depreciation and apart from the odd reliability niggle in the back of my mind, they look rather good.

While we were in the Renault dealer, we had a look at the Dacia Sandero Stepway, it wasn't on the look at list, but when in Rome!

While it's easy to dig a bit and see some of the cheaper trim and paint, it isn't really that bad.
I saw them advertised and due to my age, immediately though 1980's Skodas, Yugos and Ladas, cheap and nasty cars with expensive never never repayments, but the Dacia doesn't come across like that at all, just a tidy cheap car that looks fairly good.

It's the same engine and gearbox as the Captur, in top trim it has all the kit (probably the same parts fitted to the Renault) and ignore the badge and the "STEPWAY" graffic on the door (better than penguins and hopefully will come off just as easily) it doesn't look bad.
The new grill and lights really do pick up the car's looks.
Space inside, particularly the boot and elbow room is good and it comes with 5 years warranty.

But what's really bugging me is this:
We could lose the total cost of the Stepway in three years
(but it's more likely it would be around 75%, well ok 80% after she's ramraided Tesco once a week )
and still lose less money than what we'd lose on the 500X over the same period and for 70% less than the monthly PCP payment of a 500X.

I've even managed to find a deal with 9% off list and they tell us they don't do discounts!

SWMBO isn't even aware of the concept of bagde snobbery so I'm going to line up back to back test drives and keep my mouth shut!

Anybody got any other Crossovers that you think we should consider?

Panda Panda Panda!

My Uncle has a Yeti which has been very reliable for quite a few years now. Aunty drives this and finds it easy too she is 80+ and likes things straight forward. Have another friend with a 1.2 Turbo Yeti she also loves it. I have been in this one and was quite Surprised how well it goes for a 1.2 its also been very reliable over five years with no issues.

Hope this is of help.
 
Yes, they are from left to right:
Benito the 2012 Pop 1.2
Giuseppe the 2014 Lounge 1.2
Alfonso the 2014 Antarctica 4x4 Twinair minus penguins!
Yes. I thought so - but couldn't see the penguins so I wondered if it was a 4x4 that you had modified. Love those wheels! ?
 
Well my commander in chief's Panda Lounge is coming up to three years old and she wants another car.

As we've three Pandas at the moment, it been decided that perhaps a slightly bigger car with a tiny bit more space and comfort might be better rather than a straight Panda to Panda swap.

Her must haves:
Bluetooth Hands free phone connection
A higher riding position.
Places to dump stuff she'll never ever use.
Places to hang annoying trinkets from.

Her must haves (that I think)
15 or 16" Steel or at least non diamond cut wheels for ease of repair.
Lots and lots of body cladding.
Parking sensors, maybe with camera.
Easy clean interior.
Easy clean exterior.

My hopefully haves (not important to anyone but me)
Smallish petrol engine, probably turbo charged.
Sat nav.
Cruise.
Low road fund and decentish mpg.
99 years warranty, but more would be better.
Small enough to park on our crowded street, but not flash or tempting to all the toe rags.

We've had a look at a few cars already and dismissed some others (Nissan Puke for one)

Fiat 500X.
Nice, but neither of us are sold on it's looks and seeing as they've priced it and aimed it at the "looks" market, it's a bit more expensive than we both think it should be.
The deals on them are quite poor, we managed a healthy discount, but still the PCP deal was coming out expensive, probably due to a much higher interest rate.
The three year depreciation doesn't look great either, which adds to the higher deal cost.

Skoda Yeti.
Quite the opposite of the 500X in looks, you only need to squint a little and it could be a small van. (not a bad thing in my book)
Again it's £20k ish for the right model, PCP deals are ok but discounts are hard to come by.
The depreciation rate looks better and that does help with the PCP deal.
Skoda/VW seem to have sorted their small petrol engine woes out.

Renault Captur.
All the kit is there or available on lower, cheaper models as cheap options (whether it will still work in a week in another matter)
Prices are very keen £3k lower than the above 500X and on top of that we've been offered £3200 discount at the dealer or 19% off through NHS-Blue light card.
This all makes the PCP nearly half the price of the 500X even factoring in their depreciation and apart from the odd reliability niggle in the back of my mind, they look rather good.

While we were in the Renault dealer, we had a look at the Dacia Sandero Stepway, it wasn't on the look at list, but when in Rome!

While it's easy to dig a bit and see some of the cheaper trim and paint, it isn't really that bad.
I saw them advertised and due to my age, immediately though 1980's Skodas, Yugos and Ladas, cheap and nasty cars with expensive never never repayments, but the Dacia doesn't come across like that at all, just a tidy cheap car that looks fairly good.

It's the same engine and gearbox as the Captur, in top trim it has all the kit (probably the same parts fitted to the Renault) and ignore the badge and the "STEPWAY" graffic on the door (better than penguins and hopefully will come off just as easily) it doesn't look bad.
The new grill and lights really do pick up the car's looks.
Space inside, particularly the boot and elbow room is good and it comes with 5 years warranty.

