Hello all,

I'm a new member here and I would like your opinion on a difficult matter: my next car in 2013.

Now, of course I do realize that 2013 is not exactly around the corner and that a lot of things can change from now til then, however, please read the following to understand my situation and give me the best advice possible:

I suffer from cerebral palsy (in other words, I'm a spastic) and as a result my car is an invalid car. Fortunately, the only "special" thing about it is that my driver's licence is limited to cars with (any) kind of auto.

Current car is a Suzuki Swift 2006 GLA 1.3 with automatic manual transmission. In Denmark, these cars for disabled drivers are granted by the municipalities in which the disabled driver lives. This has certain advantages to it: the municipality lends you a standard sum of money to buy with which you buy the car: They will only aprove "the cheapest and best suitable" (with emphasis on the former). I am, however, allowed to buy any car I want if I pay the remaining sum. The Suzuki has been (and still is) fine as a first car/student car, but I would like a bigger car next as the wife and I are hoping to raise a family soon.

There's a lot of positives about accepting the car as a grant: municipality will pay insurance and I don't have to pay any MVT. That's all good, however, there's a catch: if I accept the car as a grant, I have to keep that car for 6 years before I'm allowed to change to another one.

This means that while everybody worries about petrol/diesel cost constantly going up, I have to try and make an (impossible) estimate as to what the costs will be in 2019.

When I get a job, I expect to do an anual milage of approximately 9,000.

I think the Octy seems to be a great family car "package": good space, nice auto (DSG) and so on.

The thing is: I'm worried about the reliability og VAG parts (DSG in particular). I used to believe that VAG (VW) was top of the range quality, however, over the past 2 years, I'm now under the impression that VW quality is nothing special. Not bad but not good either and comes at a premium cost.

I'm married to a Japanese, so naturally she advices me to with a Toyota. I do believe Toyotas are of top notch quality, however, they also come at a premium and, with the exception of the Prius, they are not are fuel efficient (not bad but not exceptional either: an Avensis with CVT and 1.8 petrol does 34,5 mpg combined).

I'm after bang for the buck which I think Skoda delivers, however, I'm worried about the reliability and as it will be an invalid car, reliability is VERY important as it is the only way I can transport myself around.

To be fair to VW (and Skoda) my dad has a VW Touran 1.9 PD with DSG (62,000 miles and no dsg problems) and he's very happy with it. My parents have 2 VWs and are thinking about the Tiguan as their next (so as you can teel, they like VW).

So, I guess what I'm really asking is: what would you do in 2013? Reliability is very important but because of fluctuating fuel costs I want good MPG and a good auto too. It will also be a family car so it must be able to take kids in the back and at least one pram.

From what I understand, a new Octy will be about 12/13. I expect better MPG, better engine but then again: the clever people say the best car to buy is the last facelifted model in the old model lineup as all the "teething troubles" (sorry, couldn't find a better translation) will have gone.

What would you do?

welcome to briskoda

Welcome along buddy, love your 'spastic' comment, great ice breaker. As to what car to buy................an Octavia vRS! What else?

Thank you.

I see no reason to beat around the bush. "Normal" people would die of shame if they knew what jargon is often used when handicapped people speak to each other. Like asking a guy a guy suffering from serious muscle degeneration: "Could you pass the salt, please" lol.

Forgot to mention: I don't break speed limits. I just want the car to be able to pull along nicely with holiday-loaded boot incl. pram, wife, me and my parents from time to time. So a VRS is not an option. 200 NM is fine for me. I prefer MPG but also want a decent poer/weight ratio.

I have been looking at subaru too. Love the idea of AWD but they use to much fuel, are **** expensive in DK and AWD is not really a "need" thing but more like "nice to have in winter".

Please don't misunderstand this post as a skoda bashing. I thought for years people claimed thst the most reliable cars were Japanese ones and after all, a turbo is another thing that can go wrong.

Anyone got high milage DSG experience? And what do you think we can expect from the Octy III MPG-wise?

Hello Nicolai,

very good to meet you.

I suppose there is no need to beat about the bush. I like the way that you have introduced yourself, you are brave.

