• Summary

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What does this car say about you?

    company car? its manly, but not that sporty. has the full red tdi badge so some will recognise its the quicker variant

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    they think its nice and fairly sporty i suppose

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    No. Its a good car, but I'm hoping to do the sports car thing before i get fat and bald (and when I turn 25!)

    What are you likely to buy next?

    VX220, S2000

  • Buying experience

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchise

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £8,000

    When did you buy the car?

    September 2007

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Fair deal. Traveled far to purchase due to limited numbers

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Cheaper than Leon FR

    What was the dealer like?

    fine

  • Driving it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What's it like to drive?

    light steering and pedals, slightly heavy nose but steady handling. good brakes. very good on motorway. turbo cuts in at 2000-2500rpm - a bit limp before this. rarely need go beyond 3000 rpm though. hard to forget it's a tractor engine when accelerating in first gear. esp cuts in easily in 1st and second, even third in the wet - however, its not a rocket ship, and after the turbo surge novely wears off you realise it is 0-60 in 8.6 (?) not 5 seconds. quick, but not fast (150 bhp/230ish lb/ft). clutch riskers can have power+t increased. very good fuel consumption. 40mpg driving v.quickly, 45 normal to work. 55ish on motorway etc. frankly impossible to get near 30 unless you are a lunatic, you will rarely rev above 3,500.

    What's it like to park?

    not hard, you get used to boot depth when reversing

  • Living with it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Turbo hose split. Tyre puncture (!)

    What's most practical about your car?

    easy to drive, big boot, good fuel economy

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    v.good standard radio (except increase in volume with speed) climate control is pretty decent