I am currently driving a 3dr Audi A1 185, and two days ago became a very proud father of a little girl. Clearly the A1 is no longer practical, and I need an estate for all my baby related clobber. I do a lot of work in the outdoors including the local mountain rescue team, so I've factored this into my search for a new car. The model that crops up again and again is the Skoda Octavia Scout TDi CR 140. It seems to be very well reviewed, and it ticks all the boxes- roomy, reasonably economical, 4x4 etc. The residuals look very good to, but it is an outgoing model. I've been offered a brand new one for £19490, nearly £4k off the OTR price and with 30000/3yrs free servicing.

The payments on my A1 are £355 per month of VAG solutions, and it would be the same for the Scout with a £500 deposit based on 15000 miles per year.

They would give me £13500 part-ex for my A1 (2011 185 with extras, 32k miles)- Webuyanycar website says £13800.

Essentially after paying a £500 I could drive off in a brand-new Octavia Scout. Does this seem like a good deal- ie I get to have a new car with warranty etc, or does this not make economic sense ie: double-whammy hit of depreciation?

where you are now (unsuitable a1) + 500 = brand new scout that fits you perfectly in terms of baby and mountains?

no brainer - jfdi.

I hope the following information may prove useful for you.

The thing to bear in mind, is the Scout in its current form is no longer available as a factory order. The Mk III Scout is not due until late 2013, early 2014. The price for the Mk III Octavia has gone up approximatley £1500-2000 over the outgoing model, this is to distance it from the Rapid, though the increase is offset slightly by extra kit.

Depreciation is only important if you intend selling the car after 2 or three years, I'm intending to keep mine infinitum, so that is not an issue for me. If you are intending to sell within a few years, second hand values of Scouts hold really well, to the point it was cheaper for me to buy brand new than second hand but only due to me qualifying for a Forces discount. As you have already pointed out, this is a run out model, so prices may take a hit with the Mk III. Have a look on the Skoda website for second hand prices of current Scouts to give you an idea of how good the price you have been offered is.

For me, the Scout is all the car I'll ever need. My 2.0PD TDi averages 48mpg, and so far I have never gotten less than 40mpg, the CR is more economical and refined. If you do make the sensible decision, I would recommend you get the dealer to carry out a four wheel alignment check, I have recently had this carried out and it has transformed the car no end. If you live in an area where you get low temperatures (7C or below) during the winter or bad snow, I would also recommend purchasing winter tyres, and buy them well before winter, otherwise as I found out to my cost, the price of them rises on a daily basis!! This is not to undermine the capabilities of the Scout, but you have to bear in mind, that 4x4 can only do so much.

Finally, one thing Skodaa' have over Audis' is indicator stalks come as standard, not as optional extras, so you'll have to get back into the habit of using them when you make the sensible decision of buying the Scout.!!

HTH

Fin

Its a no brainer, the Scout is massively underestimated, probably the best car value for money I've ever owned & I've had rather a lot, 80,000 miles in 3 years on ours & still love it

Hi

I looked at one of these recently but just couldn't afford it, although I had quite a good deal offered. The car was a 2.0 CR diesel ex demo with 3500 miles in silver with no extras - this was offered to me at an equivalent of about 17k and this would have also qualified for the servicing deal.

They're about it's just about looking - I know of one local dealer that has a brand new one in their showroom, just sat there, and it's not been advertised as yet. Worth ringing around too, it might save you a few quid unless, of course, you want to be the first owner?

Regards

Chubbs