Just ordered my new FR - couple of n00b questions

[Peppermuncher]

Sorry to bring up the subject again, but on the mobility thing.

I can fully understand why people get annoyed by the mobilty scheme. Alot of people on here work very hard and make alot of sacrifices to own a car, especially if you can be forking out £18k minimum. So for someone to recieve what is seen as a performance vehicle for what is seen as free off the government does stink a little bit.

As we see this the money is supposed to be the for the help of the family as to allow them to be MOBILE, to alot of people it can seem unfair, as it is seen to be as an aid. So a fast powerfull car is not seen as necessity for someone with disabled children or lack of mobility themselves.

I'm self employed. I own a restaurant and a shop have 14 staff and work very very hard, i can only comfortably afford the 1.6, as i contribute to society(tax and n.i payments) alot more than other people why should i have to without?

All i am asking is if you are in the very fortunate position to get what is basically a free car or heavily assisted please don't announce it, as it will bring alot of attention to the subject and abuse towards yourself.

 

[ThumpJunkie]

Sorry to bring up the subject again, but on the mobility thing.

I can fully understand why people get annoyed by the mobilty scheme. Alot of people on here work very hard and make alot of sacrifices to own a car, especially if you can be forking out £18k minimum. So for someone to recieve what is seen as a performance vehicle for what is seen as free off the government does stink a little bit.

As we see this the money is supposed to be the for the help of the family as to allow them to be MOBILE, to alot of people it can seem unfair, as it is seen to be as an aid. So a fast powerfull car is not seen as necessity for someone with disabled children or lack of mobility themselves.

I'm self employed. I own a restaurant and a shop have 14 staff and work very very hard, i can only comfortably afford the 1.6, as i contribute to society(tax and n.i payments) alot more than other people why should i have to without?

All i am asking is if you are in the very fortunate position to get what is basically a free car or heavily assisted please don't announce it, as it will bring alot of attention to the subject and abuse towards yourself.

I'm so very sorry for being pleased that my six year-old son, whose legs were both in plaster casts from birth until he was three, who has an horrendous immune system which results in him being VERY ill all too regularly, and who has the mental age of a 18-month old and a physical age of not much older is getting a bit of comfort and luxury in his life. How dare I choose to spend a little extra of my own money to turn a said necessity into a little bit of personal joy, I certainly don't deserve it following the hardship I've endured over the past six years.

Some of us don't have the luxury of running our own business and earning a wage, some of us have had to give up employment to care for our less fortunate children. How dare we.

 

[sniperftw]

dont be a baghead!! dont play on your sons illness like that!

Peppermuncher i agree with what your saying!! why not the leon ecomotive? not only is it stupidly economic but also no road tax and cheaper than FR!?

 

[ThumpJunkie]

dont be a baghead!! dont play on your sons illness like that!

Peppermuncher i agree with what your saying!! why not the leon ecomotive? not only is it stupidly economic but also no road tax and cheaper than FR!?

Who the hell are you to tell me how to spend the money I'm fully entitled to? The FR is on the Motability scheme for a reason.

WRT to tax, we pay none, it's Motability, remember? The Leon Ecomotive thing is ****-ugly, if we didn't get an FR we would've had an Altea. Not that I need to justify my choice of car to anyone, let alone you...

 

[sniperftw]

The FR is on motability for what reason's that then?

COURSE YOU DONT PAY TAX! how silly of me to assume that! hahahahahahahahaha

Who cares if it's ugly it's free you ungrateful *******

 

[ThumpJunkie]

The FR is on motability for what reason's that then?

COURSE YOU DONT PAY TAX! how silly of me to assume that! hahahahahahahahaha

Who cares if it's ugly it's free you ungrateful *******

Wow, a bit wound-up, are we Percy?

BRB, away to drive my brand new Leon FR. Might stop at an orphanage and punch some children in the face while I'm out, if I see a dog I'll make an effort to stop and kick it too, such is my obvious level of evilness.

 

[tehguy]

It's not free, you pay a downpayment for the car and then you lose your entitlement to DLA payments (£160 I think). Plus you then *have* to have the car for 3 years and you cannot cancel unless there are extenuating circumstances.

I think the downpayment for the FR is something like £1300. And then the £5760 for the effective lease of the car (remember you give it back after 3 years).

So £7k to lease it for 3 years but in order to be able to do it you must be on higher rate DLA, which normally means some sort of disability which results in serious lack of mobility.

Personally I'd rather be perfectly able bodied and work for and drive an Ecomotive than be seriously disabled an drive an FR. Being able to have full use of my body is more important to me than having a fast car. But for those that don't have the choice, I think it's nice that the government provides some sort of condolence (and remember, it's not free).

