Sorry everybody but we are so unimpressed with the Octy III that we have just ordered a Golf GTI. Good trade in on the Vrs and on a PCP the monthly payment is comparatively low even with the Performance Pack on the GTI. We just think the styling is very mundane on the Octy and even with VRS tweaks it will still look boring. Its a shame as we have enjoyed our current VRS but the 0% deal clinched it at the time and having just finished the mortgage we have more money to waste on motorcars.

Sorry everybody but we are so unimpressed with the Octy III that we have just ordered a Golf GTI. Good trade in on the Vrs and on a PCP the monthly payment is comparatively low even with the Performance Pack on the GTI. We just think the styling is very mundane on the Octy and even with VRS tweaks it will still look boring. Its a shame as we have enjoyed our current VRS but the 0% deal clinched it at the time and having just finished the mortgage we have more money to waste on motorcars.

Hope you enjoy your expensive small car.

Roll on the new vRS.

I hope you enjoy the GTI, if space was no object, I would have looked at a Golf MkVII but I am also still licking my wounds from the last VW I had, an 06 Passat, quality was shocking back then, and vowed never to return to VW, I do believe they have sorted the latest generation, even the MkVI was a big improvement, my Passat was equivalent generation to MkV, and the Superb blew it out of the water for build quality. I would say the only gripe I have about the Golf VII is when following one, the extra width of the platform seems wasted as the sides taper in too much, making it look a bit pear shaped!

Edited 1 June, 201313 yr by Matt Pez

I echo the above comments about VW build quality. I had an '05 Golf GTI (Mk5) and it was SHOCKING in respect of build quality, both in respect of the interior and reliability.

When I changed to the Octy vRS FL, I was amazed at the improvement in overall quality, fit and finish.

I sincerely hope that VW have significantly improved things for the sake of the OP.

Hope you enjoy your golf and don't regret not waiting until you'd experienced both in the flesh before deciding.

Hope you enjoy your golf and don't regret not waiting until you'd experienced both in the flesh before deciding.

I imagine Golf GTI and Octavia vRS will be a lot more comparable as they will both have the multi

Ink rear suspension and share the same engine.

Sorry everybody but we are so unimpressed with the Octy III that we have just ordered a Golf GTI. Good trade in on the Vrs and on a PCP the monthly payment is comparatively low even with the Performance Pack on the GTI. We just think the styling is very mundane on the Octy and even with VRS tweaks it will still look boring. Its a shame as we have enjoyed our current VRS but the 0% deal clinched it at the time and having just finished the mortgage we have more money to waste on motorcars.

Each to their own and I am sure you will be very happy with the Golf - it is a fundamentally better car, at least in 2.0 TDI SE as again you get the better suspension. For me, two things put me off the Golf, it always strikes me as just good but very functional, a bit "white goods" like a Miele washing machine. Soulless somehow. And the arrogant indifference of VW dealers, just like most German car dealers, I am sure there are good dealers out there but our local one isn't! And Skoda dealers have a much better reputation for after sales.

I would say the only gripe I have about the Golf VII is when following one, the extra width of the platform seems wasted as the sides taper in too much, making it look a bit pear shaped!

I completely agree! The roof looks half the width of the track.

That's why I like these forums, if I had said what you said to any of my family and most of my friends, they would have thought I was weird! .

Fair shout to you. Mk7 GTi with performance pack would pretty much be my ideal car think its fantastic.

I had a couple of MK5s and MK6 Golfs prior to my Octavia vRS Blackline estate; deep down I wanted an S3 or Golf R but price and running costs struck them off straight away....got sold on the idea of a GTI but would have plumped for a GTD for the cheaper running costs.......however I have a little boy, have another on the way, had to rid of our family dog a short time ago due to behavioural problems with our son.....but I love dogs and will probably have another at some point.....leaving the Golf way too small for my needs now.

The Octavia was the perfect fit; essentially MK6 Golf GTI chassis, GTD engine, DSG, lots of equipment, a 605 litre boot, more rear legroom....and the real deal maker.....brand new for just over 20k. I actually think its about the most car I could have bought brand new for that amount of money. I still think overall the Golfs the better and more desirable car.....if VAG decide to make a MK7 GTi estate that might sway me!

Congrats on a MK7 Gti, looks ok, press like it - though i would take anything they print with a mountain of salt as they only have the car for a few hours & dont have to deal with dealer if / when anything goes wrong, VW just give them another car without question.

Customer feedback to the numerous surveys contradict what the press print along, with a mediiocre dealer reputation is always something to think about.

With the new Octy Vrs due in around 6-9 months & given the expected price being around 5K cheaper, i would have waited & driven both, to see & feel for myself if that huge price difference makes up for just a badge ( given recent & past survey results).

Hope you find you dont have a troublesome car & dealer experience & do let us all know once you have had the car for about 4 months what it is really like day to day.

Enjoy your new Golf.

It would be good if you fed back an assessment or two once you take delivery.

With the new Octy Vrs due in around 6-9 months

That long? I was assuming the order books would open not long after launch at Goodwood with delivery at most 3 months later.

I've been hanging on to my MK5 GTi ready to replace it with the new Vrs combi but I don't know if I want to wait that long since it's now starting to throw up one or two issues (has been problem free for nearly 5 years).

I might have to go and seriously consider the Focus ST estate that I've already driven (and it was surprisingly nice to drive) and could buy now :(

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I ordered the mk2 octy vRS before the official launch date after seeing disguised pictures of it in the then new race blue being tested . So I'd ask a dealer to check with SUK on a regular basis.

