I once took test drives in an XF and a 5 series. The 5 series is a really nice car, but the XF had more going for it. Not only was it a really nice car, but it also felt a special place to be. I was driving down the motorway with a massive grin on my face. No other car in that category can do that.

Take a Tesla Model S out for a spin one day, I'll bet you'll get a similar grin after a completely silent insane acceleration or after chucking it in tight bends at speeds you'd imagine a saloon car could never handle.

 

At least for me it's really ruined all fuel burning cars for life. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Octy, but I'd swap it out for a Model S 85D in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

Take a Tesla Model S out for a spin one day, I'll bet you'll get a similar grin after a completely silent insane acceleration or after chucking it in tight bends at speeds you'd imagine a saloon car could never handle.

 

At least for me it's really ruined all fuel burning cars for life. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Octy, but I'd swap it out for a Model S 85D in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

The problem is, I never needed to do that in the XF. Just driving down the motorway was enough. Just being in the XF is enough. The interior just has something about it which a Beamer or Merc cannot match for me.

I suspect if I wanted to put my foot down, the grin would have been even bigger, but it just isn't needed.

I once took test drives in an XF and a 5 series. The 5 series is a really nice car, but the XF had more going for it. Not only was it a really nice car, but it also felt a special place to be. I was driving down the motorway with a massive grin on my face. No other car in that category can do that. Id be looking at Range Rover, Rolls Royce or Bentley to manage that I expect. I think that's the best way of describing the XF really, when comparing it to the 5 series. It feels special. The 5 series was just a nice car.

Perhaps its that rotary drive selector rising out the dash. Ooooooh! Until the 5 series offers me that, its a no go.

 

As for the XE and 3 series. Looking at the pics ive seen so far, the standard 3 series isn't a patch on the XE. The standard 3 series has a horrible interior. Certainly not executive.

 

Reliability wise, Jaguar are performing very well. However like every manufacturer, a lemon can always appear.

Depreciation. What is that 30k as a percentage?

 

The XF does have a nice interior and in Sport/S spec I grant you they look quite nice (though those Hyundai-esque DRL's dont do them alot of favours) but when it comes to build quality/integrity I dont think they quite match their german peers...though they are better than when they were under Ford ownership.  The flashy bits like the rising gear selector are all additional things to go wrong/break to. Again all opinion but much of the design and techy touches in the jags are pure form over function for me.

 

Also just my opinion but the engines in the BMW's are arguably a bit better too the 535d and 535i are pretty immense, then you have the 5 activehybrid which is very cool.

 

The XE is a lovely thing but the engine range is quite limited and they are looking to be quite expensive...particularly given like most Jaguars they'll probably depreciate quite hard.

 

In terms of percentages its about 30% year one, was a 90ish K car new.  Again most cars of that ilk depreciate quite badly year one but thats pretty bad!

 

In truth I guess I am just not really a Jag man....though if someone offered me an XFR-S or an F Type R I wouldnt say no!

I took SWMBOs O2 160TSI Eleg for new tyres and a decent run down to Brum last week, it's nearly 6 yrs old but about 12k less miles on the clock than my O3, so it barely run in and omg, apart from the lack of blue tooth and sat nav, it still blows the O3 out of the water for ride and build quality, nuff said!

Take a Tesla Model S out for a spin one day, I'll bet you'll get a similar grin after a completely silent insane acceleration or after chucking it in tight bends at speeds you'd imagine a saloon car could never handle.

 

At least for me it's really ruined all fuel burning cars for life. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Octy, but I'd swap it out for a Model S 85D in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

A Model S 85D costs nearly £79k. Or an £11.8k downpayment and £1,289/month over 5 years. Even with the saving on VED and petrol, Tesla still reckons it'll cost you £1,114/month.

Yes, I'd expect something that price to be more attractive than an Octavia

Edited 15 March, 201511 yr by JJJ66

Had a MkI VRS for 7 fun years, then changed to a MkII VRS TDI two years ago. Not loving the diesel drive and road noise (even with Goodyears fitted), so pondering a MkIII petrol despite doing 20k+ miles per year. Interesting feedback here - thanks.

A new petrol VRS is £19k from a broker - http://www.buyanewcaronline.co.uk/skoda/octavia/octavia-hatchback/2.0-tsi-vrs-5dr/ - you'd obviously want to add metallic paint and a few options, but even so, that's around £20k (compared to £25k list) - similar discount % to the "No VAT" offer when I brought my MkII, making it much more reasonably priced as a private purchase.

