Premium vs Fun to drive
Discussion
Let’s say you’re carless and need a little run around for work, and you will only consider brand new.
Would you prioritise premium quality or fun to drive?
E.g. would you go for an Audi A1 knowing you’ve got the prestige of the 4 rings, high quality German engineering, and a quality interior - or would you get a lowly Ford Fiesta knowing that whilst it might be a bit pony and trap in terms of the interior quality, it’ll at least be good fun to drive?
Would you prioritise premium quality or fun to drive?
E.g. would you go for an Audi A1 knowing you’ve got the prestige of the 4 rings, high quality German engineering, and a quality interior - or would you get a lowly Ford Fiesta knowing that whilst it might be a bit pony and trap in terms of the interior quality, it’ll at least be good fun to drive?
The Fiesta I owned recently was actually pretty good inside but suffered with a number of issues that put off ever touching another (rough running, very loud dash rattle, boot strut failures, steering knock, gear linkage failure).
My last Audi ownership experience was appalling to the point I wouldn't buy another and I feel similar about BMW too.
Having driven lots of this class of car in last year as either courtesy cars or hire cars, I'd pick a Hyundai / Kia.
My last Audi ownership experience was appalling to the point I wouldn't buy another and I feel similar about BMW too.
Having driven lots of this class of car in last year as either courtesy cars or hire cars, I'd pick a Hyundai / Kia.
Milemuncher said:
‘you’ve got the prestige of the 4 rings, high quality German engineering, and a quality interior’
This is surely satire?
I think the username gives things away a little This is surely satire?
Fiesta’s are great little cars, would be my choice. Hyundai/Kia also greatly improved, but engine of the i20 we drove was underwhelming in comparison to the zippy Ford.
"audis are great" myth matched only by the "fiesta is fun to drive" myth ... i thought my missus' fiesta was cack, especially when pressing on. The Picanto before it was much sharper, and the Venga that followed better still. Then considering interior and reliability/running costs etc... I'm a Korean convert.
OP, the quality you speak of with Audi is only skin deep. I would say the engineering / component quality is not dissimilar between Audi and, say, Ford. The Audi does seem to have a strong image, particularly with the younger generations, but I’m not really sure why. If that’s most important to you, go for the Audi and be happy, but it doesn’t make for a better car.
I’m getting old.
For my daily driver I’d take a nice interior every time.
Jumping into a car with a cheap interior would depress me every day.
Jumping into a car with a nice interior that was a bit dull when pressing on, would only depress me when… pressing on.
Let’s be honest how often does that happen on your daily commute?
You want fun? Buy an mx5 for the weekends…
For my daily driver I’d take a nice interior every time.
Jumping into a car with a cheap interior would depress me every day.
Jumping into a car with a nice interior that was a bit dull when pressing on, would only depress me when… pressing on.
Let’s be honest how often does that happen on your daily commute?
You want fun? Buy an mx5 for the weekends…
Personally, if buying new and in a fiesta / a1 class I'd go for something like a fiesta or an i20.
For me, ze Germans don't offer enough value in this range, and your money buys a better car elsewhere. All in my opinion of course. And some value the branding of the 4 rings more. Thats fine - But don't kid yourself it's much more than branding.
As you move up the ranges then something like a 5 series would be interesting. Again, IMO.
For me, ze Germans don't offer enough value in this range, and your money buys a better car elsewhere. All in my opinion of course. And some value the branding of the 4 rings more. Thats fine - But don't kid yourself it's much more than branding.
As you move up the ranges then something like a 5 series would be interesting. Again, IMO.
Haven't owned an absolute ton of cars, but to be fair, I did find Audi interiors to be pretty decent.
Back in 2014, I had a brand new, new model, Audi A3 as a company car. Coming from c.2010 model Fiesta/Astra (had access to both), the interior was a step up. Better materials, better put together, no rattles, felt solid. Had the car for 4 years, and it held together really well.
Was it worth the premium over a Vauxhall or Ford though? Absolutely not in my opinion. It was, for example, £1k of extra quality for £5k extra on the price. Overall, it was a good car, and fine as a company car, but dull as dishwater. About as exciting as a wet weekend in Skegness.
Back in 2014, I had a brand new, new model, Audi A3 as a company car. Coming from c.2010 model Fiesta/Astra (had access to both), the interior was a step up. Better materials, better put together, no rattles, felt solid. Had the car for 4 years, and it held together really well.
Was it worth the premium over a Vauxhall or Ford though? Absolutely not in my opinion. It was, for example, £1k of extra quality for £5k extra on the price. Overall, it was a good car, and fine as a company car, but dull as dishwater. About as exciting as a wet weekend in Skegness.
AudiMan9000 said:
E.g. would you go for an Audi A1 knowing you’ve got the prestige of the 4 rings, high quality German engineering, and a quality interior - or would you get a lowly Ford Fiesta knowing that whilst it might be a bit pony and trap in terms of the interior quality, it’ll at least be good fun to drive?
OP extolling the virtues of a Polo dressed up in tinsel while patronising something in the same class 
I've never been in a (new) fiesta and thought "this is cheap and tacky". Quite the opposite. It's a very good car.
Edited by smallpaul on Saturday 6th August 11:41
I suggest you go & sit in a new Fiesta & if you want a top spec interior then go for a ST Line Vignale model:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207017...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207017...
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