Having run a Octy II 1.9 Tdi Ambiente (Cruise, Small Leather Pack, Sirius alloys, Corrida Red) for 40 months and clocked up 98,000 miles it's time to choose a replacement company car.

I have been very pleased with my Octy and can report only two faults:-

1) Cruise control became intermittent, leading to the stalk being replaced

2) Leaking fuel filter housing, replaced with newer design

Both of the above problems ocurred outside of warranty. Fortunately, HSBC picked up the bill!

Incidentally, I always get at least 600 miles out of a tank of fuel, up to 670 miles if I drive sensibly (two thirds motorway, one third A/B roads and Urban).

I am fortunate having a dealer on my doorstep (Startin, Powick, Worcester) who have been good thoughout. The only glitch was a heavy handed mechanic breaking the internal bonnet release lever and not owning up! In addition, I had to replace a vandalised door mirrror where I agreed to bodyshop painting, only to later find they had spray can painted it themselves! The cost of the work was reduced from that which they quoted originally.

On my shortlist is a Golf 1.9 Tdi SE Estate with leather wheel and Highline computer, or a Octavia 2.0 Tdi Elegance with Maxi-DOT. I can choose either in a metallic colour.

Yesterday, I drove a 2.0 Tdi Golf Estate which was impressive, although, I always found the 1.9 Tdi Octy willing and with adequate power. I drive 30k a year (15k business & 15k commuting/private), and am concerned with fuel economy and company car tax.

Which of these cars would people choose? The Golf has more safety equipment ( I have a young son), but in Elegance spec and with the newer twin cam engine the Octy makes a strong case.

Incidentally, there are no Focus's on the HSBC list within my entitlement, otherwise, I would have gone for a Focus 1.6 Tdci Zetec with cruise, a full size steel spare wheel and metallic paint.

The Astra 1.7 Tdi Design Estate was a contender, however, the rear accommodation is poor and the list price very high. If it was the 150 Ps diesel I would have been tempted.

In a few words; go for the 2.0 TDI Octavia, mainly for the better performance than the 1.9 TDI Golf. You might even get the new Common Rail engine fitted, which is by all accounts notably better than the current PD version.

However, where is your nearest VW dealer? If you have a Skoda one on your doorstep, as you say, and you get on well with them, I'd say this is a very valuable factor in the overall equation. It would seem to be a pity that having built up a rapport with them over the past few years to ditch them.

:iagree:

Why go for the Golf when you have such a good Skoda dealer on your doorstep and already know what a great car the Octavia is.As far as safety for your child is concerned, I'd say the Octavia is probably safer than the Golf too.

As far as Focus and Astra are concerned, why pay more for inferior cars?

I've got a Golf hatchback with the 1.9 engine and you know it's pulling a lot of car around as it doesn't have any urgency to it. I expect the estate would be heavier so go for the Octavia.

I'm not sure I can recommend the 2.0 TDI due to dual mass flywheel problems.

It's a cracker of an engine and will be fine if you're not picking up the bills, but it seems all the manufacturers are using DMF's and all having problems with them :(

:iagree:

Why go for the Golf when you have such a good Skoda dealer on your doorstep and already know what a great car the Octavia is.As far as safety for your child is concerned, I'd say the Octavia is probably safer than the Golf too.

As far as Focus and Astra are concerned, why pay more for inferior cars?

Golf for prestige when you turn up at certain places.

On the Safety the golf got 1 star more on the NCAP due to side airbags as standard.

Focus... That got more stars, creaks less inside (MK II) and all the ones relatives own have proved to be much more reliable than the Skodas we have owned. That plus ford don't try and charge the earth for all the parts.

It's all about what you want the car for really isn't it.

Focus... That got more stars, creaks less inside (MK II) and all the ones relatives own have proved to be much more reliable than the Skodas we have owned. That plus ford don't try and charge the earth for all the parts.

It's all about what you want the car for really isn't it.

I'd beg to differ when Liz had a Ka the ford parts were pretty expensive for a cheap run around. it cost more to keep her car on the road than my tolly!

