I'm looking around for a replacement family car and ideally i'd like another Skoda. This time a mk2 diesel estate.

Ive seen 2 cars that I like the look of. I know which option my heart wants but my head says different.

So I thought it might be interesting for other people in a similar position to compare and it offers a distraction from work for any other comments. There lots of other cars out there but for the purpose of this thread i'm going to keep it simple and compare a Octy mk2 options.

The car will be the main family car so it has to be big enough to accomodate a family of 4 and the wife wants it to be a diesel. It has to be safe and relaible and IMO the mk2 Octy fits the bill.

All at around the 6K price bracket.

Option1:

mk2 Octavia 1.9 PD105 - 5 speed Manual - Diesel L & K Estate.

Option 2:

mk2 Octavia 2.0 PD170 - 6 Speed Manual - Diesel vRS Hatch.

Option 3:

mk2 Octavia 2.0 PD140 - Manual or DSG, Diesel or Hatch. (havent found one I like yet).

Obviously i'd prefer the vRS but seeing as the car will only be used for a short school run and a short commute to work that will consist of 4 x trips totaling about 10 miles a day round town is that the right option considering dpf issues etc.

My head says get the standard 1.9 tdi with few problems, good economy, no dpf but no power. Or do I go with the vRS

One other factor to consider - I will be keeping my mk2 modified TFSI to indulge my power habit

Personally I think you should buy a high-miles FL vRS Tsi estate...

Ha ha, I like it.

It has crossed my mind. In fact I almost put a deposit on a high mileage FL CR vRS but just didnt want to get in debt for a car I wont be driving and that will have to take some punishment from being a "kid transporter".

I'd say go for a PD140 and then re-map it, I've never regretted buying mine for one second.

It does the job as a family car very well, and is also reliable and economical enough to use every day for work (taxi)

Plus if you get a sport, it will look mint and be that bit rarer than a Vrs ;-)

If you are keeping a modded Tfsi then I'd be sensible and go for the L&K (lots it toys).

Although I agree with JohnSTV6 above. Get a PD140 (I've got one). No DPF, quite a bit of power, pretty good economy, not as expensive to tax as a Vrs, etc.

If you could find a 'Sport' version that would be all the better.

With those sorts of journeys I'd have thought you're just storing up trouble getting a diesel.

Would a 1.8TSI or even a 2.0FSI not be more sensible?

With those sorts of journeys I'd have thought you're just storing up trouble getting a diesel.

Would a 1.8TSI or even a 2.0FSI not be more sensible?

Yes they would and thats what I would go for however dont under estimate the good ladys logic in needing a diesel (she only has to fill it once a month and cheaper tax, lol). Plus I can use it for regular trips to London so it will get a decent run and I will be able to get there and back on one full tank with fuel to spare

I do like the sport but they dont do it in estate and they hold their value so finding a decent one within budget is not really going to happen.

Budget of 6K get's an 06/07 average mileage car to fit in any of the 3 options.

I'd say go with option 1: mk2 Octavia 1.9 PD105 - 5 speed Manual - Diesel L & K Estate.

As you say you've already got your 'fun wagon', so why go to the expense of running two performance cars? Yes a 2.0TDi would have more oomph, but not as much as your modified TFSI. And again, you say it will be a kiddie barge so will take a lot of punishment (not from your kids, but personally speaking it's their friends that are the trouble ) so I assume the L&K has leather seats? Easy to clean etc. Also kids need a lot of running about in towns etc and this is where the 1.9 would win hands down on economy.

And all this coming from me, a 2.0TDi owner too. Luckily the wife has a Fabia SDi to ferry the kids about in most of the time.

Thanks Golf-Fiend.

I think the same so ive bitten the bullet and put a deposit down.

Should get it in a couple of days once new MOT has been done, new tax and a vallet etc

Lets hope its not another lemon :think:

Option 1.

If you can afford/find option 1 with the 6 speed PD140 2.0 TDi (no DPF) then even better.

The PD170 engine is nice, I have one, but the vRS is not the best Octavia to run as a family car with it's 18" alloys, sports suspension and bolstered seats.

The wife drives a PD140 2.0 TDi estate and it is the perfect family car as it is so much easier to drive smoothly and is more comfortable.

I'd go for the vRS TDI...

Not at all personal preference.

I know you've put your deposit down, I'd do the best of both worlds, PD140 Elegance Estate with Sport Pack . No DPF, plenty of omphh, loads of space/toys, better looking, not as economical as the pd105 but not bad for what it offers.

Took me a while to find mine though!

hi pal what have you got ur mits on now? I would have just bolted a couple more deckchairs in the back of the trani and just give it a wash. Hay ho a big cheap family bus that your daughter can play hide the shoe in the air vent!!!!!!

hi pal what have you got ur mits on now? I would have just bolted a couple more deckchairs in the back of the trani and just give it a wash. Hay ho a big cheap family bus that your daughter can play hide the shoe in the air vent!!!!!!

Yes she likes to give the van some stick, thats why I took the air vent out so she didnt smash it to bits Now she just kicks the hole to get my attention and gets her foot stuck

Wash the van????? Are you mad?

Gone for the 1.9 PD105 estate - The safe option but at least its another L&K spec. No doubt see it driving past yours at some point soon

I know you've put your deposit down, I'd do the best of both worlds, PD140 Elegance Estate with Sport Pack . No DPF, plenty of omphh, loads of space/toys, better looking, not as economical as the pd105 but not bad for what it offers.

Took me a while to find mine though!

I like the sound of that Matt but ive been seriously looking for over 3 weeks now and ive not seen anything that comes close to that spec. Unless your selling yours

TBH ive been very dissapointed with the general quality of cars available ATM. And people are still wanting top money for them. Someone must be buying them but god help them if they do

I may well change my mind when ive bought it. Plus the wife is away with the kids ATM and doesnt know what ive bought her. That will be interesting when she returns

LOL my wife wouldn't trust me to buy her a car. I'd probably buy her a skoda and she'd hate it

LOL my wife wouldn't trust me to buy her a car. I'd probably buy her a skoda and she'd hate it

Ive bought every one of my wifes cars. Only one she test drove before I bought it

They range from an old Cinquecentro to a volvo S40, Fabia vRS, Octavia L&K and another Octavia L&K. Her favourite by far is the Fabia vRS and she would have another tomorrow but its just too small for all of us to use.

I offered to give her a budget and she could get her own car but we both know she would have bought a money pit. I'm happy for her to get a short list together and we can both look for one but she hasnt done anything, not even looked and if she's not even bothered to start looking I might as well get something for her that I know she will like. Cheap to run is her main concern so this one fits in prefectly and she has plenty of space for the kids.

Plus it saves the daily run being in my car

Go with your head. The 1.9 is a cracking, reliable and economic car suited to the needs you describe.

I think you've done very well going for the 1.9PD tbh.

Thanks Mike,

This one will be kept standard but its always a possibility

From what you described I think the L&K in Preston will be there for a very long time.

Just from memory was it a 2007 (07) 2.0 PD140 L&K estate with 75k on the clock for £6,495.

Sounds about right money wise but obviously it's a total dog of a car and therefore significantly overpriced Somthing ive experienced a lot over the last few weeks.

What would you say it was worth Mike?