[David]

So where to begin.

Well I suppose at one point today, I was like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music in deepest Austria, spinning around like a 8 year old with all inclusive allowance, having all you can drink Fanta…  Oh man, absolutely dreading the up and coming break to the Algarve.   2 kids, with all you can eat/drink childrens section….. I’ll need another holiday when I get back.

Everybody now, lets start a the very beginning, a very good place to start….
And trust me, by the end of this ode, poem, short story, book,  The Lord of the Rings, the Directors Cut (%$$^&£% (expletive), how many times are they going to say goodbye????

So where was I?  Awww, that’s right….

So I’m in deepest Salzburg, looking out while the masses, and the nuns are jumping about like mad, to all things Andrews, you can see in the clip Julie looking deep into the mountains, off to the North West thinking, oh, it’s wrong, I know, but I just love a big German. (hint hint)….

So, basically, about a month ago, as once again, I looked like the awkward ******* yet again trying to get out the car, my disability once again rearing it’s nasty head, and there my partner commenting for the umpteenth time this last while, about how I was coping just getting in and out of the car.
Which led to me basically saying, right, to all that is the woman I live for/love to serve (the mrs.)

My story began on Sunday 16th September, where after having a consultation with my partner, we decided to take the plunge.

This was based on megoing to go to the motability show in Livingston with my fanta filled enthusiastic son, Alfie, aged 8, who loves all things my current car, the Mercedes A Class AMG Premium Plus.

Belter of a car, and how it’s not scooping up multiple awards this last 2 years, is beyond me.
It’s just class….  Watch this video  below, if your considering either the Mercedes A Class, the BMW 1 SERIES, the AUDI A3, or VW Golf….

At the same time, before you click on this video, please, please, feel free to continue on my Motability journey story below.  More free gifts along the way….

I pretty much agree on just about every point with this video.  All of it summed up at the end, with the same conclusion/s I did come to back in 2021, and let me to me getting one.
And now sniff….
giving up.,
Sniff, (she cannie take it Captain), Waaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

So, 1st of all, here’s the video for all those contemplating any of the above.

So back to my story.  Hope you enjoyed the above video.
So, we heads off to the roadshow, all excited, and thinking at that point, I was interested in either the

Peugeot 3008 Gt, with one eye in ordering the 2024  version, all ready taking orders for that car now.  Although I love this car, the parts of the car I don’t like were always there, nagging me every time I tried to convince myself, like Robbie Williams back in the days (when he was a bit of a….)
She’s the one…..

Be interesting to see if my dislikes are yours, although not too many, they REALLY DO bug me, and could be easily changed.  Obviously with a slight/massive/wtf charge.

1 – I get Peugeot image is all about the lions claw, especially with all things in yer face the Lion’s Claw,
I get it,  I just can’t stand them.   And my solution, cos speaking to others, I’m not the only one that’s not a fan, why can’t they offer the customer the option to have a more traditional set of lights on the front headlights, and yeah, leave the rears alone, they actually look great, just give us customers who can’t stand the front, an alternative…

Please Peugeot, listen to this grumble, your making your cars like marmite, and you should be offering bovril as well.

2 – That material cabin that ruins that ruins the rest of an absolutely amazing cabin.   Why…. Why why why???

Or again, why can’t you offer the customer the option to move away from all things grey scabby rug (attached to a door), and let the customer have a lovely leather interior instead….  Just a thought….

3 –  That driving wheel, nuff said…..

Again, my fingers have been commented on in the past, as being of the cucumber variety (that’s being kind), and although supple and have the dexterity of Liberace at his peak, the thing, not calling it a wheel, just lo0k’s plain crap….   Offer an alternative, like a traditional one.  God forbid….

4 – Make that stunning cabin like some of the more premium manufacturers, more on that later,
and give us some more physical buttons, please…..

So that was the first car I hoped to see, the other bing the T – Roc,  actually a stunning car, especially in the white or the blue, but ultimately, it’s a bit boring now to sit in, compared to a lot of the other manufacturers.   It’s a good 7, and every week no doubts, it would get a 7 when it plays…   But not enough soul…..  And those scratchy plastic bits, not good enough….

Well, turns up hoping to see either of the above, and none of them on show.   Grrrrreeatttt!
Wasted journey I thought…..
And then…..
All I hear is the wee squeal from behind me, an excited son shouting out Dad, come and see this….

As I got closer to the yet un named car, a huge grin from my son, and me with every step, my face catching up with his…..

