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What should I choose to replace my A3?

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27 October 2008

I really don’t have a problem when friends or readers ask me about advice on their new car choice. What should I get to replace so-and-so? I love it.

I enjoy understanding why they need the car they say they do; what they want it for; is it really appropriate; and, then, of course, spending their money on a potential list; and seeing what they finally choose and why – often quite different from where they started.

Tim Rosser is one such. Tim runs Turning Circle Solutions. A friend of mine, Tim lives round the corner from the businessmotoring.co.uk offices. Tim called me up in early May. The contract hire agreement on his Audi A3 was due to expire in August. He wanted to start planning the replacement.

This is Tim’s second successive Audi A3. Both have been on contract hire run through his company. But while he liked the Audi, he didn’t fancy more of the same. And he didn’t want anything as big as my Audi A4 saloon. It had to be diesel to keep company car tax as low as possible.

What sporty, premium-style hatches should he choose? My list ran from an Alfa 147 via the Ford Focus (dismissed as an idea) to a Volvo C30. Plus a wild card: the Jaguar X-Type estate.

Why the wild card? Last year Tim’s car had been side-swiped by a lorry on the motorway. While it was being repaired, Tim was given a Jaguar wagon as a replacement. And he really liked it.

I know what he means: I’m no fan of the X-Type saloon but the wagon is a different matter. It looks classy; and Jaguar have fitted out the interior to give that classic, sumptuous Jaguar experience. It makes you feel very special to drive it.

Anyway, I sent my list of cars to local BVRLA-approved car leasing broker Concept Vehicle Leasing and put the MD, Paul Bulloch – who writes for this website – in touch with Tim: local businesses should do business with each other after all.

This was the list – and the quotes Concept came up with.

  • Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTDM Sport 3dr* £279
  • BMW 118d ES 5dr £333
  • Honda Civic 2.2 CDTi SE 5dr* £215
  • Volvo C30 1.6d SE Coupe £220
  • VW Golf 1.9 TDI S 5dr £199
  • Jaguar X-Type Estate 2.0d S* £295

  • Prices at May 2008, including metallic paint; based on a 24-month contract over 30,000 miles. *Quote priced on special offer deal on a 36-month contract over 45,000 miles. Prices ex VAT.

And which did Tim go for?
Yes, the wild card. Not the premium hatch idea he started with.

I left Paul and Tim to arm-wrestle over negotiations but I believe Tim has just recently taken delivery of a 58-plate X-Type estate. And very pleased he is, too. I need to catch up with Tim over the finer points, but shall let you know later on.
I’ve had two Audi A3s but want a change. What should I get?

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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