seemingly in Zurich, everyone has an Audi. Usually an A6 Avant, I find. Too common a mark.
BMWs are the same - they're drivers' cars alright but with a 6-cylinder and options. Otherwise you'll be buying after-market satnav, for instance.
Consider VW Seat and Skoda - the poor boys of the VAG. As well, as I mentioned, the Jag X-type - which is of course a Ford Mondeo underneath but is well-received.
Saab 93 is another option. More toys and more power for your money.
And I'm sure it doesn't kill you tax-wise like it might elsewhere but check into that side too - you'll be taxed on the amount as income, I believe. The car is a perk, not something essential for you to carry out your day-to-day duties, I'm guessing.
Finally, if you feel like it, you can top-up your company contribution and get something really quite splendid. For instance, if your company does 9000 pa. for a car lease, you can chip in about 6000 pa. to be another Cayenne-clone.
Double-finally, if you're looking for an insurance bloke who speaks English and is prepared to "work" the system, PM me
My last one was pre General Motors, and was quirky, but built like a tank. I've gone the 4x4 route since then, as it obviously wasn't close enough to "tank"
It's true that the Saabs are based on the GM common platform but the step from 900NG to 93/95 models was a very good one.
I've had a NG900 turbo ragtop that was chip-tuned - excellent - and a 95 Aero Sportcombi - also excellent.
I also have a Discovery3 which if you search is blighted with problems, if you believe what you read on the internet. In 11'000km and three months, I've had none.
Hmm.....I like Audi's better but then there's no accounting for taste. BTW, why do Audis and BMWs etc depreciate so much in just 2-3 years time in Switzerland? I'm shocked they can be up to 40% off the new price after just a couple years.
"It's easy to forget that the original A-Class was one of the cleverest, most rule-changing and imaginative cars of our lifetime.
Trouble is, it was about 5% too clever. All those Mercedes technocrats poured their last synapse of brainpower into making a safe and roomy car as small as possible.
And they succeeded so well it actually ended up too small. The wheels weren't far enough apart. Hence its infamous toppling over in the elk test.
So it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what was needed in this new one: make it a bit bigger so it's more apt to stay on the level.
The whole body is wider now and significantly roomier width-ways. There's an entirely new suspension at the back as well, and now you can really feel that the chassis has been allowed to do its job. Just as well, as the engines are now more powerful, too.
Design, style and quality have had a buffing-up too. There's a sportier-looking three-door as well. Inside, there's been a serious makeover. The result is a model of clarity, restrained modern design and extremely high quality.
As is Mercedes tradition, there's a wide range of diesel and petrol engines from 1.5 to two-litres and 82 to 140bhp.
Lob, I don't do more than Luzern to Zurich from time to time, Luzern to Zug a couple of days a week for work, Luzern the other days & the occasional weekend down to Wallis. That's it really.