An Insignia parked next to me at work today and all I could think was how big it seemed next to the Octavia. I know it's a size up in terms of classification, but even so...

Also, it made the Octy look like it had been designed by someone who likes rulers. The roof line on the Insignia was just one big curve.

I was amazed at how tall it was...

I still love the Octy though. :yes:

I know what you mean, but the Octy is getting on a bit now......

Also, it made the Octy look like it had been designed by someone who likes rulers. :

But I know which looks meaner ..... if it had a Black grille

Edited 17 December, 200916 yr by vRSMart

I've just gone from a 2008 Passat to a 2006 A4 - I can't get over how much smaller it is!

hasn't the vaux got the pedestrian safety bonnet? its spring loaded to cushion that barry boy that scratched your new car the week before? that extra length is just air!

i'v never understood the feeling safer in the bigger car?! gimme a little tin can anyday, ill just move outa the way of the accident

Vauxhalls Paaah, I'll take the Octy any day of the week

Vauxhalls Paaah, I'll take the Octy any day of the week

I agree

Although I saw a Jag XFR parked up the other day and that is one beautiful looking car – but it is MASSIVE

My neighbours have a 15 year old Rover 216, which is a mid sized car for that age, and it fits in their garage easily. My Octavia, or the missus' Leon will only just fit in the garage.

I always wanted a garage for my car, i have one now, but i cant really get my car in it.

That said, it would fit a nice project, like a 205 1.9 GTI in it

They are also heavy! I cant believe a Mk5 Cortina only weighs 972 KG (Practical Classics - this month) , I wonder how much the current Mondeo weighs?? Even my Mk 1 Fabia weighs 1400KG.

Just had a look and it's even longer than my Disco, and just 10mm less wide and that's the H/back. The Est is even longer !

Vauxhalls Paaah, I'll take the Octy any day of the week

i would have -but the local hirecompany don't do them -nearest was Passat ,which I asked for and got a

2.0L Insignia -suspect it's turbo off ,till asked for - I hired one last year to go up north ,from near Coventry to past Galsgow .Normally in Furby ,I stop to refuel in Glasgow ( cheaper diesel),SO i THOUGHT I'D STOP THERE TOO .Even with higher prices on fuel , it well and truelly smacked Furby's bum on fuel consumption ( and I was moving a bit more than Furby could have) .Lots of room , handled as well as Furby ,and when asked for power - gave it - seldom had to use fourth to overtake in Glencoe -fith was sufficient .Took it out to Ardamurchan point on single track roads where it excelled on handling .Gather it's only down side is it's price .Engine is same as on Vectra -so it's tried & tested .Recently had a couple of trips where Furby was too small ,they gave me Mondeos - first one was good on fuel on the motorway - but I'd have hated it on a country road -no reserve power .Second one had power -but LOOVED fuel -both of them diesel .That's trouble wuth Ford -gone down the constant turbo road .( Strange fact is that Jag took the Mundeo engine ,tweekedc it to make it smoother and got both more power and better economy ).

Don't know who's diesel engine Vauxhall have used - but it's as smooth ,powerfull and efficient as the VAG ,AND the turbo don't come in till asked .(oh -and like the Ford unit -there's sugnificant less turbo lag)

The new Insignia is really huge but so is the Mondeo. Think most cars are now filling the class above new insignia is probably Omega territory and the new Astra in vectra size class. I think that the Vauxhall diesel engines are actually the Fiat multi-jet diesels which Vauxhall got from the old GM Fiat alliance in the late 90's/ early 00's. I'm certain that the 1.3 and 1.9's are anyway but think the 1.7 in the astra is an old GM engine.

i would have -but the local hirecompany don't do them -nearest was Passat ,which I asked for and got a

2.0L Insignia -suspect it's turbo off ,till asked for - I hired one last year to go up north ,from near Coventry to past Galsgow .Normally in Furby ,I stop to refuel in Glasgow ( cheaper diesel),SO i THOUGHT I'D STOP THERE TOO .Even with higher prices on fuel , it well and truelly smacked Furby's bum on fuel consumption ( and I was moving a bit more than Furby could have) .Lots of room , handled as well as Furby ,and when asked for power - gave it - seldom had to use fourth to overtake in Glencoe -fith was sufficient .Took it out to Ardamurchan point on single track roads where it excelled on handling .Gather it's only down side is it's price .Engine is same as on Vectra -so it's tried & tested .Recently had a couple of trips where Furby was too small ,they gave me Mondeos - first one was good on fuel on the motorway - but I'd have hated it on a country road -no reserve power .Second one had power -but LOOVED fuel -both of them diesel .That's trouble wuth Ford -gone down the constant turbo road .( Strange fact is that Jag took the Mundeo engine ,tweekedc it to make it smoother and got both more power and better economy ).

Don't know who's diesel engine Vauxhall have used - but it's as smooth ,powerfull and efficient as the VAG ,AND the turbo don't come in till asked .(oh -and like the Ford unit -there's sugnificant less turbo lag)

:S

Vauxhalls Paaah, I'll take the Octy any day of the week

You and me both mate

I think the size and weight is all to do with pedestrian and occupant safety tests. Protection bars in the doors, airbags, "space" at the front for crumplezones to collapse into. Extra weight = less mpg though in my book and if it's lighter, it'll stop quicker, won't it....

They are also heavy! I cant believe a Mk5 Cortina only weighs 972 KG (Practical Classics - this month) , I wonder how much the current Mondeo weighs?? Even my Mk 1 Fabia weighs 1400KG.

I had a mark 2 VW Polo in the early 1980s, the one that looked like an estate car. It weighed 13 cwt which is just under 660.5 kg. I wonder what the smallest cars produced now weigh.

Some interesting points made folks. The car has now gone from the staff car park as it was only a hire car from an insurance company. The lady in question was driving a late Vectra that was written off. I tried to extol the virtues of a Mk1 Octavia, but in the end she went for a Mk4 Golf GT TDI. The reason being? She thought it was a lot smaller than my Octavia and didn't want such a big car!

No matter how I tried, she couldn't quite grasp the concept of the Golf/Leon/Octavia sharing the same platform.