Have you considered the Golf Bluemotion? At 121g/km the estate is just into band C at the moment, but will be in a lower band from next year. (The standard 1.9 is 137g/km.)

That should save you in fuel and road tax. I don't know what the company car tax situation is.

I'd test drive one first though, the feel is said to be very different from the other 1.9s as the gearing has been changed if not the mapping.

I drove both the 1.9 and 2.0 diesels in the Golf estate.

Preferred the 1.9 - the 2.0 uses more fuel and is OTT for the way I prefer to drive.

I also preferred the Octavia suspension set up to the Golf - Handles uneven (and we have some really uneven roads) far better.

I went for the Octavia Elegance saloon (plus curtain airbags & maxidot which make it close to a Golf SE spec) which came out about the same monthly charge as a Golf estate on our company lease scheme but with the list about 1K less is cheaper on tax.

The 2.0 uses more fuel and CO2 is higher so I have a 1.9. Two months old tomorrow and nearly 6k miles it is great.

Have you considered the Golf Bluemotion? At 121g/km the estate is just into band C at the moment, but will be in a lower band from next year. (The standard 1.9 is 137g/km.)

That should save you in fuel and road tax. I don't know what the company car tax situation is.

I'd test drive one first though, the feel is said to be very different from the other 1.9s as the gearing has been changed if not the mapping.

Noooooooooooooooo ; don't.

In a Road Test in July's What car of Golf Bluemotion vs. Focus TDCi vs. Toyota Prius; the Golf came a poor third! It may be low on emissions, but its low (poor) on everything else as well. :thumbdwn:

I think the fact you don't have the focus on the list is a result myself.

If you want economy at the expense of pwer then the 1.9 engine is better but if you want an enjoyable drive the the 2.0 is better. As said above the 2.0 should be a CR engine if it is a factory order and not current UK stock so that should be a better bet than the PD which is IMHO pretty poor on fuel.

is this actaully a company car or some sort of personal lease scheme underwtitten by your company?

Can you top up your company "allowance" with a contribution of your own?

I am on a fully maintained lease scheme with my company and can contribute to get a higher spec car.

as it turned out whatever octy model I looked at I would have to contribute something and in the end decided to up my contribution and get an L&K....however VRS was a very strong contender as it was not so expensive as I first thought it would be (I think <£10 LESS than the L&K)...so VRS might be worth a look

for me though VW and audi equivalents were ruled out pretty quickly as they did notoffer the saem interoir space and certainlny did not represent such great value for money .....depends I guess on whether you want that over percieved status VW might give you?

if I could have afforded it I would have gone with a BMW 320d but that was silly money in comparison to the octy, and I was already well happy with my octy mk1

problem is with these things, if your companmy scheme is antyhing like mine, you are tying yourself into the car you chose for a number of years or mileage. You can;t decide after a couple of months you don;t like it and go get something else!

STILL waiting for delivery of my L&K though, not sure how much patience I have left!

Noooooooooooooooo ; don't.

In a Road Test in July's What car of Golf Bluemotion vs. Focus TDCi vs. Toyota Prius; the Golf came a poor third! It may be low on emissions, but its low (poor) on everything else as well. :thumbdwn:

Don't worry, I quickly dismisssed any VW Bluemotion variant. The revised gearing might make their cars more economical, but it does nothing for refinement or general driveability.

The Golf Bluemotion has effectively base 'S' spec, inferior to my present Octavia Ambiente. The 'S' spec seats also lack lumbar support and are trimmed in a very cheap feeling material.

is this actaully a company car or some sort of personal lease scheme underwtitten by your company?

Can you top up your company "allowance" with a contribution of your own?

I am on a fully maintained lease scheme with my company and can contribute to get a higher spec car.

for me though VW and audi equivalents were ruled out pretty quickly as they did notoffer the saem interoir space and certainlny did not represent such great value for money .....depends I guess on whether you want that over percieved status VW might give you?

