FSA, if you don't mind me asking, what's your budget?

Thanks for your offer of help, rtz. Appreciate it. Your other half got an amazing deal there!

My budget is up to 4k, depending on the condition of the car etc. I based it on eBay sold prices...willing to go slightly higher if it is in epic condition with less than average mileage.

It seems an Octavia VRS won't increase my insurance premiums by that much compared to a Fabia VRS. I don't have a family, but do need to lug a lot of equipment around for my regular voluntary thing. I might have to start comparing those too as the really spacious interior is very tempting.

 

Like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231105008628?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Up to £4k wouldn't get you a vRS pd 170 IMHO. You'd definitely get a vRS 1.8T mk1 for that money.

What about this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Fabia-VRS-1-9-Tdi-2004-Fsh-EuroStyle-Dub-Fsh-/281222326282?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item417a28280a

Up to £4k wouldn't get you a vRS pd 170 IMHO. You'd definitely get a vRS 1.8T mk1 for that money.

 

My plan was to extend my budget to nearer £5k if the right VRS PD170 came up, although I wouldn't stretch that far for a VRS PD130. Im currently trying to contemplate whether the Octavia would be better for my needs, or if I'm being too extravagant. The mpgs on fuelly seem decent enough. It does have a more mature look, although perhaps less fun to drive being less nose heavy. I'll keep reading reviews etc.

 

What about this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Fabia-VRS-1-9-Tdi-2004-Fsh-EuroStyle-Dub-Fsh-/281222326282?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item417a28280a

 

I'll give that a consider, although mileage quite high given the age and asking price.

It looks well looked after though even with higher milage.

i was talking to a member on here his name is gregster72 he was selling a se. might be worth a look.

Thanks, guys. I'll look into those.

My budget is up to 4k, depending on the condition of the car etc. I based it on eBay sold prices...willing to go slightly higher if it is in epic condition with less than average mileage.

 

I only asked as I am toying with the idea of selling my SE, but would be hoping to get nearer 6k if I can.   Keep looking there are plenty out there within your budget

I only asked as I am toying with the idea of selling my SE, but would be hoping to get nearer 6k if I can.   Keep looking there are plenty out there within your budget

 

Of course, not a problem. I think I'll keep away from the added premium of the SE. GLWS of yours.

 

Right now I'm deliberating between Furby or Octy VRS...depending on what turns up on eBay local enough for an inspection (or local to rtz62, who has been kind enough to offer help).

If you have kids and/or want to carry a reasonable load, plus you're not bothered about fuel consumption that is at least 10mpg worse and probably nearer 20mpg worse than a Fabia vRS, then the Octavia is for you.

The Octavia is 'only' a 5sp as a 1.8T, Andrew Lly benefits from a stage 1 upgrade to say 210bhp, the car actually feels alive then, whereas it always felt a little below par to me as standard.

SWMBO has had 3 Fabia vRS, including an SE, and 1 Octavia, she prefers the Fabia! whereas I like the Octavia.

This from a man who drives a Vauxhall Insignifica SRi cdti 160, by the way....wibble.

Anyway, if anything comes up around here, give me an email ([email protected]) and I'll happily go and view it for you.

Rtz62,

No kids or a SWMBO to worry about in my case, but my current rental is a Honda Jazz and I am being really spoilt by the immense boot space and more comfortable rear seats. Most of my commuting is solo, but I do tend to be the designated driver on nights out. Plus with my JBL sub in the boot, I guess I could do with the extra space for all the kit I have to lug around for my volunteering role.

My PD100 Fabia was achieving 42mpg on mixed conditions without saintly driving...would the Octavia VRS be far worse than that? I kept everything in ship shape on the pd100 oil+filters wise. I could have sworn I saw some MK2 Octavia VRS TDIs listed with 6sp...maybe I am wrong or the seller just changed the gear knob+gaitor....

Although nose heavy, the pd100 Fabia was very fun to drive with a RARB....would a pd170 in an Octavia VRS compensate for its higher mass and make it as nippy?

I think I may have just got a little excited seeing how a Fabia VRS and an Octavia VRS would cost me similar rates to insure (only £50 difference). I guess the wisest option in my case is to get a Fabia VRS and a roofbox for when I need to lug equipment around.

Ok,

SWMBO has had both?

The Octavia mk1 vRS is, as you know, a 1.8T 5sp.mwith that she got around 35mpg in urban driving, and 40ish on faster roads.

The Fabias are in a different league, and the standard 130bhp and st1 175bhp both get around 50mpg in urban driving and 60+ on faster roads.

I'd suggest that if you do lower annual mileage then the petrol is the better bet.

SWMBO always goes for mint, low miles cars, that have a full service history, which helps.

I would, if I were you, find a dealer local to you that has both, have a test drive and then decide.

The Octavia has loads more space, but you've just got to live the mid-range slugging of a Fabia.

The mk2 Octavia has a tdi VRS with 170bhp and a 6sp box; different again, bit probably more than you want to pay for a reasonable miles example.

If you are passing by my way, I'll gladly take you out in swmbo's car, just for reference.

5K Budget might get you an Early 140BHP FR Leon. 

