.. I lied about my credentials on sign up. I haven't as yet purchased the 2002 Skoda Octavia Elegance TDi. Hatchback. Sunroof, ABS, the usual gubbins. The question is "Should I?

As above, in absolutely mint condition, inside and out. 51,000 on the clock. Full service history. The dealer is asking £3500 with appropriate service, new cam belt and water pump included in the price. I've been haggling for weeks and he's at his limit now. No way will he drop it another penny piece. Advice please.

That sounds like a reasonable deal to me, we paid £3000 for my Sisters 2001 Seat Leon TDI last year and that had over 80k on the clock. The service and water pump replacement alone are probably worth close to £500. If you want to come down on price you'd need to look at slightly tattier examples with double that mileage.

That sounds like a reasonable deal to me, we paid £3000 for my Sisters 2001 Seat Leon TDI last year and that had over 80k on the clock. The service and water pump replacement alone are probably worth close to £500. If you want to come down on price you'd need to look at slightly tattier examples with double that mileage.

Yeh, it appears to be a decent deal considering the car's condition. I have a dilemma though. The car is for the Mrs and we've narrowed the choice down to two cars. A 2004 Honda Civic 1.7 CTDi SE. 16 inch alloys, once again the usual stuff. Same as the Skoda it's in fine condition, service history, one owner, 63,000 on the clock. Priced at £4,100. After test driving both she prefers the Skoda. Trouble is with not too much in the prices I just can't see past the plates.

The Octavia will be the better car, to be honest. Nicer to drive.

Seems too steep for me. I also have a 2002 Elegance TDI, and payed 3500 for it nearly 4 years ago with the same mileage. Even with the service and belt included I think it's prolly too much.

A great car tho, you won't regret it.

Seems too steep for me. I also have a 2002 Elegance TDI, and payed 3500 for it nearly 4 years ago with the same mileage. Even with the service and belt included I think it's prolly too much.

A great car tho, you won't regret it.

Sounds a cracking deal that.

I've been looking around for two months now and from what I've seen so far I'd say it's maybe a couple of hundred quid over the top. The only other measure I have is the Parker's guide. On there at 80,000 miles average it's listed as £3,410 from an independent dealer.

I would have the octavia over the civic,i used to work for honda & their early diesels are not the best! the civic one is a isuzu/vauxhall engine,they eat gearbox bearings too!!! that sounds a good price for the octy too!

I would have the octavia over the civic,i used to work for honda & their early diesels are not the best! the civic one is a isuzu/vauxhall engine,they eat gearbox bearings too!!! that sounds a good price for the octy too!

Cheers mate. May I ask if that engine is used in a 2004 model?

Trouble is with not too much in the prices I just can't see past the plates.

Not too much in the prices? £600? Sounds like enough to me :'(

The Civic's done more miles in less time as well, and with the Octy your missus will be able to get more shopping in the boot of the Octy

The new 2.2 litre diesels in the latest Civics are supposed to be quite good but the old 1.7 CDTis were nothing to rave about.

Would the dealer throw in a 12 month warranty free as that's got to be worth a few hundred quid?

Seems like a good price to me. I paid £3800 for a 53 plate Elegance TDI 110 with 66k on the clock 12 months ago and I have hardly seen any come up as cheap as mine even with a lot more miles on. Go for the Octy, you won't regret it.

I used to work with a guy who had worked at Honda and he bought a Civic diesel before he left, but I don't think it was either particularly economical or nice to drive. Seem to remember quite a bit of warranty work going on too.