 

[ThumpJunkie]

It's not free, you pay a downpayment for the car and then you lose your entitlement to DLA payments (£160 I think). Plus you then *have* to have the car for 3 years and you cannot cancel unless there are extenuating circumstances.

I think the downpayment for the FR is something like £1300. And then the £5760 for the effective lease of the car (remember you give it back after 3 years).

So £7k to lease it for 3 years but in order to be able to do it you must be on higher rate DLA, which normally means some sort of disability which results in serious lack of mobility.

Personally I'd rather be perfectly able bodied and work for and drive an Ecomotive than be seriously disabled an drive an FR. Being able to have full use of my body is more important to me than having a fast car.

Downpayment was £999 mate, otherwise spot-on.

Let's face it, if it was between a 1.6 Altea for £300, and an FR for an extra £700, who WOULDN'T have the FR? It's basic common sense, not rocket science like some envious people have made out in this thread.

 

[tehguy]

The prices change pretty much weekly and can be very dramatically. When we got our 1.6 SE the price for the FR was £1300.

My mother has serious mobility problems and can't walk anything other than short distances, it has been getting worse for the last couple of years. She had her driving licence revoked for medical reasons and since then she was using buses to get around (free pass with her benefits) everywhere she has been getting worse and for the last year or so I have had to drive her everywhere. It isn't easy for me either since I work 50 hours a week doing night shifts.

Taking her to the local shops constantly wasn't doing wonders for my engine (short trips from cold) and I was constantly pouring money into an ageing car because of it.

She went onto higher rate DLA last year and we looked into motability and it seemed like a pretty good deal. Looked at some Fords etc, eventually I decided on a Leon (since I was going to be the one driving it). Wanted the 2.0TDI SE 140, mainly due to the 6th gear and also the extra bit of power and torque would be helpful for towing my go-kart trailer) but as I'm under 25 they wouldn't insure me so had to settle for the 1.6TDI.

It helps out so much, not having to worry about always making short trips from cold, or servicing costs etc because of it. Plus the motability insurance covers a second driver for free so she has one of her friends on it too and he can take her out shopping or whatever if I'm too tired after work to do it.

 

[ThumpJunkie]

The prices change pretty much weekly and can be very dramatically. When we got our 1.6 SE the price for the FR was £1300.

My mother has serious mobility problems and can't walk anything other than short distances, it has been getting worse for the last couple of years. She had her driving licence revoked for medical reasons and since then she was using buses to get around (free pass with her benefits) everywhere she has been getting worse and for the last year or so I have had to drive her everywhere. It isn't easy for me either since I work 50 hours a week doing night shifts.

Taking her to the local shops constantly wasn't doing wonders for my engine (short trips from cold) and I was constantly pouring money into an ageing car because of it.

She went onto higher rate DLA last year and we looked into motability and it seemed like a pretty good deal. Looked at some Fords etc, eventually I decided on a Leon (since I was going to be the one driving it). Wanted the 2.0TDI SE 140, mainly due to the 6th gear and also the extra bit of power and torque would be helpful for towing my go-kart trailer) but as I'm under 25 they wouldn't insure me so had to settle for the 1.6TDI.

It helps out so much, not having to worry about always making short trips from cold, or servicing costs etc because of it. Plus the motability insurance covers a second driver for free so she has one of her friends on it too and he can take her out shopping or whatever if I'm too tired after work to do it.

That's good to hear mate, glad she's getting the support she needs/deserves. Both I and my girlfriend are insured on the FR, so it's ideal. My other car is very impractical too, so it's good being able to take the wee boy away places he otherwise might not get to go.

So far, the electric rear windows are his favourite thing in the new car! It's ideal for us, as in the summer we constantly had to stop and start the Astra to open and close the rear windows for him manually depending on the temperature, now we can do it at the flick of a switch

WRT Motability's pricing, I think it only changes every three months. Originally we were looking at a Qashqai, but by the time we came to order it the downpayment had gone from £0 to £600 or something!

 

[TheDean]

Ultimately, it's the people who have a go who really don't understand the motability system. I do however happen to agree that the FR should not really be on the list as it is a performance vehicle; and as such, there is no real need for the extra bhp / torque. All the features of the FR can be added to a 1.6. A two litre turbo does not assist a disabled person and/or family more than a 1.6 would in my opinion.

 

[ThumpJunkie]

Ultimately, it's the people who have a go who really don't understand the motability system. I do however happen to agree that the FR should not really be on the list as it is a performance vehicle; and as such, there is no real need for the extra bhp / torque. All the features of the FR can be added to a 1.6. A two litre turbo does not assist a disabled person and/or family more than a 1.6 would in my opinion.

Agreed, I was as surprised as you when we found out that it was available through the scheme - when the salesman told us we thought he was joking!

As I've mentioned though, it was available and suited our needs perfectly, so would've been daft not to. I doubt there's a person on here who would've done differently if presented with my situation.

