Saying hello

[Leon Gone]

The 1.4 125ps engine does not have ACT - the cylinder deactivation technology. The 1.4 150ps does, and this generally makes it more efficient despite being more powerful.

Looked on Honest John Real MPG (only place I trust to get realistic figures) before and their figures for the 3 engines in the ST are 125 45.6, 140 44.6 and 150ACT 45.1. So sod all difference. Considering I have been averaging 45 from the 1.4 140 PS for almost 5 years I think I can assume fuel costs between the 3 are not worth factoring in.

But having driven the 140 for almost 5 years I have now decided its the 150 or nothing, not taking a step back.

There isn't as much of a differential if you look at the Xcellence model recommended prices. Might be worth getting broker quotes for the Xcellence to compare.

DtD want £18981 for an Xcellence 150 (less the £1000) so its a £1000 more than the FR 150 and £1000 more than the Skoda.

although whether the lower CO2 and better mpg is enough to offset the price difference is another matter.

What is upsetting me most about the CO2 figures is the VED I will be paying. The 150ACT is lower than the 140 I currently have, that costs me £30 a year, a new one will cost £140 a year.

 

[Curtly]

All new cars are £140 a year regardless of co2. Tax is negligible as a comparison when buying new, it's all the same.

 

[Leon Gone]

All new cars are £140 a year regardless of co2. Tax is negligible as a comparison when buying new, it's all the same.

Appreciate that but its the annoyance of paying more. I have had a £30 a year car since 2008, the wife had a £30 a year car from 2010 to 2015 and £0 a year car since. Under the current system we would have paid an extra £2040.

That to me is quite a bit of cash.

An electric with £0 tax would suit the wife perfectly, shame they cost double.

 

[seatgraham]

Appreciate that but its the annoyance of paying more. I have had a £30 a year car since 2008, the wife had a £30 a year car from 2010 to 2015 and £0 a year car since. Under the current system we would have paid an extra £2040.



That to me is quite a bit of cash.



An electric with £0 tax would suit the wife perfectly, shame they cost double.

First year it’s actually £160 plus first reg fee of £55 although that’s included in list price.
I’ve been looking at a Cupra and it’s 500 quid + for first year.

There’s no guarantee about what rfl will cost in future. Could be completely different system next year.


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[Leon Gone]

There’s no guarantee about what rfl will cost in future. Could be completely different system next year.

Appreciate that but the VED on existing cars has never been subject to major overalls in any previous budgets. The RFL used to go up year on year until the mid 2000's.

 

[Leon Gone]

Well I have gone and sorted it.

Went to see Mr Skoda yesterday. The garage was dead, I think the salesman was glad to see someone, got his undivided attention. Tried an Octavia estate with the 1.4 TSi 150 in SE trim. Nice car to sit in but once on the move it was bloody awful, the road noise was unbearable even on decent tarmac. Salesman could not understand why it was an issue, "all like that" was his only answer. But I persuaded him to let us try another, this time a 1.4 TSi 150 hatch but it had DSG. The road noise was much better but the car was still far noisier than the Leon because of the terrible wind noise from the top of the screen. I think the road noise on the other must have masked that problem. In comparison our Leon is limousine quiet, not for me.

But he was keen to sell us a car and took us to a superb SE 1.4 TSi they had in. Turns out its one they have on commission sale, the owner has been told to stop driving so car is of no use to him. Price looked interesting so off we went for another test drive. It was wonderful, quiet and comfortable, immediately very tempted. With it being so big I took it home and tried it in the garage, it fits.

Now remember what I said at the start

Had new or pre reg cars now since 1978 and don't intend joining the lottery of second hand motors again.

The car is on a 17 plate with 5500 miles. As far as I can see its totally unmarked. The kit level is way better than our Leon SE, its probably better than the Leon FR. So we went home to think. Did some checking on Parkers and WBAC and concluded it was a bit overpriced so with that knowledge (and the new price via a Broker) went back today.

So I ended up buying it. Got the price down to a figure which I think is fair to both parties but I suppose the garage will still want their cut, the seller will still get more than WBAC. 1st service is due in March so asked if they could throw one in, he went away and came back with better news, its got a service plan which is transferable so 2 free services.

Pick it up Friday.

In truth I would have almost certainly bought a new one via a broker if I could not have got a sensible deal on this one, the spec suits us much better than the current Leon ones.

Sad to see the Leon go after all this time, had zero problems, never had a car like that before. Hope the dealer continues to be better than the Seat ones.

Edit to add: the VED is £30 so no moaning about that and the insurance is the same as the Leon SE 140 hatch and is £85 a year less than a 1.4 TSi 150 FR estate. Why do they want an extra £85 a year for 10 bhp, a bigger boot and an FR badge. That saves me £195 a year.

 

[Leon Gone]

Picked up the Superb yesterday and have to say I am very happy. Drove it for a fair few miles and even though its huge it drives in a very similar way to the Leon (until you reverse into a parking space - but it has a fancy display on the dash to help). MPG was showing almost 48 when we got home which is not much different to the Leon.

But there is always a sting in the tail. The "full size" spare in the boot is a 16" wheel and 205 55 16 tyre. The tyres on the car are 215 55 17. The spare wheel has exactly the same part number and size details as the 4 steel VAG 16" winter wheels we had for the Leon so obviously they would fit, wrong as I have just discovered. The diameter of the spare and winter wheels is about an inch less which is not right to use. Rang up the dealer and he told me that what I have is not a full size spare (despite it being a normal rim and proper tyre) its what Skoda call the temporary spare (not the temporary space saver spare bike tyre) and it is smaller than the road wheels. Why Skoda do that is beyond me, a full size road wheel and tyre will easily fit in the wheel well.

So I cannot use the 4 brand new unused winter tyres (on VAG rims) I bought after last winter. Anyone interested, look for a for sale advert later today. Perfect for you Leon in this rubbish weather.