Hi all, Just after a few bits of advice around buying a Mk1 Octavia VRS.

As topic heads Whats the real world cost? Been to look at a 54 plate with 65k miles, good condition, full service history at skoda or VAG specialist.

There seems to be some really cheap examples out there, granted abit higher on the mileage than i want but there seems such a difference in price between average miles and slightly higher.

Also most seem to be above Parkers guide? I know this is only a guide but other cars ive looked at seem roughly right but the VRS's ive seen are quite abit higher than Parkers suggest.

Any help would be really appreciated as after test driving a VRS at the weekend and having "sensible" cars for the last few years the want for a VRS is strong! But at the same time i dont want to secure a bad deal.

It's one of those cars where there are some really good ones out there, and some absolute dogs! Lots of very average cars too. So it all depends on what you want to pay

As they're getting cheaper and cheaper it's getting hard to find ones that have been well looked after. This tasteful machine for example

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCODA-OCTAVIA-1-8-VRS-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/260969261287?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cc2fae8e7

I think at the moment I'd pay around 3 grand for one with low mileage (under 80k as these are now 7 year old plus cars), or between 2 and 2.5 for one with high miles that's been well looked after. Something like Lloyds car which only has 14k and has been well looked after I would pay around £4k for. The ones you'll find for sale on here may be a bit dearer than on Autotrader or (shudder to say it) ebay but at least you'll know the car has been fairly well looked after by an enthusiast.

Anything sub-2k you are taking a bit of a risk on IMO. Saying that I have a local member who bought his for £1800 two years ago from the 2nd owner, it was only so cheap because one of the doors was dented and needed replacing, mechanically it was sound and had only done 100k.

If I was Lloyd selling his car I'd be putting it up for a price starting with a 5!

Take a look at dealers, you'll still see late plate, low mileage cars for over five-grand, so the market is still there. This is what I mean about the large price band they're in!

The Skoda dealer prices are ludicrously high. They gave me a grand off of mine (£5999 down to £4999 in 2008, 52 plate with 85k miles) without me even really haggling.

I paid 3725 for a 2 owner 55 plate on 65k miles which i thought was reasonable and that was from a garage

Got mine nearly 3 years ago now, was up at £3200 but after 2 weeks got it for £2600, fsh and 106k on the clock. If you can afford to wait put an offer in and walk away after giving them your number when they refuse lol

Thanks for the response guys.

There does seem to be a massive difference between prices.

Im not interested in a high miler at the moment, im sure that the car will be happy to go on and on but i will be looking to keep the car for a few years so would feel much better with a lower mileage one.

I think the car in question is at the higher end of the values, it is good condition and does seem to have been looked after. I think the deal on offer isnt the best so as said above lay out the deal how i see it and see what happens.

I was wishing to get one for the 3K mark but its been looking like it will push towards 3.5k for anything sub 80k.

Annoyingly all examples bar one are 50 miles plus away.

I've never had an issue driving for the right car - my current vRS was 80 miles away

Same here must of done over 600miles looking for the right one and in the end was the first Vrs I went to see and that was in Manchester lol

I Looked at about 10 VRS's before I found the one I have now. So did hundreds of miles to view each weekend over many months. Paid 3.5k for mine and it's excellent. Full dealer history enthusiast owned completely standard when I got it and with sunroof,rear parking sensors and cruise.

Ive not really got a problem in driving for the right car but, looking on autotrader they are all similar prices at various locations so nothing that stands out as a better deal as therefore worth the travel. Ive driven hundreds of miles in the past to buy and sell cars. Its just annoying that i cant just pop down the road 20 miles to have a look at another one for a comparision etc.

Gonna go and view the car again this afternoon ad so i will lay my offer on the table in a friendly way and explain why and then just say give me a ring if its of interest to you going forward.

Thanks for all the comments. It is still a fantastic car for the money even at the higher upto 4k values! The problem is i want one bad now I havnt had a decent car for about 4yrs now and its starting to get to me!

Mines going up for sale soon going to advertise it for £2600 its a 2003 on 87k.

I paid 3200 for a tidy 51 plate with 63k on clock just over 2 years ago. It had full history all but its last service was dealer.

I looked at a few higher milage ones but they were all rough and had no history which with these i think is important been a turbo'd lump

To be honest what other saloon could you buy for the money that can do / has

Half leather

Air con

Full electrics

0-60 of less than 8s

Top speed exceeding 140mph

Vag quality

And relatively new

The answer i came up with is nothing!

You can buy an octy vrs for 1500-2000 which is a hell of a lot of car for the money! Its ford fiesta prices

got mine for £13625........................... had 18 miles on the clock

New in 2005 lol with a few tasty bits on.

Personally I would pay around 3k for one with reasonable miles and FSH which is a must! miles is not really a big issue so long as they have been really well maintained.

try get it scanned before you buy too and have a good drive in it. there is a sticky of what to look for.

They are a lot of car for not a lot of money,even new they were cheap.

Billy

welcome to the club

i got mine for 2600, on friday its done 77k miles, fsh, and a recent remap