But what's really bugging me is this:
We could lose the total cost of the Stepway in three years
(but it's more likely it would be around 75%, well ok 80% after she's ramraided Tesco once a week )
and still lose less money than what we'd lose on the 500X over the same period and for 70% less than the monthly PCP payment of a 500X.

I've even managed to find a deal with 9% off list and they tell us they don't do discounts!

SWMBO isn't even aware of the concept of bagde snobbery so I'm going to line up back to back test drives and keep my mouth shut!

Anybody got any other Crossovers that you think we should consider?
Citroën C4 Cactus.
 
Citroën C4 Cactus.

This was suggested on p.1 of this thread. Problem is that it's not a proper crossover - no 4x4 available - so if you're minded to be cruel, it's just a pumped-up hatchback with silicone injections (sorry, "Airbumps").
 
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Good shout! In fact, just this weekend I was extolling the virtues of the Vitara 1.4 Turbo Boosterjet to 'er indoors. From the front, it even looks a bit like her No 1 choice, the Evoque (OK, in the dark with the light behind it!).
 
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Good shout! In fact, just this weekend I was extolling the virtues of the Vitara 1.4 Turbo Boosterjet to 'er indoors.

I knew someone would throw up the Vitara S!
I'm trying to ignore that one.

You better have a look inside one.
All Vitaras are, like a lot of cars these days, fairly cheaply/lightly finished trim wise.
You could never call the dash or trim plush, more like hard wearing!
Though the leather/Alcantara seats are nice.

We're happy with that on the SZ5 because we ain't paying list, but I'm sure plenty that do, won't be.

And for that, the S is quite pricey at £22500, though the kit, like the SZ5 is very good, apart from the turbo engine, a rear window spoiler and Allgrip as standard, the only difference it's missing the Panoramic roof from the SZ5.

I'm looking forward to testing the active cruise, should let me get 40 winks at the wheel!
 
I knew someone would throw up the Vitara S!
I'm trying to ignore that one.

You better have a look inside one.
All Vitaras are, like a lot of cars these days, fairly cheaply/lightly finished trim wise.
You could never call the dash or trim plush, more like hard wearing!
Though the leather/Alcantara seats are nice.

We're happy with that on the SZ5 because we ain't paying list, but I'm sure plenty that do, won't be.

And for that, the S is quite pricey at £22500, though the kit, like the SZ5 is very good, apart from the turbo engine, a rear window spoiler and Allgrip as standard, the only difference it's missing the Panoramic roof from the SZ5.

I'm looking forward to testing the active cruise, should let me get 40 winks at the wheel!
Why are so many of these interiors dark, dingy and unimaginative? I was in a friend's A6 s-line Quattro the other day. I remember reading somewhere that Audi's interiors are stunning. I just remember swathes of black and grey and banks of buttons. The only vaguely impressive thing about it were the floating dials in the instrument binnacle. I really couldn't tell you anything else as it was entirely unmemorable. The seat was comfortable, the ride was very firm. The new Giulia is criticised for having a plasticky, cheap interior (no match for the Germans) but I remember more about it (elegant, pretty, uplifting light, welcoming) than the Audi's and I would rather spend time in such a place. Why does high quality have to be so dull?
IMG_20170304_105355.jpg
 
"And for that, the S is quite pricey at £22500, though the kit, like the SZ5 is very good, apart from the turbo engine, a rear window spoiler and Allgrip as standard, the only difference it's missing the Panoramic roof from the SZ5."

Make sure you get the excellent automatic. The adaptive cruise is brilliant, and the Sport mode feeds a minimum of 20% of power to the rear wheels, making it quick! Very. And incredibly agile. There's an updated version coming later this year with enhanced technology. And don't pay full whack. But remember, Suzuki is absorbing the increased tax with a cash back on cars bought before June.
 
Car interiors need above all to be ergonomic. Clear instruments, accessible controls and utility. I never squeeze my dashboard because I'm driving, so it's squidyness is irrelevant, but an A/C control buried in a touchscreen would really annoy me. Colour needs to be handled carefully in a car. An uplift can be lovely, but too much can look horribly tasteless.
 
I seem to be struggling with Suzuki dealers.

I know it's not possible to stock every model, engine and trim as demos, I have the same headache trying to test drive a Panda 4x4, but their dealers do seem to be smaller "family" affairs with limited staff (or no staff) and limited cars on site.

I went to one nearest me and it wasn't open.
The lights were on but no one was home.
I popped my head in the workshop and they didn't know where everyone was.
I thought it a bit strange, middle of the week, middle of the afternoon and no fecker there!
I tried ringing them three times and I've never had anyone answer!
Not a good sign.

The next nearest is part of a chain and had a S in the showroom, 4 used S's and a SZ-T on the lot, but explained that their other dealer in the chain had a demo SZ5 that was driven by Terry.

So off we went to see Terry at the third dealer.
This is right next door to our Fiat dealer, so we ducked in kind of nervously hoping not to be spotted.

