Hi Focusy,
Welcome to SCN
I've got a 1.9tdi ref. Sport. and I like it a lot. Mine's an 06 plate and I've done about 29k miles in it from new.
Which age Ref. Sport are you looking at as the spec changed (part way through 56 plate i think?) Mine does not have Cruise control or a trip computer and has Air-con not Climate. Later ones might have these (I think?). Also check if you've got a spare wheel or not. I've not, other might have a space saver.
I got mine in black so that the black mirrors and door handles would almost be colour coded, sort of.
The Ref. sport has firmer 'sport' suspension than the Stylance. It took a little getting used to but now I like it. It also has 'sport' seats with grippy edge to stop you slidding side to side in the seat.
I've not tried the other engines and it's my first diesel so I can't compare the engine to other cars except that it's better than my old 1.2 petrol
ibiza. i get 43 mpg which drops to 40 if I really push-it and I once got 45 and a bit by really trying for a whole week. These are worked out over a whole tank from the pump and the odometer as I don't have a trip computer.
Have a look at all the posts for the common niggles and some of the good points.
to finish some things I like about my Altea
* The way if looks
* The hidden wipers that wipe the entire window
* the 'sports' seats
* the two part boot
* The five spoke alloys (i think the only thing better about the FR alloys if that they are 17" otherwise my 16" Ref. Sport alloys are as good looking IMHO)
* The sliding rear seat so that the boot gets big enough so my fiancee can fit in the 20 pairs of shoes and 10 changes of outfit she needs for a long weekend away
* The cubby holes under the drivers and passange seat
* and lots of other things...
Hope you find a good Ref. Sport and a get a good test drive so that you can see for yourself.
