Currently counting the pennies and am looking to buy a 1.8T engined Octavia sometime in the New Year.

Yes I know it's a long way away, well maybe not that long, but I like something to look forward to

I won't be looking at a vRS as the car will have to live on the street, and I like the idea of a stealthy "normal" looking car.

My main Q is this, should I go for FWD or AWD? I'll be going for the hatch as the girlf doesn't like estates, so obviously the AWD will be harder to find, but that doesn't bother me.

I really like the idea of AWD, increased roadholding and traction etc.

Which would you choose, what are the reasosn and does running 220BHP in a FWD cause as many traction issues as I'd expect?

This should encourage a great deal of debate...

Personally, from passengering, I think the AWD feels like it handles nicer on the road, and as

such I would choose one. However, it does depend on the kind of roads you're driving on,

and how you drive.

People here have tuned FWD to 220bhp+ and there have been no complaints of traction

issues - possibly due to traction control, etc. Also, I think getting an AWD hatch will be harder

than a FWD one, so you might not be able to get such a good deal on one.

So there are pros and cons for each...

Rob.

You're in Lancs, so if you want a blast out in a remapped 4x4 then drop me a PM and let me know where you are, happy to give a demo run....

Nice question, lix, and welcome to Briskoda. Can I suggest that you have a read of members' reviews of their cars in the Skoda Reviews section of our forums. That should give you a feel for how members view the different models. All versions of the Octavia range are nice cars, and each has its strong points - the 4X4 perhaps having more than its fair share! But as the very satisfied owner of a 2002 4X4 Estate, I would say that wouldn't I.....

Thanks for the help guys, I will check out other owners reviews.

Tavia4x4, a very kind offer which I may take you up on nearer the time :cheers:

No probs - just be warned, the last person I took out that was thinking about it.... had one within a week!

4x4 4x4 4x4 Its got to be a 4x4, OK I'm biased as I bought a 4x4, came from an Impreza STI so I def wanted the 4 wherel drive.

Re sourcing a car, I found a 4x4 hatch at a very reosnable price so they can be found. try ringing around various dealers, Skoda will give you a list of dealers. They all have access to the same central car list but some are more helpful than others.

I will PM you one person to talk to direct, if you dont get it e-mail me.

Also, let Ian take you out, that should convice you 4x4 is the way to go.

One thing to point out to your Girlfriend if it helps, the Hatch is a pig to reverse without parking sensors, the Estate is a lot easier (they can be post fitted for about

No probs - just be warned, the last person I took out that was thinking about it.... had one within a week!

I did!

Note read to bottom

Lix, it's a really hard call to make, I'd say have a good long look at the vRS, then look at the 4x4. Both will and do work well with large amount of power. Depending on what you are used to then the choice will be harder.

My previous car was a primera GT so the FWD RS was the obvious and so very so close choice. However for me this is the one difference, you can make a 4x4 into an RS, handling, wheels, brakes etc for alot less than putting the 4x4 haldex into a RS.

How much is the 4x4 worth? Where do you drive? Do you Drive hard on A roads or B Roads? Ifthe later I'd say the haldex intelligent "hand of dinkey" would be a better option. If former I'd go with RS, there are times I wish I had gone with the RS over the 4x4, but the other factor is I have the estate, the RS did not have an estate at the time. Your choice is far harder, or is it?

I've been comparing the 4x4 to the RS. Now comparing the 4x4 to the std 1.8T FWD, well I'd say if you were after a bit of Q car fun even with both as stock it has to be the 4x4, despite slighlty higher costs. It has to be the 4x4 for long term mods (if thinking) and general chuckability, but then I own one so I'd be biased...

lix, looks like you're after my car!

My considerations before buying were precisely yours - even up to my SO not liking estates!

And so I ended up with the 4x4 hatch. But I gather that this is quite a rarity to obtain in the UK, so you will have your work cut out for you.

Sorry, mine's LHD...

Edited to explain the meaning of SO to an anonymous Briskodian: it's politically correct US internet code for Significant Other - to include homosexual relationships when talking about the people who share the same bedroom.

I simply use it because my wife feels that "wife" is a term for a married women of a certain age group that she hasn't reached yet.

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

You're in Lancs, so if you want a blast out in a remapped 4x4 then drop me a PM and let me know where you are, happy to give a demo run....

Lix - if Tav offers you any confectionary or says he has a litter of newborn cute furry animals, then be very afraid

Seriously though - try finding a decent local dealer who'll let you have some test drives in the various models - the pros and cons for 4x4 vs FWD seem to be pretty balanced IMO; it's not like one could be considered "worse" than the other...

BTW - don't even ask about what colour you should pick - the thread will go on for weeks if you do!

Originally posted by Stimps in this post

or says he has a litter of newborn cute furry animals, then be very afraid

:eek:

Rob.

Colour? Who is in need of advice?? Have I missed a post somewhere???

Horners in Manchester have a green 2002 4x4 hatch in stock at this moment in time. 5,500 miles

Well, whilst everyone else is posting pictures of their pussies (oo-er) I'm going to do the same

Damnit! I can't because the pic is 340K in size! You'll have to wait... PS: Its a ginger tom for those with an imagination

Dont forget if rumours are true the new Octavia comes out next year so the current model should get even cheaper, worth mentioning when you are barganing with the dealer.

All skuds now carry 3 year/60000 mile transferable warranty so even a 12 month old bought privately has stacks of warranty left (until you start modding !!!!)

