Can't agree with you more there mate

CRV is tough as old boots from the research me and a mate did before he purchased one, but like you I would really want a mk2 version and my budget doesn't lend itself to much choice.

Mondeo are just a bit too plain Jane I think, although nowt wrong with them overall.

Think the vrs just fits my overall bill a bit more, and I really do like the spider alloys as standard, wouldn't be looking to do much to it really, only retro fit cruise if it doesn't have it on etc.

Local to me are JKM, VAG specialists and they do lots of retro fit work with OE parts very reasonably priced I think

 

Yep JKM are very good and know the VAG cars well. Done lots of work on my car in the past. And loaded a REVO map on (although now have Shark map) Also VW in eastern road are very good. You have VW, Audi and Seat all in the same road too, which you can go to any to get parts as most share the same. Then you have TPS parts supplier in airport service road that are trade and supply VAG group direct.

Cruise control is a very worthwhile mod. I did a diy self install guide on here too.

 

I owned a mk2 Mondeo st24 before I bought my mk1 Octavia. Despite having only 50k on its clocks, it wasnt in the octavias league for reliability. Air con problems, electrical issues, suspension bushes every mot. The interior was a lovely place to be having full leather but to be honest the Octavia feels quite a lot faster. Never came up against one to test that theory though. I used to love a fast ford but that car actually put me off owning another. Stick with a Skoda.

 

I owned a 1998 st24 which was actually a very good car as I did come from mainly ford cars. True mpg was bad. I then owned a ltd edition st200 saloon with blue/black full leather interior and electric everything including heated seats. I loved the colour and the car and sound of it with twin janspeed exhausts. But actually for 200bhp was no rocket and kinda boring to drive. I still like the newer st220's. But fuel mpg is even worse

There is a st200 on my street. They came with the twin pipes fitted and this one I must say sounds pretty awesome! Very nice car v6 sounds good. For years I yearned for a sapphire cosworth. I wouldn't go back to a ford I'm glad I got the Octavia. Its got a few faults but other than buying a rice burner I can't think of anything else that would be as reliable.

There is a st200 on my street. They came with the twin pipes fitted and this one I must say sounds pretty awesome! Very nice car v6 sounds good. For years I yearned for a sapphire cosworth. I wouldn't go back to a ford I'm glad I got the Octavia. Its got a few faults but other than buying a rice burner I can't think of anything else that would be as reliable.

 

They did come with twin pipes but when i changed mine to janspeed full stainless , boy that SVT V6 engine sounded great

Shamelessly plugging yourself there I see! Ha

Noooo not me

Im one of the weird ones u cross the street to avoid

Yeah they haven't ever really made a mondeo to replace the saph cosworth that I can think of, it all got a bit heavy and boring after the RS and Cosworth series in the late 80's - 90's. ford only done the job on the focus really.

I can't fault my rice mobile though, it's all true about Honda!

One of the reasons I bought my Octavia vRS is that it felt like the nearest thing there was to a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth - decent turbocharged power combined with subtle yet noticeable looks.  I'd love a Cossie but I'm not paying ten grand for a twenty year old Sierra!

I had cruise control retro-fitted to mine.  I got a kit from VW Teesside from eBay which came with the stalk and sections of wiring loom and instructions and got a local specialist to fit it (as it needed plugging into the VAG-COM software to activate it and I don't have a reader).  Cost about £180 all in if I remember rightly.  The only odd thing is that there aren't any warning lights for the cruise control on the Octavia strangely, whether it's factory or fitted later.  It's virtually impossible to find one with cruise fitted as it was an option and people didn't seem to specify options on the vRS.  It took me ages to find one with an electric sunroof and it had factory parking sensors as a bonus!

Another vote for the Mk1 here, better looking cars IMHO, great work horses too, as already mentioned don't let mileage put you off too much, mine was at 110k when I got it, she's now at 134k and still drives perfectly.

I would suggest you test drive the mk1 and mk2 to form your own opinion.

Positives and negatives for both regarding the budget you've got.

Saying that, I bought my vRS after a thorough test drive around Romsey...it was the first one I looked at

The owner was emigrating...I made a cheeky offer(thinking that he wouldn't accept), he thought about it for about ten seconds and he accepted gladly.

I would say the suspension is much comfortable than the Type R and the boot is huge.

Fuel economy is excellent on the motorways if you keep to the speed limit.

Be wary of the cheap mk2s...could be many reasons why..

You're welcome to have a look at mine if you want because it's completely standard compared to Bowders'...lol

Good luck with your search!