As for myself, I used to have a very bad speech impediment, which of course can't be noticed in text! Sometimes if I use the phone, it can be entertaining!!

The important thing is that you enjoy cars. Because it needs to be automatic is no problem. I suppose you should think about diesel. I have an Octavia MPI estate which would not meet your needs. I bought it pure on the special deal on offer.

Frank.

Hi Nicolai, as a fellow spastic my tdi vRS DSG is superb and, to further help answer your question I have just come from 7 years of Subaru ownership (1 Impreza and 2 Foresters).

Subaru are superb cars, reliable, quick and handy when the weather deteriorates but not as good as a proper 4x4 however they are hellishly costly on fuel, the best I got from my Forester Turbo was 23mpg and the worst 15, servicing is costly too and here at least road fund licence is astronomical.

My vRS is returning an overall average of 46.5 mpg and that's with only 4200 miles on the clock so it will get better, the best I have had is 63mpg on a 100 mile trip recently and the worst 39mpg on a 7 mile trip to work one morning in Feb - cold start, everything switched on, hardly any miles on the clock etc.

All I can say, from my limited experience of the Skoda brand, is that if you choose the marque I'm certain that you won't be disappointed.

Thanks all.

In DK, diesel is cheaper than petrol, however, due to the low milage and DPF problems, I'm afraid to purchase a diesel.

As a family car, I take it the combi is the most practical? I've heard people complain about combi road noise no pressent in the hatch though.

Anyone care to guess at Octy III MPG figures?

DSG is awesome. As for reliability, I'm sure there is a chap on the forum somewhere with a taxi with nearly 300k on it with no problems.

Good luck with your choice

Let's pretend nothing happens in the engine range from now to 2013: The MPG of the 1.8 TSI is almost the same (DSG) as the 1.4, but I worry about putting the maximum amount of tourque (250 NM) on the DSG as 250 is its exact limit.

Does anyone have a 1.4 TSI combi as a family car (babies, pram(s), filled up for holidays that thery are happy with and don't feel lack power and punch?

I'd suspect that with your mileage a diesel wouldn't be the best option. Modern diesels don't seem to like low mileages or short trips at all.

I don't know if you have any difficulty getting in or out of a car or if the height of the car is an issue. My mum has quite severe arthritis in her knees and prefers a taller car.

The octy is a good car. I can only speak for my own car's reliability and I've had it from new for 4 years and I've not had to change so much as a light bulb yet.

1.8TSI is a car that gets a lot of praise for being reasonably powerful and economical.

Octy boot is nice and big for prams etc. The back of the car is big enough to make fitting baby seats easier than a small car.

Edited 25 July, 201114 yr by Aspman

Let's pretend nothing happens in the engine range from now to 2013: The MPG of the 1.8 TSI is almost the same (DSG) as the 1.4, but I worry about putting the maximum amount of tourque (250 NM) on the DSG as 250 is its exact limit.

Does anyone have a 1.4 TSI combi as a family car (babies, pram(s), filled up for holidays that thery are happy with and don't feel lack power and punch?

Plenty of power in mine.... though I've got 180 horses in the stable

Plenty of power in mine.... though I've got 180 horses in the stable

And a lighter car (I take it)

Anyway, I just want a decent family carrier.With enough power and punch to pull decently with full boot and family.

I'm sure the 1.4TSI in the Octavia Combi will be fine for your needs

I have a 1.4TSI hatch and it has plenty of power for everyday driving. I have taken it away on hols with my wife, young son, dog and all the junk that goes with that and its been fine. It does struggle a little if it is really heavily loaded, but not that it causes any issues. I have the manual but regularly get 38-40mpg on my short daily commute (mixture of single and dual carriageway roads), and have had upto 48mpg on a long motorway run. As for the boot space, we have a Scout as well, and we easily fit everything in that we need, and that's with half the boot taken up by a dog!

Nicolai - You say you are doing only 9000 a year is that KM or Miles ? & just seen that Leadfree 95 DKK 9.76 & Light diesel DKK 8.73 pence per liter.

Generally in the UK, when deciding on a car most recommendations are that if you are doing less than 12000 Miles a year a petrol is better to buy because of the fuel & car purchase price difference, in south east of England it averages £1.38 Leadfree & £1.40 Diesel.