And before me was a SUV, that just hit the spot, in every area, it was stylish, it was a brand I trusted, and no matter where I went in the car, it was going to draw attention.  Love it….

The car was the Cupra Formentor, and like all things Balearic islands, it was most definitely strutting it’s stuff in da club…..   What a stunning car, and all of a sudden, coming from leftfield (dance music reference), I was a fully signed up member of all things Catalonia, and not just the football team, or the tapas….

So goes home, bursting with enthusiasm as I told my partner all the details, and starts watching millions of youtube clips, reading every article, and the more I read, the more and more I was convinced, the only ugly bug bear being, that it was only going to have 150 bhp dsg automatic engine…. Hmmmm….

Anyway, not being totally obsessed with all things speed (funny how that end’s up turning out), I decided that I could see past the smaller engine, as everything else about the car was just amazing.

So decision made, I headed off to the Cupra dealership in Glasgow on Monday 18 September, and ended up having a great conversation with Andrew Harris, their motability dealer, who was brilliant start to finish, and placed an order there and then.  Job done, and left feeling excited, and happy about my decision….

That was until Yesterday, when we took the sad decision to cancel the Cupra.

And even when I ended up cancelling yesterday morning (16 days after placing the order), Andrew was fantastic, and very professional, understanding my change of heart, and totally understood my disability, and both processed the cancellation, and refund back onto my card within hours of our conversation.

Thank you Andrew.  Wish every dealership had staff like yourself.  Your a credit to all things Cupra.  Others take note….

The reason I chose Cupra, is that Cupra have just released 2 bespoke cars so far, the Formentor and the Born, both incredible cars, and a major shift, and change, away from the competition, showing just different Cupra are going to be, visually stunning compared to other mainstream competitors, who a lot of the, time, it’s hard to tell the difference,

And in the next  2 years they are bringing out another 5 new models, and absolutely nothing to do with Seat.
Night and day different, as is the 5 new models coming out in the next 2 years.

The best of which being this one.
Just revealed in Munich last month.
What’s not to love, drool, get heady about with this car.
The Formentor done that all ready to me with the Cupra, so when I go along to see this devil of a car when it comes out, well, I can’t even imagine the emotions I’ll feel that day.  And all for £ 50,000….  All ready saving up for this one.

Enjoy the video, and remember chapter 3, after the video, the final chapter,  just coming up after the video, where I shall reveal which car I have now chosen, after having sadly cancelled the Cupra.

Also, later on, once you’ve watched the video below, going to show you how, for even less money than the Cupra. rrp £ 40,000 including all my extra’s, how I’ve ended up with a £ 56,000 car including options, that in the next 5 year’s  motability ownership , the car I have chosen, will end up costing me less than the Mercedes A Class I’m driving about just now, which retailed at just under £ 40,000.

So, I headed over to Cupra on Tuesday just there, with my partner, to let her take in all that was the Cupra Formentor, in the Matt Blue Petrol, which is, so stylish, adding to an all ready incredible looker, just like John Travolta putting that white suit on, when strutting to Staying Alive in all things Saturday Night Fever.  Just cool as….

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/autocar-awards/autocar-awards-2022-cupra-formentor-voted-best-all-rounder?fbclid=IwAR3WOY1pO437WylzyhHtvPDq7dLoMzVB3zoRSuPVMJ_MrQWABIcQujPr7bU

Enters the showroom, and fully expecting the same reaction, well, she was just as enthused as me,  then it all started to change.
The whole point of giving up the Mercedes A Class was how immobile I have become.  I have terrible, terrible Psoriatic Arthritis, which has been life changing, and ravages my body now a days, diagnosed at the age of 38, 14 years ago, and warned I was in for a hell of a ride.   And so has been the case.

Don’t get me wrong, in the summer months, the pain is nowhere near as bad as the winter months, still there though, but more manageable day to day, but come October, and living up here in Scotland, right through to early May, I end up barely being able to walk the length of myself certain days.   Please hurry up A.I., and find me a cure…  Thats my hope….

So, after the initial excitement, about all things the exterior, and then realising how I was pretty much struggling to get in, and out of this car, and then there was the boot, where I had forgoton was way under the 500litres we definitely needed.
And then on top of all that, I was going to get a ceramic coating done, another £ 1050.00, and not 100% sure whether or not I would take up the option to buy the car outright in 5 years time, I decided, sadly, and reluctantly, it wasn’t the one….

So spoke Andrew Harris, the Cupra Sales Executive yesterday, as he was on his day on Tuesday when we visited the showroom, and explained, and cancelled.

