Hello,

today drove a skoda octavia for the first time and was pleasantly surprised but now have a dilemma over a choice of two cars , a skoda superb 1.9 TDI PD 115 classic 4 dr saloon 32k miles £10,400 and Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD Elegance 5-Dr Hatchback 23k miles £9700.

I have been able to find good reference to the reliability of the Octavia on the web etc, which is why i went to test the Octavia but not so for the superb and dont know if this is for a reason ?

I really dont have a preference for either car but the main reason for moving to the skoda brand is to have a share of this famed reliability and reduced running costs.

Can anyone offer some advice and reasons for choosing one over the other ?

many thanks

That seems quite steep for a Classic trim Superb, unless it's one of the last MkI Superbs. Unless you need the hatch, I'd go for the Superb which has far more space. That Octavia will have more euipment than the Superb being an Elegance.

Personally I'd hang on for a Comfort or Elegance as the Classic seems a bit sparse in comparison.

You don't mention the age of either motor, BUT that is silly money for a base model Superb (a Comfort spec Superb is pretty close to an MKI Octavia Elegance - not sure on the MKII).

The Octavia has the largest boot in it's class - and bigger than most cars larger than the Octavia, however this is achieved by reducing the rear legroom.

The Superb on the other hand has the largest rear legroom available, with a pretty big boot as well, so it all depends on if you need the extra legroom or a hatchback.

Get the pricing sorted out for whatever car is right for your job. I think something is adrift - Mk1 Superbs go for peanuts now.

The Superb is comfortable but big and is not much use as a town car. As a motorway cruiser it's ideal and is a mile-eater. Cruise is a very desirable option and can be retrofitted to the base model. Only consider a 4 cyl diesel - all the others are a waste of money in either running or maintenance costs.

Of the two, the Superb will depreciate far faster - so if you choose one, buy it cheap. Watch out for rain water ingress and do your homework first.

rotodiesel.

You don't want a classic, and especially at that price, I could've bought one new 3 yrs ago for not a lot more, and be careful you don't buy an ex-cab, pay attention to the steering wheel, gear knob and door jambs, if the rear ones are scratched up it's possibly been a cab at some time, other tell tales are holes behind the rear number plate, personally I wouldn't want to pay any more than about £6500 for a 115 classic on an 07 plate, which is my guess as to it's age because Skoda hardly sold any after that date, most were 2.5's and there weren't many of those either.

As for the Octy, it doesn't have the looks of the Superb, nor the room, but it's a good spec one so that may tip the balance somewhat.

I'd go for the Superb, but I suppose I'm a little biased. I originally set out to buy an Octavia but then noticed how many there were around and to be fair after seeing so many on the road got quite bored of them, even before I had bought one. Wanted something a little different, hence the Superb.

There also seems to be a fair bit of classic-spec bashing going on. There's nothing wrong with the classic spec, especially if you're not into toys and gadgets. Had cars with every extra on them and honestly, I never used any of them. To me they were just stuff to go wrong and cost expense. Even the classic spec is reasonably equipped. Also, being less weighty gives better mpg and performance,

That said, what you quoted seems overpriced.

I'd go for the Superb, but I suppose I'm a little biased. I originally set out to buy an Octavia but then noticed how many there were around and to be fair after seeing so many on the road got quite bored of them, even before I had bought one. Wanted something a little different, hence the Superb.

There also seems to be a fair bit of classic-spec bashing going on. There's nothing wrong with the classic spec, especially if you're not into toys and gadgets. Had cars with every extra on them and honestly, I never used any of them. To me they were just stuff to go wrong and cost expense. Even the classic spec is reasonably equipped. Also, being less weighty gives better mpg and performance,

That said, what you quoted seems overpriced.

It's the seats tbh, they are nasty compared with the other specs, other than that it's basically a set of alloys and the cruise control.

It's the seats tbh, they are nasty compared with the other specs, other than that it's basically a set of alloys and the cruise control.

Ha funny you should say that, it was the interior I liked the best about the classic. Looked at a few and the leather looked very tired. My fabric seats look brand new and a little like what's in a Golf TDi.

With you on the alloys, the steelies look rough. Then again so does the suspension height.

FWIW, I have always regretted swapping my 1.9 TDI Octy Elegance estate for a 2.5TDi Elegance Superb. I much preferred the Octy Estate and I still do. I've lost so much money on the Superb though, I can't bring myself to sell it.