The ST Cupra is getting great reviews, so I took a test drive (of the hatch) but the road noise was terrible - now struck off the list. Currently musing a new Superb 280 4x4, but only after 12+ months to allow bugs to be ironed out and prices to drop. But it's also only DSG.

I bought my 6 month old Mk1 VRS for £12k in 2005 - I'd do so again today in the blink of an eye! There must be an enterprising company somewhere that could start making these again...? Reliable, fast, quiet, well made, cheap? Those are the qualities that made me first buy into the Skoda brand. As others have said, with the move upmarket, Skoda is in danger of being just another brand...

Edited 15 March, 201511 yr by RussellJ

The problem is, I never needed to do that in the XF. Just driving down the motorway was enough. Just being in the XF is enough. The interior just has something about it which a Beamer or Merc cannot match for me.

I suspect if I wanted to put my foot down, the grin would have been even bigger, but it just isn't needed.

I've sat in both, though only driven the Model S out of the two. The Tesla interior seems much classier than the XF just because of the lack of buttons. Just simple clean lines, the Jag is just too gimmick IMO.

A Model S 85D costs nearly £79k. Or an £11.8k downpayment and £1,289/month over 5 years. Even with the saving on VED and petrol, Tesla still reckons it'll cost you £1,114/month.

Yes, I'd expect something that price to be more attractive than an Octavia

Definitely. But the thing is, I don't think there's anything I'd rather drive than the Model S, in any price range. I just hope the Model ≡ feels as good once it comes out. If it does, I'm pretty sure it'll be my next car.

Went to Brighton with friends, and used his A6 avant

I drove it the 120 miles home, and have to say though it's bigger (cabin felt wider) and felt like it cocooned me more, height of screen and centre console, and was probably more refined... I wouldn't spend the extra required to drive the Audi over the Skoda, and the friend whose Audi it was wished he'd taken the vRS over the A6 (he test drove both, and then colleagues convinced him to take the A6)

Also I only managed 48.2mpg on the run home (long term average was 42.... But he's a point and squirt guy) and I have managed to average 44 so far in my octy 4x4 over it 500 miles...

His is the 177 diesel ultra, so has the added expense of adblue every 6k too!

Also I only managed 48.2mpg on the run home (long term average was 42.... But he's a point and squirt guy) and I have managed to average 44 so far in my octy 4x4 over it 500 miles...

His is the 177 diesel ultra, so has the added expense of adblue every 6k too!

I'm really happy with the economy of the 184 2.0 TDI so far. I've driven a combination of motorway and city*, with an emphasis on city driving and managed 54 mpg without even trying to drive economically. It's a big difference from out old Volvos 25 mpg on the same route.

 

*(For a whopping total of 150 km so far.)

Edited 15 March, 201511 yr by kallekilponen

I bought my 6 month old Mk1 VRS for £12k in 2005 - I'd do so again today in the blink of an eye! There must be an enterprising company somewhere that could start making these again...? Reliable, fast, quiet, well made, cheap? Those are the qualities that made me first buy into the Skoda brand. As others have said, with the move upmarket, Skoda is in danger of being just another brand...

I seem to recall my Mk. 1 vRS being a bit front heavy and a clunky gearchange. This all improved enormously with my Mk. 2   2.0 FSi, but my third Octy, the 1.8 TSi Mk. 2 was way above that in every respect. Had it for 6 years. I'll wait a year or two before finally judging my Mk. 3 !!

The XF does have a nice interior and in Sport/S spec I grant you they look quite nice (though those Hyundai-esque DRL's dont do them alot of favours) but when it comes to build quality/integrity I dont think they quite match their german peers...though they are better than when they were under Ford ownership.  The flashy bits like the rising gear selector are all additional things to go wrong/break to. Again all opinion but much of the design and techy touches in the jags are pure form over function for me.

 

Also just my opinion but the engines in the BMW's are arguably a bit better too the 535d and 535i are pretty immense, then you have the 5 activehybrid which is very cool.

 

The XE is a lovely thing but the engine range is quite limited and they are looking to be quite expensive...particularly given like most Jaguars they'll probably depreciate quite hard.

