A2 vs 307, Stilo, Meriva, Fabia

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Gav

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I've been away from the forum for a fair while after deciding on not changing my own Punto for an A2 (or anything else) because it suits me so well and is so cost effective, fast enough and fun.

I'm planning to start looking at new / nearly-new cars for my girlfriend in the next month or so to replace her 5-6yr old Corsa. I think it's going to take some persuasion to change, but I can see a need arising in the next few years for a slightly larger vehicle for holidays and general space (proven when getting a small wooden patio table into my Punto only after removing all packaging).

Anyway, last year we had a 307 as a hire car for a few days and my girlfriend really liked it. It was an HDI, which went and handled without drinking excessivly. That's definatly one of my considerations from owning a petrol car that does over 50mpg. So I'd like to know why people chose the A2 over other similar cars, particularly the 307, Stilo, Fabia and Meriva. I had a nice Stilo on hire and rated it highly, why don't Skoda do something inbetween the Fabia and Octavia? Are there other cars that are worth a definate look at? My girlfriend doesn't like the way Leon's look, but is the new Megane any good?

Considerations are: mpg, range (400+ miles), servicing intervals and costs, availability, depreciation, good to drive, good dealers...
Things I would rather not do without: Good stereo (MP3/CD changer), Air con, opening sunroof (I'm not a fan of the A2's Sky Window), trip computer, plenty of odment storage...
 
Hi Gav,

Whatever you do, dont change it to a Stilo. The only reason to ever buy a Fiat (sorry, however I have been there 3 times) is if you get their almighty employee discount. If you do, then you just have to resist it. I work for a company you gets this discount, and there are many many Fiats, plus unhappy punters there. The Stilo is no better.

Personally, from your list I would put my money on the A2 or the 307

Kaine
 
We choose the A2 TDI SE for the overall running costs, we needed to change as our Polo was getting long in the tooth.
We've had a single mattress inside the A2.
410 miles to a tank of long trips (65mpg) 320 miles on comuting to/from work (52-56mpg).
20K on the clock 7K till service.
we paid £13.5K from a dealer(7months old), dealer price know £11.5K(18 months old)

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey
50% Brighter Bulbs : Audi 6 CD Changer : Rear drinks holder : Floppy Wiper : Centre Tray : Elasticated Belt System
 
Been through classic cars (Sprite), kit cars (Jago) and loads of other european stuff. Fiat / Alfa gave me the best experience at the time but when they break, they break.

To fix them either takes a dealer forever or will mean you have to sell a kidney or the car itself. Just found our Alfa bought for £10k 18 months ago worth just half that as 22,000 miles covered and air con needed servicing!

Stick with the German stuff for now and you're unlikely to go wrong. A2 id daringly differnt. Aspire to a Porsche or TT V6.

foxy
 
As Foxy stated the four rings gurantee two things Quality & RESIDUALS, which give you a wider choice when you come to change next time
 
For me once I had owned the A4, it was only ever going to be either an A3 or A2 as a second car.

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Gay

The only thing I will say is that Fiats have never been fantastic in many departments. The Punto and CheekyChinzano (you know what I mean!) both score badly in crash tests, Fiat dealers are not known to be the best (or even mildly good!) and Fiat as a company isn't in the best of health, meaning long term there are doubts.

Meriva looks good-got a brochure the other day and it's nice inside. Engines are not the strong point-1.8 noisy, 1.6 probably the best, but neeither are quick.

Fabia are good. 307 OK, but not best build quality. I had a Leon and loved it-fantastic car and I think they still look good despite being around for 3 years now.

At the end of the day, the A2 is different and good in many departments, so it may be the all-rounder your looking for?.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit
 
Fiat = Italians, can't put a car together.
Peugeot = French, same as above.

The difference between German Manufacturers and others is that money gets spent on putting the car together correctly, and so it stands the test of time. Speaking from my own experiance, soon as you have had a German backed car theres no going back.
 
I'd look at the Megane too... far more distinctive than any of the contenders you mention... 5 star NCAP rating, good 1,9 DCI engine, and a far far better interior than all of them...

But for sheer distinctiveness and being a bit different and having a real quality item with real big car options and feel nothing can beat the A2 (as the A-class Merc is pathetic inside quality wise). Performance is great from the TDi no matter how many people or things you have inside... ride is hard sometimes... but then it also corners like a go-cart without any roll... I thought about changing A2 for a Megane... but decided it's not as much fun as the A2 in the end, so keeping the A2 a bit longer...

Read one of my 1st posts about life with my car:
http://www.a2forum.net/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=1365

This one will give you an idea of what we would change if we could...
http://www.a2forum.net/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=1427

and another good one:
http://www.a2forum.net/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=1396

So yes... if you read all of that I did not enjoy the Megane's handling... BUT that is only vs A2 and the hard sporty type of suspension I like... Megane vs most other family cars is a different matter... and just on looks alone I'd buy one!

____________________________________________________________________________________
[img=left]http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/180225.jpg[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk23.htm
 
...or you could always wait for the Megane Estate:

http://www.a2forum.net/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=1685

GORGEOUS in my eyes (and even more so if you don't fancy the funny tail of the hatch...)

____________________________________________________________________________________
[img=left]http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/180225.jpg[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk23.htm
 
Kaine

Oh darn!. Flippin work keyboard-I blame Compaq you know!.

Sorry Gav!!!!!.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit
 
Thanks for your replaies and views... I know a lot of people knock Fiat, but my Punto is doing just fine - especially now I've found a good dealer (3rd try though!). If I can find an ex demo Stilo without any problems then it may be okay, but it's certainly not top of the list. I wouldn't want an older Fiat in a crash (my previous car a '93 Astra was written off, so safety is a concern), but the Punto has 4 stars and the Stilo would be similar. I'll consider the Megane - saw it at the motor show and I wasn't ready for the looks. Now I am more used to them and like it, but have to work on the interior! Worth looking at then, but I don't think my girlfriend wants anything other than a 5dr hatch...

I understand that buying German is good for the residual value, but I'm tempted to go nearly new rather than factory order, and the car would probably be kept a good number of years. That makes it less of an issue, but still something to bear in mind I guess. I have no idea on prices of used Golf's, expecting them to keep up high, despite there being loads and loads of them around (newish ones).

I think a few test drives and talking with dealers will help to work out what to go for. My expected order is now: 307, A2, Meganne, Golf, Meriva, Stilo, Fabia.
 
My father ordered a new Fiat Stilo yesterday the refund money he gets for his 2000 VW golf is outragious here in the Netherlands Fiat is not doing so well at this moment for a brand new 4 door stilo 1600 with all kind of options he was about € 5000 cheaper byuing the Stilo instead of another Golf *(or Polo)

Jeff Huisman
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2000 silver coloured A2
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/europe5.htm
 
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