Now I know the second dealer looked up what the third dealer had on the computer and he did know we were looking for a manual 1.6 petrol, so we were a bit disappointed that the SZ5 at the third dealer was an auto with a tractor engine (btw, the oil burner is a Fiat engine).

Never mind, as least we got to poke about Terry's SZ5, which we both kind of liked and Terry himself was a really helpful chap pointing out all the highlights and what he called it's lowlight, the oil burner engine sounding really rough, noisy and viby at idle.

Now, what about a test drive I ask?
Needs to be 1.6 petrol and manual and I know they haven't one in stock, but have the SZ-T back at the second dealer that'll fit the bill.

So now a trip back to the second dealer is on for Friday afternoon for a test drive.

It's all a bit of a palavour and I'm glad I won't really be buying from any of them as the deal is through these
http://www.nhs.motorsourcegroup.com/

A couple of my colleagues have used them in the past and tell me you deal with them, but select a dealer that will supply the car.

I can't see it being number one, it's like a night out with the crew of the Marie Celeste when the bill turns up!

At number two and three we both noticed they seem to fix the number plates on with cheap looking, very large, pan head screws, they don't even looked galvanized.
They couldn't look worse if they nailed them on with rusty 6" nails and a rock.
Penny pinching at it's very worse!

So now need to find a fourth dealer if we do plan to buy one!

Good news is, you don't need to buy and have the dealer fit any accessories.
Suzuki have their own accessories shop and ebay shop that sells all the stuff and it all comes with excellent instructions, there's even vids made by a dealer showing every item available being fitted.
 
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The days of diesel are numbered now so just as well you're not going for one!
Good luck with finding a dealer with sensible hours. It's one of the things that put me off - that and the high prices.
 
Surely nobody would buy a diesel now, so the gruff Fiat diesel is no concern.

I'm surprised about the dealer not being open, mine is quite brilliant and very approachable and they actually know about cars. I've walked out of showrooms before now. At Mazda, when I asked what sort of automatic transmission the car had I was told it was an automatic! I explained that I knew that, but wanted to know whether it as CVT, torque converter or DSG; you'd think I'd have asked the two of them about string theory, not only did they not have a clue, but they seemed not to care less. I left, obviously. They're not interested in the product, I'm not interested in buying it.

Renault was similar, the car on show was not the top version so I asked what features the top one had over the showroom model. He mentioned one and then said he didn't know the rest but that they were only small things. Thank you and goodbye. I know these details are written in the spec sheets, but I expect the man taking commission to know his product.

My local Honda dealer knew his stuff, and the young Peugeot man was new, but personable, and very keen to research information on a brand new car he was only learning about.

I've given up with Fiat, too many variations and confusing option packs, and anyway they seem to have run out of cars I actually might want.


Suzuki dealerships are small family businesses and Suzuki likes it that way so I can understand not all variations of a model being on display. Mine had to wait six weeks for a particular version of one car to arrive for a customer. Fortunately it was a regular customer who buys a new car there every two years. I know! But they usually try very hard to please, so good luck.
 
I'll be very interested to hear your views on the 1.6 petrol. Some of the reviews reckon it's a bit underpowered, but I guess that's all relative. It's less tacky than the Boosterjet, which has a load of pointless chrome on the front (although not as bad as the latest S-Cross, which now looks like Jaws from the old Bond films. The original SX4 was so neat and tidy-looking in comparison).
 
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My best recent example of a clueless dealer not knowing his product was my local VW salesman, who swore blind to me that there is no such thing as a 4wd Golf Estate. "You must be thinking of Passat Alltrack", he said, dripping with condescension. He wouldn't believe me when I said, "No, really, there is a 4wd Golf Estate." I was tempted to walk out there and then, but my stubbornness gene kicked in, and I dared him to check on his PC. Two minutes later, red-faced, he muttered: "Not seen one of those yet. They've just been released". I pointed out that, by that time, they'd been available in the UK for well over 6 months, and we parted company. There's no excuse for a salesman not knowing their product backwards. What else do they have to do during those endless hours when only tumbleweed rolls through their expensive showrooms?
 
Well, I drove the 1.6 petrol briefly and it seemed light and responsive, but it was only a short run over about two miles, in town.

I'm afraid I had my heart set on the Boosterjet automatic, the grill of which I actually like, a lot, sorry. I tried a 1.6 automatic and that worked well enough, so based on a couple of brief tests, which confirmed the tactility, the quickness of the controls and the general ease of driving and handling of the cars, I ordered the automatic S version. I drive a lot in town these days so it has to be an automatic and I took a risk, never having driven the Boosterjet one.

It's fantastic. Had it a year now and I've finally learnt how the Car Play and satnav work. Mostly I control these from the wheel buttons. I'm afraid I do enjoy playing with the car when the conditions are right, and it's fun. As I said, in Sport it's a lot of fun ;)

There is road noise at speed on poorly surfaced (not quiet tarmac) motorways, but not as bad as the vile agonisingly uncomfortable Ford Focus estates we use at work, and no worse than my housemate's Quashqai.
 
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