Hi

I am new to these forums, this my 2nd post.

I am posting here as I am brand new to Skodas.

Having done a fair amount of research on paper, I have come to the conclusion that the Skoda Octavia could be a potential purchase, now I am in a minefield of which model to go for.

I am solely looking at Diesels, as a change of career is prompting this purchase and I am being paid a car allowance by my new employers.

I will be doing about 20k-25k miles a year, mostly motorway.

I dont think I want to look into the 1.9PD

I have narrowed down to either a 2.0PD 140 TDi or the 2.0CR 170 vRS.

I have booked a test drive for both models next weekend, and have sat in the cars yesterday just to check they are suitable (im 6'3'' ish, 15 stone)

I have a few questions (I also posted these in the "introductions" section, the realised they were better suited for this sub-forum):

1 - which model would drivers here recommend?

- and if the 2.0PD 140, which trim is the best value for money? I can probably afford to go to the Elegance - what are the extra tangible benefits of the L&K other than leather interior?

2 - which upgrades are worth having, such as the parking sensors and the maxidot computer ?

3 - which car will suit me best as a company car doing potentially 3/4 hour journeys at a time?

4 - do the seats in the sport model "give" a bit with use? the sides of the bottom of the seats felt like they were prodding the back of my legs a bit.

are the L&K seats better than the standard seats?

5 - this will be my 3rd car ever. I am not a car enthusiast per-se, I want good performance, reliabilty and value for money, hence looking at things like a Golf, before realising that the Octavia was practically the same for less cash. plus I need the boot space. My previous cars were a citroen ax and a vaux astra 1.6 petrol. How different will a Turbo diesel be to drive?

I am quitre concerned that it will be a massive jump from any previous cars I've driven, so any advice would be appreciated.

Finally, can anyone in Manchester comment on which dealers I should avoid? I spoke to Simpsons on the phone (Craig) who was a nice guy. I am doing the test drive with Claybank in eccles (Bernard). He seemed a bit keen to be working out finance numbers..but I guess he is a salesman.

Sorry for the long post, but I would be massively appreciative for any detailed comments. In the meantime I will do some searches.

thanks

Ian

I think the route you are going of test driving both is the best. Only you will know what you like or do not like. I have the PD vrs at the moment and really like it (I am 6'4 and around 14st and have no problems with the seat etc. What you describe is just the seat providing support I believe and looking at the other cars you had I doubt they would have had much lateral support of the seat base. I can not comment on the differences in the 140 specs but just look at the lists and see if there is anything you really could not do without between them. The main difference though is the new vrs has the new CR engine which is supposed to be quieter, more refined and more economical than the PD. The vrs will cost you more than the elegance (about the same as the L&K if I remember correctly) but if your allowance covers it then should not be too much of a problem. However, I think the elegance and above specs will have a few more toys on them compared to the VRS (all depends if these extra toys are important to you).

I have the parking sensors on mine and now would not do without them. The rear vision is not the best on the octavia due to the high sloping back so I find them invaluable. There will also be alot of people on here who would say that Maxidot is a must too (I do not have it but it is a cheap option and does give you more control over functions in the car so probably worth having- also looks good). I would certainly recommend the dual zone climate control (this may be standard now anyway).

Have fun with the test drives and I am sure you will enjoy which ever one you decide to buy (certainly a step up from your previous cars!!!!!!!)

One thing to remember is the facelifted Octavia will be here in a few months, and so dealers will be looking to shift stock of the current shape models so you can either haggle like mad for a good deal on the current model, or wait and get a new facelift model.

Thanks for the reply.

I have a bit of a timeframe on getting the car, I have til around mid Nov when I start the job, so waiting til next year isnt feasible.

I guess its like PC's as soon as you buy one the new processor comes out.

WIth the seats I think it just took me by suprise, and compared to the standard seats ( I also sat in a classic) they seemed a lot harder and like they were prodding me a bit. I guess I was just worried that on long trips they might be an issue.

I think in terms of extra kit parts, I would look into the parking sensors (maybe just rear) and the Maxidot computer.

Looking forward to the test drive and ill be sure to post my thoughts.

If anyone else has any comments, or advice on these cars as a choice for a company car id appreciate them

i would ask for xenon headlights and leaving/coming home conv - winter pack-(heated seats-wing mirrors etc) - park sensors front and rear (or better still bolero radio if avail as shud have the display for parking or the columbus nav sys)-front fog lights connected to adaptive lighting- extended warrantry

engine choice- 170cr (currently have this engine in my VW TIg)

-adjustable seat height if not standard- maxi dot computer and mutli function steering wheel

as mentioned by previous poster

there may be specials on the mk2 prior to new shape delivery

the estate version is the only one to go - acres of space and better handling

our other family ride is 2.0 140 tdi pdf octy scout with the 140 pd tdi dpf

(find the accerlation a wee bit lethargical in first and second)

Octavia seats are quite firm so this could be what you are noticing. I have never had a problem with them on long journeys although my wife does complain abit about how firm they are.

