Hi,

I would appreciate peoples opinions on how the Octavia vRS compares handling and performance wise to other hot hatches. I appreciate it is a slightly vague comparison but would people consider it fun to drive? I am seriously considering one, but do not really need the space, etc - just appreciate that it is probably the best value sporty 1.8t car in the VAG range. I think I could make a pretty nice one of these for not much over £5.5k if I get a tidy one and remap it, fit Weitec suspension or similar and some ARB's, but am concerned that at the end of the day it will still feel a bit lifeless and heavy. Maybe I should pay the extra for the Leon Cupra R or Civic Type R or look at an Ibiza 20vt or Clio?

Any opinions appreciated.

In standard from, it is definitely no hot hatch. A remap will make it quicker in a straight line, but then the factory spec suspension will become even less effective as it struggles to cope with the extra pace. You can spend money on it to make it go round corners and stop properly, but then there are better cars out there for less cash in terms of handling and excitement.

When me and my mate go for a drive and he's in his Integra Type R, there is no comparison as to who's having the most fun and who's involved in the experience the most. I'm quicker in a straight line and on uphill drags, but show us a corner and I can't see him for dust. His cost him £5000 and to be honest it was a bargain. I need the Octavia for family stuff, the boot is immense, but I'm under no illusions that it is a hot hatch.

more of a comfortably warm hatch I think one of deciding factors should be what type of journey you normally do. The Octavia is not as crashy as the leon or focus

I think the best quality of the Octy VRS which i enjoy the most is the look of shock and surprise on people's faces as you watch them disappear in your rear view. They just don't seem to expect it lol!!

They can be fast, handle and stop but it will cost, unless you buy

one set up how you want it

Anything with a wheelbase the length if the octavia would struggle to be sporty without serious chassis mods.

I've always had warm and hot hatches snd the reason I bought my vrs is because I wanted something that was a compromise; something that I could take the kids out in, drive spiritedly when I want and take a comfortable drive to Germany later this year in.

In terms of straight line speed I am pleasantly surprised at how quick the vrs is but coming from driving saxo vts's and vx220s I can honestly say there is no comparison.

If you want a good compromise I would suggest the leon cupra r

there is less than 400mm difference between the length of the leon and the VRS and they are based on the same chassis so the handling dynamics should be similar. However the Cupra R already has uprated suspension though so I would imagine an Octy with a decent set of coilovers is going to be on a par with the cupra (maybe throw in a quick rack as well)

Granted it is never going to be a vx220 :D

ive come from a ctr to a 300 bhp classic scooby to my vrs and can honestly say its the best of the lot,i havent done much to it,just remap,decat exhaust,cai,forge dv,n75j but can outrun most things,the 350z driver wasnt to happy when i went past him the other day lol.in terms of hot hatch i'd say its a bargain family blaster.go for it.

And the Cupra R has pretty much the same power as standard as a remapped vrs

The VRS is the practical choice, but if you want fun go for one of the other cars from the Mk4 Golf platform.

Seat Leon Cupra R

Audi S3

Mk4 Golf R32

As others have said you can improve the VRS but with the money you spend you could have bought one of the above.

In standard from, it is definitely no hot hatch. A remap will make it quicker in a straight line, but then the factory spec suspension will become even less effective as it struggles to cope with the extra pace. You can spend money on it to make it go round corners and stop properly, but then there are better cars out there for less cash in terms of handling and excitement.

When me and my mate go for a drive and he's in his Integra Type R, there is no comparison as to who's having the most fun and who's involved in the experience the most. I'm quicker in a straight line and on uphill drags, but show us a corner and I can't see him for dust. His cost him £5000 and to be honest it was a bargain. I need the Octavia for family stuff, the boot is immense, but I'm under no illusions that it is a hot hatch.

Pretty much sums it up. The plus points for the Octavia are the mix of practicality and performance for the budget. If you don't need one or the other then there are better cars out there.

I need a big boot for work and decent (relatively speaking) fuel economy but also wanted performance. Nearly 3 years ago my £6.5k wouldn't buy anything better suited than the Octy vRS and for my situation the same probably still applies now.

The VRS is a cracking motor, comfortable and quickish in standard form, will see off most salesmans bmw's and the like, which are the sort of cars which seem to want to play with me

Had a play with a new type R recently and he didnt pull away and i couldnt pass him, probably would have pulled past with a remap.

On my second VRS now, first had a battery fire and i was gutted to lose it, hence why i got another, hatch this time instead of estate, only car i could see myself dumping the Vrs for would be an EVO atm, not interested in anything else on the road, nothing catches my eye i mean.

I find its nice just to be a bit different from the other sheep on the road with the boring Fords, Vauxhalls etc

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by WelshLoon

Im loving mine. I love the fact that it is a bit of a sleeper. Mine is standard apart from a cai but would like it to have a bit more. I had a new Mini John Cooper works try it on with me on the bypass and I managed to keep it behind me But if your after a hatch were you dont really need a big boot and rear doors there is plenty better cars for reasonable money including the civic type r and the leon cupras

My opinion is the same as most of the others really.

Octy RS is a lovely car, comfy & fast in a straight line but it's not a sports car, more of a GT really.

its a fast family car

if i had the money i would go for a mint cupra r as they are v-quick and the handling is superb and so is the stopping imho a better car if you after speed speed and dont need the space.

they have a k04'ed engine so a map will put them to 270 hp where as to get that from a vrs is alot of work

its all personal preference and what you need the car for.

That's pretty much why I got the Octavia too. I test drove the Leon and liked it better as a driver's car, but then the pushchair, travel cot etc wouldn't fit. As a compromise though, it's unbeatable and there's nothing out there to tempt me away from the Octavia at the moment.

That's pretty much why I got the Octavia too. I test drove the Leon and liked it better as a driver's car, but then the pushchair, travel cot etc wouldn't fit. As a compromise though, it's unbeatable and there's nothing out there to tempt me away from the Octavia at the moment.

Totally agree. We sold a Citroen C4 to fund the octy. The c4 was alright but a but tight with 2 kids and a boot full of camping gear or bikes for example

I have owned both a Civic Type R & a octavia vrs. Infact i have had 2 vrs's. I found the vrs far better than the ctr. Civic is a better drivers will feel faster but it has no torque so unless ur in the right gear at the right time u have no power. Seen me sometimes pulling out to overtake and having to drop to 3rd or 4th to get the vtec to pass. Also vtec is **** in the wet. CTRs have a very basic interior with next to no luxurys or toys. VRS is far better .

Unless you need the space, the Octy is never going to be the best hot hatch for your money. The Golf Mk,4 chassis is just too sluggish in it's responses and the nose too heavy.

You'll get a Clio 188 for 5.5k. Less space but a chassis that's damn near as good as an Elise.

Iv had a few different cars now and i have to say the VRS is the most fun to drive simply because people look at it and don't really know what it is!

Every person i give a shot of my car to love it and the reviews online rate it better to drive than most hot hatches.

The reason i have the car though is i can get 3 sets of golf clubs in the boot or my snowboarding gear etc and fill it full of people.

Well i have both vRS and Cupra R, and i can say without a shadow of a doubt, the Cupra is far far better.

Wheels, suspension, steering, brakes, gearbox, seats, stereo, are all better, the Cupra has (arguably) a better boot, due to not having those stupid strut braces) im sure i can find more if i look.

Only things i prefer on the Octavia, is its better around town due to all the pot holes, and better fuel economy (longer vRS gearing doesn't encourage such stupid driving)

Even mildly modified (chip/exhaust/filter), the Cupra feels like it can handle the power. Where i'd want to sort the suspension/brakes before chipping the vRS.