Looking to buy my 'last' car for a while...(Octy)

[supertwisted]

Intromoduction time. Hello all.

After having been through a few cars recently, I'm looking for something to put an end to my expensive habbit of chopping and changing cars (always seem to buy high and sell low!)

Currently driving a 306 Rallye, previous highlights included a Honda Civic Vti and a Suzuki Swift GTi (my favourite ever hot-hatch that also looked like a plastic mouse).

I've decided I want an allrounder to last me a while and the Octavia seems to fit the bill, ideally I can afford a vRS. It seems to fit all my requirements, being:

Big enough to carry my mountain bike in the back,

Quick,

Decent-ish driving experience,

Plush and refined when required,

Reliable - bar usual VAG 1.8T niggles,

And a bit of a bargain it seems - £4.5k seems to be top money for a late low mile Mk1!

Probably the wrong forum to ask, but is there any other car that offers what I'm after?

I was considering a Lexus IS200, but it's a bit too far away from the performance I'm used to and too small for the bike.

BMW 328s aren't a bad deal at the mo and rear drive is a win for me, not decided on these.

Honda Civic Aerodeck Vti - safe choice, back to what I know, will outlive me. But leaves me a bit cold.

Not interested in any of the other VAG stuff, I like the Skoda's 'underdog' kudos.

So anyway, that's me. Nice forum you have here.

Edited 17 March, 2009 by supertwisted
Formatting went awry!

[Skodaboy1983]

welcome to briskoda

[Babs]

Welcome

Out of the cars you list, I'd have the Octavia or or the 328.

[jonnycatbiscuit]

I'd have the Octy as well... (obviously)

[Gillywibble]

Welcome

[suze]

Welcome

[KenONeill]

Hiya.

The 328 has its points, but will the MTB fit in it? I think I'd go with the Octy, or keep the 306.

[supertwisted]

Thanks for the greets everyone.

Hiya.

The 328 has its points, but will the MTB fit in it? I think I'd go with the Octy, or keep the 306.

I'd probably have to go with a Tourer to get the bike in easily. Not sure how spacious that will be as there's the transmission tunnel taking up space I'd imagine.

As much as I like the 6, I have doubts over a 10 year old French car lasting me a long while. They're still reasonable desirable, so I think it's wise to sell it while it's still sub-100k. It's also not that great for carting the bike round in.

The Octy is still out in front for now. Only question seems to be if I can afford a vRS or not.

[KenONeill]

Well, that's one place where the Octy scores for sure; the boot was separated at birth from Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom!

[chicken_eyebrow]

If not a vRS then the 150bhp 4x4 estate would do very nicely for carting a MTB around

[dave370_1]

Hello and welcome

[speednut]

Hi and wellcome to Briskoda:thumbup:

Steve

[supertwisted]

If not a vRS then the 150bhp 4x4 estate would do very nicely for carting a MTB around

Yes I've browsed a couple in various classifieds. I'm not sure on the Haldex 4x4 though and there's often not a vast difference in price to the vRS.

I've seen a couple of Octy's I'd like to take a look at. Annoying that I'm so busy at work at the moment I can't spare the time to go and see them.

Bet they will sell before I get a test drive. :(

[KenONeill]

The only downsides to the 4x4 are:-

only 150bhp to the vRS 180

extra weight of the Haldex system

extra service; the Haldex coupling needs regular oil changes.

[supertwisted]

The only downsides to the 4x4 are:-

only 150bhp to the vRS 180

extra weight of the Haldex system

extra service; the Haldex coupling needs regular oil changes.

Yes, those were my thoughts. vRS it is then!

My sensible head is looking at Hondas again - I can buy a bargain Accord that will carry me and every iteration of my genome to the end of time itself for very little cash and minimal maintenance. But I'll get bored of that I'm sure...

[danroly]

Yes I've browsed a couple in various classifieds. I'm not sure on the Haldex 4x4 though and there's often not a vast difference in price to the vRS.

I've seen a couple of Octy's I'd like to take a look at. Annoying that I'm so busy at work at the moment I can't spare the time to go and see them.

Bet they will sell before I get a test drive. :(

Dont rush, take your time and the right car will come along evntually. If one goes there will be another. I took 4 months to buy my vrs mk2! If you can afford the vrs, do it, they are great cars and big enough to carry a MTB in hatch or estate form. Even easier if your MTB has quick release wheels. The performance is great,running costs aint too bad either and you wont get the same value for money with another car. The mk 1 possibly looks better than the mk2 as well:confused:

[supertwisted]

Well, I looked at a vRS on Friday. It's up for sale at a decent price and having met the seller and reviewed it's history I'm thinking of making an offer.

Couple of things occured while looking it over though.

First off is the starter motor isn't disengaging properly. Have done a few searches and it seems fairly common so I'm happy that's no big deal.

Second is that when the AC is on, the left fan in the engine bay makes a loud whining noise for a few mins or so. Anyone experienced this before?

The cambelt has been done recently, however it appears the waterpump wasn't done at the same time. So really, should I be booking it in for a new waterpump soon if I buy it?

Previously in it's life time it's had a replacement spring as the original snapped, a new sensor (I've forgotten which) after a service picked up some error codes and a tow-bar fitted (which is now removed). I can't think of anything there which should cause me concern, but I thought I'd add them in case someone else can.

[KenONeill]

1) Starter motor - dunno.

2) A/c - This does run the LH fan, so how much does a dry bearing or blades contacting a shroud bother you? It would bother me, because I run the Climatronic in "Auto" mode as a rule.

In the first case it will fail eventually, but could run for years. In the second it will clear eventually, but again the fault could persist for years if not adjusted out.

3) Waterpump might well survive until the next cambelt, but it might not. I'd treat it as a negotiating point to try and get a few hundred off the price, and a big clue if the car starts overheating!

4) Other points are normal. as long as any holes for the towbar fittings are properly sealed!