 

In terms of percentages its about 30% year one, was a 90ish K car new.  Again most cars of that ilk depreciate quite badly year one but thats pretty bad!

 

In truth I guess I am just not really a Jag man....though if someone offered me an XFR-S or an F Type R I wouldnt say no!

A 90k car, and you are moaning at losing 30k? Considering the first year is always the worst, that sounds pretty normal to me.

Im trying my hardest not to sound too pro Jaaaaag, as im sure its very obvious I hate them really!

 

Every car has something to go wrong, and you pick up on a single thing, the drive selector. Yes it may be form over function, but every car has that in one sense or another. I honestly cant look at another automatic now ive seen that. Sometimes you need a little bit of form over function to show off and stand out, and that's what the Jag does. It makes itself stand out through little things like that, and it works.

 

Now the build quality may lack in some places, but I suspect the beamers also lack in other places. Overall there is probably little to choose between the XF and 5 series, and its all personal opinion as to what does it for you. I couldn't tell any obvious difference between the two when it came to ride quality, so it all came down to the fact the Jag had that something extra about it.

 

Oh and im not sure Jags to depreciate hard. They are meant to hold on to their value better than a lot of others.

I've sat in both, though only driven the Model S out of the two. The Tesla interior seems much classier than the XF just because of the lack of buttons. Just simple clean lines, the Jag is just too gimmick IMO.

Definitely. But the thing is, I don't think there's anything I'd rather drive than the Model S, in any price range. I just hope the Model ≡ feels as good once it comes out. If it does, I'm pretty sure it'll be my next car.

Ive just looked at pics of the Tesla interior. With all due respect for your preferences, I shall avoid saying anything not very nice about it, so in the next couple of lines I shall describe everything I liked about it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, hope the above all made sense!

I took SWMBOs O2 160TSI Eleg for new tyres and a decent run down to Brum last week, it's nearly 6 yrs old but about 12k less miles on the clock than my O3, so it barely run in and omg, apart from the lack of blue tooth and sat nav, it still blows the O3 out of the water for ride and build quality, nuff said!

I once test drove a Mk2, and wouldn't argue that build quality seemed very good from what I recall. But im struggling to see that my Mk3 is any worse build quality wise. Possibly because I don't have a Mk3 with this poor build quality. The interior overall is certainly nicer in my Mk3. Nicer dash plastics etc. At some stage Mat, you are going to have to pinpoint to me where the Mk3 falls down (no mentioning the suspension!!!)

 

I tell you, reading this thread makes me feel all sad for the Mk3. Im going to have to go home and give my car a massive hug now, make sure she knows she is loved.

I don't think I could ever change car again now. Id feel as bad as all you evil people if I did.

Poor Octy, all it wanted was to be loved.

I once test drove a Mk2, and wouldn't argue that build quality seemed very good from what I recall. But im struggling to see that my Mk3 is any worse build quality wise. Possibly because I don't have a Mk3 with this poor build quality. The interior overall is certainly nicer in my Mk3. Nicer dash plastics etc. At some stage Mat, you are going to have to pinpoint to me where the Mk3 falls down (no mentioning the suspension!!!)

 

I tell you, reading this thread makes me feel all sad for the Mk3. Im going to have to go home and give my car a massive hug now, make sure she knows she is loved.

I don't think I could ever change car again now. Id feel as bad as all you evil people if I did.

Poor Octy, all it wanted was to be loved.

Main plus on the O2 obviously for me is ride quality which is probably down to standard IRS and heavier kerb weight. Other key differences are....the dash plastics and the fact that on O2 they carry on to the tops of door cards whereas O3 door cards are hard and very poor fitting, although I have modified mine to stop the movement; O2 has better door mirrors, they are bigger and drivers side has the built in blind spot split thingy; O2 standard Bolero sound system has bigger screen and standard speakers sound much better, much more base; O2 has bigger fuel tank; paint finish seems more durable, might be colour difference or maybe O3 has thinner metal but O2 just seems more solid; O2 has foot rest for drivers right foot as well as left foot.

In it's defence, O3 has better infotainment and more standard fit toys some of which O2 options list could only have dreamed about, better external styling but still not convinced about the creases on rear panel, better seats and more room in the rear (knee and rear bench width).

If my new springs and dampers solve my ride quality issues, all will be forgiven!

