After two years I can summarise my thoughts in terms of pros and cons which might help prospective buyers as:-

 

Pros.

1. Fuel consumption range 45-73mpg.   The lower value on short runs in winter. The latter really trying hard on a 150 mile run on mainly clear A roads. Usually 63 mpg on long run mixed road with a fair bit of motorrway. Averages about 58 mpg but most of my journeys are mixed open and urban of about 10-20 miles.

2. Comfortable seating and control layout.

3. Good ride.

4. Massive boot

5. Elegance has most things you need.

6. Passengers say plenty of room in back.

7. Totally reliable so far except noisy and failing A/C compressor which was replaced under warrantee.

 

Cons.

1. Very high road noise levels on all surfaces except smooth tarmac when it becomes very quiet. Unfortunately these surfaces are rare in the UK.

2. Engine sounds like a tractor when idling (I know it;'s a diesel, but come on!)

3. Engine "throaty" when accelerating hard as opposed to a quieter smoother sound. Might suit the younger more sporty type!

4. Mine gives a high frequency very slight buzzing noise from somewhere. Most people say they can't hear it but once you do it bugs you - I think it is again associated with road noise.

5. Never really appreciated the engine management system deciding I am in too higher gear and acceleratin on my behalf when I am slowing down but have adapted to this now and rarely notice it.

6. Heater takes 10 minutes to warm up

7. Had a useless puncture spray and no spare wheel which I have now rectified with a proper spare.

8. It is possible to lock keys in the boot if you drop them and then shut boot with rest of car already locked! (Did it once, won't do it again!)

 

Overall verdict would have to be outstanding value and cheap to run, reliable but uninspiring compared to my previous 2006 Mazda 6, which of course was a more expensive car new.

Edited 1 February, 201412 yr by dcweather

I agree with you here

" Very high road noise levels on all surfaces except smooth tarmac when it becomes very quiet"

Agree with most the points you have raised but the road noise doesnt really bother me as its several orders of magnitude quieter than my old MG ZR. You literally had to shout to the passenger at anything over 60mph. 

As above, far quieter and far more refined than an 08 Civic

Sent from my iPhone using my thumbs

5. Never really appreciated the engine management system deciding I am in too higher gear and acceleratin on my behalf when I am slowing down but have adapted to this now and rarely notice it.

 

I heard reports of this in other threads relating to the 1.6 CR 105 in the Rapid.

 

Someone took their car in and got a software update which cured it.

 

Could be similar on the Octavia.

 

Phil