I've got the 2.0 DSG with PD and 140 horses in Elegance trim. Best car I've ever had and as a part time Journo testing cars, I do an awful lot of driving. Go for the Xenons, and 17" alloys with sports suspension and Maxidot with Sport tailgate spoiler and you'll have a great car. Second thoughts, don't, as it'll be too much like mine ! As you're in my neck of the woods, I'd recommend Simpsons - they can't do enough for you.

I'd try a superb as well given the mileage you are going to be doing. Either old shape or new shape. (prepares to be shot down in flames). Have you considered a mazda 6? inlaws got one in the summer. Very nice, but i think a diesel new is probably out your price range

Cruise is essential imho, and I've had like to have xenons. Rest of my elegance estate is pretty good, would perhaps have preferred in built satnav and bluetooth handsfree.

Not sure about the Superb, looks awfully big

Heard decent things about the Mazda 6, but also heard the diesels are a bit noisy.

I've got the 2.0 DSG with PD and 140 horses in Elegance trim. Best car I've ever had and as a part time Journo testing cars, I do an awful lot of driving. Go for the Xenons, and 17" alloys with sports suspension and Maxidot with Sport tailgate spoiler and you'll have a great car. Second thoughts, don't, as it'll be too much like mine ! As you're in my neck of the woods, I'd recommend Simpsons - they can't do enough for you.

what difference does the sports suspension make, and how much of an extra is it?

people keep saying gets Xenons too, interesting. surely headlights are headlights ?!

(I know very little about cars)

If you're looking for motorway cruising I'd skip the sports suspension. The car is plenty stiff as is, especially on 16"s or above.

Knowing that all UK cars come equipped with projector headlights I wouldn't rush at the xenons, I quite prefer the yellower light halogens put out, especially in foggy weather.

So, my wishlist updated:

cruise control, bluetooth and steering wheel controls, nav (or budget for an aftermarket unit or refurb Columbus off eBay), cornering fog lights, TPMS if on 17"s or above, heated seats, dual zone climate and jumbo box, and that's about it.

Of these, you can retrofit the Bluetooth, nav, and cruise control quite easily, even the steering wheel controls if you start off with an Elegance spec. The rest you need to buy on the car.

Not sure about the Superb, looks awfully big

Heard decent things about the Mazda 6, but also heard the diesels are a bit noisy.

All I can suggest is to drive the Superb when you go to the dealers, oh so comfy in comfort or above trim for m-way jaunts. Boot isn't the best shape but is at least secure, if that is a concern where you are working.

If you are getting an allowance might you be allowed to go 18 months old and pick up and edition 100 superb (or and L&K octavia) with all the toys for well under your budget?

The old one wasn't the best handling around, with the Octavia quite a bit tighter in corners but sacrificies ride comfort to achieve that.

I'm 6'4" and about 90 kgs. I find the standard seats OK but nothing special on my Elegance estate, and would like to try the leather ones, and VRS.

The PD 140 is great at motorway/A-road speeds, and had plenty of torque in 3, 4th and 5th, but I do find it a bit annoying at slow speeds. The low gearing and noisy injectors are not an impressive combination, especially if you are trying to teach audi-owning friends the error of their ways! Haha they say - sounds like a taxi...

I think the CR VRS would be a great improvement - the CR engines are much more refined and I think the tighter handling on the VRS will be an improvement too. I used to own a Ford Focus, and the Octavia's handling with the standard 16" wheels and suspension falls short of that.

That said its a great car for long journeys. I drove 500 miles in France this summer in one day, and felt pretty fresh at the end. Tyres are cheaper for the standard set up too.

As for options - the zenon lights are great - 2.5x brighter according to Skoda and a fantastic smooth spread of white light (if you are in the middle lane of a motorway, they cover all three lanes). Makes the main beams redundant almost (good thing because they're not brilliant). You get auto levelling and washers with this too, and a bigger screenwash tank.

Rear parking sensors - good in tight spots, when you are in a hurry. They detect my young daughter at about 3m - which is extra peace of mind.

Cruise control does what is says on the tin. I use it on late night motorway journeys, when you just want an easy journey at or around the legal limit...

Maxidot - not essential but looks good, and gives you access to various options that otherwise are a dealer visit.

Get ESP - have a look at the NCAP site if you need convincing. Side airbags are an option too.

I got sunset glass, which looks cool and means you don't need sun shades if you have a toddler.

The autodimming mirror is good for heavy traffic in winter too - although the wing mirrors don't dip, so the anti glare effect is not totally effective.

I've heard lots of moans about the tyre pressure monitoring, which is a cheap option. It's worked for me, and again is added peace of mind.

Have a great time, picking the boxes!

Les.

Edited 24 October, 200817 yr by London Les

Hi all

today I drove a 140 PD L&K with DSG and a Manual vRS

I have also driven a C5 2.0 VTR+ and a Mazda 6 (albeit not a diesel)

Written the C5 out of the equation for its steering. I felt like I was playing a computer game, with no feedback and so so so light. awful really.

the mazda was nice, nice enough to go back and try a diesel (which is what I would be purchasing).

Anyway onto the Octavias.

I tried the vRS first, only got a 15 min test drive but took it for a blast round a few junctions of the M60. The engine and ride was very impressive. my niggles on the seats are dealt with, as the test car was obviously not factory fresh and the seats were more comfy.

Really impressed with the perceived quality of the car, and the cabin was the most "me" of the cars I have tried. Ive sat in a few other cars that I wasnt interested to test drive and this is the one that felt most at home with immediately. Drive wise, very powerful, and very smooth. I stalled it once 20 yards out the dealers at a roundabout but other than that it was excellent.

Onto the L&K Dsg. Really really impressed with the gearbox. the PD 140 engine a fair bit noisier than the CR 170 and was working a bit harder it seemed, but the gear box itself was beautiful. I had a bit of a run with it in semi auto too, and I am that impressed that if I get an Octavia I will defintiely try to get an option with the Dsg box.

Overall - top of my pile so far for a small family car is the vRS. If I can get one with a nice range of extras (cruise, nav, Dsg, Maxidot,rear sensors and perhaps xenons) I will be taking the plunge. This is unless the 6 diesel is mind blowing. I a bit wary though as they are bringing out a nicer 2.2 mazda in January if the Dec What Car? mag is accurate, plus I havent really warmed to any of the salesmen Ive met. this coupled with talks on reviews 30-40% less MPG than quoted figures makes me doubt the Mazda.

My only negative of the octavia is there was noticeable wind noise at 70-80 on the m60, but seeing as I drive with (loud) music all the time it wont be an issue. The steering however I felt was spot on, weighted really niceley for me personally, and positive feedback.

Thanks and hope this thread helps others in a similar position.

I didn't opt for the sport suspension it came with the car already added. The colour and spec were right so I didn't bother too much about it. It gives a firmer ride especially with 17's on but I went to Wales on Friday and returned yesterday and got out like I'd just popped to the shops. If I can get a deal on a diesel Vrs with DSG, that'll do me just fine. I don't want any of the 8.9% finance that they talk about on the Skoda website though....that's TOO MUCH. Try 0% and I'll be there in the morning, just as long as the one they've got in stock is race blue, or red, or yellow or....