Skoda Octavia Petrol vs VW Passat Diesel

[sjdean]

My car knows it's due for the scrap heap in the sky and has stopped smoking on startup the day Im due to change it.

 

Assuming it continues to go wrong, my choice is betweenba 2005 Skoda Octavia, 2.0 FSI Petrol 150bhp with 70k miles for £3.5k. Or a 2009 VW Passat 2.0 TDI 140bhp with 80k for £8k.

 

I really want the Passat, but it will take four years to pay off. The Skoda would take 2 years. The Skoda wins on that.

 

The Skoda would need a Bolero head unit (RCD510), new CAN Gateway and MDI Interface totalling around £500, I'd probably need 4 new tyres too - I don't run around on rubbish. The Passat would only need the MDI interface, so wins on that.

 

Im struggling to decide which one to go for. I destroyed several petrol engines previously, and I think it was eventually determined it was through high revving, not red-lining, and not for length, but just really hard driving. Maybe a strong diesel is better?

 

Taking into account economy, tax, MPG, radio costs, servicing and residuals, over four years, both cars work out even.

 

The Skoda is now 8 years old which could be at the age where it will start to have problems. The VW is Diesel and only 3 years old, but we all know about high costs for those parts.

 

The Skoda would get 27 to 31 mpg around town, the CR if reports are correct between 35 to 39.

 

I just can't decide. 

 

Paying a car off in two years is a big plus, but at the end of two years, if I want another car in two years time, I need to save money! So it works out even. I have an old car, and I know old cars need work like exhausts, brake disks and pads, cv joints etc. The Skoda looks like a smaller car, so might be more fun to drive. The Passat though is the car I want, but with high price potential failures like DMF, DPF and injectors, it's a bit concerning.

 

I do 12k a year but people say that's not enough for a diesel. It used to be 10k, and I've seen people say anything between that and 30k! I still think on 12k, I could save between £30 to £50 on fuel.

 

If my current car is anything to go by, which being a Petrol 1.8, shows to be getting around 35mpg on the motorway vs 29mpg around town, then diesel could be a massive saving.

 

So.... 

 

So far Skoda wins, quicker to pay back, simpler, relative known quantity with MPG

VW would win if I could be fairly sure I wouldn't have lots of expensive repairs and get a good MPG.

 

With everything so firmly split down the middle, need some thoughts...

 

What should I go for?

 

Thanks

Simon

 

[Nathanio]

My experience recently has been to switch back to petrol (see my story here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/291889-my-journey-back-to-petrol-power/). I had a torrid time with maintenance on my diesel octavia and it cost me a lot of money and it was all related to the engine/transmission. Apart from bushes nothing else needed doing on my octavia but I spent £4500 on repairs in 4 years (ouch!).

 

This time I worked on the principle of lower pump costs, lower purchase price and petrol unpopularity made it an easy win. I paid £8900 for my Superb (58 plate, 57k, 1.8TSI and fully loaded) compared to the mid £10 to 12ks for an equivalent diesel (or mega mileage). £2-3k is a lot of petrol! 

 

Quite a few colleagues have made similar decisions and have moved back to petrol. I have also noticed a lot more new petrol cars on the road (VW TSI, MB BLueTec) than 3-4 years ago. 

 

The petrol is much nicer to drive as well and loves to be revved. 

[sjdean]

How about a 2005 Octavia for £3k? Worth a punt? Bit wary about going older, but wary about high price diesel repairs. I realise everything or nothing could happen. But it's a risk none the less. Grrr. Going to take a look at the Skoda tomorrow unless anyone can please please please give me an idea why I should avoid a 2.0 FSi which is has two new drive shafts, or a reason to take the Passat :-)

[Aspman]

Try to get an extended test drive on the passat. My mate just bought a 170hp diesel highline in a fit of desperation when his Mazda 6 started to croak. He says it's a lovely car but he really really doesn't like it.Can't put his finger on why but he's not looking forward to the next 4yr.

[sjdean]

My plan so far, is, unless I hear anything different, or any major update, something that Im wasting my time with the Skoda and should go with the Passat for economy and CR engines are OK... then,

 

 

Im going to test drive the Skoda, if I like it, I like it, I buy it. If not, i buy the Passat.

 

Must admit the Passat does strike me as a very big car, like the Mondeo. Would be a bit worried about its agility.

[999pooch]

With a gazillion different cars to choose from, why have you narrowed it down to two very different cars?

[Mr Grump]

This ^

8k (what you were considering spending for the Passat) can get you a 2009/2010 Octavia of either petrol or diesel flavour with around 35-45k miles, and you should be able to find one that has the equipment you wanted without spending extra.

