First Skoda ever with this oil-burning Octavia estate, carefully chosen without VW's PD technology. (The earlier TDi injection systems I find a much more robust and inherently superior system).

I can't be bothered with Audi's increasing complexities, VW design and assembly seems to take a nose-dive in the 21st century and honest, beautifully-engineerd cars which I have enjoyed for their qualities in the past no longer exist - old Saab 900s, Mercedes W124s, Citroen CXs etc. are long gone at sensible prices.

I was hugely impressed when I drove a 250,000 mile Felicia last year - it felt twice as tough as any Golf yet was designed on a shoestring budget. So when the opportunity arose to buy an Octavia TDi estate with a good history, the cheaper road tax and an ability to run on a wide viscosity of fuel, I took it.

Suffice to say I'm well impressed with the Czech motor, it really impresses in all sort of ways which most contemporary cars don't - for a start it feels honest and tough, with the refinement of the best European cars.

I look forward to tapping a few minds on here as the inevitable happens and parts need replacing - in the meantime all I need to do is look for a set of good 15" steel wheels rims. Our roads don't suit 55-section tyres!

Hi and welcome aboard.