Unless you want standard, or the dealer has stock of cars with options, then it'd be a factory order which is 12-16weeks.

The L&K should come with xenons now IIRC, and most of the toys you'd need as standard.

The Elegance is a good spec, and many dealers will buy them in with most options already, as they know they'll shift. Xenons are a winner, as is maxi-dot.

And don't forget to ensure you take all the known design faults / problems into consideration (delaminating windscreens, rattling air intakes, DMF/clutch/gearbox failures, turbo failures, electrical gremlins, etc, etc)

Care to elaborate?

Are you advising against an Octavia, or a particular type in particular?

I think Chavez's post is a little unfair.

Makes it sound bad. Whilst some people have had these issues, many have not. Some isses are long since resolved - that car first came out on 56 plates!

Dont forget that any issues will be covered by warranty, and that if new, you have the right to refuse/return the car - no matter which marque you opt for.

The Octy is popular with Police (marked and unmarked), Paramedics and Taxi drivers - all of whom need reliability

I've got a petrol vRS, and I'm delighted with my new estate.

I've got a 17 month old boy, so paid £1400 extra for full leather, and it's the doggies cluster

I'd plump for the cr TDi - the only thing the autocar guy who had it for 24000 miles could moan about last month before it went back was that the old engine was a bit rattly and noisy. This new CR engine should address this nicely. Good luck with whatever you choose - if it's an Octavia, you'll be a wise man!

Cheers guys

Basically on paper I cant think of a better car, hence the Octavias are my first port of call for test drives. Ill be checking out the CR Tdi vRS and some trim of the 140 PD Tdi this sunday

Hopefully I'll be suitably taken with one of the models and work out a good deal, as personally I'm at a loss to think of a better model for a similar price (around £15-16 ish)

golf, yes, but the boot is too small.

astra - not interesting enough, and my current car is an old astra.

vectra - some good deals and my brother likes his....potential

focus - bad family experiences with fords, and small boot

c5 - nice reviews, but id want to avoid buying a new citroen

other than that its bigger cars like a Mondeo (boring,and pricier) or a Passat (pricey again)

If anyone has any other recommendations I'm all ears.

i've got the vrs dsg, and it's far and away the best car i've ever had..and i've had lots!!!..build quality, style, performance, comfort...i could go on

I'd recommend the DSG gearbox & xenons.

Just so you know, the vRS isn't being facelifted until later next year, so if you go down that route, you'll still have a current model well into next year!

Is the DSG gearbox recommended for high mileage / motorway driving?

Whats so good about Xenon headlights?

RE: facelift, yeah I spotted that, its good to know.

Like above, gotta bite the bullet, but its nice to know if I went with the vRS ill still get some "cool factor" out of it til next summer.

On the other side of the coin, I might be able to squeeze a dealer, knowing the regular Mk3 is out in a couple of months...

win win really.

Have you ever driven on M25? it's a big car park! or around town?

Test drive a DSG then make up your own mind. I love the DSG best manual gearbox out there that is an auto!

You can not change gear as quickly or as smoothly as a DSG (as fitted to Audi TT but without the paddles). I do approx 30,000 miles a year - done 3,500 in little over a month since I bought mine. Worth every penny. accelerates as quickly as a manual, possibly faster. very economical as well.

I drive mainly on motorways, but also around London & south east mainly. perfect for all types of driving.

A heads up if your considering the 2.0 TDi L&K, and particularly the DSG model - they are built to order and they have stopped building to get ready for the new model, so what is already in the UK is all there is, and there aren't very many

will consider a DSG, maybe ask the dealer to just pick anything with one in for me to try.

thanks for the advice.

i wont be doing any M25 really, I am manchester based, will be doing a tech support type role covering Cambridge upwards but I guess the same applies to the M6 at times

Xenons are so much brighter and offer better visibility.

Once you've had them, you'll never want halogens again!

I'd get cruise control and steering wheel controls and the bluetooth kit (fitted by Stu) if I were you.

For when not driving motorway parking sensors and the rear wiper are a good buy. Heated seats too.

why the hell does a car come without a rear wiper...jesus...

Let me tell you what two of my friends said when I got the rear wiper:

What the hell, it just messes up the lines of the back of the car, that useless s... t.

I was talking about the hatch, the estate, of course, comes with a wiper no matter what.

so does the hatch in the UK!!

Good to hear that, and I must say I didnt see it on any option lists.

Im not too fussed about the "lines" and would appreciate being able to see out the back...call me an old man :P

Roll on sunday test drive!

think Im going to try out 3 models if possible.