Advantages: Great drive
Disadvantages: Economy suffers when driven hard.

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Advantages: Looks great, handles well, good performer.
Disadvantages: Missing key safety features

...I was lucky enough to receive this car as a rental car for my annual holiday. Although I was only driving the car for a week, I feel able to comment in regards to most aspects of the car, and feel I can give you a good idea of what to expect. I had requested a Zafira due to the fact that there were six people going, and wanted to take advantage of the extra rear seats. These aren't really suitable for adults on long jouneys, but the design is excellent, and they are easy to raise and fold away. However, I'll start with the exterior appearance. Bearing in mind this is a people carrier, it's actually a very attractive vehicle. A lot of styling bears a striking similarity to the new Astra, on which the design was based. This model also has alloy wheels, chrome door bump guards, and chrome roof rack bars. Inside, is equally appealing... Read review

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Advantages: Comfort and safety
Disadvantages: no CD Player!

...felt safer in the Polo - I'm not sure why?! But I felt the Lupo would be lost on the motorway doing motorway speeds and doing around a 100 miles a day. The Golf was too big for me, and with big comes price...too expensive, insurance too! So I was happy with the VW Polo diesel, so it was a decision between 1.4 and 1.9. I was told by a firend that whilst the 1.4 was very good with fuel efficiency, the 1.9 would be more comfortable doing the miles that I do. There was a choice between the E and S model. The E is entry level spec, basics. The S is the higher spec model with electric windows, electric heated mirrors, Climate control, anti hijack locking system etc. I was lucky to find a reasonably priced VW Polo 1.9 S SDi within my price range with good mileage. I have only had it a week but learning a lot about it already. I didnt... Read review

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Advantages: Smooth, comfortable drive.
Disadvantages: Hubby complains it is not a turbo diesel!

...This time last year we purchased a 1 year old, ex demonstration Renault Scenic 1.9 Dci, luxury version with leather seats etc. (Monaco model) Let me warn you in advance: Once you have a scenic, there is no way back! It has changed the way in which we look at cars as any other regular car suddenly seems cramped and uncomfortable. It is somewhat Tardis like - appearing compact from the outside but is roomy inside. The Scenic has a typical French ride - very smooth and comfortable. The seating position is upright with a good view over other (or should I say, inferior?) cars. The front seats are fully adjustable for height and distance from front. In addition, the drivers seat also has an adjustable lumbar support. The steering wheel is also adjustable, making the chance that you find a good position very high! In the rear... Read review

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Advantages: Comfortable ride, reliable and get hundreds of miles out of the tank!
Disadvantages: Lacks in fancy gagets, a TDi may be a better drive

...My little Polo is a 1996 plate 1.9D bought from my sister-in-law about a month ago. I have owned a Polo before, but this little one is purley brilliant!! This car is not brimming with features, but has all the standard stuff you could want - central locking, electric mirrors and best of all - comfort! Although its small I have never driven a car that was so easy to sit there and relax in! I've owned a lot of cars - most of them much bigger and therefore you would have thought more comfortable and robust! Not the case at all! I could drive for hours in this. She has done just over 77000 miles but as most people will tell you, VW's have everything to give and I am confident that she is going to keep going for a long time yet! I do a lot of motorway miles, but even so with it being a 1.9 I was concerned with the consumption... Read review

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Advantages: Safe
Disadvantages: Uncomfortable

...I drive a reasonable number of miles in my work (around 3000/month) and have recently had the opportunity to sample several cars in this class. The Laguna has been my least favourite for a number of reasons. Firstly, I have been driving this particular vehicle for around 5 months. It is a hire car, and I am unsure of the trim level - there are no other markings on the car other than 1.9dCi. It is an up to date model - 05 plate. My main issue is comfort. I am just over 6ft & I find that the door handle is constantly rubbing my knee. This sounds minor, but when you are in a car for a couple of hours it becomes a huge annoyance. I have tried every adjustment but have yet to find a comfortable seating position. Also note that boot space is less than I expected. Another area worth mentioning is the sun visor. When this is down... Read review

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Advantages: Price, economical, comfortable, fast acceleration, vast storage space
Disadvantages: None

...I bought my first Skoda 5 years ago when I retired from my full time occupation. I had intended to buy a decent second hand model but on visiting the dealer, I was so impressed with the estate version of the 1.9tdi Fabia, that I took the plunge. Having since had 100% reliability, economical fuel consumption , the added bonus of quick off the mark acceleration for an exceptionally value for money price, I am glad I took the plunge as I have not regretted my choice of car. Capacious boot space that takes all my golf clubs, trolley and more without having to lower the rear seats is also something to appreciate. I traded that in 3 years ago for the same model but with added extras such as cd player, air con, alloy wheels at what appeared to be very little price difference from the first one I bought. The ability to gain quick... Read review

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Advantages: does the job, no airs and graces.
Disadvantages: needs a six banger oiler under the hood.

...I ran a 1.9 Alhambra as a company jallopy back in 2001 whilst living and working in the Netherlands. Initially after coming from the company Merc I was a little apprehensive to change up to what looked like quite a boring car, how wrong I was. My work necessitated a little more interior space for camera and photographic equipment which I frequently hauled all over Eastern Europe and in this Department the Alhambra excelled, of course i suffered with the failed air con condenser, something Seat now admit was a design flaw, but apart from that the Alhambra was a top performer. when I recently became a Father the wife and I decided to buy an Alhambra, we picked up a Shadow Blue model from a main dealer in Kent, a 2006 model with 55K on it, with a FSH of course, problems manifested themselves during the drive home, it peed down... Read review

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Advantages: Good Drive and loads of space
Disadvantages: Few extras

...Having taken a job with a 80 mile journey, and following on from advise from my sister who already had a '97 diesel golf I purchased the 1.9 E sdi Golf. The service from the dealer was good and 15% of list price helped in this deal, with the Volkwagon name. I have already covered 2000 miles in 40 days and the diesel has come into itself with fuel gauge moving very slowly. The golf has very good handling on the motor way and is a pleasure to drive on other roads. The car's shape and headlights make it stand out from the rest in it class. In negative the cost of the is above that in the same class and comes with very few extra as standard, however not being a car person it is not something which is high on my list for car purchase. Most buyer will be like me, not wanting a "boy racer car" just something dependable to get travel... Read review

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Advantages: Well built, economical, reliable, family car
Disadvantages: Hard to get hold of second hand - they're really that good!

...Fantastic car !!!!!...My partner and I were looking to replace our main car after it was written off in an accident. We knew we needed a family car with plenty of boot space; a car that would tolerate the stop start driving you experience within towns but also manage long distance trips to Scotland without breaking the bank in fuel costs. We also knew that we wanted a well built car that had a good rating in the Euro Ncap crash tests (We started to look around at what was available and then I spotted a Skoda during one of our trips to Scotland and suddenly my eyes were opened!! We then did a lot of research, particularly on the internet and using car price guides and decided that the car we wanted was an Octavia 1.9 Tdi SLX. My partner test drove one at a local dealership but unfortunately they wanted too much for it so we kept looking... Read review

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