Evening chaps, im after some honest opinions, Im in the process of changing my company car.

Currently I have a Focus ST, which has been a corker, nice and comfortable but a savage beast when needed! anyway needs a must and now i need something a tad more civilised, ie 4 doors and a decent boot.

Ive narrowed my 2 options down to the Honda Accord Diesel GT or the VRS 2.0T limited edition, different cars i know, but on our scheme we dont pay according to the tax banding (its a car ownership scheme).

Anyway Ive been in the original MK2 VRS, and I wasnt overly enamoured with the dash, but I believe Skoda now use the same dash as the new Golf, whats the general concensus in terms of quality, I will do 90k over 3 years so I want something reasonably refined!

The petrol head in me wants to go for the powahhh, and the sensible 30 year old in me wants to go for the stylish but understated and slow accord!

Any opinions appreciated:)

Erm...

I'd keep the ST

The Focus doesn't have that small of a boot?

i had a focus ST2 as my last car and i loved it.absolutely fantastic car.

I then changed to the vRS and as an all round package it is way better.plus with a remap its also quicker, although the handling isnt on par, but its not to far off. And there is no way i could go to a smaller boot now.

I still want an ST... it's just the noise!!

Any opinions appreciated:)

This is a Skoda forum, so we are mostly going to support the vRS. You may get different opinions from an Accord forum (if there was one).

I'll give you my standard "Choosing a car" advice :

Drive all the contenders on the type of roads you do most of your driving on. Decide which one suits you the best, and buy that one. We have different preferences and priorities to you, so our opinions don't count as much as yours.

I would think that you have a difficult choice.

Four years ago the diesel Accord was on my list of possibles but although I liked the quality of the car I just felt that it was un-inspiring to drive and also I was put off by the Japanese habit of facelifting the cars every two or 3 years rendering the "old " model worth a bit less.

At this moment the Accord has just had a facelift and the Octy you fancy is still in many respect "pre-facelift" so residuals in 3 years may be better for the Honda.

If the driving experience is more important then go for the Octy, also maitainance costs should be less.

I try to change my car every 3 years and only cover 30-35k in that time so there is a healthy demand for used cars of this mileage but at 90k the value of the Honda may be greater.

To make matters worse I would love to own a Focus ST,, for no reason other than it looks great, goes great,and sounds great.

Does the Accord now come with an on board computer?, It was not a fixture on them 4 years ago.

If you're used to 200+bhp it may be a bit of a shock to go to the Accord.

The Honda is a saloon, the Octy a hatch. In terms of practicality you can't beat a hatch.

Both good cars. I think you'll need to try both on an extended test drive if you can and see which one you can live with.

My mate just sold his ST, he couldn't cope with 20mpg any longer. Cracking car though, and as someone said it really has a great engine noise. Something the vRS is lacking IMHO.

I seriously considered the Accord Estate (2.2 CDTI) when I got my Octy Estate 2 years ago. I drove 6 different cars (Avensis, V50, 9-3 & Touran), and felt that the Accord was the best vehicle, but the cost difference on our car scheme was too great - so I went for the Octy, as best value for money (and not far behind the Accord).

The Octy had better handling, the Accord was a bit too 'soft' for my liking, but still miles better than the wallowing V50.

Mmmm.... 5 cylinder-warble!

In all serious-ness, I'd say that the Octavia is a nicer looking car, and has a massive boot!

I'm also looking for a new company car this year, similar story - currently have Mk5 Golf GTI, love it but looking for something that's not slower, has a bigger boot, less tax etc.

I have looked at a bunch of stuff but the only things that fit are Octavia Estate VRS or an Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSI 211PS.

Due to the complex way our scheme works and the VERY low C02 of the audi, the A4 will only cost about 30 quid a month more than the skoda. Interior is much nicer (sorry skoda owners) and its a faster car.

For the sake of 30 quid i'll probably choose the Audi.. but I may change my mind, especially if the facelifted vrs gets that funky RS+ "studie" kit plus the low c02 audi engine,, we'll see.

:-)

Edited 19 February, 200917 yr by rob_e
can't spell :-/

I am hoping the vrs facelift gets the new 210bhp engine..like you say lower co2 slightly more power..you cannot lose!

couple that with a nicer dash and its a pretty good package..I am holding off changing cars at the moment as there loads of new stuff coming..all with decent power..event he upcoming megane renaultsport has piqued my interest

The Focus has a lovely engine and the chassis on the whole is superb, but needs a must and it has to go, we only get to keep our cars for 3 years, I need some practicality, the boot is woefull on the ST.

Aside from the power, the accord looks great now, residuals arent an issue as its not 'my' car. decisions decisions!

In some respects the accord is better specced, better on board computer, climate as standard,half leather seats,bluetooth as std, usb etc etc but I just know im gonna miss the power if I go to a diesel:(

Ive had the accord over a weekend, I think you are right its time to arrange an extended test drive on the octy and then make a informed decision.

Thanks all.

I'm also looking for a new company car this year, similar story - currently have Mk5 Golf GTI, love it but looking for something that's not slower, has a bigger boot, less tax etc.

I have looked at a bunch of stuff but the only things that fit are Octavia Estate VRS or an Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSI 211PS.

Due to the complex way our scheme works and the VERY low C02 of the audi, the A4 will only cost about 30 quid a month more than the skoda. Interior is much nicer (sorry skoda owners) and its a faster car.

For the sake of 30 quid i'll probably choose the Audi.. but I may change my mind, especially if the facelifted vrs gets that funky RS+ "studie" kit plus the low c02 audi engine,, we'll see.

:-)

in that case then, id go for a 3.0TDi A4 :P

Remember that the vRS LE is the run-out model of the current Octavia so has the same dash you have seen and disliked

Remember that the vRS LE is the run-out model of the current Octavia so has the same dash you have seen and disliked

I was under impression all 09 cars had the facelift interior.

I was under impression all 09 cars had the facelift interior.

It's news to me that the facelift uses the Golf dash....

I still want an ST... it's just the noise!!

My V6 TT made the most awesome sound

It's news to me that the facelift uses the Golf dash....

Its got the same heater dials:p I could have sworn it was the same, but i popped into a few dealers today and yep completely different!