Life after the A2?

birdsd01

birdsd01

A2OC Donor
Don't worry, I am not intending to sell my beloved A2, but with it being 5 yrs old now I have to think about a replacement. Mine has only done 55k miles, and is in lovely nick, so I hopefully have a few years to decide!

So my question is, what new car offers the same economy, performance, space, quality and exclusivity of the A2? I can't think of one that ticks all the boxes?

My ideas so far:

Nissan Note, yes I know it's not that cool, but it has the space and some of the exclusivity. And by all accounts is well built. But is a bit of a moms car, no offence intended, but I not a parent yet!

BMW 1 series, certainly has the economy (diesel only) and has the build and style. But not the space

Merc A Class, perhaps I shouldn't have put this on the list! But is is the only thing close to the A2, except even in diesel guise its ecomony and emissions are much higher than the Audi.

Polo Bluemotion: Same engine, good build, low emissions, quite roomy, but just a supermini with skinny tyres!

Skoda Roomster Scout, currently my favourite!! Yes I know it looks a bit wierd from the side, but it has the exclusivity (for obvious reasons!), is reasonably economical (1.9TDi) and is roomy enough inside.

If you have any ideas, or want to poke fun at my suggestions feel free! In honesty I hope my A2 lasts forever and I don't have to make the choice! :D

Cheers, Dave
 
Hmm, a like minded soul! :)

I too have been scanning the market for the last year to find an interesting high economy car, which has brought me to the A2. This is what I have looked at ...

Citroen C4 Coupe - if you buy the turbo diesel in auto box form it just sneaks under the 120 carbon-thingy's and into the £35 road tax bracket. Quirky, good to drive, great value, and I very nearly bought one, but ultimately couldn't live with the thought of French build quality.

Skoda Roomster TDi - A great drive, brilliant wacky looks, but getting a bit pricey once you spec it up.

BMW 120d Coupe - Utterly fabulous car, great to drive, sweet engine, but no better built than a Golf and twice the price. A great car hampered by a silly price.

Polo Bluemotion - Pay more, get less ... I don't think so!

VW Beetle TDi - I currently have a Beetle 2.0 petrol, approaching 100k miles with never a blip of trouble, it has been a fantastic car, so the TDi would make a lot of sense, but it feels nose heavy and ponderous. No cigar!

Which brings me full circle back to the A2. I always fancied one when they were new, but like the BMW was put off by their very high price.

Still pondering! :confused:
 
Poke fun

Well, you did poke fun, so after your A2, may I suggest an A2!
You could go for a later model.
..........or dare I say it, the new Audi A1 due in late 2009/10. I know it is aimed at the Mini market rather then the A2 replacement market.
Personally, all things being equal, I hope to get at least 10 to 15 years more out of my A2.
 
I too have no plans to replace my A2 soon, but I do like the look of the new Honda Fit (Jazz) due in the UK soon.

The Bluemotion range will soon include the Golf and Golf Plus if you fancy something bigger.

I suspect that we will see a 5 door A1 sometime around the same time as VW bring out the Polo Plus.
 
birdsd01 said:
Nissan Note, yes I know it's not that cool, but it has the space and some of the exclusivity. And by all accounts is well built. But is a bit of a moms car, no offence intended, but I not a parent yet!

BMW 1 series, certainly has the economy (diesel only) and has the build and style. But not the space

Merc A Class, perhaps I shouldn't have put this on the list! But is is the only thing close to the A2, except even in diesel guise its ecomony and emissions are much higher than the Audi.

Polo Bluemotion: Same engine, good build, low emissions, quite roomy, but just a supermini with skinny tyres!

Skoda Roomster Scout, currently my favourite!! Yes I know it looks a bit wierd from the side, but it has the exclusivity (for obvious reasons!), is reasonably economical (1.9TDi) and is roomy enough inside.
Click to expand...
Did over 100 miles test drive in a Note and found it underpowered, a 1.9 or 2.0 litre would be more suited. I also felt that I was going to capsize going round some corners. Mrs Glock's comment was it was only for the over 65's.

BMW is small and quite heavy, not a bad looking car, but it is a BMW

Merc is one I don't like the look of, bloated somehow

I looked at ordinary Polo's before I bought my A2, they actually had rear wash wipe as a feature, very underspec'd car

Would probably go for the Roomster, quirky, practical, economical, decent engine, only drawback I can see is it is damn ugly!

Cheers

glock17
 
We've got the full spec 120d 'M series' along with my A2 sport.

The BMW is far, far nicer to drive than my A2 - but then I always have been a rear wheel drive person. It hugs the road well and is very flat in corners.

It returns about 39-40 mpg in the real world with day to day driving, opposed to my 48-52 mpg. The tax is also more expensive for the BMW

Space wise the BMW boot is small as is the rear seating. If we are taking people on any distance the A2 is always used over the BMW. If we are not taking people then the BMW is used because it is much more fun to drive.

If you do get one then the headlight upgrade is a must - they are simply fantastic.
 
A couple of cars not mentioned above are:

Fiat 500 - allegedly the next big thing, with either the 1.3 diesel for economy or the 1.4 100bhp or later Abarth version for performance.

Honda CRZ - my favourite. Due out in 2009, it is the spiritual successor to the CRX and Insight. Economic and sporty. See:

http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/motor+show/11982/1

Anyway there are lots of interesting Superminis coming out over the next two or three years, including the Audi A1, Skoda Joyster and all electric cars for those with shorter commutes. Check out this list(s):

http://www.channel4.com/4car/future-models/superminis.html
 
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