Ive just looked at pics of the Tesla interior. With all due respect for your preferences, I shall avoid saying anything not very nice about it, so in the next couple of lines I shall describe everything I liked about it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, hope the above all made sense!

Amazing, your list encompasses everything I love about the XF interior. 

 

Goes to show that matters of taste are rather pointless to argue about. 

Main plus on the O2 obviously for me is ride quality which is probably down to standard IRS and heavier kerb weight. Other key differences are....the dash plastics and the fact that on O2 they carry on to the tops of door cards whereas O3 door cards are hard and very poor fitting, although I have modified mine to stop the movement; O2 has better door mirrors, they are bigger and drivers side has the built in blind spot split thingy; O2 standard Bolero sound system has bigger screen and standard speakers sound much better, much more base; O2 has bigger fuel tank; paint finish seems more durable, might be colour difference or maybe O3 has thinner metal but O2 just seems more solid; O2 has foot rest for drivers right foot as well as left foot.

In it's defence, O3 has better infotainment and more standard fit toys some of which O2 options list could only have dreamed about, better external styling but still not convinced about the creases on rear panel, better seats and more room in the rear (knee and rear bench width).

If my new springs and dampers solve my ride quality issues, all will be forgiven!

That's slightly more than just build quality. That's design as well.

Anyway- Ride quality I agree with.

Dash plastics I find better on Octy 3, but agree the door cards should not have that cheap hard plastic. A nice carpeted style doorcard would be nice. Not sure about poor fitting, seems ok to me, but don't worry, ive put it into my diary to get that checked at the Mat Pez Skoda dealership

Cant recall about the mirrors on O2 so don't know. O3 seems good enough though so seems quite a minor thing.

Don't know about sound system on O2, but the O3 is fine for my uses. My music isn't intended to be loud. Its not a brilliant system though.

Yes fuel tank is smaller, but with the increase in MPG, you end up with similar range. So I find that a bit harsh.

Paint durability- Funny how I mentioned this ages ago, and nobody seemed to want to agree with me. Anyway yes, it does seem a little bit worse.

Foot rest- Oh you poor dear. Hold on right there and I'll go and get you your pipe and slippers. My last car had no foot rests.

 

I think the O3 has many more plus points as well-

Better internal style- A lot more upmarket. Sorry but O2 design seems quite boring in comparison. Nice, but nothing compared to O3.

Better engines

Better steering (O2 was far too heavy from what I remember, especially at low speed).

Better dash plastics from my point of view.

Quieter

Smoother over good roads (the bad suspension only being a problem on bad roads.

That's on top of the ones you mention.

 

Now there is a negative, which I think also applied to the O2, but is definitely obvious on the O3. Rubbish rear seats. Absolutely dire. There isn't much point in all that rear legroom if nobody actually wants to sit in the back. My dad cannot do a long journey sat in the back. Front seats could also do with being a bit more comfortable.

 

So it would seem suspension setup and door cards are the biggest problem? Paint quality should also be improved, as well as the speakers.

If they change the suspension and doorcards at the midlife refresh then to me the Octy is close to being unbeatable for that class of car. There is nothing I would rather have without going upmarket as it is. The Mondeo is probably the closest, but don't like the interior. The Passat isn't my cup of tea internally either.

 

Yep, definitely got to be the Tesla for me :no:

I think the main disappointment with the O3 is that not all the best bits of the O2 were carried over, so it is more apparent to O2 owners where the corner cutting axe has fallen to pay in part for the raft of toys. As JJ came from a Focus, Mk 1 I seem to recall, that explains his point of view, I had a Mk1 Focus back in 1999 and it was a revelation at the time compared to the Escort it replaced, and became the benchmark for all small hatch family cars to aspire to. The O3 is still a great car for the money, despite the price rises and increased depreciation, but it's just a shame a little more of the O2 DNA was lost in the evolution.

Other key differences are....the dash plastics and the fact that on O2 they carry on to the tops of door cards whereas O3 door cards are hard and very poor fitting, although I have modified mine to stop the movement;

My O3 door cards fit just fine; my O2 doorcards with that soft plastic - had to have the driver's side one replaced twice where the plastic "bubbled" and wrinkled.

Edited 16 March, 201511 yr by JJJ66

Amazing, your list encompasses everything I love about the XF interior. 

 

Goes to show that matters of taste are rather pointless to argue about. 

