Hi,

Quick introduction - I'm Tim, 19, from Hull.

Been driving for two years, in which time I've owned a Laguna, Agila, 2 Astras & my current Hyundai Accent (and no, I didn't write any of them off - i get bored quickly ). Ideally looking to settle down now with something bigger now that my insurance isn't gonna cost too much.

I've been considering a Laguna II, Primera P12, Vectra or an Octavia.

For the money I've got I can only afford a mk1 octavia, but looking forward to v-dub reliability and build quality!!!

I drive 80 miles round trip a day to work, so now I'm after something comfortable, reliable and "as I want it".

I'll be looking for cars around 8 years old, so want to know what to look out for. What are the cambelt intervals? And any particular warning signs I should be looking for (apart from the obvious smoke, rattles, bangs, knocks, tyre wear etc...)?

I'm also after a decent spec - I want remote locking, air con, leccy windows, cd player & a trip computer would be nice (fuel eco freak) - I guess I'm looking at the Ambiente spec?

Any info appreciated mucho!

Tim

How much have you got? An Octy vRS will have all that spec, and they're pretty good on fuel too (if you drive sensibly)

I've seen ex police Octavia vRSs go for under £3k for a 54 plate if you don't mind high mileage...

Can't really stretch to a vrs - I could afford one, but not the insurance! I've got around 4k for the car, insurance and anything that needs immediately doing. From my reasearch even the 1.6 in ambiente spec has the stuff I'm after.

To be honest, I'm not bothered about even buying a base-spec and building it up once I've got it (ok, aircon & trip comp will never happen - well trip comp may with a scanguage?) - but remote locking & cd payer are no problems for me to fit myself.

One reason I'm really interested in the octavia, is that the 1.6 is in group 8, while the vauxhall, renault & nissan equivalent are in group 10+.

look at MG ZT... u have to go for the vrs if ur gettin an octy....

A high spec. 110TDi would suit your needs, 2002/3 up to 80k miles - loads around, £3k-ish possible private sale. Will have all the toys (bar cruise possibly - some have it). You could even strike lucky and find a higher mileage 2003/4 130PD in your price range - and then no standard octy VRS will be getting away from you in a hurry on public roads!

Right.

1) I don't have to buy a vrs - I'll have whatever I want ta. Anyway, why would I buy a fugly car from a dead manufacturer???

2) Diesel? No.

3) I want something sensible - I have access to an MV6 / 911 & a disused airfield for speed.

As said, my budget needs to cover insurance, possible MOT & Tax, anything that may need doing (esp. cambelt and such like). Also I refuse to buy a car post 2001 at the moment - I'm not going to help Mr Brown with his new road fund licensing crap.

Can someone just confirm that the ambiente has the spec in the first post? Thanks.

You could even strike lucky and find a higher mileage 2003/4 130PD in your price range - and then no standard octy VRS will be getting away from you in a hurry on public roads!

You are joking right :confused::confused::confused:

I think its ambient or elegance yes (don't quote me on that though).

The 1.6FSI models are meant to be pretty good from what i've read if you're not after just speed, stay clear of the 1.4 engines though as from what i've heard they tend to struggle somewhat due to their weight.

2) Diesel? No.

Also I refuse to buy a car post 2001 at the moment - I'm not going to help Mr Brown with his new road fund licensing crap

Why not diesel? If you are doing 80 miles a day for work it will work out a bit cheaper than a 1.6 petrol in the long run.

And as for tax, if you want a pre-2001 car with a 1.6 litre engine or bigger you will be paying £180 a year, if on the other hand you buy a post-2001 diesel you pay £120 a year.

I was shopping around recently for a car for my sister and saw a 130pd Seat Leon Tdi SE (electric windows all round, electric mirrors, onboard computer, cd multi-changer, alloys etc.), in my opinion it was a bargain at £3500. As others have pointed out you can get the Octy diesel in 110 or 130 which are both very capable and Ambiente or Elegance trim will give you the equipment you want.

As for things to look out for, check door seals for leaks, make sure cambelt (and waterpump) has been done at the right time (60k), maybe consider a warranty if you're looking at quite an old one, especially if it's got lots of gizmos on it that could go wrong.

Edited 12 September, 200817 yr by chicken_eyebrow

then no standard octy VRS will be getting away from you in a hurry on public roads!

:rofl::rofl:

Right.

1) I don't have to buy a vrs - I'll have whatever I want ta. Anyway, why would I buy a fugly car from a dead manufacturer???

Are you suggesting that the vRS is "Fugly" and that Skoda is a dead manufacturer???:confused:

The jokers are the people who think a standard octavia VRS is a fast car - it isn't. I test drove one before buying my current car. If you care to look at the stats - vrs v. PD130 - on a public road. I went from a Cav. turbo that slaughtered VRSs to my PD130 - in the 'real' world it is not significantly slower except in poor weather. A second quicker to 60 and a few mph top speed different - bid deal! Oh and 45mpg minimum - the ultimate last laugh.

