1 day before i had to order a car, i did manage to get vauxhall to let me have the Astra SRi 150BHP Diesel sport hatch.
I wasn't hoping for much from it but i actually found this car to be better than the VW Golf in terms of drive. I had much more fun in this than the golf by a mile and serious considered getting one. I think Vauxhall are upping their game finally. There is of course cheap plastics but this is the new cool" PLus the sport button is so much fun! turn on, turn it off, turn it on....Its great (Simple things)
THe reason i didn't plump for the Sri was due to the blu tooth kit. The Vauxhall bluetooth kit replaces the drivers drink holder and Vauxhall reckon that you need a cradle that they don't supply or know who does?. (I managed to pair the phone without a cradle, shows what they knew) this seemed a lot of hassle.
There was also a matter of me wanting the extra body kit and i couldn't afford it.
But seriouisly id have a look, i was more than impressed as my previous experience with Vauxhalls have been depressing.
I am in no way trying to put you off the leon, as i say i ordered one. I think the main benefit of the Astra was its ride which was better than the leon in terms of comfort.
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I was never thinking about the Astra 150 sporthatch (in my journey considering my company car) until I've just re-read your thoughts above & then I had another look at our new car lists - above Astra appears about 10% less per month rental than the Leon (both cars with the spec I want). I've put in on my list to consider & try out, rather than having not considered it previously.
I'm in exactly the same position now as you were when you started the thread - a number of options with no clear winner & it'll hopefully be fun for us to try them out & make a decision! Thankfully I've 2/3 months before decision has to be made.
I had a Mk1 Leon I really enjoyed but Mk2 is not selling itself to me.
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