Dont know if i could go from a mk2 octy to a mk1

Oh I don't know, L+K spec and the Mk1 shape is coming to look like it should have an Audi badge on. Not out of place despite its age. 

What I can't get past with the mk1's, even in the finest spec with all the trimmings, is the big old cassette player staring at you from the centre console! I would say though why not just look at a mk2 with a slower engine!? When I was looking for mine (a couple of months ago) there were loads of decent examples in elegance spec with a few miles on for 3.5k ish, 5k ought to get you a very tidy one! I too "downgraded" for economy from a 150bhp 16v 1.9 tdi to the 105bhp 1.9pd td. The power really isn't as bad as I thought, yes it's not a fast car but it still has torque when you need it and feels nippy enough, and the increase in economy has been excellent

Glynn, I think down speccing your car won't save you any money over the next few years, you won't get what you think is a fair price for your VRS and buying another car is still a possible money pit if things go wrong.