The company I work for lease their vehicles from HSBC. Unfortunately, there is no provision to upgrade and pay out of my own pocket.

I agree, the Octavia offers excellent interior & boot space, with a generous equipment list.

I care little for status. All that matters is a good ride & handling, reliability, bomb proof build quality & comfortable seats. The Octavia does the high mileage job perfectly.

OK, you've convinced me, I'm going for a 2.0 TDi (hopefully common rail) Elegance hatchback, but which precise spec?

A) Flamenco Red with MaxiDot

Anthracite Grey with MaxiDot

C) Corrida Red with Active headrest & Multifunction wheel & MaxiDot

As a plus, the delivery time should be 12 weeks as opposed to the ludicrous 20 weeks VW quoted me for a Golf Estate.

Lastly, if anyone is interested in the trade price of my car (per HSBC), they would sell to me today for £4,400 (feb '05 registered, now 98,200 miles). Should be less in 12 weeks time with another 7,500 miles!

Many thanks to all of you who have offered advice. I am very grateful.

.

OK, you've convinced me, I'm going for a 2.0 TDi (hopefully common rail) Elegance hatchback, but which precise spec?

A) Flamenco Red with MaxiDot

Anthracite Grey with MaxiDot

C) Corrida Red with Active headrest & Multifunction wheel & MaxiDot

quote]

I'd go for B, purely based on the colour.

Congratulations, wise choice. Vs. the Golf estate the Octi has ~ the same loading capacity when filled up to the bottom of the booth glass, a somewhat sturdier interior (example: 3 piece armrest and flimsy on the Golf, vs 2 on the Octi) and a somewhat better sound system by default.

On the other hand, the VW is more prestigious of the brothers.

I'dd personally pick the grey out of the 3 above, although my favourite colours are black (bought one), white(runner up), and I recently seen the blue one and it looked ok as well.

Congratulations, wise choice. Vs. the Golf estate the Octi has ~ the same loading capacity when filled up to the bottom of the booth glass, a somewhat sturdier interior (example: 3 piece armrest and flimsy on the Golf, vs 2 on the Octi) and a somewhat better sound system by default.

On the other hand, the VW is more prestigious of the brothers.

I'dd personally pick the grey out of the 3 above, although my favourite colours are black (bought one), white(runner up), and I recently seen the blue one and it looked ok as well.

Thanks, although, I still like Flamenco Red, as does my wife.

By the way are you from Romania?

Yes I am.

didn't realize HSBC did car leasing, I thought youmeant you worked for HSBC!

i guess they do all the finance side and another company operates the actual leasing?....

I'm sure you will be happy with you choice! Re. Colour, by all means listen to recommendations but you really have to go see them in the flesh as they look very different IMHO compared to brochure & online

Out of your selected choices I'd go with c, personally thought the grey and cappacinno beige were a bit boring when i saw them, but you might like them....go see!

The Astra 1.7 Tdi Design Estate was a contender, however, the rear accommodation is poor and the list price very high. If it was the 150 Ps diesel I would have been tempted.

Don't even think about the 1.7CDTi. It's a totally rubbish old Isuzu unit that should have been ditched long ago. It's really, really bad. :thumbdwn:

I like my Design - it's got all the toys, half leather, automatic everything. But, I have the 1.9CDTi which is an Alfa unit. Remapped to 200hp/310lb-ft it goes very, very well. When it's not eating EGRs.

I just hope VAG's new commonrail TDi is as good as this rebadged Alfa JTDm, because I really fancy an Octavia vRS but don't think I could cope going less than 200hp again.

Yes I am.

Which part? My wife is from Eforie-Sud, near Constanta.

I'm almost 3/4 of the country away then (Craiova), but my dad comes from the same place, funny coincidence.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I've today submitted a request for a Octy Elegance Hatchback 2.0 TDi (fingers crossed for common rail!) in Flamenco Red (well...we can't all drive black or grey cars!), with a Onyx interior and Maxidot.

I'll let you know the delivery date in due course.