JackReacher

Had a brief look over an estate in race blue this morning, looks very good in the flesh and interior much improved. Overall very impressed. Does anyone know what the GFV on a PCP is?

I'm hoping the petrol vrs comes in at late 20s after discount at most, because the mk3 was available for 23k ish through brokers. It needs to stay below £30k because £34k gets you into a BMW 330i touring, and it should be a value alternative.

I'd like to know about the petrol one, but seems like there is no infotmation out there.

Thanks for the offer, yes in Fleet Hampshire so might take you up on that at a later date. I don't actually mind a bit of torque steer, it provides some character. What I would like to avoid is axle tramp or over sensitive traction control kicking in and cutting all power when you want to make a bit of progress. I'm not after a 1st gear traffic light warrior, but something that is reasonable fun on a B-road when the situation allows, so don't want those issues when you come out of a tight corner in 2nd gear for example. My current m240i has it's own sort of traction issues in the wet, but that can be fun, although tyres make a big difference and current PS4 tyres are very good. I had originally discounted the vrs thinking it would be too slow for me, but then I realised it has the same power to weight as my old 350z, and that was ok. Plus the vrs is noticably cheaper than a nearly new Golf R estate or 340i touring that I was also thinking about. Out of interest, what does a stage 1 give, 300bhp?

Is the axle tramp just a first gear issue, or could you also experience it for example coming coming out of a tight corner in 2nd gear?

I'm considering a nearly new 245bhp vrs estate, they seem very good value compared to the other options I'm looking at (Golf R estate and the S4 avant). I understand the recent 245bhp version has the better front diff as standard that was only included on the older 245bhp special edition. There are a few posts on here that mention traction issues and getting the power down. Could I ask a bit more about where that is an issue? Is it only in the wet, or at other times as well? Does it spoil the ownership experience or is it just a minor annoyance? I'm coming from a 340bhp rear wheel drive BMW that struggles in the damp, but not otherwise.

I'd also like a 300bhp petrol Awd version, but doesn't look like it's coming. I need to decide whether I get a nearly new Golf R estate, or wait for the new 245bhp petrol VRS. I prefer the interior and image of the new VRS, but the drive train in the Golf is much more appealing.

I know the current situation is very uncertain, but does anyone have an idea of when the new vrs will be available to order and when the first deliveries will be due?

It's weird that they are so slow with this, yet they have developed new performance diesel engines for some fast Audis. Makes no sense. A karoq with something like a combined 220bhp (150bhp petrol and 70bhp electric motor) would be great if it could also deliver a real world 50mpg.

I think a 1.5tsi sportline would feel slow compared to the VRS tdi. Less power, less torque, and a bit more weight. Only you can decide if that's a problem. I guess the 2.0tsi would be comparable performance.

Does anyone know whether a hybrid Karoq is in the pipeline at all? VAG seem a bit behind in the area given their size.

Thanks that's useful feedback. The other concern is that I understand the DSG in the 1.5 is a dry box verses a wet box in the 2.0. Is the dry generally less reliable long term? We plan on keeping the car for 5 plus years. Not sure whether they offer an extended warranty from new like they used to. I think the 2.0tsi would be easier to justify if it was the 230bhp version available in the Tiguan, as a notable jump from 150bhp. Is the 190/230 2.0tsi engines just mapping or are there hardware changes as well?

Does anyone have a sportline with this engine yet? And are their any plans to produce an SEL spec version? I'd be interested to hear what the performance and economy is like. I was originally looking at the 1.5 SEL FWD, but put off by the feedback on the 1.5 engine. I don't need 4WD, but seems you have to with the 2.0tsi. I worry that once in the move, the 2.0 wouldn't feel much quicker due to the extra weight over a 1.5tsi FWD version. It seems a bit strange that its also only in sportline spec, which I like but don't feel the need to pay for all the extras. SEAT do an xcellence version of the Ateca which could be another option.

Thanks all, I guess some of the extra weight is sound deadening etc. Biggest surprise is that I just checked a 5 seat kodiaq with same engine, and thats still 80kg less than the Tiguan, that makes no sense at all.

I'm looking at the 1.5tsi FWD options between the Karoq, Tguan and Ateca. Looking at the specs, I'm struck by the weight of the Tiguan. It's 180kg heavier in Match trim than a Karoq SEL, and 270kg heavier than an Ateca Xcellence. How is this possible if they are essentially very similar cars? I know the Tiguan is about 10cm longer and has better rear suspension, but still seems a lot of extra weight! And this seems to show up with worse emissions and slower performance.

Surprised to read this. We are considering changing our Leon 1.4ACT to a 1.5 TSI Karoq, the Leon easily gets 45mpg in mixed driving and over 50mpg on a run. Even allowing for a bit of extra weight, the numbers suggested for the 1.5 seem a real backward step, especially with the other issues some products have experienced. My 340bhp BMW gets late 30's mpg driven sensibly.

