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[05omegav6]

Much as it galls me to say it:

For WWD, raised driving position, reasonable running costs/purchase price either :SEAT Altea, basically a good looking Golf. Or perhaps a runout Zafira (new one almost out, so old models good value).

For RWD, BMW 1 Series (with an OOF sticker on it), image aside a reasonable car, though a bit low perhaps . Don't fret though, British Gas have a team of engineers on their way to Hell as we speak, the boiler has packed up again... 

[Lazydocker]

Having driven the Altea (my father's) I can say that it's not a bad drive, although his was the 4WD version and high up the spec range. It was also a manual.

Nice driving position but, and this may be a biggie for Mrs G, you cannot see the front of the car at all from the driving seat

[TheBoy]

Nice driving position but, and this may be a biggie for Mrs G, you cannot see the front of the car at all from the driving seat

Same with any MPV, including wannabes like Zafira/CMax etc.

[Lazydocker]

Nice driving position but, and this may be a biggie for Mrs G, you cannot see the front of the car at all from the driving seat

Same with any MPV, including wannabes like Zafira/CMax etc.

True... And my van Doesn't take long to get used to really though

[TheBoy]

Nice driving position but, and this may be a biggie for Mrs G, you cannot see the front of the car at all from the driving seat

Same with any MPV, including wannabes like Zafira/CMax etc.

True... And my van Doesn't take long to get used to really though

And anything Mrs TB drives, even a 1975 Ford Cortina. Apparently shortarses struggle to seem the bonnet

[feeutfo]

Got a call from Mrs G today, "guess where I am" she says ... No, not BMW garage, but Lexus.

Looking at CT hybrid, gutless 1.8 petrol 4pot with cells and wwd (sigh) and IS 250 petrol which was much more like it, rwd 2.5 litre. Luckily the CT was discounted due to lack of power, although they claim 600miles from a tank. "my polo is quicker" she said 

I was allowed to drive the IS 250, nice car plenty of head room in the front, non in the back as said, and does shift, although I'd rather have my 3.2, but what became clear is Mrs G is expecting a turbo diesel delivery. Ie low down grunty torque, she felt the 250 to be gutless, but was grabbing the seat for security when I let the car rev out. "it didn't bloody do that when I drove it" she said, looking worried.

She wants a Turbo diesel it seems. Or at least that's what she's used to... And a clue to the problem we're going to have is, Lexus do not make an auto with Diesel engine. Probably because their diesel is front wheel drive I believe(?) further increasing the strain on an auto box. Torquey turbo diesel+front wheel drive+auto box= box of slush in not many miles.
 Although I must say both cars changed gear seamlessly. Impressive.

These cars are way too expensive though, she doesn't need to spend this sort of money IMO.

[feeutfo]

Sadly she couldn't be persuaded with the isf v8 version.

[TheBoy]

A small, reliable auto diesel...  ...she likes making it hard, doesn't she. And for economy reasons, there will be a steep purchase price.

VAG shove a DSG on diesels, but beware, if its a company car, the VAG 2.0 diesel mated to a DSG falls into a bad tax bracket - thats why my neighbour had to go for a petrol  Skoda Superb, rather than diesel.

[Kevin Wood]

A small, reliable auto diesel...

Yep... I'll take the turd. Oh, and can I have that polished, please?

I would be thinking hard about whether I really want an auto given her requirements.

Low down grunty torque and works well with an auto box? V8.

[cem_devecioglu]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civic-2-2i-CTDi-Type-S-GT-/390339662926?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item5ae20e944e
 
not sure it has an auto model but it has all the toys, small, diesel and fast..

[TheBoy]

Low down grunty torque and works well with an auto box? V8.

It pains me to admit that that Kevin Wood bloke knows what he's talking about.

Go on, gayboy, tell here that a Monaro is what she wants...   ...as for auto, just tell her to stick it and leave it in 3rd or 4th, its just like an auto

[05omegav6]

There's a nice red one on Networq Q, at £15k it must run a DSG Scirroco close

Low down grunty torque and works well with an auto box? V8.

It pains me to admit that that Kevin Wood bloke knows what he's talking about.

Go on, gayboy, tell here that a Monaro is what she wants...   ...as for auto, just tell her to stick it and leave it in 3rd or 4th, its just like an auto

VXR8 pulls quite nicely at 30 mph in top Can't see the Monaro being any different

[feeutfo]

Hunt resumed this week.
Some progress in spec. Auto is out. Must be a hatch back for practicality.
So given she liked the VXR Astra, off to the vauxhall dealer to have a look at one. Red as it turned out, and without knowing what is was took one look at the colour with black wheels and blue calipers and said "oh I don't like that" 
 Further wondering round the forecourt revealed a Black Astra j. Not talking about prices yet as we just want to I.D. the car she actually wants. Other than A Golf of course. Dark by now so we aranged a test drive the following day in the VXR and Elite.
 Christ almighty that VXR is mental. Mad...as... bottle of fish! And the torque steer... .... She didn't like it, too harsh a ride, too responsive, and loud.
 The Elite? She loves it. Far higher spec than available in a Golf for the same money. Comfy ish ride. Leather everything. Toys galore.
 But it's 12k. Sales man done his bit and nearly had us signed up there and then. yeah right. Don't call us....

Thing is she doesn't need to spend 12k IMO. Not by a long way. 

[aaronjb]

Thing is she doesn't need to spend 12k IMO. Not by a long way. 

(some) women don't need to spend £1000 on a pair of shoes, either ... but they do.

[feeutfo]

Thing is she doesn't need to spend 12k IMO. Not by a long way. 

(some) women don't need to spend £1000 on a pair of shoes, either ... but they do.

... True, but this one is in financial services, and agrees.