New company car and past motors
Discussion
Took delivery of my first proper company car today, first brand new car I've ever had too. Quite chuffed so far, it had big shoes to fill as I was very impressed with the Focus tdci which it replaced. Ride is quite compliant despite 40 series tyres on 18" wheels and the engine (1.9cdti 150bhp) feels really grunty but free reving for a diesel. Looks quite smart too 
I've mostly owned VAG cars in the past but as a company motor I only had the choice of an oil burner from Vauxhall or Toyota. This was the best looking and most driver focused from the list.
Some of my previous cars. Not exactly the last word in automotive exotica but each one has a place in my heart!
First car, can't even remember what model it was (405?), slow as hell but built like a battle tank.
Second car, Mk2 1.6 driver, only mod was upgrade to a weber carb after the peirberg started playing up.
Vento next, 1.8 8v single point injection. Ran it on coilovers with 8v GTi brakes and G60 steelies with Toyo rubber, handled brilliantly but was a bit low.
Replaced the Vento with my first GTi, a 2.0 8v bought cheap and on a whim. Big mistake, turned out to be a sh*tter.
Got rid of that pronto and replaced with this. Had it remaped to around 210bhp. Rapid, practical and unusual. One of the best cars I've had.
Couple of years later and I was commuting 200 miles daily to work and decided I needed a diesel luxo-barge so replaced with this.
Top spec S60 D5, had it remapped to a stonking 210bhp/350lb/ft! Amazingly comfortable and effortlessly fast but oh-so expensive when things started to go wrong.
So swapped it localy for this which I'd seen on PH. 130 TDi sport, remapped to around 160bhp, TT brakes, coilovers, strut braces etc. Stupidly quick for what it was and regularly saw 60mpg+. Never got round to tracking it but wish I had.
6 months later a new job nets me a company car which meant I had to sell the wee Ibiza. It went to a good friend though so I still see it about and know it's gone to a good home!
And that's about it. Phew. Thanks if you read this far, I'll go back to lurking now...
Cheers
Steve
I've mostly owned VAG cars in the past but as a company motor I only had the choice of an oil burner from Vauxhall or Toyota. This was the best looking and most driver focused from the list.Some of my previous cars. Not exactly the last word in automotive exotica but each one has a place in my heart!
First car, can't even remember what model it was (405?), slow as hell but built like a battle tank.
Second car, Mk2 1.6 driver, only mod was upgrade to a weber carb after the peirberg started playing up.
Vento next, 1.8 8v single point injection. Ran it on coilovers with 8v GTi brakes and G60 steelies with Toyo rubber, handled brilliantly but was a bit low.
Replaced the Vento with my first GTi, a 2.0 8v bought cheap and on a whim. Big mistake, turned out to be a sh*tter.
Got rid of that pronto and replaced with this. Had it remaped to around 210bhp. Rapid, practical and unusual. One of the best cars I've had.
Couple of years later and I was commuting 200 miles daily to work and decided I needed a diesel luxo-barge so replaced with this.
Top spec S60 D5, had it remapped to a stonking 210bhp/350lb/ft! Amazingly comfortable and effortlessly fast but oh-so expensive when things started to go wrong.
So swapped it localy for this which I'd seen on PH. 130 TDi sport, remapped to around 160bhp, TT brakes, coilovers, strut braces etc. Stupidly quick for what it was and regularly saw 60mpg+. Never got round to tracking it but wish I had.
6 months later a new job nets me a company car which meant I had to sell the wee Ibiza. It went to a good friend though so I still see it about and know it's gone to a good home!
And that's about it. Phew. Thanks if you read this far, I'll go back to lurking now...
Cheers
Steve
Edited by oedo on Wednesday 18th June 23:22
Think I let the vRS go for about £5k. In the end the Volvo cost me more than it saved, biggest mistake was selling the vRS. I'd happily go back to another if it was an option.
The Astra seems ok from initial impressions. Good engine, strong brakes and the handling appears fluid with plenty grip. The interior is pretty nasty right enough with some very cheap plastics used for the dash and centre console. If it were my money I'd probably stretch a few extra quid for a Golf GT or similar but seeing as this only costs me 50 quid a month I really can't complain.
Oh and the sound quality from the radio is terrible.
The Astra seems ok from initial impressions. Good engine, strong brakes and the handling appears fluid with plenty grip. The interior is pretty nasty right enough with some very cheap plastics used for the dash and centre console. If it were my money I'd probably stretch a few extra quid for a Golf GT or similar but seeing as this only costs me 50 quid a month I really can't complain.
Oh and the sound quality from the radio is terrible.
Hi,
Thats a nice looking Astra. I was in the exact same boat 7 months ago and made the same decision as you (black SRI sporthatch with 1.9 150BHP diesel), although my boss wouldn't pay extra for the exterior pack! I've done 13k in mine now, only had one issue with a squeaking noise coming from the gear stick, sorted by Vauxhall under warranty. Apart from that its been a faultless great car to drive, and the best bit, like you it costs me £50 a month!
I agree with the interior, its not the best and the radio is cack!
Thats a nice looking Astra. I was in the exact same boat 7 months ago and made the same decision as you (black SRI sporthatch with 1.9 150BHP diesel), although my boss wouldn't pay extra for the exterior pack! I've done 13k in mine now, only had one issue with a squeaking noise coming from the gear stick, sorted by Vauxhall under warranty. Apart from that its been a faultless great car to drive, and the best bit, like you it costs me £50 a month!
I agree with the interior, its not the best and the radio is cack!
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