Just thought I'd post my thoughts after my first week with the new car.

Arrived last Wednesday - Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance, waved goodbye (shed a few tears) to 51 plate Octavia vRS. Company car, not private so this may explain my reason for going diesel.

First impressions - New car better looking inside and out. Build quality far superior.

PRO'S -

Car much easier to get comfortable in

Easier to drive than vRS

Quiter to drive than vRS - less road noise (obvious diesel rattle at low revs / start up etc.)

Suspension set up just right

6 speed gearbox excellent, smooth gearchanges

Radio - superb compared with previous model

Auto-dimming rear view mirror - everyone should get one of these, its brilliant

Cruise control

Boot even bigger!!

More rear space for passengers

Other drivers don't try racing now

CON'S -

Water still enters boot when lifting tailgate

Brakes good but don't bite instantly like on the vRS

Centre arm rest uncomfortable and gets in the way of the handbrake lever

Annoying unlocking (1 or 2 button presses) although I believe Fabia owners already have this

Stupid speedo - 0,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,100,120,140,160

FACTS

Miles when delivered 14

Miles now 670

First tank of diesel - approx. 490miles

Fuel computer average - 48.7 mpg

FAULTS

Front interior map reading light faulty - flickers on and off. Car booked in for warranty job.

Thats all I have to post at the moment but I will answer any further questions if required. Remember its only my personal opinion!!

The two press locking can be changed for the normal one press operation at least.

Had mine three weeks now, and the thing that annoys me but only slightly is the top of the centre arm rest that slides forward, lean on it to get comfy in seat and it slides forward :( Don't find it uncomfortable though and like how you can height adjust it and it stays in place, part way up anyway.

Would agree with the speedo nice to 70 mph, then gap 70 - 80 is the same as the gap from 80 - 100, who nicked 90 ?

Having said that I used my Road Angel II as the speedo more accurate. IIRC and I'll check tomorrow half way between the 80 - 100 was on GPS 85mph.

We're all going to Km on speed limit signs fro Jan 20 here in the Rep of Ire, so my Octy II has no miles - but I'm ok with it. It'll help to convert distances between our regular places from miles to km's

Just thought I'd post my thoughts after my first week with the new car.

Arrived last Wednesday - Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance' date=' waved goodbye (shed a few tears) to 51 plate Octavia vRS. Company car, not private so this may explain my reason for going diesel.

First impressions - New car better looking inside and out. Build quality far superior.

PRO'S -

Car much easier to get comfortable in

Easier to drive than vRS

Quiter to drive than vRS - less road noise (obvious diesel rattle at low revs / start up etc.)

Suspension set up just right

6 speed gearbox excellent, smooth gearchanges

Radio - superb compared with previous model

Auto-dimming rear view mirror - everyone should get one of these, its brilliant

Cruise control

Boot even bigger!!

More rear space for passengers

Other drivers don't try racing now

CON'S -

Water still enters boot when lifting tailgate

Brakes good but don't bite instantly like on the vRS

Centre arm rest uncomfortable and gets in the way of the handbrake lever

Annoying unlocking (1 or 2 button presses) although I believe Fabia owners already have this

Stupid speedo - 0,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,100,120,140,160

FACTS

Miles when delivered 14

Miles now 670

First tank of diesel - approx. 490miles

Fuel computer average - 48.7 mpg

FAULTS

Front interior map reading light faulty - flickers on and off. Car booked in for warranty job.

Thats all I have to post at the moment but I will answer any further questions if required. Remember its only my personal opinion!! [/quote']

I own a Octy vRS, and have had a 24hr test drive in the Octy 2 (1.9 TDi ambiente). I agree with some of your thoughts but not all. Here goes:

1. New car better looking: No the mk 1 Octy is better looking, especially in the vRS model, much cleaner, classier lines. I agree the inside of the ne car is better looking.

2. Agree easier to get comfi in. Mk 1 does not have great back support.

3. Easier to drive: Not so for the gutless 1.9 TDi.

4. Quieter to drive: again no, the 1.9 TDi is noisey compared with the 1.8T, also there is wind noise caused by the rear quater light windows (which I am told are to be modified).

5. Suspension better - agreed, much better.

6. Radio better, agreed (even with the lesser radio in the model I tested).

7. , 8. Ambiente didn't have these toys, but they sound good.

9. Boot is bigger on paper, but can't say I really noticed it.

10. Yes much more rear leg space.

11. They didn't but often don't with the vRS either/

12. Was dry when I tested it, and this has never happened with either Mk1 Octy I have or do own!

13. Disagree again, I found the Octy 2 brakes to be superior to even the vRS brakes never mind the 1.6LX.

14 Does not apply to the car I had.

15. Did not bother me.

16. I had no problem with the numbers on speedo, but was not sure about 3d effect when lights are on.

One thing you have not mentioned, the Octy 2 headlights are a 300% improvement on the Octy 1.

Have had my 19.TDI Elegance since 1 September , my views are

First impressions - New car better looking inside and out. Build quality far superior.

Agree fully

PRO'S -

Car much easier to get comfortable in

Agree fully

Easier to drive than vRS

Quiter to drive than vRS - less road noise (obvious diesel rattle at low revs / start up etc.)

Can't comment as I moved from a 1.9 TDI SLX

Suspension set up just right

Agreed

6 speed gearbox excellent, smooth gearchanges

Agreed as I have had a 6 speed as a loan car. 5 speed box is also excellent.

Radio - superb compared with previous model

Audio far superior, RF not quite as good. Original radio on mine was faulty and has been changed.

Auto-dimming rear view mirror - everyone should get one of these, its brilliant[/QOUTE] Agree 100%.

Cruise control

Useful especially in motorway roadworks.

Boot even bigger!!

More rear space for passengers

Yup

Other drivers don't try racing now

Again true

CON'S -

Water still enters boot when lifting tailgate

Have not suffered from this

Brakes good but don't bite instantly like on the vRS

Mine are fine but they have now done 5000 miles.

Centre arm rest uncomfortable and gets in the way of the handbrake lever

Less so than on the Mk1. I don't find it a problem

Annoying unlocking (1 or 2 button presses) although I believe Fabia owners already have this

Also on other cars in the VW family including my wife's Golf, and therefore was already quite used to it. I find it a security benfit as if I am on my own only the drivers door is unlocked.

Stupid speedo - 0,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,100,120,140,160

Have not even noticed it.

FAULTS

Hot head, cold feet syndrome. Now fixed

Airbag recall

Radio repalced

Offside wiper arm and blade replaced as the original arm was badly bent

On the power front I have had the loan of a 2.0 TDI and for my motoring it is too powerful. The 1.9 suits me fine and perfoms more than adequately.

Overall very happy with the car and would recommed it to prospective buyers.