Hello all,
As mentioned above, I have just become the owner a 2024 series1 Formentor 1.5 Tsi V2.
I was previously a very happy owner of a 2017 Audi S3 sport back but, 1) the Audi was getting a bit long in the tooth and 2) I have recently retired, so i thought I should be "sensible" and before the Audi started to run up any big maintenance bills, I should look for a newer, less thirsty, cheaper to insure, replacement within a fairly tight budget.
Having run VAG cars since the mid 90s, I wanted to stay in the fold., but fancied a change from buying another (lower spec) A3, as the S3 had been the 3rd in A3 "model" I had owned in a row. However, a hatchback was a definite requirement for the practicality. My wife and I cycle regularly with a club, and we need to transport 2 road bikes to various, start locations for club rides and sportives. I am not a fan of bike racks, but i could happily transport our two bikes (with front wheels removed) in the "sport back" of the S3 with the rear seats down.
I have been a fan of the looks of the Formentor since its launch, so is seemed like an potential ideal replacement, being a VAG product and being a bit larger for additional practicality. Of course I was initially drawn to an early VZ, having enjoyed the grunt of the same power unit in the S3, but quickly realised that my budget would only stretch to a higher milage model that would be out of factory warranty and probably be more thirsty than the S3. Being a bit "old school", I didn't fancy a hybrid or a diesel (with potential future DPF problems with low annual milage), so that left me with trying to find a fairly rare 2.0 Tsi or plump for a "sensible" 1.5 Tsi. The V2 spec in Auto seemed that way to go (having got used to the DSG in the S3).
After looking around and getting acquainted with the Cupra brand, I saw that the first of the facelift (series 2?) Formentor models would be out of my price range, but i could probably bag a '23/24 (series 1?) model within my budget from a Cupra dealer. However i also read that from April '24, the Cupra factory warranty had been increased to 5 years for "cars ordered after this date", so I then centred my search for a late "run out" series 1 car, that would have this cover. After a couple of days searching for suitably late '24 reg cars, and checking with the dealer they were eligible for the 5 year cover, I found one in my preferred colour (white), but someone put a deposit on that while i was on the phone to the dealer
However, they also had another similar spec. August '24 reg car in my second choice colour (Black) and after a bit of negotiation, the deal was done!
I've had her for a couple of weeks now and although i find the infotainment system annoyingly too long winded for simple tasks (such as turning off the lane assist) and I miss the "brisk" acceleration of the S3, Its a much smoother motorway cruiser, she handles much better than i expected and even with short journeys I am enjoying an additional 9-10 mpg. So hopefully looking forward to many years of trouble free "sensible" motoring
As mentioned above, I have just become the owner a 2024 series1 Formentor 1.5 Tsi V2.
I was previously a very happy owner of a 2017 Audi S3 sport back but, 1) the Audi was getting a bit long in the tooth and 2) I have recently retired, so i thought I should be "sensible" and before the Audi started to run up any big maintenance bills, I should look for a newer, less thirsty, cheaper to insure, replacement within a fairly tight budget.
Having run VAG cars since the mid 90s, I wanted to stay in the fold., but fancied a change from buying another (lower spec) A3, as the S3 had been the 3rd in A3 "model" I had owned in a row. However, a hatchback was a definite requirement for the practicality. My wife and I cycle regularly with a club, and we need to transport 2 road bikes to various, start locations for club rides and sportives. I am not a fan of bike racks, but i could happily transport our two bikes (with front wheels removed) in the "sport back" of the S3 with the rear seats down.
I have been a fan of the looks of the Formentor since its launch, so is seemed like an potential ideal replacement, being a VAG product and being a bit larger for additional practicality. Of course I was initially drawn to an early VZ, having enjoyed the grunt of the same power unit in the S3, but quickly realised that my budget would only stretch to a higher milage model that would be out of factory warranty and probably be more thirsty than the S3. Being a bit "old school", I didn't fancy a hybrid or a diesel (with potential future DPF problems with low annual milage), so that left me with trying to find a fairly rare 2.0 Tsi or plump for a "sensible" 1.5 Tsi. The V2 spec in Auto seemed that way to go (having got used to the DSG in the S3).
After looking around and getting acquainted with the Cupra brand, I saw that the first of the facelift (series 2?) Formentor models would be out of my price range, but i could probably bag a '23/24 (series 1?) model within my budget from a Cupra dealer. However i also read that from April '24, the Cupra factory warranty had been increased to 5 years for "cars ordered after this date", so I then centred my search for a late "run out" series 1 car, that would have this cover. After a couple of days searching for suitably late '24 reg cars, and checking with the dealer they were eligible for the 5 year cover, I found one in my preferred colour (white), but someone put a deposit on that while i was on the phone to the dealer
However, they also had another similar spec. August '24 reg car in my second choice colour (Black) and after a bit of negotiation, the deal was done!I've had her for a couple of weeks now and although i find the infotainment system annoyingly too long winded for simple tasks (such as turning off the lane assist) and I miss the "brisk" acceleration of the S3, Its a much smoother motorway cruiser, she handles much better than i expected and even with short journeys I am enjoying an additional 9-10 mpg. So hopefully looking forward to many years of trouble free "sensible" motoring