Or if you wanted something else, that sort of money can get you plenty of choice. Any used car can be a lottery, so perhaps set aside some for maintenance, or get a good warranty included in the deal.

 

If you are taking into account the payment period, perhaps split it down the middle and look for a 6k car ?

 

I think first you need to define how much you want to spend, then you can work the best car out for that figure.

[sjdean]

I come from a Primera SE. Hard to find another decent Primera SE. 

 

I don't necessarily have £8k to spend, it all depends on MPG too. If there's no savings on fuel or road tax, then all Im spending is £4k tops. If I got some saving on Diesel, I can make adjustments to the budgets. Im working out costs of ownership over four years based on tax, servicing, loan repayments, fuel costs, residual resale value etc, and both the Octy and Passat are working out around £270 a month over four years in costs.

 

I don't particularly want to be paying a car off over four years, £4k is more preferable, unless it's a car I really really want.

 

Why have I narrowed it down to those two? I think the answer is in the question. I've narrowed it down to those two after looking at others.

 

People have said avoid Ford Mondeo Mk4. Nice car I must admit, I can't see any evidence why, hugely reliable by all accounts. But Im not awfully comfortable inside, very bulky. Had a good chance at a £5k one, but someone said avoid the earlier models of the Mk4, and anything after that is £1k more on so forth. So once Im upto £6k on a car, you know, why not go the extra year and get the car I want?

 

PD Engined Passats, not great Im informed, and earlier models had problems with EPB. Makes sense to stick with CR engine. 1.9 engined B5.5/B5 Passats are more expensive to insure than a B6 Passat. The Octavia would be good in 1.9 equivalent of an earlier or later vintage, but... Im against re-chipping the thing and then having to deal with the already high insurance. Iffy about the 2.0 PD Skoda's for the same reason as the VW, and Skoda Octavia CR engines are probably just as expensive as their Passat counterparts.

 

Honda Civic has an overwhelmingly complicated dash, don't like it. Peugeot 407, I feel Im miles away from the front of the car and couldn't get comfortable. Ride was rough in a Prius and sluggish in 0-30. Maybe a duff one. The Avensis (2005 shape) has a big hunk of plastic in the drivers footwell interfering with big feet otherwise  1.8 VVT T3-X min spec would be on the cards, but those are quite expensie anyhow for the same vintage. Vectra is too plasticky. Mk3 Petrol Mondeo is a possibility. Qashcai is too expensive and the Nissan Cube apparently isn't so good on the juice.

 

So I really only want to spend £4k max, closer to £3k. That will put me in the 2 year category to pay off.

 

But as I say, if its a case that I can save £40 a month on fuel, well, there's anothing £1k on the budget! If it has the radio I want, there's £500 also on the budget. Im overcomplicating this and instead of just picking a figure out, Im looking at everything as part of the budget. Though it makes sense to me. If I went for a £4k - loads around, but quite a few give appalling MPG. I think there are some 5L VW Phaetons around somewhere for that price bracket :-)

[Mr Grump]

It does seem like you made the process more complicated, but each to their own

If its between the Octavia and a Passat, and running costs are a priority, I would get diesel version of whichever you are more comfortable with / know best.

A quick look on AT for under 4K shows some circa 80k 05/06 models of both with FSH ....

[999pooch]

I think there are some 5L VW Phaetons around somewhere for that price bracket :-)

Thats more like it

[sjdean]

Trouble is MrGrump, the 05/06 Passats, PD engines, 2.0 version, 140/170 bhp - potential problems left right and centre.

 

Just tried the Skoda 2.0 FSI, nice, pulls well, great car to drive. Then I looked under the oil filler cap. A slight bit of creamy chocolate mayo. Also took about 10 seconds to start the blasted the thing.

 

Otherwise that would have been perfect.

 

Eek.

 

Simon

[mdon]

Trouble is MrGrump, the 05/06 Passats, PD engines, 2.0 version, 140/170 bhp - potential problems left right and centre.

Just tried the Skoda 2.0 FSI, nice, pulls well, great car to drive. Then I looked under the oil filler cap. A slight bit of creamy chocolate mayo. Also took about 10 seconds to start the blasted the thing.

Otherwise that would have been perfect.

Eek.

Simon

I wouldn't worry too much about the mayo in the oil, if the waters fine then the head gasket is fine plus if you get a warranty then that should allow you to test it out for a few weeks.

The mayo seems a trait of VW engines in particular, especially when doing short miles or standing for a bit (which I assume the Octy at the dealer probably has been doing).

[Dr Zoidberg]

You could get a very nice Diesel Fiat Bravo for your budget

[Paul007]

Or a Superb.