I left UK to live in USA in 1992, when I left Skoda was a joke! I am returning to UK later this year and have been researching the internet for a car to buy when I get back - though I will need to order it before then so I don't have to hire a car for weeks/months waiting for delivery.

The new Octavia seems to be about right - big enough to feel safe, reliable and available with an auto disel engine. My current car is a 4.0 litre Buick which does about 20 miles per gallon - but gas (petrol) is less than

Welcome to Briskoda :wavey:

Diesel Noise - The only way to answer that is what diesel noise, I would recomend you goto a BMW dealer and ask if you can test drive a 320D or any diesel,( if they do them in the USA), that will give you an idea of how far noise levels have come down.

1.9 or 2.0 litre - it is a question of what you want, both will keep pace and exceed traffic, Obviously the 2 litre will get you past traffic quicker.

It would definately be worth looking in the Octavia forum area for what owners think of their OctyII.

Also try and contact a dealer in the area where you are going too and checkout the delivery time of the colour, model and spec you want.( they may have 1 in stock )

You've come to the right place for a completely unbiased view of Skodas

Steve

Diesel noise.....ummm a little it is slighty louder than a petrol but it wont upset your listeng to the radio or get in the way of coversation and in normal use you can hardly hear it if you floor the accelarator it does growl a little but boy does it go.......if you dont want anybody to go by you you wont have to top speed about 130mph .....overtaking NO problem and 50 to 60 mpg ...I am on my second Octavia and will change to the latest model after three years best cars I have EVER had (had loads of all the main makes Rover, Ford, Vauxhal and Peugeotand Skoda makes them look like amatuers) Oh and get the estate you wont regret it it's easier to park and there isn't much that wont fit in the back, I got a small chest freezer in mine ...with the back seats still in place:D

You cant make a better choice of value for money car at the moment

And welcome to briskoda

Agree with you mate, the diesel is a little noisy initially but once on the move it is very quiet and refined. The engine does growl under hard acceleration but it's not intrusive and the torque makes it a great motorway cruiser. The last car I had before getting the OctyII estate was an Octy vRS, which was quicker and more refined but the fuel costs and a growing family meant a lifestyle change was needed for me. It's horses for courses as they say and the 2.0 diesel is a great compromise between economy and performance, without sacrificing refinement. Yes I

I left UK to live in USA in 1992, when I left Skoda was a joke! I am returning to UK later this year and have been researching the internet for a car to buy when I get back - though I will need to order it before then so I don't have to hire a car for weeks/months waiting for delivery.

The new Octavia seems to be about right - big enough to feel safe, reliable and available with an auto disel engine. My current car is a 4.0 litre Buick which does about 20 miles per gallon - but gas (petrol) is less than

Also is there any difference between the 1.9 or the 2.0

I own a 1.9 TDI Elegance. While it has been in for repairs I have had a loan 2.0 TDI Ambient. I found the performance of the 2.0 awesome. That of the 1.9 is very good. A review that I read before buying said that the 2.0 had more power than you would ever need, I am inclined to agree but I am not looking for ultimate performance.

Noise levels similar for both engines. Road noise far more obtrusive than engine noise.

traffic and is able to overtake slower vehicles on regular highways.

Even the 1.9 has very good accelerataion once rolling thus overtaking on regualr roads is easy.

I am on my second Octavia, I highly recommend the car. The Mk2 holds the road as if it is on rails and the boys toys that come as standard on the Elegance are very useful.

Thanks guys - I have contacted a dealer in UK and understand I am likely to have to put in an order months before I get back. However, they did say they would lend me a car for a few weeks if my new car was not available when I got back - great service!

I will try to find a diesel BMW to test drive here but diesels in the USA are very few and far between - I don't know anyone who has one.

It looks like the 2.0L might be a better buy but has anyone driven both to give an opinion if one or the other is quieter/more refined in the cabin? I have read reports claiming that the 1.9 is 'quieter' than the 2.0L and reports saying the 2.0L is 'quieter' than the 1.9. Which may suggest they are about the same! - but I would welcome your opinions.

Thanks - great forum and help.

VAG diesels seem to be a bit noisier than some others , due to PD injection being less refined than common rail, My old Pug 307 was quieter (but slower and thirstier )my 2.0 sounds like a tractor at start up but once underway it is never a problem, actualy quite like the gruff growl reminds me of an 80's Gp4 Escort.

I left UK to live in USA in 1992, when I left Skoda was a joke! I am returning to UK later this year and have been researching the internet for a car to buy when I get back - though I will need to order it before then so I don't have to hire a car for weeks/months waiting for delivery.

The new Octavia seems to be about right - big enough to feel safe, reliable and available with an auto disel engine. My current car is a 4.0 litre Buick which does about 20 miles per gallon - but gas (petrol) is less than

I believe that the Jetta (Bora in the UK) and Passat are available in the US in diesel form. These may prove useful for comparison.

Glad to see you made your choice, NICE CHOICE

Hope you stay with the site and post your thoughts on the L&K compared to your current car.

Excellent choice Expatman! Sahara beige really suits the car, and the 2.0 + DSG combination works really well. I tried a 1.9 DSG and, although it was still good, it didn't quite have the punch of the 2.0. I hope you'll enjoy the car when you get it.

Excellent choice Expatman! Sahara beige really suits the car, and the 2.0 + DSG combination works really well. I tried a 1.9 DSG and, although it was still good, it didn't quite have the punch of the 2.0. I hope you'll enjoy the car when you get it.

Yes, I will post my impressions of the car when I get it. I agree that the 2.0 had more punch than the 1.9 - although the 1.9 was manual (can't get on with that after 12 years with automatics in USA!) and the 2.0 was DSG. Also the 2.0 seemed a bit quieter, but again that may be due to different gearboxes and gearing.