(My previous thread on this seems to go off-topic and become a discussion about disounted prices, so I'll try again.  I would particularly appreciate some answers to my question, paricularly from owners who have bought new Skodas in the past.)
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There seem to be problems with the availability of several options at present.

For someone who does not need to buy a new Octavia immediately, would it make sense to wait a year or more for these problems to be resolved, and in the hope that more options (or that more combinations of options) may become available?

Or is there a risk that Skoda may withdraw some options, so that buyers who delay their orders may end up having less choice, not more?

What is Skoda's history of this with previous models?

Not bought an Octavia new or factory order but I have Fabia II and Yeti.

 

Believe with the Fabia then parking sensors went into short supply a couple of years back and where dropped to the options list on the Elegance and have stayed there since.

 

Yeti then there where big delays particularly for UK customers for the first two to two and a half years of production, hence why second hand prices where almost as much as new RRP. Various items led to hold ups, sunroofs, DSG boxes, engines for example and for a while the sunroof disappeared as an option altogether (again in the UK). Other items also went sort supply, such as the Bolero radio, leading to some SE and Elegance models coming of the line with free Amunsden nav upgrade and there was even a shortage of  seat cloth and 17" alloys for the SE, which also lead to free upgrades.

 

My current and second Yeti was supposed to take three to four months to arrive at the dealer, in the end it turned out to be a couple of days short of 6 months. However I'm currently debating placing my first new Octy factory order and if I do and it takes 6 months then it takes 6 months I'm not going to worry about it. Better to be on a 14 plate than a late 63 but I can see, knowing my luck, it turning up middle of Feb and having to take it a few days short of the change :S

 

 

TP

The problem as i see it is yes partly down to individual options but also its a new model which is in demand from many countries. you will always get long lead times just after a car is released.

 

12months on you will probably be 8-12weeks wait for a factor order car.

 

Skoda has now joined the world of options, on pervious models, options were much more limited. Now they have a huge choice opening the need and demand for more factory order, non standard cars, leading to longer lead times.

 

as far as withdrawing options, i would imagine this would only ever be tempory while parts are in limited supply

So: from buyers' previous experience, would it be true to say that the available options are unlikely to be fewer in future?

If so, the only snag with postponing one's order for a new car would be possiible general price increases.

For anyone who does not need to replace their existing car immediately, it would seem sensible to delay placing an order and to wait until a time when all the options are available without incurring long delivery times.  This would also give Skoda a bit of time to iron out any early design errors, manufacturing problems or production issues.

There would also be time for us to find out whether all these super new hi-tech features were actually worthwhile or not.

It would also give me a bit more time to save up my pennies.

And once the initial demand for a brand-new model has subsided a bit, there may be slightly more chance of negotiating some discount, which may compensate - at least partly - for any future increase in list prices.

Edited 12 October, 201312 yr by Stuarted

Stuarted,

 

I think you're after an answer that no one can really give but I understand your position.

 

Skoda will be balancing the equation which is level of spec, against price, against volume of orders.

 

If there is a perception that their cars are not good value or are less well spec'd than say the Korean manufacturers then they may well tweak the list. 

 

If you look at the last of the MkII Oct's the Blackline, they dumped all of the options on them as they are running out the model in an effort to shift units as people know they are being replaced, but you decide that is good value. With a newer model they add less.

 

What I would say on a personal level; the 0% finance and free servicing has saved me £60 a month on the new Octy VRS diesel I've ordered  against a quote I had for a less well spec'd VW Golf GTD for similar money @£25K. This is what tempted me, a total saving of £2520 over the finance period.