Got to admit, having cancelled the order just yesterday morning, did not think, well, within 10 hours, I will then go on to place and order the actual car I’m now getting, just 8 or so hours go, which I know is 100% done, and just waiting for the yet un named manufacturer to probably be sending me over over my actual build date, as early as next week,

And I came away from the stunning Audi showroom last night absolutely over the moon, and thanking all the universe for basically getting a car now built, that I can’t actually believe will be mine in a matter of months….

Yes, I choose the Audi Q4 45 e-tron, oh do it again, do it again, the Audi Q4 45 e-tron.

And what a car…..  I’m not actually going to leave a single video for the moment, but what I can tell you, is that it is without doubt, the most luxurious SUV I’ve ever sat in.  It just oooozes class, and omg, that Sonus Sound Premium System, now I’m obsessive about all things music, and in particular dance music, and to give you wee bit of background, I have, I feel good taste….  And have bought the following.

the Naim Uniti Star, paired up with PMC PMC Twenty5 26i Speakers
the Roksan Candy K3 Amp with Monitor Audio Silver Speakers
A Naim Mu-So 2
And I even take a pair of Dali Katch (2nd generation), just with me on holiday.  Cos I crave all things sounding like the sound system that once graced Space Nightclub in Ibiza, my idea of heaven….

Well, when I sat in the AUDI Q4, having spoke to the staff, about how I would like to test out the sound system.  I was not expecting much, I knew it would all right, but what actully came out the speakers, blew my mind.  I’ve never heard any sound system in any car, that came remotely close.   You sound quality is incredible, 8 different speakers strategically placed, and every type of music I could through at it, from classical, to guitar based rock (pink floyd, and so on), to my ultimate taste, all things dance, it was like being in a club, with the best sound system you’ve ever heard, and the thousands of hours I will be just going out, and going for  a drive, just to listen to the music, will I know, for a fact, go through the roof.  I can’t wait….

I had to laugh when the Sales Executive Patrick Murray, who is Ayr’s AUDI specialist, pointed the accoustic soundproofing of the windows to protect the public, and I’m sitting there thinking, where can I go to get a moving laser installed, on the top of the car, likes the one’s you see from miles away, so that I can let everybody know from 3 miles away, I’m on my way, cos trust me, this car with windows down, and panoramic sunroof, is very quickly going to be heard, and known for it’s sound, to anyone that’s less than a mile away from me….   They will hear this system, and my only worry is that just as I take 2 seconds to shut my eyes while sitting with the car, engine turned off, that 2 seconds later when I open my eyes, I might well be dealing with a rave, and my car providing the rave…..

I say I worry….
That’s not the right word….

I’m excited about the rave the car shall create…..   But that’s for another day….

Here’s that spread sheet I promised earlier on showing just how good a deal the AUDI.  go on, treat yourself, you only live once, and once you’ve bought yours, let me know where your rave is taking place, and we can start up a club.  In da club.

1ST OF ALL, THE

Cupra Formentor. 3099
Matt Petrol Blue. 2000
Panoramic Sunroof 1290
Beats Sound. 565
Fuel 25
Ceramic Coating. 1050
Cupra Cover. 119.99

TOTAL 8138.99

-750. Govt
-450 GCB
-750 Partial Deposit Refund
-615
Paint Contribution

£5573.99. Total for car
4400.        Total for fuel
9973.99     TOTAL
/60 PAYMENTS
£166.23 Cupra Formentor V2 pcm

Now FOR the AUDI Q4 45 E-TRON

Audi Q4 e-tron  £ 4499
Technology Pack Pro      £  4495
Geyser Blue £ 0.00 (should be £ 695)
Entry LED Audi Rings with Gecko £ 131.5
Audi Q4 Geyser Blue Key Fob £ 42.00
Function Package. £ 350.00
TOTAL £ 9522.50

-750 Government Contrubution
-450 GCB
-750 Partial Deposit Refund

7572.5. Total for car

ELECTRICITY. 600 IN total over the next 5 years.  Wow…..
8172.5. TOTAL
/60 months

136.21
Audi Q4 e-tron pcm

Both the prices quoted for the Cupra, and then the Audi, obviously doesn’t include the month to month payment that comes off your pip/dla, although I can tell you that including both the per calendar month cost above for the deposit, and all the extras, plus your usual monthly payment, means the AUDI ends up working out at exactly £ 450. 00 a month in total, or even better way to say it….

