Milo Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Right, I've had a think about this and here goes (I haven't listed these in any particular order). I work from home and sometimes need to take a fair amount of site gear with me. I have just took a pic of what's in my boot (see below). I don't usually need any more than this but it doesn't have my lap top and printer in on this pic. I'm not saying you couldn't fit this in the cab but I wouldn't want to be taking it out to put the roof down and then trying to squeeze it back in. Also, where do you store the wind deflector? Monday to Friday, I keep this gear in the car because I can be asked to attend site at any time. I just chuck everything in and then tidy it up at the end if the week. One question, do you lose any depth to the boot with the cab or is it just height? I elected for split folding rear seats with my saloon and they have been a godsend. The load carrying capacity and it's usability is greatly increased and I have used it on many an occasion. I appreciate with a cab you can put the roof down and load things into the back (as long as it is not snowing Ari) but I have found the folding seats brilliant. I would presume they are not possible on the cab? I have 2 ankle biters who would need to get in the back everyday (school run). A two door car IMO does not work with kids very well. This is a major sticking point for my better half. I would be interested to here the views of other cab owners on this one. The cost. I have looked on drivethedeal.com and can get a 2.0T FSI s-line B7 with metallic, split folding rear seats (my fetish), aluminium interior and front armrest for £22,350 OTR. That includes the current upgrade to 18" RS6 alloys. BOSE is not required IMO as the saloon is decent enough anyway. That kind of money is not going to buy me a new cab and I would also have to fork out for BOSE judging by what I've read on TSN I am a car snob in that I like new cars - to buy a new sport/s-line cab with same spec as above is going to cost more. A lot more. I appreciate the depreciation after 3 years swallows up the difference in initial outlay but convincing the missus of this is a different matter. That said, in favour of the cab: Style and cool factor. Topless motoring (although remember the North is not affected by global warming as much as the South is so we tend to have more crappy weather) I just don't know if for my situation the style and cool factor outweighs all the other points listed. Another thing that I haven't really looked it is the value of mine. Coming up to 2 year old, what chance do you reckon there is of a private sale? I'm sure the dealer would shaft me on a p-ex and to justify a cab to my missus I would have to get maximum money for mine. If the cost to change is too high she will put her foot down. I see BONUS = CARS She sees BONUS = HOLIDAYS AND SHOES One thing I am sure of is it is going to be petrol next time. Discuss please! <thumbs up smiley!> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 You'd get that lot in the cab boot easily. It's bigger than it looks, even with the roof stowage down. As for seats, they slide forward and backward electrically to make getting in the back easier. Saying that though getting in the back isn't the easiest for adults but little ones should have no probs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I'll try to be unbiased then... I work from home and have stuff to carry around too. That blue crate will be just a bit too high with the roof down, so you need to find storage boxes of the right dimensions so you can get all your stuff into the lower half of the boot. The boot is almost the same depth as the saloon, but slightly narrower due to the hydraulics at either side. It does have a ski-load thingy as standard. So you can get long things in (but not if they are wider than the ski-hole obviously). With the roof up and the safety flap up, the boot capacity is almost as good as the saloon. Being slightly narrower its harder to get 2 suitcases in, unless you just use medium sized ones. The wind deflector would have to go in boot if not being used, its about 2ftx2ftx6inches when folded i'd guess. For day to day people in the back, the non-electric sports seats are quickest for getting in/out. My kids jump in and out of the back no probs. The only thing they moan about usually is whose turn it is to go in the front next to me. They do miss being able to control the rear windows themselves, and they miss the armrest thats in the rear of the saloon too. So the cabs maybe lost a few marks against the saloon up to now, but then there's the Brucie Bonus Feature... a retractable roof. I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hashluck Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I would say you could get that lot in a Cab boot easily. With roof box down you lose only heigt not depth. No split/fold seats though. Your major headache is the school run I would say. Could get a but dull, OK in summer with roof down, much easier to get in and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 How old are the kids? If they're over about 6 years old then they get themselves in and out, all you have to do is open the door and let them scramble in. More of a fag with 2 year olds say, where you have to lift them in and then get in there to do up seatbelts, childseats etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 For the money - do you go for a brand new 05 B7 saloon or a used 52, maybe 03 cab? Well, IMHO, I'd go for the B7 saloon, but petrol! I've toyed with the idea of a cab, but decided the time is not right, I would loose too much on my current car and not sure how much I'd have the roof down anyway. Quite like the idea of a 3.0 saloon, but no need for one! Stay as you were and get the saloon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearra Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Don't forget with kids it's normally [ QUOTE ] are we there yet, are we there yet. [/ QUOTE ] with a cab it's [ QUOTE ] can we have the roof down, can we have the roof down. [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I think I'll wait for a few more years and then face the same question - B8 or B7 cab? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 My "blue box" could easily be replaced with a lesser box. It contains all sorts of junk which 99% of the time I don't need. I could bin half of it and still feel happy (there's about 20 pairs of gloves in there for a start!). Losing depth on the boot doesn't bother me as I don't use the back 200mm anyway becuase it's hard to reach. Width wise, you may have noticed my site gear is on bread basket! This makes it easy to lift in and out of the car in one go. As long as that still fits then I would be happy. Reading some of the comments it seems I may be thinking the cab boot is smaller than it is. We don't tend to holiday in the UK (and european touring holidays are a long way off with 2 youn 'uns) and live within taxi distance of the airport so the car is never really used for luggage. The only time there's anything in the boot is my work gear and the weekly shopping. The lack of split rear seat does concern me though. My mate with the 1.8T cab has now traded it in for a BMW so I can't use his to test the boot - a trip to the dealers may be called for. The kids are nearly 5 and 6. Both can get in and out of the car on their own and get their seatbelts on so that makes life easier. The lack of electric windows and arm rest in the back wouldn't be a problem either. If you get heated sports seats do they automatically come with electrics for moving them (other than lumber support) or can you stick with manual? The cost thing still troubles me. The 3.0 leaves me with too big a balance to finance, so the 1.8T and 2.4 would be ones I would compare. But either of these would add a hefty chunk to the cost of the B7 saloon. I'm still swinging towards B7 saloon at the moment and that's only providing I can convince Mrs Milo it's my bonus therefore I get to spend it. I know what you're saying DM - for the cost of an 05 B7 2.0T FSI saloon, I might hit lucky and get an 03 plate cab. My current car is an 03 and I wouldn't feel like I had gained anything (other than a cool roof) if that makes sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 The sports seats have electric lumbar support. Everything else is manual adjustment. Easy to get comfy. They have the extending thigh supports that pull out manually too. The cab has storage pack as standard so there are drawers under the front seats (they're very small, but useful for a mars bar or pack of tissues etc) Lower depreciation on the cab should make overall cost of ownership the same if not cheaper. The other thing you'd gain from the second hand cab route is probably a few extras for your cash such as leather, BOSE, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 The seats are the as the ones in my saloon then. I agree the lower depreciation means that over 3 years the cab would probably as cheap, if not cheaper to run. The problem is, is you don't really see the benefits of that until you sell the car. In the meantime the loan repayments reflect the higher initial cost. I am lucky in that my current car is wholly financed by opting out of a company car scheme. The cash equivalent even covers my tax and insurance. So all the benefits of a company car without the tax bill! To change the car now means taking out additional finance that the opt out cash won't cover. This is the sticking point with my missus. She says (possibly rightly?) why be paying any more than we have to out of our own pocket? Hence new B7 saloon vs new B6 cab. I can't see her agreeing to buying a "previously cherished" cab when it is no newer than the current car. In the meantime she continues to tell all our friends the best car she has ever owned/driven, including my A4, is her current 2.0 Zetec Ford Mundane! Sometimes, they just don't get it! <insert banging head on wall smiley> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 ah! ermm... i think the mondeo is pretty good for the cash, so i'll just shut up now i think. mine never died despite me treating it worse than my worse enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I'd suggest getting the 1.8T. It's a fine compromise. I think the cab is a lovely car, and to be honest, I think King Chavrio's car is the nicest I've seen on this forum. But... I'd still go for a Saloon based on this comment: [ QUOTE ] I wouldn't feel like I had gained anything (other than a cool roof) if that makes sense! [/ QUOTE ] It sure is a nice car, but I think the new B7 is a better financial option here and I loved the 1.8T Sline - just didn't like it enough