I'm heading to Alex Lawrie Skoda tomorrow to test drive and then likely order a vRS. The likely removal of 0% and free servicing has got me acting a bit quicker than I would've liked but I think the deal is too good to miss at the moment.

Trouble about rushing in is that I've not actually picked a colour yet (if I'm honest I'm not 100% sure on hatch over estate!) And whilst I have a good idea of options I could still waiver on one or two things.

So if I order before year end to get the deal, how long into the new year would I have to change my mind on colour or options? I'm guessing that once I've selected hatch or estate I'll have to stick?

In terms of colour I'm torn, wallet says white, heart says black, head says sikver, the devil in me says meteor grey...

I orderd my car on 20th September and added a winter pack about a month ago. You can change the colour anytime until the factory lock the order down, at the moment there are 3+ month waits for the vRS so I'd say you would be good to change in the first 2 months.

Good to hear, with every set of pictures posted on here my colour choice changes. Only seen race blue and silver estates in the flesh at the moment. The salesman I spoke to today reckons lead time is 20 weeks and climbing!

Just remember that the finance has to be passed by the 31st as well so if you order a metallic colour at £495 then change it at a later date to a solid FOC or Meteor at £200, the finance figures will have to change which could cause an issue with reacceptance on a finance package no longer available. I'm sure when you see a few of the colours in the flesh or on the colour squares, you'll have a much better idea of what to order. And the salesman is very correct in the fact that vRS is on a worldwide shortage and 20 weeks is current lead time. vRS usually accounts for 20% of all Octavia models sold worldwide, the current order take for MKIII is running between 30-35%......They just can't build em fast enough.

Thanks for that, I did wonder when the finance application would be processed. I'll likely order it as a solid colour then if need be pay the difference seperately.

Just remember that the finance has to be passed by the 31st as well so if you order a metallic colour at £495 then change it at a later date to a solid FOC or Meteor at £200, the finance figures will have to change which could cause an issue with reacceptance on a finance package no longer available. I'm sure when you see a few of the colours in the flesh or on the colour squares, you'll have a much better idea of what to order. And the salesman is very correct in the fact that vRS is on a worldwide shortage and 20 weeks is current lead time. vRS usually accounts for 20% of all Octavia models sold worldwide, the current order take for MKIII is running between 30-35%......They just can't build em fast enough.

 

I have never had the finance problem you mention when ordering under one offer and then collecting the car when another offer has superseded it, on my last one I chopped and changed it around, added stuff etc the cost moved loads of time, but remember if you are trading in something the finance quote will change as your PX figures will change, lower settlement figure, PX price change etc, I have always found that the finance application is purely for acceptance for a car to that approx value, then when you collect the car and the finance is finally set up then the figures get input and you and Skoda accept them.

I have never had the finance problem you mention when ordering under one offer and then collecting the car when another offer has superseded it, on my last one I chopped and changed it around, added stuff etc the cost moved loads of time, but remember if you are trading in something the finance quote will change as your PX figures will change, lower settlement figure, PX price change etc, I have always found that the finance application is purely for acceptance for a car to that approx value, then when you collect the car and the finance is finally set up then the figures get input and you and Skoda accept them.

This is correct.

Fewie i ordered mine from Alex Lawrie yesterday they have a candy white tdi estate as a demo and race blue hatch in the showroom, i dealt with Eamon nice guy no pressure incl. test drive i was there 2 1/2 hrs but travelled from Barnsley, South Yorks they offered best discount through carwow website basically got all options i wanted for free and £400 saving on top. Would recommend Alex Lawrie excellent customer service good long test drive take your time don't rush into it i felt a bit of pressure end of 0% price increases etc but i was sold by the car wow love it just got to wait now was told end of April beginning of May.

Ordered via carwow and Alex Lawrie was the best quoted dealer. As said in other threads, no pressure, excellent (so far) service, would recommend.

 

Colour. Be brave..go METEOR!! (each to their own though), I like to be a little different. Got white the last time as it wasnt that common, seems to be everywhere now! 

 

Rio red, Meteor or Yellow (Mega Brave, Eeek!) seem to be few and far between.

Thanks for the advice guys. I won't have a PX for them to consider as I'll sell my current RenaultSport Clio privately once my vRS hits the boat (a 9 yr old car with 72k miles isn't going to be valued well be that kind of dealer anyway).

Daz, I'm off to see Eamon too. He's already explained he'll happily talk me through it all today and have a test drive then think about it over Xmas before placing an order just before new year. Refreshing in comparison to my local dealers "what can we do to secure your order today" kind of attitude (whilst never offering any value)

Fewie i ordered mine from Alex Lawrie yesterday they have a candy white tdi estate as a demo and race blue hatch in the showroom, i dealt with Eamon nice guy no pressure incl. test drive i was there 2 1/2 hrs but travelled from Barnsley, South Yorks they offered best discount through carwow website basically got all options i wanted for free and £400 saving on top. Would recommend Alex Lawrie excellent customer service good long test drive take your time don't rush into it i felt a bit of pressure end of 0% price increases etc but i was sold by the car wow love it just got to wait now was told end of April beginning of May.

Fewie i ordered mine from Alex Lawrie yesterday they have a candy white tdi estate as a demo and race blue hatch in the showroom, i dealt with Eamon nice guy no pressure incl. test drive i was there 2 1/2 hrs but travelled from Barnsley, South Yorks they offered best discount through carwow website basically got all options i wanted for free and £400 saving on top. Would recommend Alex Lawrie excellent customer service good long test drive take your time don't rush into it i felt a bit of pressure end of 0% price increases etc but i was sold by the car wow love it just got to wait now was told end of April beginning of May.

Ordered my Yeti I November through Carwow and Alex Lawrie too, Eamon was top bloke, travelled 200 mile round trip to do the deal ,but got a great deal. Local dealer couldn't get any where near.

I've found them good to deal with as well, though my dealings have all been from a couple of hundred miles away on the phone or email.

Hopefully mine should be not too far away from being built now. I wonder what options that blue VRS hatch in their showroom had?

I've added the odd option on mine since the order went in without a problem.

Once you are given an indicated build week (without status) you can change the colour and trim options but cant change optional extras, what my dealer told me anyway.

Well I've been for my test drive in a diesel manual and I think I'm convinced. As much as I'd love a petrol the general swell of torque and driveability of the diesel, along with better residuals, fuel economy and tax are just too good to turn down.

I've also been to the Skoda dealer in Warrington so now I've seen hatches in race blue and black and options such as the 19's, canton and leather (sagging badly in 2k miles demo) so I think I'm pretty much set on my spec now.

Just need to see if my local dealer will get anywhere The Alex Lawrie quote

Loadswine, from what i can remember Race blue hatch in showroom at Alex lawrie has a couple of options, cruise & colour maxi dot i had a good look around it very nice but i was more interested in the estate version that's what i need. There candy white estate demo is basic apart from different wheels not the standard vrs ones.

Fewie was the canton demonstrated to you? How was it in comparison to standard set up?

Daz. The canton was fitted to the demo at Warrington. It wasn't demo'd to me, the salesman opened the car but then remained in the dealership! I switched it on whilst sat in the car and listened to the sales managers CD of choice, namely the fugees greatest hits! The system sounded good but I haven't heard the standard equipment as it was switched off on my test drive