You could be driving about in a £ 56,000 car, like above, and including all the extras, and so on, if you keep the car for 5 years, you will only be paying £ 15.00 a day for everything, including all the other advantages that a motability customer gets, the free full comprehensive insurance the free yearly servicing, rac membership, everything….

£ 450.00 a month in.  An absolute steal.  Goodnight….

I think it

 

We are the club.   Good night….

So, going back to the AUDI Q4 45 sport e-tron, which will be the model I’m getting built, as they are no longer building the Q4 40 sport e-tron, even though that is what is showing on the motabilty site, all customers now taking out this car, will get the new and improved 45 version, better charging, an increase in speed, the old one was 8.5 seconds, 0n-60, the new version, basically a full 2 seconds quicker.

Although they are claiming 6.7 seconds, some of the videos, if you are to believe them, they are getting more close to the 6 seconds…. Wow….

Which brings me on to cost.

I had considered the AUDI over the last couple of months, only point being, it seemed on paper to be much more expensive…..  And guess what….   It is, to begin with….

Although when you take in the overall cost, if you were to keep the car for the 5 years, I was astounded to find out, and eventually work out, that not only would the AUDI Q4 45 e-tron end up being a lot cheaper than the previously ordered Cupra, it’s even coming in around the same price as the Mercedes A Class I’m giving up….

Remember, both these cars with all the options I chose, were around £ 40,000.
The Audi, when priced up, is £ 16,000 more than either, and still, I’ve ended up with a bargain….
Now putting up details from a spreadsheet I’ve done, and you can see for yourself….  Happy reading, and if you have any comments, questions, shared delight, please come on, and have a blether (scottish word for never shuts up.   Read above.  Hope this helps.  Cheers.

Topic

[wmcforum]

Spoiler alert:

customer cancels Cupra Formentor to order Audi Q4.

 

[Stuart]

WOW im not sure i have enough time left to read all that lol

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate trim
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Loves 3D printing & Plastic model kits
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[Paul]

jeez if you have just got your new car ,by time you read that post, it will be due for renewal.

[kezo]

I read to the point where the op said ” to all that is the woman I live for/love to serve (the mrs.)” Out of wisdom I decided to check reply’s – Thankfully @wmcforum had taken the time to read the lot, which he should be commended for doing so ?

I hope the op and her that must be obeyed enjoy their Audi Q4 when it arrives 🙂

[Debs]

Wow, I made it to the end.

If only I had scrolled down further first.

35 minutes of my life gone??

[Southamman]

Cone on now you lot, the OP is only trying to entertain.

We all have different ways of dealing with our disabilities…..

[tvs]

The Audi 45 e tron sport is a significant improvement to the 40 model in performance range and upgrades. A good choice.

2024 - KIA EV6 GT Line AWD
2019 - 2024 BMW X1 2.0d X Drive Sport Auto
2017 -2019 Audi Q3 2.0d Quattro Sport Line Plus
2005 - 2017 Honda CRV Exec 2.0d

[Lorveney]

OK, so good to know that Motability orders for the Q4 can be for the Sport 45 model with options allowed, not just stock Q4 40 cars.  Did I miss where you said you had actually test driven it and what the projected delivery date would be?

[Peter]

I think author should urgently contact his GP for a meds review

[joss]

Dispite the OP cancelling the Cupra and going for the Audi, I loved this post. Entertaining for sure.

Also on the cupra video. The second one. Got to love that number plate PO2RN47 and the female commentator, Rarther noughty I thought.

Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.

[kezo]

joss wrote:

Also on the cupra video. The second one. Got to love that number plate PO2RN47 and the female commentator, Rarther noughty I thought.

Very intriguing and knowlegeable video’s by Anna Roads, even if I must say myself ?

[Southamman]

My view uis completely different to you Davud.

We all gave different needs from our xars, I found the Cupre too small and quite frankly the Q4 e tron is not as useful or has the abilities I want.

Too old fashioned interior and the only thing ut gas going for ut IMHO us a premium badge.

For me, the Skoda Enyaq us a much better package overall than both the cupra and q4

But as I said, we all have different reasons for our car choices.

Price is not a doctor for me as we don’t own the xars, we rent them at a fixed price.

