Scirocco Central

Really interested to know what you're next car might be after the Scirocco?

Here's a few of my ideas:

Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI (2nd hand)
Audi A5 Coupe 2.7 TDI (2nd hand - if I can't get 3.0 TDI at right price)
Audi A3 (new shape when it comes out)
BMW 1 Series 120d 3 door (new shape)
BMW Z4 (although probably not practical enough for me + expensive insurance)
VW Gold mk7 GTI/GTD (when it finally comes out but will probably be too expensive at start of run)
Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf (never owned an Alfa)

I know they're all a bit conservative. Not much out there floats my boat right now.

Gary

Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI (2nd hand)Very Possible
Audi A5 Coupe 2.7 TDI (2nd hand - if I can't get 3.0 TDI at right price) I'd have the 3.0 but couldnt afford it
Audi A3 (new shape when it comes out)Very Possible
BMW 1 Series 120d 3 door (new shape) Too Ugly
BMW Z4 (although probably not practical enough for me + expensive insurance) No use to me
VW Gold mk7 GTI/GTD (when it finally comes out but will probably be too expensive at start of run) rather have another Scirocco
Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf (never owned an Alfa) wouldn't trust it to do 40,000 a year
Merc A class The new one if the make the 3 door sporty
Merc C Class Coupe Diesel(Second Hand)
Merc BLS when it comes out
BMW D3 Alpina (second Hand)
Range Rover Evoque (Second Hand) Never be able to afford one

Thats my list added

It would have to be another Roc if they give it a good midlife facelift before mid 2014 (when current Roc would be 3 years old) or possibly a 2nd hand A5. Slight possibility of a Passat CC from new (unless the residuals are quite low (compared to a Roc), then i'd buy it 2nd hand.

Really not a fan of the MK6 Golf, the performance models look very ordinary and don't stand out from the rest of the range like the MK5s did (and I hate those oversized rear clusters - they're the right size for a Toureg, not a Golf).

BMW1 series are just too ugly for me to bear and feel a bit cheap inside (for a "premium" German car) - I really do feel like you're paying for the badge with a 1 series.

I wouldn't buy an Alfa new because the residuals are poor and I wouldn't buy one 2nd hand because of poor reliability perception (a real worry when it's out of warranty, but are they really that unreliable now?).

I'd stay clear of the Merc A-Class too because I think Mercs aren't built as well as they used to be, everything feels a little lightweight and flimsy.

There's nothing else i'd rather be driving in the £25k bracket right now.

I'm quite happy to have another scirocco. When I bought this one I had plans to keep it for 6-10 years. By the time I need to change it, the Mk4 should be out so I think that'll work out nicely.

It does everything I need it to do. It's quick, comfortable, boot space and rear seats are good enough, spec is what I need. Ticks all my boxes

Ive been looking (still am) at the ALFA CLoverleaf giuletta, ive driven one sat in it, its well built quite sturdy. Ive read the forums vo and it has a few niggles, but so did my VW scirocco, so thats dont mean crap anymore! And im looking at a five door as the kids getting bigger struggle to get out of the roc. And i get a 19% discount off the car..

At the moment im keeping the roc , but the alfa is certainly a possibilty.

But considering ALfa have gone up the JD power charts, i think as a brand they are getting a lot better, hence why the Giuletta was made for more build and practicality and efficiency rather than the Alfas of old all power style and no quality!

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/buying ... -jd-power/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/c ... ince-2002/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

look here Vw are not as great as some think.
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/de ... -by-brand/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.jdpower.com/news/pressReleas ... ID=2011044" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Danscirocco: 19% discount certainly helps you with the big depreciation hit, but unfortunately for the rest of us, the depreciation is strongly linked with perceived reliability and quality than actual reliability and quality. Reputation takes a long time to change, and people remember bad reliability a lot longer than they remember good reliability.

For some, they bought a Roc because it looks great, drives well and is well equipped. These are all good reasons to have one, but if it depreciated heavily i'd never buy one new. They do look fine, but for most this would be a better buy as a nearly new car.