Thanks all, I'll hold out hope for a 2.0tsi or a vrs version. I've seen the pictures of the Ateca Cupra and think it looks a bit tacky in places, hoping a Karoq version might be a bit more subtle.

As above really, any plans on putting to the 2.0tsi in the Karoq like the Ateca or Tiguan? Interested in a Karoq to replace current seat Leon, but would ideally like a bit more power than the 1.5tsi offers and don't want to go diesel.

That just shows everyone is different and it's about taking the right option for you. Personally, I'm going to PCP route as I intend to buy the car after and keep it for a while, possibly even 10 years. At the end of the day an Octavia, even in VRS trim that I'm looking at is just a tool for family transport and space for trips to the DIY stores. The money saved buy not leasing new models every 2/3 years will allow me to run something much more exciting along side it. I also don't think there have been massive tech/safety improvements in the last 10 years. Sure sat nav has improved, but these cars don't offer much more than my old 2005 Golf Gti had. Things like radar cruise etc are very easy to live without, unless you have had it on a previous car. The next 10 years might see bigger changes with hybrid tech moving on, but realistically in 10 years time a 2017 Octavia will be a perfectly usable and good car. Of course, for people who get bored quickly, or don't want to fund the large payment at the end of the 3 year period, then PCH is a better option, but also more expensive long term.

Race blue with black pack

It does seem very low, but maybe it is the trade value. I got a quote with final value of £9,400 after 3 years and 45k miles for a manual estate . When I look at second hand values of an early 2014 car now with those sort of miles, a private sale price seems about £13k, and skoda dealer about £14.5k. Way above the £9,400. I guess when a new one reaches 3 years old the next model might be out, which should lower value compared to a 2014 car now. So for me, I think it makes sense to go PCP as I intend to keep it longer, and buying it at £9,400 won't be so bad. It will still have plenty of life, and I could always go for the 5 year warranty extension at new to keep me warranteed into years 4 and 5.

Saw this at the weekend, like the new seat design and infotainment changes. I actually think the FL looks better than the pre-FL in the flesh. Not sure about the chrome window trim and roof bars though! Think I'd go black pack.

Why is leasing so much cheaper than PCP? I was quoted £410 a month over 36 months for PCP on a new estate manual with metallic paint only, with £2k deposit from me, and admittedly 15k miles a year, but still, surely you are just funding depreciation as with a lease? I know they put a bit of a buffer in to allow a small deposit on the next one but it's still so expensive compared to these lease deals. The optional payment at the end was £9,400, which seems very low, is it really going to depreciate 17k in 3 years and 45k miles?

So the vRS 245 comes with the 7 speed DSG box. The data on the configurator suggests it does about 1.5-2mpg better on the fuel consumption front than the standard 230bhp with the 6 speed DSG. Also officially it is 0.3 seconds quickly to 60, although that will be in part due to the extra power than the 7 speed box. Are there other advantages to the 7 speed box than performance and economy? Is it smoother, more reliable etc?

We did something similar last summer in my Cayman. Although, we went down into Italy rather than Slovenia. We mixed it up a bit, in terms of 3 nights in some places, 1 night in others. Our itinerary was roughly:- Calais to Stuttgart - we went through Belgium and across/down through Germany. This avoided the French toll roads and gives you more autobahn. It also takes you past the Nurburgring, which is a short detour off the autobhan. I didn't drive it, but worth seeing if you are in the vicinity and haven't been before. Stuttgart to Schwangau - to see the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria Schwangau to Lake Garda - via Timmlesjoch pass. Lake Garda to Tuscany Tuscany to Amalfi Coast - Amalfi coast is the worst possible place to drive a car that you remotely care about, can't believe mine came out unscathed Amalfi coast to Siena Siena to Lake Como - on the whole I preferred Como to Garda, a bit less commercial and beautiful. Lake Como to Verbier - via a very long route that took in a couple of passes Verbier to Alsace Alsace to Calais - this can easily be done in a day Let me know if you want any more info on places we went/hotels Tips, you will need to buy a yearly pass to use the Swiss motorways, think it was about £60. Getting around Switzerland takes a lot longer than I was expecting, as the speed limits are low and none of the roads (even motorways) are very direct due to the terrain. This caught us out after Germany and Italy where you can cover big distances quickly. Autobhans in Germany are an interesting experience, not all of it is de-restricted, but you really need to have your wits about you. It takes massive concentration as some vehicles are travelling at high speeds, and if you want to drive quickly whilst safely you need to be very careful, always looking for vehicles pulling out, or slowing in case they do. I saw 150mph on my speedo on a very empty stretch, but the concentration needed it makes it tiring. Much nicer to cruise at 90-100mph and better fuel economy. Be very careful speeding in France, they can time you between pay booths and I have received a warning in the past. It looks like you have the right idea of getting through the boring bits of France as quickly as possible. Better spending time in the more interesting locations.