Folks,

I'm looking to change my current motor (2005 Mondeo 1.8LX) for an Octavia. Maybe. So, I'd really appreciate it if you could answer a few queries.

I don't want a diesel, as I do low miles. My local Skoda dealer has a pair of Octavia 1.6FSI Ambiente, one 2006 with 64500 miles for £4495, and the other is a 2007 1.6FSI Ambiente with 55000 miles for £5495. Both a dark blue metallic.

Is it going to be worth the extra £1k for the newer car, assuming they're both similar condition?

Is the FSI cam belt or chain?

Does the FSI go OK? Book performance looks almost identical to my Mondeo (10.8 0-60), but 5mpg better (42mpg on the FSI compared to 37mpg on the Mondeo).

Is 42mpg likely on the Octavia? I get pretty much the book MPG on the Mondeo, mix of town and motorway miles.

Anything I should watch for on a petrol Octavia? I've driven plenty of diesel Octavias of this era, bu never a petrol.

Thanks.

Hi, I owned a 1.6 Fsi for a few years. It was a 2006 reg Elegance Estate. I used it mainly on dual carriageways and a small amount of town miles. I could get normally 46mpg from it. Traded it in for a brand new Insignia diesel which couldn't match the economy of it! Mine had the optional heated learher seats which were very nice. With regards the belt or chain I'm afraid I can't answer. Just used to put mine in to the dealer when it was due and picked it up when it was done. All I had go wrong with it in the 3 years I owned it was the Stream stereo packed up which, got replaced and upgraded under warranty.

Chain I seem to remember which I think has the much longer mileage betwen changes.

Had MPIs and FSI 1.6s and think they did low 40s MPG in non town mixed driving.

Good engine/car and very similar to Mondeo except top gear is less of an overdrive as in the Ford which makes the Ford a better motorway car and the Octy better on A and B roads.

I am now addicted to torbocharged and supercharged Skoda petrols so would find it odd, also the double clutch gearboxes and ESP but fondly remember those models and there is little to go wrong with them which is more of a worry if one goes for a out of warranty turbo car.

Edited 28 April, 201214 yr by lol

Had one as a courtesy car whilst mine was being serviced and i hated it.I thought it was hugely underpowered for an Octavia.Hope it doesn,t put you off but thats what i thought as i,m used to PD power.

One gets use to driving with a turbocharger.

Have started to get use to driving with a Supercharger and a Turbocharger and now the Turbocharger only car feels flat.

If one is use to driving naturally aspirated cars then going from one to another is not an experience one has to adapt to too much.

Sure it will be fine and you do not have the worry about turbo going pop or stop playing as the variable blades did on my Audi PD engine.

Edited 28 April, 201214 yr by lol

Cargiant have a 2009 1.6 Fsi for five and a half grand, looks mint with very desirable Pegasus alloys too!

I drove the 1.6 fsi and it is a very sluggish car... if you can get a petrol the 1.8 Tsi is amazing , the 1.4 Tsi is great too

The 1.8 and 1.4 tsi engines have a chain cam which is maintenance free, no cambelt to worry about ever!

if you can get a petrol the 1.8 Tsi is amazing , the 1.4 Tsi is great too

The 1.8 and 1.4 tsi engines have a chain cam which is maintenance free, no cambelt to worry about ever!

+1

1.8TSI would be good, but out of my limited budget. I'm saving to renovate a house. :( And getting married sometime soon.

Speed isn't a massive issue, as I'm used to the Mondeo which seems on book to be similar performance, and our other car is a 1.4 Hyundai i30 (108hp and 1350kg, so about the same as the Octavia). I'm rarely in a hurry, so as long as it goes up hills without dying, and can do 60 on A roads and 80 at a push on the motorway, I'm happy. I've been there, done that with the fast cars, now I want slow and reliable.

Cargiant have a 2009 1.6 Fsi for five and a half grand, looks mint with very desirable Pegasus alloys too!

I drove the 1.6 fsi and it is a very sluggish car... if you can get a petrol the 1.8 Tsi is amazing , the 1.4 Tsi is great too

The 1.8 and 1.4 tsi engines have a chain cam which is maintenance free, no cambelt to worry about ever!

We must learn our place, petrols are good diesels are better despite what all the manufacturers and press says.

1.2/1.4 TSI good, 1.6 diesel better (yeah right)

1.8 TSI gooder, 2 litre diesel best (say it enough times and you believe it).

Any road up, for a out of warranty car yes the natually aspirated petrol fiesta, fabia, octy,focus, mondeo cheap motoring and less worries about expensive repairs.

Edited 29 April, 201214 yr by lol

1.8TSI would be good, but out of my limited budget. I'm saving to renovate a house. :( And getting married sometime soon.

Speed isn't a massive issue, as I'm used to the Mondeo which seems on book to be similar performance, and our other car is a 1.4 Hyundai i30 (108hp and 1350kg, so about the same as the Octavia). I'm rarely in a hurry, so as long as it goes up hills without dying, and can do 60 on A roads and 80 at a push on the motorway, I'm happy. I've been there, done that with the fast cars, now I want slow and reliable.

Good points

Well you should go for the newest car you can.... the 1.6 FSI is not a "fashionable" (nor are any of the petrols) should be plenty very cheap, so you can get a really mint one for less.....get to car giant... great place and can still offer warranties and none of the usual dealer waffle.

1.6FSI = Chain mate