Having ordered an Octy 2, I was wondering which other cars people considered before choosing the Octavia? As mine will be a company car adhering to the draconian policy of 4 seats, 4 doors, and a diesel engine and be less the

As much as I look back with horror now, #2 choice if the furby fell through was a Toyota Yaris. Although, back in 2001 it was an award winning car and I'd have probably been happy with it.

I had four cars on my shortlist:

1. Another Superb. I've really enjoyed my 130 TDI, but fancied an auto. Tried a 2.5 TDI Elegance auto but, although the leather seats were fantastic, it was too slow and thirsty and I was concerned about the depreciation.

2. Jaguar X-Type Diesel. Never really liked the X-Type but a friend at work bought a 2.5 auto and I was very impressed. However, it's too small, too expensive, and I wonder if the running costs would have been high. Didn't bother test driving it in the end.

3. Toyota Avensis. My wife has a Yaris and loves it to bits, Toyota customer service is excellent, and you know you're buying reliability. Sadly I've had a couple of bad experience of Skoda customer service lately so I wasn't sure I wanted another Skoda (my current one is my third). However, one look at the interior of the Avensis - YUK (sorry Avensis drivers - just not my thing). So I didn't bother to drive that either.

Then the Superb had to go in for some minor warranty work, and they lent me an Octy II. 2.0 TDI Ambiente. I loved it. Classy, quiet, excellent ride and handling, fast and even more economical than the Superb. Tried the 1.9 with a DSG box but knew I'd always have wanted the extra power, so I've ordered the Octavia! 2.0TDI Elegance DSG. Skoda number 4!!!!

Thought about an audi A4, push the boat out and all that, but couldn't justify the splurge on it. Thought about waiting for the new passat also. While the Altea has advantages, I think it'll age fast, as will the new toledo. But they ARE different, and that's good?

before opting for the furby vrs i looked at a pug 307, punto HGT JTD and thought about a pug 206 gt hdi, a megane and an astra. All of course inferior to the furby. :-)

Wingnut,

I too recently had to select a new company car, however, my monthly budget was approx

Impreza WRX STI ABC 123 wagon... too obvious

Passat PD130 estate... too sensible

Forester STI... too thirsty, small boot

Octavia RS... No estate (in 2002) and FWD

Before opting to change my Skoda Felicia for my first Octy, my wife and I looked at a Volve v40, Vauxhall Zafira and a PT Cruiser. In the end the main reason we got the Octy was the Skoda dealer was the only dealer interested in taking the Felicia as a trade in. My experience is that once you go down the Skoda route is you are trapped unless you are willing to just drive the Skoda into the ground while you save up the deposit for the next car.

tried a few.......

honda civic 2.0l type S,

mazda 3 sport,

megane,

corolla T - sport,

of the above, only the corolla gave the 'shove in the back' that i was looking for in a car with 5 doors and a boot - very impressive at about 6k revs!

this decided it for me, more fun to be had in 'normal' driving with the fabia vrs at lower revs.

only down side of the fabia compared with the rest is the bootspace. having said that, regular trips with swmbo and an eight month old along with all the paraphernalia that you'd expect have been no bother at all - i'm a happy camper.

I had a Seat Arosa 1.4TDI before my FAB and my brother in law works for Ford which means I get 25% discount on those. My short list was as follows

3. Seat Ibiza 1.2s petrol (NEW)

2. Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4TDCI (NEW)

1. Fabia 1.4TDI Comfort (4 months old)

The FAB cost me