I am sure with a look at the brochures for the k/m per liter for the Octavia 1.4TSi & the Octavia 1.9Tdi either 100bhp or Greenline, you could work out your fuel costs for the 9000 mi / Km make a sensible choice.

Dont write off the Octavia 1.4 TSI, I had one for half a day & was quite impressed with how it will get away out of a junction quite quickly if it needs to.

As much as Toyotas reputation for reliability is well known, they have taken a bit of a dent recently, with 3 major recalls in the last 12 - 18 months.

I think with a little patience & research, you will be able to make a good choice

I'm a nice guy, so I converted my (estimated) annual Ks into miles for you guys

Groundhog: could you define: "struggle a little if it is really heavily loaded"?

Means 0-62 is increased half a sec. or that overtaking other cars on the motorway is something of which you should think twice before doing?

I would say its more that you have to maybe change down a gear to overtake or to drive up steep hills to maintain the speed. The nice thing is that 4th and 5th gears have so much pull for a relatively small engine that it actually doesn't make much difference. I wouldn't say having the car heavily loaded makes it any worse to drive, just its not quite as potent as it usually is with just me in the car.

I would say if you are regularly travelling around with a full car load then perhaps look at a larger engine. If most of the time you are commuting to work on your own, or just using it as a normal family car without all the luggage then the 1.4TSI is fine.

As a family car, I take it the combi is the most practical? I've heard people complain about combi road noise no pressent in the hatch though.

The hatch has the same size boot floor as the estate/combi but the estate has the extra space above the parcel shelf / load cover.

We have an estate and it is plenty big enough for me, my wife, our 9 month old daughter and all her associated paraphernalia for a weeks holiday away (just )!

Nicolai, welcome to Briskoda, of course 2013 is a while away but you can get a good idea of what you want in the meantime.

You are concerned about turbos, don't be they should last the life of the car if treated properly, besides it is getting incrasingly difficult to find a new car now without a turbo as manufacturers fit them if only to help emissions. Don't worry about the torque limit on the DSG box, VW like all other manufacturers will go on the side of caution when it comes to recommended input figures of their equipment. Rmemeber they have a reputation for reliability to uphold and making sure components work well within their capabilities is the easiest way of doing so. Besides by your own admission you won't be using the full torque all the time so there will be no concern.

In view of your mileage I would say the petrol is the better option if fuel costs about the same per litre as the petrol will be cheaper to buy initially. I would test drive one but I would have thought, from reading what I have of you so far, that a 1.4 would be adequate for your needs and give enough performance, remember the 1.4 now gives around 122 PS in the Octavia, which is what a good 1.6 or 1.8 would have given a few years back.

You are doing the right thing by giving yourself plenty of time to find out all these things and not be rushed into a decision. I'm sure that there will always be people on here ready to give their opinion and advice to you if you ask.

Ian

There may also be the Octavia III out by 2013/2014 which would give a whole new choice.

Yes, I know. If we imagine there will be: should one get the tried and tested 2009 vers. or take a chance and live with potential recalls?

From the sheet, it seems the combi's boot floor is lower. That's a plus for me as I can't lift heavy things very well. What are the opinions on road noise in combi vs. Hatch. If the current engine line up is used in the 2012 vers. I may be tempted to go with 1.8 TSI but it's a **** load of extra compared to a 1.4 I think. Than again, if keeping the cars for 7 years, perhaps the extra for the 1.8 is well spent?

IHow do you guys feel about the 4 star NCAP rating? Worried driving it?

Not all cars can have 5* rating, ( i believe NCAP will make it 6 soon, if they already havent ), with the octy having such a long front & long rear, any impact there will take the energy out of the crash.

I would be more worried if it was a 1 or 2 rating. We dont go out to have crashes anyway, most times its difficult to get a high speed up in the UK with so many cars on the road.

The difference between a 4 and a 5 might be down to standard spec cars not having ESP and curtain airbags. I know you lose marks for such things.

Simon

Does anyone have experience regarding the noise level of the hatch vs. combi? I have heard that the combi is noisier due to the bigger load area?