View Full Version : The best courtesy car I ever had (twice)
Pagnobito
06-01-2005, 16:51
When my LCR was in for a service my dealr gave me a diesel sport manual Altea to drive around in.
Then when my LCR went back in for warranty work as a result of the first visit I was given the Altea again!
Nice car to drive, steering and clutch lighter than mine, seats are nice and supportive, but they need to be as the suspension throws you about a bit on the rough roads, it doesn't seem to be as 'planted' as the LCR. I drove it on different road types, A, B and motorway driving is nice with the cruise on. wind noise is good and you can hardly tell it is a oil burner and the torque is good meaning less gear changes I found. The radio needs upgrading although I did manage to set up the tone and fader to a reasonable output.
I still don't think I would have one, but I would like to try the DSG version, however I think I may go for a normal size car with the DSG option rather than the MPV style.
I think I may go for a normal size car with the DSG option rather than the MPV style.
New Leon then :)
Well the Sport upright seating is very good in the Altea and I got DSG. Gone is my back ache and having to bend up slowly after a long drive which is what I got in my comfy Citroen ZX even thou the suspession did not crash around as much as the Altea. But what do you expect if you go for the Sport to get the DSG and have the 17" wheel. I do admit that it goes over sleeping policemen well, it's doesn't crash out at the back. I'm now getting use to the ride and the partners Punto does crashs a bit more than the Altea so at least that is good news and yes when you get out of the Punto you get the backache.
Pagnobito
07-01-2005, 12:17
I'm sure you like your Altea 'Tell' as you probably would not have bought one otherwise. It was ok, just not quite right in the suspension, and I don't like the MPV style.
As for the new Leon, it is going to have to be good, because at the moment when the time comes to replace my LCR, it won't be with a Seat. The only things keeping me from getting rid now are the power and looks. I don't like the rattles, and after 60K, bits are starting to fall off and go out of shape.
Enjoy your Altea's, but they are not for me.
TallFella
07-01-2005, 13:03
Which dealer?
Mine always give me a bottom line Ibiza :( (when they give me one!)
big ALI H
07-01-2005, 13:24
Which dealer?
Mine always give me a bottom line Ibiza :( (when they give me one!)
I get a bottom line Arosa :( :(
it must have been a courtesy car altea i saw this morning, was seriously chucking it round the bends.. it was wallowing quite a bit!
Pagnobito
07-01-2005, 16:36
Westerham Seat
But I think I only got it as Seat have lent it as a demo possibly. Normally the courtesy car is a fine Ibiza.
I've had the Ibiza b4 from Westerham - but might have to book my LCR in soon for some minor warranty work that I should have had done months ago.
I quite fancy a go in an Altea.
You will love it.... true it feel sometimes that you could be driving a van as you sit nicely upright and high, but it's only a shade higher than a car and it's got those sexy Alpha 156 lines, you don't get backache and the bucket seats are lovely. The TDI 2.0 engine growls nicely as well when you put your foot down.
With the DSG you can rest you left hand and left foot and right foot on cruise control [don't use it often]. Trafic jams are a joy since you don't get tired of going up and down gear.... You get slight wind noise from the top driver door at 80 MPH like someone is lightly crunching a crisp bag some distance away.
I got the sun roof but I have the mask thing closed since that also cuts down the noise which otherwise I would hear from the roof. I hope the summer will be hot and I may have that flask of coffee somewhere with the sun roof open else I'll be using the aircon otherwise. I thought I need the sun roof to make the vehicle light but in fact it's light enough or the sun roof is tinted enough not to realy want it for that purpose.