Due to it's low (relatively) depreciation, the Roc is a cheap car to buy on a 3 year ownership plan, relative to it's list price.

I'd consider the Giulietta myself if depreciation wasn't a consideration of mine.

Those customer satisfaction surveys look bad for certain makes, but looking at all the scores, Vauxhall (bottom) is only 4% less than average and VW/Toyota/Alfa are only 1% above average, with No1 being 6% better than average. The span between best and worst manufacturer isn't huge.

I bought the roc on the fact that its a great looking, powerful efficient and still quite practical car, and VW being a reliable brand. But ive still had a few problems with mine, in which VW have sorted but i still have a persisent annoying rattle they cant fix!

Wasnt it VW that released a advert years ago saying thier cars dont rattle?.

yeah i certainly agree the scirocco is one of the best cars you can get for under 25k, its a great car one of the best ive driven. Its just some people perception on "german" cars and thier indestructibility, i think is not true these days. I believe alfas residuals will get better with the Mito and giuletta, i do think these are better cars, and could go up against most german brands.

I think nowadays, you can have problems with most brands, you may get an "friday night " car, i think i did with my roc. But now for me its all about after sales service, i must admit VW have been good to me.... took some chasing but i got failry compensated. ALfa on the other hand may have a reliable-ish car but how is the after sales service.

That would be my main concern...

I test drove a Giulietta Cloverleaf when it came out.
I remember how much better the roc felt to drive when I got back in it afterwards.
The cloverleaf is a bit 'squirty' and frenetic.

Haven't driven it but the common wisdom is that the multi air is nicer to drive

To be honest my plan is to keep the Scirocco until something goes wrong and it starts costing me money / the next couple of years at least as there isn't much out there for the price that would give me the same blend of performance and day to day useability (bearing in mind in total including various mods it hasn't cost me £20k yet!)

I only do about 6-7k miles a year and don't need anything particularly practical. I'm also a fan of small cars (one thing I'd like to change on the Scirocco to be honest - shrink it a little)

At the moment my choices would probably be:-

MINI Copper JCW - I just think the performance you get for the price is good and it's one car I could see myself not feeling the need to mod at all
Suzuki Swift Sport - had one before my Scirocco - at the time it was just supposed to be a 6 month ish stop gap between one sporty car and the next. It was so much fun though I ended up keeping it for 2 and a bit years. Closest car in feel and fun to a 205 GTi I've driven. The new one is out now which addresses the few weak areas the one I had had so I'd be quite tempted
Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ - most likely candidates at present. Looks are a bit meh but I love the idea behind them and think they could be a whole load of real world fun
Honda CRZ Mugen - I'm a big Honda fan and the CRZ is the only car at present which really floats my boat. Stock is a bit to slow so I think it's have to be the Mugen for the required umph
Mazda MX5 - I like convertibles and not had an MX5 yet so an itch I fancy scratching
Up! GT - it just looks like a lot of fun!

I'd definitely consider the next Scirocco too

Deacon

At the moment im on the the lookout for a white Golf R , i dont really want the Rocco to go but the little one gets sick in it when i go on long journeys !!, so if anyone knows of a golf R that may want a change i am your man LOL

Shaun wrote:At the moment im on the the lookout for a white Golf R , i dont really want the Rocco to go but the little one gets sick in it when i go on long journeys !!, so if anyone knows of a golf R that may want a change i am your man LOL

You have PM

My R replacement will be over 300 brake and hopefully 4 wheel drive and more than likely a TTRS I'm even considering a late 996 Turbo, just come back from a test in a 10 plate M3 V8 its quick but a bit Vanilla if you know what i mean

The R will go for a Range Rover Evoque so i can get a tow bar on and get the mountain bike rack on again... fed up of not being able to get the bike on the R.

For me I think it will be another Scirocco. It is easily the best car I have ever owned. I do like the A5, but like most Audis, it is just way too over priced for what it is IMO.

I will probably look at changing around about when the facelift scirocco comes out, if it is somewhere in the region of late 2013 to early 2014 then it would suit me fine.

Cayman. Two seats is fine for me. It will be a nice 40th birthday present for myself.