I had cruise control retro-fitted to mine. I got a kit from VW Teesside from eBay which came with the stalk and sections of wiring loom and instructions and got a local specialist to fit it (as it needed plugging into the VAG-COM software to activate it and I don't have a reader). Cost about £180 all in if I remember rightly. The only odd thing is that there aren't any warning lights for the cruise control on the Octavia strangely, whether it's factory or fitted later. It's virtually impossible to find one with cruise fitted as it was an option and people didn't seem to specify options on the vRS. It took me ages to find one with an electric sunroof and it had factory parking sensors as a bonus!

Mine had sunroof, parking sensors and cruise control all as options when new. Someone really splashed out on it lol.

Yeah seen a few with parking sensors but not many with sunroof & cruise?!

As I mentioned I do have a good local VAG specialist just round the corner from me (JKM) and they will retrofit cruise for £199 all in which I don't think is too bad, all genuine OE parts.

Getting some interest for my type r at the mo (although too many far too cheeky offers) but as soon as she goes I'm off shopping!

Don't bring it down to havant as I have a soft spot for type r's

Sent from my Samsung S3

Mine had sunroof, parking sensors and cruise control all as options when new. Someone really splashed out on it lol.

From new sunroof parking sensors and cruise would have set you back over 1k. So not surprisingly all these options together were rarely taken. I was one of the few who did back in 2002. You've got to love an electric sunshine roof !

Can't tempt you with mine then mate?!!

Yeah not many I have seen have all the possible options on.

mk1s are good cars, i own one, but...

 

i would go for a mk2, they mk2 can be had for less than 4k easily, is newer safer more modern

 

and you can get a diesel too.

Take a look at my mk1 for sale mate. Link is in my signature. Great cars and can fit tons in!

Having said that though I have moved from mine to Golf GTI Edition 30 as I've always been a Golf man. It's the sameish chassis as the mk2 Octy and I'd say it is indeed better. But mine is a top spec Edition 30 DSG so I'd be very peeved if it wasnt! For the price and practicality wise you can't beat the mk1 VRS Octavia.

Can't tempt you with mine then mate?!!

Yeah not many I have seen have all the possible options on.

 

hmmm.....

 

I added all the skoda options to mine over the past few years like, Front mud flaps, OEM Sat NAV. Cruise control, reversing sensors, and some other none VRS model options like rear interior lights, driver side sunglasses holder  

 

Although the OEM sat Nav is dated by today's standards(no post code search function) it still  fills the double din hole and lights up nicely and i manage to get recent maps so still quite accurate and gets the job done 

mk1s are good cars, i own one, but...

 

i would go for a mk2, they mk2 can be had for less than 4k easily, is newer safer more modern

 

and you can get a diesel too.

 

bah........you turn coat.........

 

MK1 all day long........unless a mk 3 goes really cheap....

 

I would prefer a MK5 golf or a Seat Leon over the horrible look on a MK2 Octy. 

bah........you turn coat.........

 

MK1 all day long........unless a mk 3 goes really cheap....

 

I would prefer a MK5 golf or a Seat Leon over the horrible look on a MK2 Octy. 

 

 

lol, well i takes me ages to like new stuff, only recently decided i like the mk5 golf, as for mk6 and 7...ewww!

 

don't get me wrong, the mk1 is an awesome car, it is however getting older, and newer cars are getting better.

 

just think the mk2 is a consideration due to the points i mentioned before and their low cost now (and i finally like them enough to have one as i hated them for years too)!

 

Plus i like the idea of a derv more and more...

Take a look at my mk1 for sale mate. Link is in my signature. Great cars and can fit tons in!

Having said that though I have moved from mine to Golf GTI Edition 30 as I've always been a Golf man. It's the sameish chassis as the mk2 Octy and I'd say it is indeed better. But mine is a top spec Edition 30 DSG so I'd be very peeved if it wasnt! For the price and practicality wise you can't beat the mk1 VRS Octavia.

Very nice indeed mate

 

Love the wheels that colour, hides the brake dust for longer too!!

lol, well i takes me ages to like new stuff, only recently decided i like the mk5 golf, as for mk6 and 7...ewww!

 

don't get me wrong, the mk1 is an awesome car, it is however getting older, and newer cars are getting better.

 

just think the mk2 is a consideration due to the points i mentioned before and their low cost now (and i finally like them enough to have one as i hated them for years too)!

 

Plus i like the idea of a derv more and more...

 

lol

 

you are getting older dude, sensible and wiser......stop it right away.....

lol

 

you are getting older dude, sensible and wiser......stop it right away.....

 

lmao, you aren't wrong!