I might have to go and seriously consider the Focus ST estate that I've already driven (and it was surprisingly nice to drive) and could buy now :(

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I reckon you would notice a huge difference in build quality and reliability going to a Ford from a VW - and not for the better!

I reckon you would notice a huge difference in build quality and reliability going to a Ford from a VW - and not for the better!

Not from a MkV, that is the one that rattles and creaks like an old ship!

Hope you enjoy your expensive small car.

Roll on the new vRS.

There is only the two of us, so we don't really need a huge car and we both think that the Octy III is too big now and that is partly what has upset the styling. Also we are fed up trying to explain to the many ignorami that Skodas are no longer funny little Warsaw pact rear engined troop transports. I am amazed that this perception still exists and it has become a bit wearing. The comments we have received from the ordinary man on the Clapham Omnibus when being told that our next car is a VW Golf GTI have been much more favourable, it seems that the general view on this Forum that all VW dealers are rogues and vagabonds does not seem to be a topic of conversation on the trip to South London. I am not knocking anyone in their choice of car, good luck to you all, it's just that the new Octy is not for us.

You're surely not trying to say that the fact you've had positive comments instead of ill informed opinion over your choice of car has swayed your opinion? I could't care less what people think.

But, I must say that if I didn't need the extra room that the Octavia offers, I'd probably be interested in the GTi, too.

I could't care less what people think.

Same here - one reason why I'm buying a Skoda....

You're surely not trying to say that the fact you've had positive comments instead of ill informed opinion over your choice of car has swayed your opinion? I could't care less what people think.

But, I must say that if I didn't need the extra room that the Octavia offers, I'd probably be interested in the GTi, too.

Obviously we didn't get the positive comments until we told people what car we had ordered! It had no bearing on our purchase, I was just pointing out that the average man (or woman) in the street has certain views on car manufacurers (and other products) that seem hard to change, which is a shame. People I know have said "there is no way I would pay £22k for a Skoda". I don't know how these negative views can be changed, perhaps it's a generational thing and will only change when those of us of a certain age have died out! Don't forget we bought a Skoda, but the Octy III is not for us we might well buy a Skoda again but not this time.

People I know have said "there is no way I would pay £22k for a Skoda". I don't know how these negative views can be changed, perhaps it's a generational thing and will only change when those of us of a certain age have died out!

Just tell them that in Norway there is an idiot that just ordered a skoda and has to pay £48k for it.. :p

That long? I was assuming the order books would open not long after launch at Goodwood with delivery at most 3 months later.

I've been hanging on to my MK5 GTi ready to replace it with the new Vrs combi but I don't know if I want to wait that long since it's now starting to throw up one or two issues (has been problem free for nearly 5 years).

I might have to go and seriously consider the Focus ST estate that I've already driven (and it was surprisingly nice to drive) and could buy now :(

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We usually get the car approx 6 months after mainland europe, + even though it will be shown at goodwood, there is no guarantee that the order books will open then. Speak to your dealer on a regular basis to see what they say. Is it the ST / ST1 or ST2 ?

There is only the two of us, so we don't really need a huge car and we both think that the Octy III is too big now and that is partly what has upset the styling. Also we are fed up trying to explain to the many ignorami that Skodas are no longer funny little Warsaw pact rear engined troop transports. I am amazed that this perception still exists and it has become a bit wearing. The comments we have received from the ordinary man on the Clapham Omnibus when being told that our next car is a VW Golf GTI have been much more favourable, it seems that the general view on this Forum that all VW dealers are rogues and vagabonds does not seem to be a topic of conversation on the trip to South London. I am not knocking anyone in their choice of car, good luck to you all, it's just that the new Octy is not for us.

Fair play, and no offence meant. I sincerely hope your new car is fantastic & everything you need.

I guess I have been unduly negatively influenced by my unreliable Mk5 GTI and the appalling VW customer service I received.

I have also, by contrast, loved everything about my Mk2 FL Estate.

Each to their own. Good luck with the Golf.

Is it the ST / ST1 or ST2 ?

I'd probably go for the ST3. Interior quality wise, I'd say it's at least as good as my MK5 GTi but quieter inside. It's a much better drive than the Golf apart from a small amount of torque steer under hard acceleration.

As for dealer quality, I'm not exactly spoilt for choice living to the west of Leeds. My nearest are JCT600 (VW) which I won't go near, DM Keith (Bradford) for Skoda which I've heard many bad stories about and Benfield for Ford which is on my doorstep.

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• Oh, and another reason why I chose the Octavia over the equivalent Golf - like for like price the Golf is just over £2,000 more expensive....
  

Fair play, and no offence meant. I sincerely hope your new car is fantastic & everything you need.

I guess I have been unduly negatively influenced by my unreliable Mk5 GTI and the appalling VW customer service I received.

I have also, by contrast, loved everything about my Mk2 FL Estate.

Each to their own. Good luck with the Golf.

MK5 Golfs werent v well made to be fair; I heard a story (from someone who worked for VAG) that to develop the new multilink rear suspension for the MK5 cost more than the entire development costs for the MK4 and some areas had to give as a result; why the MK5 was nothing like as solid inside as a MK4 for instance.

I also have to say VW customer service isnt so bad; more down to the franchise than the brnd for sure. My local dealer Motorworld was pretty terrible but they got bought out by Ridgeway group and were good from that point on.....also my Skoda dealer is part of the same group.