I just bought a leftover 2012-model Octavia estate with some 98km on the clock when I first test-drove it. I'm completely satisfied with it so far - fuel consumption is on a whole different planet compared to my old V70 2.5T and it has all the toys I want and then some. The DSG box is amazing compared to the 4 and 5 speed Volvos I've owned, and the tiny little 1.4 TSI feels a lot bigger than it is. I never thought I would buy a brand new car, and I also never thought it'd be one that's due to be updated very soon. I'm usually the guy that goes for the latest in technology.

The thing is, the upcoming Octavia III looks like it's getting the same TDI and TSI engines as the II already has, save for a few updates like cylinder shutdown and slightly better fuel economy. It's also bigger, which doesn't really interest me. The size is why I bought an Octavia this time around after owning three big Volvo estates in a row. If I had wanted a bigger car I would've bought a 1-2 year old Passat instead. Or a Superb.

So what about you? Do you feel like an Octavia III is in your future? Personally, I'm not so sure. Feels like the true Octavia replacement is the Rapid, but judging from the (very little) I've read about it, the Rapid feels like it'd be a downgrade from an Octavia... both size-wise and prestige-wise. If Skoda and prestige can be used in the same sentence, that is.

Edited 17 November, 201213 yr by Perc

Very happy with mine. Mk 3 will have to be very special to tempt me into one when I change. Why do I say that? Because Skoda may be good value, but the dealership network is far from what it used to be.

Also not sure I'll buy new next time.

I'm personally not worried at all about the dealer network. I sell car parts for a living myself and the local Škoda (/toyota/renault/dacia/honda) dealer is a big customer of ours, so I'm on first name basis with most of them. But I'm not married to a certain brand - in a few years I'll take a look around and see what interests me. I tend to prefer European cars though. For example, Japan doesn't make anything like the 1.4TSI/DSG combo. At least not for the European market.

Funny though, that owning a volvo automatically makes you a "volvo man". This week several friends have told me that they didn't think I'd ever give up Volvo.

A couple winters ago when I worked the saturday shift I had my car parked in the shipping/receiving room to thaw out. A customer noticed it and said "ah, volvo guy, eh?" I don't think there's a stereotype like that for Škoda ownership.

Edited 17 November, 201213 yr by Perc

I've just bought one of the last ones too, I'm happy with it.

If I had waited the new one it is bound to be more expensive. hence the reason the Rapid has been introduced, for the buyers of the lower to mid range specified cars at lower prices

My parents had a MK IV Golf for ten years and, based on that experience, I might have been just as happy buying the very similar MK I Octavia rather than a "new improved" MK II.

I could also say the same about other cars I've had in the past: e.g. SAAB 99 and a Volvo 244. In each case the the replacement wasn't as good (IMHO).

There is no real guarantee any replacement will actually be an improvement. It might be safer and more economical but more tinny, less reliable and less durable. You would have to wait a couple of years after launch to know this.

The Skoda Octavia design language ages well and I'm sure you'll do fine with a MK II. The only worry I would have is the depreciation the car might suffer when you come to sell. If you bought well this should not be a problem.

The rapid is a similar size so tempted when they get the estate.

Just not keen on the launch specs.

Can't see there being a VRS Rapid and the Octavia 3 might just be a tad massive to be a Q car like the current VRS. However a 4x4 Octavia Scout might be the car of choice. Unless Merc do a 4 wheel drive C class.

But thats all years away. Unless i win the lotto tonight, in which case its the new DB9....

Mercedes already does a four wheel drive (4Matic) C class. But if you are looking at premium brands, you could stay with VAG and get an A4 quattro or Allroad.

Or maybe you can't get a C class in 4Matic with right hand drive? I know it's available here.

Hi,

I picked up my new vrs 11 days ago and I love it but the rapid does not look very nice and even the dealership I picked my car up from had not even sold one rapid since its launch, so that tells you a story in itself.

The Rapid doesn't look as "grown up" as the Octavia II does. It's a "small sedan" (even though it's a hatchback) and small sedans don't sell well, at least not here.

I bet the target market is somewhere else.

Bought a poverty spec Octavia II a year ago, had to be quick, needed a replacement car fast.

Since then I've remapped, put a maxidot in, a MFSW, Amundsen, xenon front light units with a xenon set, upgraded the CECM and the CCM, and lots of little things.

None of those things can be taken over to a newer Octavia, should I buy one.

It's perfect the way it is now. The only thing I have to do now, is look the other way when I pass that brand new shiny Octavia III in the showroom...

Must not look...

The....preciousssssssss...

(I have been forced to spend the day watching all 3 LOTR movies...the extended versions...4 hrs, 3.5 hrs, 4 hrs. They are ok, but that Harry Potter fella sure gets around!)

Excuse a VAG newbie, but what's CECM and CCM?

I can google the abbreviations, but what kind of new features do you get from upgrading them?

