Since I departed company with my first 20VT (R3 FWW) in 2003/4, I’ve had quite a few cars, probably 12-15. Of note would be an S2000, Clio 182, BMW 118d, Octavia vRS (derv) and Mazda 6 MPS. Some I kept for a few years, some for a few months. The only one I though better than good (fantastic in fact) was the 182.
But I’ve finally found a car that makes me feel like the 20VT did, I feel myself wanting to go out for a drive just for the sake of it…
It may look boring to some, but that was the idea. Flashy doesn’t work in my job and most would not know it has a 3.2V6 and 4wd unless I was heavy with the throttle. It sounds utterly fantastic at WOT, and tunnels have new meaning. It’s not quite an Alfa Busso V6, but it’s not far off.
Given that I’m 37 now, I opted for the DSG
which is excellent. It’s a real Jekyll and Hyde car with this option. You can potter around in D at 800-1000rpm or switch to S and it hold the gears and appears to read your (my) mind. The paddles can be used which provide near-instantaneous gear-changes. Anyone moaning about the box has made the wrong choice for them or has mechanical issues.
Speed-wise, it doesn’t feel massively fast due to the way it delivers the power, but the 3.2 coupled to the DSG makes 60 in 6 seconds or less all day long and 100 by around 15 seconds. Effortless I suppose.
The handling and weight of the car doesn’t necessary make you want to press on (say like a Clio 172 does
) but the grip levels and speed it can attain are astonishing. The 345mm front brakes are fantastic and 4wd coupled with DSG means wet roundabouts are easy to negotiate
Inside it is comfortably the most well appointed car I’ve owned- heated leather sports seats (wonderful), 6.5” touchscreen Satnav/media unit, Bi-Zenon lights, parking sensors, Bluetooth, auto this that and the other, etc etc etc. A lovely place to be and to my eyes feels like new. The noise levels, quality of the ride and the lack of squeaks and rattles is impressive to me given its age of 5 years and 59,000 miles. It feels like a higher quality product that the 2008 BMW 1 series I had from new.
MPG is better than expected, once warm 23-25 round town and well over 30mpg at over 80mph on the motorway.
Some would question why I chose it over the GTI given its more expensive, heavier, thirstier, more nose heavy and slower down a country lane. The noise, end of. The GTI is fun when pressing on but I would do that once a year on the road so it’s pointless for me. That’s what my Clio 172 track car is for.
Did I mention the noise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osCDvQAEX48[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0077NP.jpg[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0072.jpg[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0079NP.jpg[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0081NP.jpg[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0080NP.jpg[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0078NP.jpg[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Jonnyst/DSC_0083.jpg
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/dm_dex/fccuk_zps95ac9c0b.png)
Though my work colleague has got a very good deal.