 

[GrahamFR]

Agreed, I was as surprised as you when we found out that it was available through the scheme - when the salesman told us we thought he was joking!

As I've mentioned though, it was available and suited our needs perfectly, so would've been daft not to. I doubt there's a person on here who would've done differently if presented with my situation.

You havent met my Granddad then, hes refused to pay any deposit on all the cars he's ever had off the scheme, so he's had either the Focus or the Astra 1.6 everytime, think he's got the astra this time as i told him they were phasing this current model of focus out and that the astra would be newer and better. (Admittedly, he's not exactly a member of SCN tho )

 

[ThumpJunkie]

You havent met my Granddad then, hes refused to pay any deposit on all the cars he's ever had off the scheme, so he's had either the Focus or the Astra 1.6 everytime, think he's got the astra this time as i told him they were phasing this current model of focus out and that the astra would be newer and better. (Admittedly, he's not exactly a member of SCN tho )

That was my initial stance too, however why should the car just be a means to an end? I decided to spend that bit extra and add luxury to necessity. I was getting a car regardless so I was as well getting one that I REALLY liked

 

[micki FR]

who is any1 to say wat u can have and cant. Its on the scheme so why wouldn't he get it, im getin a fr leon in may on mobility as my dad can hardly walk amongst other things. deposit its 999 and ur payin near the guts of 6 grand for a car which you have 2 hand back after 3yrs!! Give the guy a break

 

[FRozz]

Dont want to get too involved here, but if you dont believe the FR should be available on mobility thats fair enough. However it is there so there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of it. Whether it should be is more to the point, so it is the scheme which you should be complaining about, not the individual taking advantage of the scheme. Lets face it, how many of you would turn down the FR over a lesser car because you feel it wouldnt be right to take advantage of the scheme?

Its like all these people claiming thousands on benefits (legally), having huge tvs, 3 holidays a year etc. It makes me mad, but not at the people, I would claim for all I could too, its the government scheme thats messed up.

So give the guy a break, by the sounds of it he certainly needs it!

Enjoy the car, love mine.

 

[ThumpJunkie]

Dont want to get too involved here, but if you dont believe the FR should be available on mobility thats fair enough. However it is there so there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of it. Whether it should be is more to the point, so it is the scheme which you should be complaining about, not the individual taking advantage of the scheme. Lets face it, how many of you would turn down the FR over a lesser car because you feel it wouldnt be right to take advantage of the scheme?

Its like all these people claiming thousands on benefits (legally), having huge tvs, 3 holidays a year etc. It makes me mad, but not at the people, I would claim for all I could too, its the government scheme thats messed up.

So give the guy a break, by the sounds of it he certainly needs it!

Enjoy the car, love mine.

Agree 100%. Well, apart from the "give the guy a break" bit, I thrive on conflict In fact, I once ate my bird's last rolo just to start an argument.

WRT to the goverment schemes you're spot on though. My girlfriend worked in Glasgow, 36 hours per week. She then left and worked locally for 16 hours a week (lesser hourly rate), and due to an increase in our benefits, how worse off do you think we were? £40 per month. In fact, with the money she was saving on fuel we were actually £120 per month better off.

I looked into getting a job, and do you know that I would've had to work 30 hours per week before I'd be better off? They punish those who want to earn a living fairly whilst lavishing the lazy ****ers with every benefit going.

 

[WeeG]

Good luck with your FR mate, im sure the wee man will think it's as as you will. I have a disabled little sister, who cannot walk. People don't understand the sacrifices people with disabled loved ones have to make. And are ignorant about it. If the shoe was on the other foot it would be a different story.
Take it from me it is a nice car

 

[ThumpJunkie]

Good luck with your FR mate, im sure the wee man will think it's as as you will. I have a disabled little sister, who cannot walk. People don't understand the sacrifices people with disabled loved ones have to make. And are ignorant about it. If the shoe was on the other foot it would be a different story.
Take it from me it is a nice car

Thanks mate, appreciate the words Just back from Edinburgh with a nice new Recaro Young Sport seat for him, looks mega comfy and safe! Need to get an ISOFIX base for it, although the seatbelt will work as a restraint for it in the meantime

 

[FR_Flavoured]

Welcome to SCN and Leon FR ownership. As an Astra J diesel elite owner and also a leon FR diesel owner I know you're going to love the Leon but you will miss the electronic parking brake..............

Vag-Com should be at the top of your wish list to enable all the little convenience tricks (needle sweep and coming home-leaving home lights etc), no tec 2 or dealers needed here.

You will also find this forum a lot more active and helpful than AON..............

Nath - apologise for stating the obvious, but your driveway (?) is well steep!!
Bet it was a nightmare driving up and down that back when we had all the snow!


Hmmm, Friday afternoon boredom. [looking at watch] ..how long til home time!