 

SWMBO picked up our 170PD for £6500 49K and 2007 in August, and its as much of a hoot to drive standard as my mapped vRS

 

140 maps well too, and no DPF to worry about

 

You could certainly get a MK2 Petrol Octy VRS for 5K however. Certainly not holding money as well as the 170PD

Edited 10 December, 201312 yr by Gobsheene

OK PD170 might be possible.

 

Just checked  the local gumtree..

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2007-skoda-octavia-vrs/1041156435

 

£5600

The current Fabia VRS SE to pop up:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161172112238&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

 

The seller answered with this:

Advisorys was brake disks,pads
Clutch is great but have bo recipts
Cambelt/waterpump was done at 80 and then 120k
Pads and disks are all bramd new less than 6 days old recipts to prove
Tyres are all very good 1 of them is brand new
Car has never been on a car
Fluid changes have been checked and chaged nearly every 10,000 miles all recipts to prove
Gearbox is perfect no noises/grinding
No suspension noises that im aware of test drive welcome
Air con is cold but i cant tell you when it was last replaced
The is no leaks car/seals/carpet are all mint and damp free
Power steering works fine with no noises etc
It is in my girlfreinds name and it has been in family/freind since 2012 and before that it was a ex driving instrucots car and i think i have got every 10,000 service recipt along with any other parts replaced, as well as full service history stamped in the service book and recipts for 70k 80k 90k 100k 110k 120k 129k, and i also have 4 industry service checks that check everything

 

 

 

 

Naturally, I am a little concerned at it having been an instructor's car until 110k. No receipts to prove clutch, flywheel and gearbox changes, but apparently it all runs like new.

Ok,

SWMBO has had both?

The Octavia mk1 vRS is, as you know, a 1.8T 5sp.mwith that she got around 35mpg in urban driving, and 40ish on faster roads.

The Fabias are in a different league, and the standard 130bhp and st1 175bhp both get around 50mpg in urban driving and 60+ on faster roads.

I'd suggest that if you do lower annual mileage then the petrol is the better bet.

SWMBO always goes for mint, low miles cars, that have a full service history, which helps.

I would, if I were you, find a dealer local to you that has both, have a test drive and then decide.

The Octavia has loads more space, but you've just got to live the mid-range slugging of a Fabia.

The mk2 Octavia has a tdi VRS with 170bhp and a 6sp box; different again, bit probably more than you want to pay for a reasonable miles example.

If you are passing by my way, I'll gladly take you out in swmbo's car, just for reference.

 

Thank you so much for your detailed advice. Really appreciate it. I'll definitely call on you if I'm passing your way.

 

I think a decent 6sp Octavia VRS will definitely be outside my price range. Realistically, I should focus on getting a Fabia...and a roof box if I need to lug more equipment around. If and when I get promoted/graduate, I might swap and consider an Octavia.

Change of plan...I've decided to fork in the extra and go for an Octavia. Going to check this out on Friday:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221327390933?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2FCars-%2F9801%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D221327390933%26_rdc%3D1

 

 

Any thoughts?

Hard to say based on the limited info in the advert.

I'd want to see;

a full service history,

also if has had or needed work on the DPF.

Preferably premium tyres with a good amount of tread

12 mths mot and 6 mths tax

As it's a garage, I'd want a full 12 mths warranty (which costs them very little in reality),

Am I being demanding?

Damn right I am, if it were my money! There's plenty more fish in the sea, and this is a tough time of year for car dealers to move metal, so don't turn belly-up, walk away if necessary.

Thanks, rtz. I will ring in the morning and ask for those. It's not demanding....sounds quite reasonable

Decided to check one out from a private seller instead.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191001252256?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

All services are up to date, had the factory recall injectors sorted.

Unfortunately nothing to prove the cambelt was done...the seller didn't in their 2 year ownership.

The only error code that was thrown was 01135, but that's probably because I did it with the door open.

Engine bay was clean and well-maintained, all fluids kept topped up.

Nothing wrong with the bodywork.

Interior is quite good given the mileage, factory fitted xenons.

Seller did mostly 20 mile commutes with some longer runs...hopefully the DPF will be okay.

HPI clear, nothing major on any of the previous MOTs.

 

Pretty much the PD170 Racing Blue Octavia II with 6sp gearbox I was looking for....

 

£5k.

Ive bought both a vrs myself and also found a good one for my mate to buy.

I have a good friend that buys amd sells cars along with repainting them for a living. . 7 out of the 8 vrs' s we looked at were resprayed in someway and most werre leaking in rear doors lol

wait for the right one to come along. It will stand out when you see it

The ad says " Serviced as per Skoda recommendations including Cam Belt change and factory recall in 2012"

If there's no documentary evidence that it's been done then they can't claim it.

If there isn't any paperwork to back it up then in my opinion I'd say it hasn't been, and factor in £300 for a cambelt , water pump and tensioner at a specialist.

hopefully the DPF will be okay

 

 

AFAIK there isn't a DPF on any Fabia MkI? Or did you mean DMF?

 

EDIT. Oh, I'm an idiot. Didn't see the link was for an Octy. Just ignore me. It's almost Christmas 

Edited 24 December, 201312 yr by inventory-photo