This is a good video

https://youtu.be/ALLG8aK-8c4?si=OGSqP6bsl_g8igj0

[kezo]

Southamman wrote:

My view uis completely different to you Davud. We all gave different needs from our xars, I found the Cupre too small and quite frankly the Q4 e tron is not as useful or has the abilities I want. Too old fashioned interior and the only thing ut gas going for ut IMHO us a premium badge. For me, the Skoda Enyaq us a much better package overall than both the cupra and q4 But as I said, we all have different reasons for our car choices. Price is not a doctor for me as we don’t own the xars, we rent them at a fixed price. This is a good video https://youtu.be/ALLG8aK-8c4?si=OGSqP6bsl_g8igj0

I’m the totall opposite, where as I’d prefer the layout of the Audi over the interior design of the Enyak and id’s. For me the Audi looks like a car where as the rest of the groups big box little box interior I frankly find rather bland but, it wouldn’t do if we were all the same 🙂

[Debs]

I love the Audi, but it is just a little bit too wide at 1865mm with mirrors folded for my garage.

My last car, Tiguan R Line Tech was 1839mm.

Fingers crossed the BMW iX1 comes on to the scheme, looks perfect for me.

I did look at the Jeep Avenger, it was nice but the finish was rather bland and lots of hard scratchy plastic trims.

It’s good that there is so much choice on the scheme, we all have such different requirements and likes ?

[solent60]

What I will never understand is why some people hate the tiny steering wheel in all new Peugeots these days?!?!

I have a 208 GT Premium and absolutely love the small, 20 pence-shaped steering wheel! It makes the car feel like a go-kart… so much fun! It took me all of 10 minutes to get used to & now… well, I couldn’t go back to a ‘normal’ steering wheel again.

Don’t listen to the OP Peugeot. You carry on with your steering wheels just the way they are!!! 😀

 

[kezo]

solent60 wrote:

What I will never understand is why some people hate the tiny steering wheel in all new Peugeots these days?!?!

I liked the steering wheel but found it blocked some of the view of the speedo. Shame really as I wanted the 3008 hybrid4 when it first joined.

[Elliot]

Thanks @WMC for saving me from having to read through that.

[AKX]

Bro who forced you to type a whole 5000 word essay, all you had to do was choose a car and if you change your mind you can change it even during the order process, glad to know after all that you choose the Q4 lol.

[Elliot]

AKX wrote:

Bro who forced you to type a whole 5000 word essay, all you had to do was choose a car and if you change your mind you can change it even during the order process, glad to know after all that you choose the Q4 lol.

It’s a total waste of server space and really should be edited.

[David]

Well AKK and Elliot,

Thanks for that.  If you actually go and read another post, not by myself, it was posted by SH 08:58 this morning, and it the post is called AUDI Q4 e-tron, and read, and see the utter confusion some people are feeling, which is now fully cleared up once they read my reply (currently awaiting moderation), if they take the time to read the message I left.  Much much shorter than up above.

I’ve been on quite a interesting, and beautiful journey, and I wanted to share, and if any of the information I provided helps a single other motability customer out there, then that’s all good.  That’s the whole point.

I just feel positivity should always be there in life.  Although I acknowledge we’re all built differently.  Cheers.

[David]

I don’t hate the wheel.

I’ve drove both.  I just think there missing a trick, that’s all, cos if I feel that way about the wheel, and at the same time they have now lost my business, if they had offered a normal wheel for a charge/extra where you could change the wheel, and being honest with you, the fabric walled cabin, spoils it for me, and again offering for a charge/extra, a leather interior, that they could even sell along side upgrading to leather for example.

I don’t see problems, I only see solutions, and I feel for a very minimal cost, that Peugeot could be getting even more sales making these small changes.

[kezo]

@David I liked the E-Tron but can’t help thinking, are you sure you will get the 45 rather than the 40 as its a model change rather than a mid life facelift regardles of was said. Were you given an idea of delivery times?

[Glos Guy]

kezo wrote:

@David I liked the E-Tron but can’t help thinking, are you sure you will get the 45 rather than the 40 as its a model change rather than a mid life facelift regardles of was said. Were you given an idea of delivery times?

That’s what I queried on another thread. I sincerely hope that those being told that they will get the 45 do end up with one but, as we know, the Motability website only shows the 40 and the 45 would have a different order number. It would be extremely unusual for people to be able to order a model that is not shown on the Motability website. Dealers are often very ill informed about how Motability works and I would be reluctant to trust what they say without seeing the confirmed order for the 45 model on the Motability system.

[Winston]

wmcforum wrote:

Spoiler alert: customer cancels Cupra Formentor to order Audi Q4.

 

I like this version better ?

When life hands you melons...,
Make melonade!

[Author]

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