Or maybe you can't get a C class in 4Matic with right hand drive? I know it's available here.

No, sadly not available.

The new Octavia will be based on the new MQB platform - look at the reviews of the current vehicles using this lighter, stiffer setup - all very positive, thats a nice advantage to have and means that all of the new engines ie 1.4TSi with cylinder deactivation, more powerful 1.8TSi as in the new Audi A3 and more powerful diesels should all slot straight in. Personally I consider the current FL Octavia pretty woeful in appearance - too malaysian in its styling and its lost the sharp edge look of the non FL VRS Octy, (and having owned an Octavia Mk2 VRS and not having been particularly blown away by it) im really looking forward to the Octy Mk3.

Funny. I personally think that the FL Mk2 looks a lot more "grown up" in its styling than the predecessor.

I've heard good things about the MQB platform though. I guess I'd better not go and take one for a testdrive.

Hi,

I picked up my new vrs 11 days ago and I love it but the rapid does not look very nice and even the dealership I picked my car up from had not even sold one rapid since its launch, so that tells you a story in itself.

Strange, when I picked up the Vrs yesterday at simpsons great yarmouth. The sales guy said they hadn't sold any either

Strange, when I picked up the Vrs yesterday at simpsons great yarmouth. The sales guy said they hadn't sold any either

Looking at the list prices of the rapid I'm not surprised-it'll be intersting to see what the MkIII Octy will cost compered to the MKII.looking at the rapid the front grill reminds me a bit of a Kia and they don't float my boat at all, even with a 7 year guarentee. It might look different in the flesh though...As the rapid and yeti don't have the zero VAT offer running on them I'm guessing the MKIII won't either so those wanting 1 will have to pay for the privelidge, so I wonder if Skoda's sales will suffer as a result. Time will tell I guess.

I sat in the dealer demo picking up my VRS. It was the SE specced up with 17" wheels in silver. Looked much better on the outside than I thought and OK inside albeit vey plasticky and a mile away in quality from Octavia. Dealer agreed it wasn't as well built either.

Edited 17 November, 201213 yr by ima

I received a mail shot his morning inviting me to the Rapid launch event at the local Steeler - Bit short notice!

I may be tempted as my next car can be a little smaller but I'm in no rush to change.

Excuse a VAG newbie, but what's CECM and CCM?

I can google the abbreviations, but what kind of new features do you get from upgrading them?

A Highline 30 Byte CECM gave me support for xenons, cornering fogs now work (turn the steering wheel/indicate and they come on at low speeds), and footwell lights now work OEM and are editable in the maxidot "Lights and Vision" menu now too!

A MAX CCM gives you the "Convenience" menu in the Maxidot, enabling you to change central locking related things, such as anti carjacking, the way the remote key opens the doors, etc.

There might be other things that can be enabled that I'm missing, such as coming/leaving home (I don't have a light sensor so doesn't work) or auto closing windows when it rains (I don't have a rain sensor either)

Edited 17 November, 201213 yr by Too Tall

As the Mk3 appears to be growing in size, that makes it less likely for me.

I'm unlikely to buy new anyway, so it's of little consequence at the moment. More likely to buy a 2nd hand late FL Octy2 for me, if I were looking at a replacement. But can't see my current going anywhere anytime soon.

Yes I want one. I'll shoot the japanese car and shuffle the current octavia into that space.

The new engines appear similar in specs to the current, but I believe the layout and packaging has changed enough that they are new engines with new engine codes. Final figures aren't out, but I'm expecting to see about 1 litre less fuel consumption per 100km. I won't be going near that tsi or dsg nonsense though.

But it may be a long wait for a 4x4 scout version of the Octy 3. It's a long enough wait to find out about the vanilla versions.

I think I'll replace my Pre FL Scout with an FL Scout in 2013/14, or maybe a Superb estate 4x4 if I the prices come down a bit.

Nope would never buy another Skoda, customer service is ****.

As the Mk3 appears to be growing in size, that makes it less likely for me.

I'm unlikely to buy new anyway, so it's of little consequence at the moment. More likely to buy a 2nd hand late FL Octy2 for me, if I were looking at a replacement. But can't see my current going anywhere anytime soon.

Same here for me. I've a pre FL 1.9 diesel which totally suits my needs at the moment. It's the Elegance model so has all the 'whistles & bells' and is totally suited to my daily 100 mile round trip commute.

I'm a bit of a fussy bugger when it comes to my cars and I look after them. Mine's a 2007 model but looks like it has just been driven off the forecourt both inside and out. ;-)

The 1.9 diesel has a decent reputation for reliability. I'll probably run this one into the ground, all being well. By then I might trade it in for an Octavia IV! ;-)

Octy III is too big for me, I don't like the look of the Rapid and the Fabia is just that bit too small, Yeti would be okay for my next car but they hold their value too well and I'm, how shall I say, extremely prudent with my money