Hi I'm new to this forum cos I'm thinking about buying a Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI

I currently own a Ford Focus 5dr hatch and there's been a recent little addition to the family so after trying to fit buggy and all into the focus we've decided (or was it I decided I can't remember )

Anyway I started doing a bit of research into what car I'd like next and the things I was looking for was:

• Big boot
  
• Diesel (cos of the CO2 based tax & VRT system seems to me they're cheaper option per BHP!)
  
• looks good!
  
• 2008 onwards (as CO2 tax system only apply to 2008 onwards)
  

Here's a table I compiled of the cars I personally think don't look all too shabby:

Because of the new CO2 system and the current sterling<->euro rates my plan was to import from the uk to ireland and hopefully get a nicer/newer car. Forexample I've could get a 2008 BWM 320d SE for about €25,000 (thats including all costs) and at €40k odd new sounds like a good deal! Anyway its got the smallest boot of the saloons so defeats the purpose of getting the bigger car

So I hadn't actually thought of skoda cos I didn't realise until recently they had a diesel version of the vRS... and I have to say it ticks all the boxes.

Good looking car, biggest boot in the list, cheap compared to all other cars, also not as big physically as say mondeo, got 170bhp and if I import from the uk I can get a 2008 model hopefully with the Sat Nav option for about €20,000... sweet as a nut!!

One question I have is about the CO2 emissions, from the latest vRS brochure it says it is 151g/km and I've seen others stats saying its 157g/km (Cartell Car Check, Car Data Check, Vehicle Check, Mileage Check, Car History Check, Vehicle History) and I think this is cos of newer engine or something? will all 2008 models be the 151g/km anyone know?

The irish tax/VRT system has a different band below 155 than above so would make difference for VRT import and tax.

Another question is out off all the people who have experience with the diesel vRS, is it a reliable car? The focus I have is very reliable and would be nice to be something similar. (I had a dodgy ford escort before that so know all about unreliable cars :().

Thanks,

privatebeavis

Plenty or recent discussions about reliability of the big diesel - search the Octavia II section of the forum - but generally satisfaction is good and reliability issues few and far between. Not sure what your dealer network is like over there in Ireland, but over here it is one of the really big plus points for people buying into the brand.

I made exactly the same decision as you - sold my Focus and bought the Octavia vRS diesel beacuse I wanted a family car that was diesel but still quick and looked good. My choices narrowed to the old Mondeo ST TDCi (yaaaaaaaawn) and the Octy, and having tried both there was no contest, the Skoda is a miles better product in terms of build quality, dealer support, drive etc etc. Mondeo might be slightly bigger, but it's also common as muck and the ST doesn't look nearly special enough IMHO.

Now four weeks into ownership and well happy. Time will tell whether was right decision, but so far I have no regrets!

As for buying in the UK and exporting, some great deals to be had. I paid under £12,000 for mine. Is an 07 plate, ex Skoda management car, had under 6,000 miles on the clock (now got over 8,000 ), still with 18 months of warranty to run. 18 inch wheels, sat-nav, iPOD connector and all that jazz.

And they've come down since then too!

Happy hunting!

PS - think it's 161g CO2 for tax purposes, but wouldn't swear to that without seeing V5

I've had no real reliability issues with mine, just basic upgrades to the glow plug software to help control the DPF. Nothing at all to worry about. Searchs will find all you need.

If you buy a new one it will have the new CR engine, which is smoother than the PD engine mine has.

Catering for our child was one of the reasons I got mine too, boot is huge as said and easily takes all the gear he needs, pram, bags, wheels etc.

Also handles well, when he's not in the car obviously, so daddy can have some fun.

Hey from Cork. I dont know if you will clear a 2008 vRS for €20,000 but wont be far off it. The CO2 is listed as 151 on Revenue.ie, this puts an 20% tax on it as below.

If you buy a 2008 for £15,500 today it works out at €16,720

VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX (VRT) ENQUIRY

Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) Calculation. CO2 emissions input by Revenue.

DATE: 20 January 2009 TIME: 16:13

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STATISTICAL CODE: 41688672

MAKE: SKODA

MODEL: OCTAVIA 2.0

VERSION: TDI VRS 05DR / HATCHBACK / MANUAL / DIESEL /

CO2 EMISSIONS: 151

MILEAGE: 10000 MILES

DATE OF FIRST REGISTRATION: JUNE 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPEN MARKET SELLING PRICE: €22477

RATE OF TAX: 20%

VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX: (payable on enquiry date) €4495

If you have documentary evidence that the CO2 emissions differ from the above, you may enter the CO2 emissions in the box provided and recalculate the VRT by selecting the Recalculate button.

Edited 20 January, 200917 yr by bryan

I've had my VRS diesel CR for just over 2 weeks and have done just over 1200 miles now. I've been really pleased with it as it's quick, averages 45mpg @90, and has a decent amount of space. I've also got a Volvo XC90 SE, which is more refined, but not as much fun to drive.

At the moment you'll struggle to do better for the money than a VRS (IMHO).

I've had my diesel vRS for a month or so and am really pleased with it.

It's slower than my old TFSI vRS but I'm planning on some enhancements to handle that.

It's an ideal family car especially if you want something a bit different and that you can take out on your own and throw round the corners etc.

Sure the brochure for the PD says 151 co2 thingy (hatch) and 150 for the CR.

Steve

I did a similar thing when we had our little one.

Got sick of trying to squeeze the pushchair in the Focus so bought a Mondeo Diesel. The Mondeo didnt last long due to Dual Mass Flywheel failure & injector problems (it was a 53 plate), so went out and bought a new Octavia.

Its a petrol so can't comment on the diesel but its boot is huge, bigger than the mondeo's can easily get a large pushchair and a weekly shop with plenty of room left and with loads of room inside its great for our family.