I have the option to buy an 08 "old interior" VRS, or build up my own psuedo-VRS with a new model Elegance 1.8 TSi with 7 speed DSG (which by all accounts is a v sweet motor). Prices below are Oz$ at list.

Base car wagon 1.8 Tsi DSG $35790, Metallic paint $630, Foglights with corner $240, Xenon $1490, Sunroof $1730, Park control F and R $990, 17" sports wheels and suspension $1840, MFSW multifunction steering wheel $190, Sports seats $290.

With a 10% discount- probably achievable- this is about the same cost as the older 08 VRS (Diesel DSG with sunroof).

I am a BIG fan of motorised foldaway mirrors, as the parking at work has tiny bays, so this is an attraction of the facelifted model. A special place in hell has been reserved for the architects of our building, who will have to park the Prince of Darknesses Hummer in the parking bays they designed without scratching it.

Also the SD card stereo would be neat!

What do you think? Which is a better way to go? Old VRS, roll-my-own fake VRS, or just wait for the new VRS to be released on Australia (though my Renault Laguna may not last that long)?

Carpe diem.Get the vRS now.It's a real ''driver's car''.:)

Get the old VRS - old interior or otherwise, its an absoloutly cracking car. The Common Rail diesel is an absoloute dream to drive.

Go for the 'old' vRS; presumably TFSI.

On a financial front (here in UK) 'options and accessories' always loose far more of their value over time than the basic car they are fitted on. For example; take a spec'd up 1.8TSI with, say, £2,000 of options vs standard vRS that both cost the same now. In 2-3 years time the spec'd up TSI will likely be worth £1,000 LESS than the vRS.

On a practical front remember that with the vRS you'll get;-

200bhp (not 180?)

18" wheels as standard

bigger brakes 312mm front discs not 288mm

extra rear bulkhead torsional stiffening

uprated antiroll bars

leather sports seats are standard

rear spoiler and different bumpers

etc.

also consider the 17" wheels & sports suspension pack for the Elegance lowers the car 30mm over standard, whereas the vRS is only lowered 10mm. This extra lowering of the 'sport' pack hurts the ride quality to a noticeable degree, particularly if your roads in Oz are as bad as ours in UK.

My vote - buy the vRS

Wait for the 'new' vRS, you'll be one of the first to own one and it's not long before it's going to be released. With either of your present options you'll always regret not waiting imo

No brainer really, Vrs every time. All the others just look like mini cabs ;-)

Wait for the new VRS. Never buy a "new" car that has gone out of production.

extra rear bulkhead torsional stiffening

Where's that?

Where's that? (extra rear bulkhead torsional stiffening)

Quote from an early vRS specific brochure;

"Laser welding has been used to join the roof to the sides of the car, further strengthening the Octavia body shell."

I'm pretty sure also that there is some extra strengthening within the setup of the rear suspension.

Thanks all- am probably (!?!) going to wait for the new VRS, was going to buy the old 08 VRS which is a DSG diesel wagon and actually did put a reasonable offer to the dealer considering the car has been on the dealer's floor for 6 months, the new Octavia models are shipping to Australia now (well not the VRS obviously) and the dealer has given away the Skoda dealership now as well! Still, they didn't want to sell it at the price, and I can get a manual petrol 08 VRS wagon for almost 4,000 pounds less (demo, 10000 km on the clock).

No brainer really, Vrs every time. All the others just look like mini cabs ;-)

Not down here.

Mainly big Fords & Holdens, occasionally large Toyotas.

Lol. I would still go for the Vrs. Although a big Ford or Holden with a V8 is oh so tempting !!

Holden for me no question

Buy the vRS. No brainer.