compared to the 1.9TDi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I'm inclined to agree. If I assume I could go to £22,500 for a new car without incurring the wrath of my missus, I could get a new B7 2.0T FSI s-line including the few extras I want. For the same money I would be looking at a 2 year old (or older) cab. Given my concerns, I feel like I am trying to convince myself the cab is the way to go when my head is saying "SALOON!" If I could get a new cab for the same £22,500 then I would do it. Tomorrow. But it aint gonna happen! If I could convince my other half that another £5k of finance is OK, then it may well be the cab. Roll on Saturday's lottery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Think about it... apart from lowering of the roof, there is no difference in the looks between a cab and a saloon - unless it's a B7 mind. I would love a cab, but sometimes I don't see the point in the roof argument as apart from the die-hard drivers on this forum, I rarely see them with the roofs down. Besides, the new engines are nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I like the 2.0T as it comes with twin exhausts among other things. I think the 1.8T is now a single exhaust and it's back to 163 PS. I rang my insurance and they said they would only want an extra £30 ish a year for the 2.0T over my Tdi! Anyway, I'm off to get something to eat before watching Newcastle trounce some of Europe's finest in the UEFA cup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 I agree with what you're saying guys. The cab IS the saloon but with 2 doors and a retracting roof...that's about it. I love the roof down, as work's stressful sometimes and I find it an easy way to relax when going from A to B. If I didnt like the roof down a lot, I'd have stuck with an s-line saloon. To be honest, if I didnt have the cab, I'd go for a new A6 saloon. The interior completely outclasses the A4. A lovely relaxing place to be with plenty of gadgets. Do the sensible thing Milo, they're just cars after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Think about it... apart from lowering of the roof, there is no difference in the looks between a cab and a saloon - unless it's a B7 mind. [/ QUOTE ] Actually, every single panel is different. If you park a cab next to a saloon its surprising how different they are. Even the interior is different, with lovely aluminium ringed circular vents. [ QUOTE ] I would love a cab, but sometimes I don't see the point in the roof argument as apart from the die-hard drivers on this forum, I rarely see them with the roofs down. [/ QUOTE ] Thats entirely down to the driver. A lot of people buy cabrios for the image only, which is a waste of time in my opinion. Plus, a lot of people might keep their roof down moments for sunny summer weekends and run it as a saloon the rest of the time. Herein lies the real beauty of the cabrio, two cars in one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Well I wasn't slagging off the Cab, merely stating my views. I really cannot recall seeing a lowered roof round here, but then we are up north where it's cooler. The panels may be different, but I can honestly say I'd not have known that by looking at them. Yes, the air vents and headlights are different but still looks 90% the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drmbradley Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 [ QUOTE ] More of a fag with 2 year olds say, where you have to lift them in and then get in there to do up seatbelts, childseats etc. [/ QUOTE ] I have a 10 month old daughter and the isofix childseat went into the cab in a couple of minutes. And in terms of hassle to get her in the seat, yes its abit more that in the 5 door hatch we have, but not a greatdeal more. The seats slide very easily and you can step into the rear and pop her in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 I really don't think I'd ever have the roof down - hence I'll probably be sticking with a saloon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drmbradley Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Oh I should also say that the wind deflector fits over the childseat when it is reclined (Britax DuoIsofix). So when the little nipper isn't in the car I can be top down with the deflector in place. Works a bit mad at the moment so not had chance to mess about with pictures and write something up. Promise something soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 I don't want to kick off, but don't you think the B6 cab looks a bit outdated. Afterall, with the B6 saloon we had the GmbH kit fitted for a bit of a facelift, then the B7 is out. With a B7 cab coming out later this year, it may not make much sense to get a new old looking cab now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Well it's something to think about, but I fear you should run and hide very quickly after that question! I think I can hear the Cab-massiv grouping together DM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 hey dont be scared to say what ya think...its a forum after all :-) personally, i think the cab is now far and away the most attractive model in the entire range. So i'm more than happy being "outdated". ...at least until the metal folding top is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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