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I’d encourage you to register on benefitsandwork and ask for advice there, they offer fantastic support. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum good luck, this is horrible
Many thanks, I’ll check it out.
Would you consider electric ?
No, it wouldn’t suit my requirements.
How about the Volvo xc40?
Thanks for this suggestion, I test drove one last week and was very impressed. Fantastic driving position.
The only downside is the mpg doesn’t seem that great.
It looks as though a new generation will be launched in 2025.
New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
As to the topic, for me personally, there’s a bit of conflicting “wants”. You’d like it to be rather small, but also a good motorway cruiser. Those two things are hard to combine, since a good motorway cruiser has a longer(ish) wheelbase, as well as being reasonably aerodynamic. Meaning Superminis and SUVs are always a compromise by necessity. If i were you, i’d go with something compact or above, not SUV (“Golf class”). Meaning from your list, the A3, and.. that’s it. I’d have said Golf, but the A3 is in most regards simply a better Golf (other than price) – so that’s kinda pointless. If you do like the CLA but think it’s too big, check the A-Class – it’s simply a CLA with the boot cut off, basically. Stupid expensive though, due to being PHEV – also just really a consideration if you can charge at home. Another option would be the BMW 2series. It’s slightly longer than an A3, but also shorter than a CLA. Downside being that it’s a bit anaemic on power, but for motorway that’s perfectly serviceable. Lastly, despite being french, Peugeot 308. Gorgeous interior imho, very well built, too – but you have to test-sit to be able to determine whether or not you fit. I personally do not, because i’m reasonably tall, the steering wheel obscures the instrument cluster (or hits my knee if i want to adjust it). Out of all the options, i personally would probably go with either an A3 or 2series, to be honest. If you want small, the CLA ain’t it (it’s 4.7m long, as opposed to the 4.5m of a 2series or 4.35m of an A3, the A1 being 4.01m) – so if you consider an A3 potentially too big, a CLA is out of the question. This is just me though, if you’re happy with the size and “motorway behaviour” of an A1, you can “retrofit” gas struts for 20 quid. It’s a 10 minute job even as someone with two left hands, i can link some if you require. Just gotta take them back out again before you give the car back, these don’t require drilling or anything, just “plug and play”. Yeah sure, we’re not supposed to modify the cars, but if the car can go back to absolutely 100% original without any marks or whatever, why not. Bit like different floor mats or seat covers, imho. Lastly.. I wouldn’t touch a jeep with a 10ft pole. My father in law got one (Compass i think), and it’s.. agrarian, i’d call it. More squeaks and creaks than Clint Eastwood bones.
Many thanks for your input. I’ve only ever had small cars so in terms of motorway driving, that’s all I’m used to. I just want to make sure if I have something other than an A1, it’s as good to drive on a long journey.
I test drove the CLA again today for about 2.5 hours. I found I couldn’t get 100% comfortable in it, despite trying various seat positions. I also had a second, shorter test drive in the Juke and had a similar problem. I do have issues where I get pain in the small of my back, so no car seat is completely comfortable.
Since I can’t even test drive a Jeep as there are no hybrid autos available, right now my shortlist is looking like A1, A3 or Lexus LBX
Frustratingly none of those come with a drone view camera and having experienced that on the CLA and Juke, I want one – makes parking so much easier!
New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
Hmmm not sure. I still can’t get my head around the fact that MG (aka Morris garages) is now owned by China!
i have the n-connecta juke hybrid and its great halved my fuel bill. the tekna wasnt available when i ordered 18 months ago. the way prices are i will probably go for the tekna.
Thanks, good to know.
The new Mini has just joined the Scheme. It looks great.
I test drove a Mini on a 2 hour drive in 2019, and by the end of the trip I had horrendous back pain, so it really put me off Mini!
I visited the Cardiff showroom today to look at the Tonale. I really struggled to get in, because it’s fairly high and I’m quite short.
I managed it eventually and it is a lovely car, no question, but I was surprised by how difficult I found getting in because I’ve sat in numerous other SUV’s (eg T Cross, T Roc, DS 3 Crossback, Q2) with no issues. A real shame for me, as aside from that it looks great!
Thanks. Wise words, I think.
I am hoping that the AP situation will get better in the coming 18 months – the A1 AP has fallen slightly, so is heading in the right direction, but I’ll have to wait and see.
Thanks @Glos Guy.
When I ordered my current A1 the advance payment was around £560 but I added over £3k of options, so as you say the economics of the extension are slightly better. Also, personally it doesn’t bother me that with the extension I’m still paying the full PIP benefit as it just means the agreement carries on as it has been, which is fine for me.
Because the cars I’m interested all have significantly increased AP’s compared to when I last ordered, that’s the tough decision for me, especially when factoring in the inevitable options packs on top of the AP.
If I keep my current car until the end of the lease, it’ll be 5 years old so worst case scenario, if I lose PIP, the most likely option would probably be that I would lease a slightly newer used car, depending on the cost implications.
Lovely looking car. I definitely need to seek one out to see it in person, though I suspect it’s too big for my needs.
Just to add, it’s not the case that most on PIP are out of work. Everyone’s circumstances are different. I work full time, but I wouldn’t choose to pay a high AP on a car that, ultimately, motability will sell on. Other’s opinion may differ, though.
On the subject of lease extensions, I have a 2019 69 plate A1 S Line with 38,850 miles, It was due to be changed last December, However, the current AP for an A1 S Line is £1,799, compared to around £560 I paid in 2019. I called motability and explained that, for me it made no sense to order the same model at such a high AP (the A1 AP was over 2k in December). They extended my lease until December 2024 with no issue, so it’s always worth discussing your individual circumstance with them.
Personally I wouldn’t pay £7k for any car that you have nothing to show for after 3 years, particularly as with Audi it’s highly likely you’ll want to add on one or more of their pricey options packs.
Thanks for the replies.
The privacy glass, armrest and climate control were all separate options originally, but my understanding is that for the current build year, Audi have changed this so that instead of being available separately, they have been grouped together as an option pack.
I have ordered the car, but have been told by the dealer I can add on the pack if I let him know by the end of the week.
However, I think I’m pretty much decided I’m going to leave it. If I was buying the car and keeping it for x years, I’d probably do it, but for a 3 year lease I don’t think it’s worth it.
The dealer has said that I can add after market privacy glass from a local company when the car is delivered for around £200, so I may do that.