If you are tempted by the Horners one & are not doing a PX suggest you try at 10000 you never know your luck maybe drift up slightly but sounds like your not in a hurry so by next year they should be even cheaper unless the motor trade picks up

Originally posted by TaviaRS in this post

Horners in Manchester have a green 2002 4x4 hatch in stock at this moment in time. 5,500 miles

Yes, I'd spotted the green one, unfortunately not in a position to buy currently...

As for driving conditions, I'd say a 50/50 split of motorway and A/B road driving but I suspect if I plump for the 4x4 then I'll start taking "the back roads" wherever possible!!

Thanx for all the replies btw

Originally posted by devonutopia in this post

Well, whilst everyone else is posting pictures of their pussies (oo-er) I'm going to do the same

Damnit! I can't because the pic is 340K in size! You'll have to wait... PS: Its a ginger tom for those with an imagination

My Girlfriend's Pussy has its own website

umm, getting back on topic.....

Spent saturday with a few impreza friends, did 170 miles of all sorts, twisties, long flowing, all great.....

Bearing mind the impreza's were up to around 260bhp, and they were being very well \ hard driven, my 222bhp octy was right on the pace, just cannot believe how well it drives considering it's not designed to be a "sporty" model.

Come to a decision tho...

(zips flame suit on) for fast road driving, the suspension on the 4x4 does not need any work at all, you just need to spend some time learning what it does, and using it to your advantage.

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

Come to a decision tho...

(zips flame suit on) for fast road driving, the suspension on the 4x4 does not need any work at all, you just need to spend some time learning what it does, and using it to your advantage.

After 2.5 months and 7000m (!) since I bought mine used, I'm still impressed with the 4x4's ride - even after the Impreza. I have to be honest and agree that its a good compromise.

Here's my comparison

-------- Motorway -------- Rough A / B road -------- Smooth/twisty---

Octavia 9/10 ------------------ 9/10 ----------------------- 7/10 ---------

Impreza 7/10 ------------------ 9/10 ----------------------- 9/10 ---------

If and when I have the money I (like several owners) would try to find a way to lower the centre of gravity and reduce the twisty-road roll WITHOUT wrecking the ride. The softer ride seems to suit it ?

While checking my tyres at the local Shell garage today an Audi S3

pulled up next to my car.First thing i noticed were the MASSIVE Porsche brakes, so obviously i had to ask if they were worth the money. After a 5 min chat he told me the S3 had been to AMD and was running 280 bhp, then to my amazement he offered me a 'spin round the block'.

So i left my wife and RS at the gas station and was well err......

F***IN BLOWN AWAY.

No wheelspin just thrown back into the recaro and off.

1st and 2nd flat out , no loss of traction no torque steer just serious speed in seconds. Fast F***IN FAST.

And then from 60mph{on Fulham rd:D } to 0. Savage.

The grip/acceleration around corners was just unbelievable.

I cant believe im going to say this BUT :1: ,

IMHO if you want a quick car BUT your NOT going to mess about with it to much i would go for the RS.

But if your gonna get involved and start modifiying it eg, Brakes ,Turbo conversions /Suspention etc then i would{gulp} get the 4x4.

NOW WHO'S GONNA SHOOT ME FIRST:D

Steve

{The misses said if i even think about sellin the RS for a 4x4 she'll leave me . Mmm...........

To reiterate what I said earlier, I have the 4x4 because I know I am a lousy driver but still want my kicks, especially in cornering, considering the 75 mph speed limit in Holland.

A Dutch racing driver recently said of the 4WD Audi RS4: "It's a boring car. Every farmer boy will know how to drive bloody fast in it."

Which, as a car helping the driver to perform, regardless of ability, makes the RS4 a better car than the one he was comparing it to: the M3.

Said racing driver much preferred the Beemer, but then he knew how to handle it. That's his idea of fun. If I were to have his idea of fun it would probably result in lots of 180-degree spins...

Another way of having fun is using a skinny-shod, underpowered and bad handling FWD - and thrash the lights out of it. But it wouldn't last too long...

So for me, as an average driver who still wants to enjoy a fair bit of speed on public roads, and reasonably safely at that, 4WD is the thing to have.

If I'd been blessed with racing-driver talents, I'd probably go for RWD. Now, would I pick a huge supercar or a nimble supercharged Lotus? Hmmm...

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

Another way of having fun is using a skinny-shod, underpowered and bad handling FWD - and thrash the lights out of it. But it wouldn't last too long...

Oooh, I dunno, these VAG engines seem pretty robust...

Rob.

Maybe I should complete that sentence with "... before you had to head back to the dealer's for replacement brakes, clutch, tyres, etc."

I remember a "test" in a Dutch car magazine which had the sole purpose of finding out how long an 80s Toyota Corolla saved from the caryard would last before it would terminally break. The car hooligans found that the only way to meet the deadline for their story was to get the Toyoter on the motorway and redline the engine interminably. And yes, thank God, after 50kms it started to smoke...

And what's that, Rob? Would you say that your car handles badly?

I'd actually disagree with that - the wallow is nothing compared to what I've experienced in cars of equal standard. The Dutch-born Carisma is one - that's an acute seasickness inducer!

Nice to see the debate ongoing. I have to say, I'm heavily leaning towards the 4x4 at this point.

A good friend has just taken delivery of an S3 so I may have to get him to take me out. "Only" 225bhp at the moment though!

Mmm, Porsche brakes on an rebadged Octavia. Now that would confuse people hehehe