Hi everyone.

I've just accepted a job that will allow me to pick any car from the Skoda range as a company car. I live in East London and will be commuting to Milton Keynes every day - this is a 120 mile round trip.

I was initially looking at Yetis as something about them appeals to me, but I have always had a soft sport for a sporty Octavia. I'd obviously want a diesel as I'm going to be doing the equivalent of 36000 miles a year, but it looks like the 170ps cr engine gets around 50-55mpg on a motorway cruise in the Octavia as opposed to 43-45mpg in the brick-like Yeti.

I get to put my car choices in on Monday. I'm thinking of putting the Octavia VRS cr at the top of the list… and I want to know if you think that's wise?

What sort of mpg do you folks tend to get on long motorway treks? I'm going to nip into a dealer at the weekend to see if I'm comfortable in one, but do you know of any 6'3" tall people who have had comfort issues in them?

It's going to be my first car (living in London means I've never needed one until now), so I'm going to have to remember how to drive, but I'm hoping 3 years of riding ridiculous motorbikes will mean I'm not going to be a complete liability!

Thanks for your help - now convince me it's a good idea!

(Also, it's worth pointing out that I get to change the car every 8000 miles or 6 months, so long-term reliability shouldn't be an issue.)

Simple get a vrs u will love it

Given that you have the luxury of changing it every 6 month or so - you could go through the range!!

For fun go for the VRS Diesel (which is what i have and love it!) or for luxury go for the Superb Diesel Elegance - win win!

Regards

For fun go for the VRS Diesel (which is what i have and love it!) or for luxury go for the Superb Diesel Elegance - win win!

Regards

both diesel = no fun

Superb 3.6 V6 would be my choice

Hmmm...Milton Keynes, any car from the Skoda range...isn't VAG Head Office in MK?!

I'd go for a vRS estate myself, which one would depend on whether I was paying for the fuel (diesel) or they were (petrol)!

Agreed V6 would be nice - but who pays the fuel bill... Ha ha!

The only thing I'm paying for is the fuel (and a modicum of CC tax) - and doing 120 miles a day in a Superb V6 won't enamour me to my bank manager! Thanks for the advice though, it sounds like I don't have anything to worry about. I just hope they can get me one in a decent colour

Good guess at the workplace too

Edited 29 March, 201214 yr by TimmyWimmyWoo

Get DSG as well, if you are doing a lot of mileage per day it will make it much nicer, also with the DSG you get maxidot and multifunction steering wheel as standard, on a manual the maxidot is an option and the MFSW is not available, also in a DSG you can get the bluetooth pack as well, so personally it offers better options, but if you like a manual then go for it, either way whatever you choose will be great! :-)

Congrats on teh job by the way.

I'm 6' 3'' and have my seat quite far back but this has never been an issue for rear seat passengers. Plenty of room

I'm going to nip into a dealer at the weekend to see if I'm comfortable in one, but do you know of any 6'3" tall people who have had comfort issues in them?

I'm 6'5" and find the Octavia probably the best car I've driven in terms of headroom and legroom. Its the only car I've ever owned where I don't need the drivers seat all the way back, in fact if I do put it all the way back my legs are too short to reach the pedals properly!

A new car every 13 weeks! My idea of Heaven.

I'm 6'2" and there's loads of room, my only slight complaint is resting my right elbow on the window frame is a bit high, but the handle ledge bit is too low

Trip computer reads about 5% high but I've averaged 47mpg over the last year on a mix of driving, 50+ is easily doable if the majority of your driving is on motorways and you stick around the speed limit. I can get it to over 60 on my commute if I do 10mph under the limit.

50 mpg my be possible driving very carefully with air con off but don't expect fantastic economy from the car. Over a year of solid motorway driving and measured brim to brim managed less than 45mpg at a steady cruise (75 mph).

If you are getting used to a car again a vrs might be good to start with, however for that mileage I would go with a larger car. I was in a similar situation as you and I chopped my vrs in for a car a size bigger for more comfort and refinement so the superb should not be dismissed.

Also, it's worth pointing out that I get to change the car every 8000 miles or 6 months.

Good guess at the workplace too

So when I bought my Octavia Scout at 10 months old and with exactly 8,000 miles on and the first owner listed as Skoda UK in Milton Keynes the dealer was right when they told me it was a Skoda management car

With delivery lead times of roughly 6 months diesel or 4 months petrol, you'll have to decide on your next one as soon as you pick up this one! Or does VW HQ employment mean waiting times only apply to the public, e.g. the ones paying??

I have a octavia 2.0tdi 140, great fun to drive as a company car, but i must confess a vrs dsg tdi will be next.

I'm getting about 51mpg, and that's without motorway driving. Very comfy car. I love mine, best car I have ever owned.

So when I bought my Octavia Scout at 10 months old and with exactly 8,000 miles on and the first owner listed as Skoda UK in Milton Keynes the dealer was right when they told me it was a Skoda management car

Snap, SUK was the first owner of my 08 Scout as well, had it for 6 months.

Edited 29 March, 201214 yr by Anddenton

I have a Octavia Vrs Diesel and do about half the distance on my commute to work, i think its great but if i had a choice of any Skoda again i might get the superb 4x4 with the same 170 HP CR Engine :think:

edit, just noticed the bit about skoda above, mine was also a skoda staff car before i bought it

Edited 29 March, 201214 yr by Dallan

I'm 6'2" and there's loads of room, my only slight complaint is resting my right elbow on the window frame is a bit high, but the handle ledge bit is too low

Trip computer reads about 5% high but I've averaged 47mpg over the last year on a mix of driving, 50+ is easily doable if the majority of your driving is on motorways and you stick around the speed limit. I can get it to over 60 on my commute if I do 10mph under the limit.

I find my trip spot on to be fair....

50 mpg my be possible driving very carefully with air con off but don't expect fantastic economy from the car. Over a year of solid motorway driving and measured brim to brim managed less than 45mpg at a steady cruise (75 mph).

If you are getting used to a car again a vrs might be good to start with, however for that mileage I would go with a larger car. I was in a similar situation as you and I chopped my vrs in for a car a size bigger for more comfort and refinement so the superb should not be dismissed.

50mpg is easily acheivable.......My journey home today with the aircon on full on Lo:

a 60mile trip to MK, not dogging it (ie less than 80mph) will easily see 50mpg every journey.

a 60mile trip to MK, not dogging it (ie less than 80mph) will easily see 50mpg every journey.

I'm not sure I'll be allowed to go dogging in the company car…

Thanks for the help everyone!

I'm not sure I'll be allowed to go dogging in the company car…

Thanks for the help everyone!

Some people just have dirty minds.....

I bought the VRS CR 170DSG, it's remapped by Shark Performance to approx 205BHP and 450lbs/ft torque.....it IS great fun to drive, it was my first auto and first diesel after years of swearing I would have neither in preference to a performance petrol.....would I go back to a manual petrol now....not a chance, someone advised you to go for the DSG, I would strongly advise it for your job, 36K miles is a lot of clutch pushing and it gets tiresome, my choice of car has made my job so much easier, I would also highly recommend adding the factory fit telephone system as it sounds like your car is your office ( like mine for 30K PA) I regularly see 50+ with mixed driving and have even seen 60MPG on a motorway run from Stockport to Hull!! albeit sat at 50mph through 25miles of roadworks!

Thanks for the advice! I'll see what's available, but my reasons for wanting a manual gearbox is just to get back into the swing of driving and remembering how to do it all. Possibly a bit masochistic, but hey!