My current vRS is my first car: on an 02, had it since 52,000 miles (Nov.2005) and it's now up to nearly 118,000. I'm proud to say it's even outlived a Radical, Noble and BMW 525D M-Sport.

Sadly, though, the time has come to trade it in and upgrade. My current Octy has been solid as a rock, never let me down and cost peanuts to run and maintain (it's only ever needed a new breather pipe and anti-rollbar), but the cold weather is starting to take it's toll a little bit. It's doing funny things and making funny noises... It lived on the motorway up until about 90,000 miles but has just mostly pootled round town since.

Anyway, take delivery of my new one early next week (and have been toying with the idea of keeping my current one too) - '08 vRS TDI PD, Main Skoda dealer, 2 keepers, £13K for an '08 vRS TDI PD with 16,000 miles. No optional extras (having cruise control and rear parking sensors retro fitted). Is that a good price?

Also, are the 18" Zenith alloys standard on the pre-facelift vRS TDI PD or are they an optional extra, up from 17" rims? I test drove a petrol one back in September 2006 with a view to buying one new and was told the 18" alloys were an option. The dealer I'm buying this one from says they 18" rims are standard, and I forgot to check.

And what's better in people's opinion: PD or CR?

Thanks in advance for all your help and advice.

18" rims used to be an option, but with the '08 car they were probably standard. The upgrade pack also included climate control, rear electric windows and 'jumbo box' (the box between the front seats, that also includes an audio input). I would have expected your car to also include these.

IMHO after owning both, the CR is better from a refinement and more linear power delivery point of view. The PD vRS is still a cracking car all the same ... you have done the deal now anyway.

Before Christmas, my PX'd '07 PD vRS with 22,000 miles was up at the dealer for around the same money as your '08, although I would have expected them to let it go for less. Mine had the upgrade pack plus cruise.

There are some cracking deals out there on new cars, but these are still a good few thousand on top of the price for your car.

Enjoy your new car!