No arguing here. Just a healthy discussion!

My next car will be something else. The VRS is a nice car, but mine is not fast enough, not built as well as it could be, suffers too many niggles and my Skoda Dealership is too far away. I either underestimated the importance of having a Dealer within a 45 minute drive, or overestimated how reliable my car would be.

 

Next time my car will be an Audi, VW, BMW, Merc, Ford, Renault, Nissan, Honda, Mazda or Toyata - All within 10 minutes of my house and many within walking distance.

I think the main disappointment with the O3 is that not all the best bits of the O2 were carried over, so it is more apparent to O2 owners where the corner cutting axe has fallen to pay in part for the raft of toys. As JJ came from a Focus, Mk 1 I seem to recall, that explains his point of view, I had a Mk1 Focus back in 1999 and it was a revelation at the time compared to the Escort it replaced, and became the benchmark for all small hatch family cars to aspire to. The O3 is still a great car for the money, despite the price rises and increased depreciation, but it's just a shame a little more of the O2 DNA was lost in the evolution.

Oh I wont argue with that. It can definitely be improved, and is definitely worse in some respects.

 

 

Hello, Mr Skoda? Yes, I have a new interior and exterior designer for you. He wont need paying as he will do it for the love of Skoda. His name? Yep, its Matt from Sheffield. You what? Oh you've already heard about him? That doesn't surprise me. Say that again? Oh his dealer has been complaining about him. Yeah im afraid the Sheffield side of him comes out and he does moan a lot!!!!

 

As I say though, you wont need to pay him. All he requests is that you fit IRS to the Octy 3. Id say you have yourself a bargain designer there!

Will he relocate to Czech Republic? I suspect so, it cant be any worse than Sheffield afterall!!!!!

Will he what? Oh no, you wont need to give him a company car, as he is going for a Merc now anyway!

I think the main disappointment with the O3 is that not all the best bits of the O2 were carried over, so it is more apparent to O2 owners where the corner cutting axe has fallen to pay in part for the raft of toys. As JJ came from a Focus, Mk 1 I seem to recall, that explains his point of view,

Mk2 I think mine was. 2006?

It actually isn't too dissimilar to the Octy 2, and there are both pros and cons when you compare the Octy 3. In fact, the pros and cons are very similar to yours.

Focus has more comfortable ride (albeit it wallows more).Seats are more comfortable. Better suspension setup. Better paint durability. Parts of the door cards are a lot better (but parts are also worse).

But then the O3 has a much nicer looking interior overall, and nicer dash plastics (much softer touch).

 

So don't get me wrong, I agree with some of your points, and ive been moaning about some for just as long as you have, even if I do joke about the foot rests!!

The only thing I cant follow myself is actual interior build quality, as mine seems solidly put together, with no creaks or rattles. Its just the odd design flaws which as you say, have probably been to reduce costs.

 

Don't know if you can remember, when I first picked up the Octy, I listed things on here that I didn't like about the Octy, and which were worse than the Ford. My main bugbear at the time being the location of the cruise control.

I ended up with someone asking me why I bothered getting an Octy in the first place if I hated it so much. Which was far from the case as I have never hated it, but like you, I had noticed things which I wish were different. Perhaps at the time I was seen as a foreigner on here, as my comments seemed unwelcome. However over time as others have noticed them, it is accepted when they are pointed out.

Oh, and as for the actual question about getting another Octy. No not for a long time, because I'd be better off keeping this one than swapping for another Octy 3. Don't see the point getting another car if its going to be the same as what I have.  So no until the Octy 4 comes out at least. But by then who knows. I may have the Jaaaag by then, or Skoda may have gone stupid with their interior or exterior design.

My O3 door cards fit just fine; my O2 doorcards with that soft plastic - had to have the driver's side one replaced twice where the plastic "bubbled" and wrinkled.

Must be honest, my S2 did that but had covered 88k over 4 yrs. SWMBOs O2 is still like new at 6 yrs old but only done 31k. I think there must be a compromise of comfort vs durability but still reckon durability in the O3 = cheap hard plastics in too many areas that you touch/feel every time you drive it.

It's a pity you can't spec your car from all the various marks. I'd want the pre FL body, both style and build quality,, the 1.8 TSi engine, the current manual gearbox and the sound levels and smoothness of my current Mk.3.