This my first post on the Skoda Forum as I have eventually bought a 2008 Automatic Octavia 1.9 Diesel after months of searching.

I reckon it is good value to have VAG quality for £2000 less cost, but on reading some of the comments on this forum, and on recent experience, I wonder did I make the correct decision. Unfortunately all modern cars now seem to have their individual weaknesses though Skoda seems to have a better reputation than most.

I still have my last car, a 1998 Xsara 1.9 Turbodiesel. I bought it new and the odometer currently shows 246000 miles. The car was really reliable, it was always driven hard and mainly B roads calling on Farms through my work. The combination of muck, salt, and our damp Northern Ireland climate unfortunately took its toll on the bodywork, thus my decision to upgrade.

The only major components replaced were a gearbox and steering rack. I bought these items second hand and fitted them myself so cost was minimal. Electrics were trouble free apart from broken wires at the doorpost once which affected the central locking.. Air Con? No need, I just opened a window. In all that time it never required any water or oil between services. The alloys are still excellent (see below)

In my opinion these cars of the mid/late nineties were the best ever, relatively simple to work at, few electronics, acceptable economy and good to drive.

I like the Octavia, and especially the DSG, but it has already disappointed me. The road noise is terrible, though tyres (Bridgestones) may be part of the cause, the wheels are already pitting, and a management light has now come on. I bought cheap and through the Trade so have no warranty (92000 miles) From my Citroen experience, mileage does not worry me. However, for the first time in 12 years, I will be forced to use a garage to repair a car, so it has been booked in to an independent for next week! (Code P2100 Throttle actuator control motor circuit open, perhaps someone may have a view on this)

I have a few other cars of interest to some, a 1975 Droopsnoot Firenza, 1988 Manta Exclusive, both home restored and concourse, 1993 Cavalier 4wd Turbo which will be my daily driver this summer provided I can behave and not collect too many points for speeding, and a 1978 Fiat 128 3p undergoing restoration. Perhaps I should now restore the old Citroen, I don't want to sell it!

welcome to briskoda

hello and welcome to briskoda

Hi there,

Ihave just joined. I currently have a kia rio 1.3lx.basic car, 51 plate but totally reliable. As guys from citroen post says with his old car, I kinda agree. Modern cars seem to have a slightly "soft" feel to me...with strange plastics etc. No longer as hard wearing perhaps as they once we were? I the kia it uses old mazda 323 (fastback) engine - round bout 1991-1999 car. Superb car soo far, 95k miles and not a murmur. runrs on lpg/petrol so get aroun 56-60mpg when you convert. do about 20k miles/yr

HOWEVER, was thinking of switching to skoda octavia possibly petrol and wondered what people might advise? don't want to spend more than 4-5 k on car and is should have lowish (below 40k miles) doesnt need to be fast model as prefer basic anyway.

Any shouts? lpg conversions good on octavias? have they hardened valves? heard someone mention to avoid fsi engines but rather go for older mpi engines for this.

Let me know your thoughts?

Thanks,

Leon (:

hello and welcome