For the OP - why don't you want a diesel - the PD130 is only £125 a year Road Tax, probably the 110 is too, if you get a pre-2001 you will pay £185 road tax - rather daft - no?

1.6 will be OK - seriously look at the diesels as they have good engines and are a lot more enjoyable to drive, especially if you are doing big miles.

As for VRS as standard not being quick I do have to disagree

0-60 in 7 secs ~ and 150mph top end is not too shabby for a car of its size thus group 16 insurance.

The jokers are the people who think a standard octavia VRS is a fast car - it isn't. I test drove one before buying my current car. If you care to look at the stats - vrs v. PD130 - on a public road. I went from a Cav. turbo that slaughtered VRSs to my PD130 - in the 'real' world it is not significantly slower except in poor weather. A second quicker to 60 and a few mph top speed different - bid deal! Oh and 45mpg minimum - the ultimate last laugh.

For the OP - why don't you want a diesel - the PD130 is only £125 a year Road Tax, probably the 110 is too, if you get a pre-2001 you will pay £185 road tax - rather daft - no?

You are obviously a lot more clewed up than the rest of us on here then! I stand corrected!

The jokers are the people who think a standard octavia VRS is a fast car - it isn't. I test drove one before buying my current car. If you care to look at the stats - vrs v. PD130 - on a public road. I went from a Cav. turbo that slaughtered VRSs to my PD130 - in the 'real' world it is not significantly slower except in poor weather. A second quicker to 60 and a few mph top speed different - bid deal! Oh and 45mpg minimum - the ultimate last laugh.

For the OP - why don't you want a diesel - the PD130 is only £125 a year Road Tax, probably the 110 is too, if you get a pre-2001 you will pay £185 road tax - rather daft - no?

How tall are you ???

@ the OP.....you buy what you want too buy the range is all half decent but don't this is VAG's happy shopper brand so don't expect a cheap Audi.

How tall are you ???

Where are you going with this mate??

Where are you going with this mate??

Me .....no-where .....honest.

Me no-where .....honest.

We both know a pd130 would keep up with a vRS!! Don't we???:confused:

Perhaps I should have saved my money and bought one of those just as quick but cheaper ones!!!

Can someone just confirm that the ambiente has the spec in the first post? Thanks.

Yes, the Ambiente will meet your requirements spec-wise, although you'll probably want to budget to change the head unit/CD changer anyway as the standard one is fairly bobbins. If you're looking pre-March 2001 though that might limit your market for Ambientes, as these only came in post-facelift.

The 1.6 won't give you any issues in day-to-day performance, and should deliver you about 40mpg on steady-speed runs so won't cost a fortune in fuel, and you don't have to put up with a diesel engine.

Cam belt interviews are 60k/4 years, and then should be inspected each subsequent service. Other than the usual things there isn't really much to look out for in my experience - it wears just like any other car.

Wouldn't necessarily pick the Octavia over competitors on "VW-build quality"...it's nothing special.

Rob.

We both know a pd130 would keep up with a vRS!! Don't we???:confused:

Perhaps I should have saved my money and bought one of those just as quick but cheaper ones!!!

Only in the real world it will......... I suppose a pd 130 is a good engine and does move well but some how I fail too see how it could keep up with a standard vrs, I know the vrs ain't the worlds fastest car (thats the 2.0l fabia) neither is it the best handling by a long way but I'm sure with equal drivers the vrs would soon see off the pd 130.

As always I may be wrong!!!!

Only in the real world it will......... I suppose a pd 130 is a good engine and does move well but some how I fail too see how it could keep up with a standard vrs, I know the vrs ain't the worlds fastest car (thats the 2.0l fabia) neither is it the best handling by a long way but I'm sure with equal drivers the vrs would soon see off the pd 130.

As always I may be wrong!!!!

You Wrong!! Surely Not!! :P

Anyway! Was the OP trying to suggest that the vRS is "Fugly" and that Skoda is a "Dead manufacturer"??

Anyway! Was the OP trying to suggest that the vRS is "Fugly" and that Skoda is a "Dead manufacturer"??

I think so.......Do you want me too ban him so he has time too reconsider his crime .......lol

@ the OP, I'm only joking don't get upset.

I think so.......Do you want me too ban him so he has time too reconsider his crime .......lol

@ the OP, I'm only joking don't get upset.

LOL. No don't ban him, we can just ridicule him on here instead!

I can't believe someone would post that Skoda was a dead manufacturer and their cars are ugly on a Skoda Forum! LOL

Why buy one if they are that bad! Buy a Kia or something sexy instead!!

I can't see a PD130 keeping up with a vRS for very long if at all.

That said, it would be a very good base for a remap - just ask the Furby boys

not that the OP is too worried about the performance side of things really.

Snoopie?