really happy with ours so far, just over a month of ownership and just under 1600 miles

 

had my first proper trip in it at the weekend to see some friends, so got to use it on the motorway

 

finding the 150ps diesel really torquey, managed 53mpg on weekend run, and mid 40s the rest of the time at the mo

(which I'm very happy with as it's a 4x4 estate)

 

having come from a 10 year old Seat Altea, I find the build quality better, it's easier to drive, got more equipment, quieter

having read some of the stuff on the forum I did worry, but it is definately better than it's predecessor.....

and having driven a friends new A6 avant the other week I didn't come back to my car with a feeling that I was missing out

 

 

used the factory towbar in anger at the weekend too (with thule 9708 bike rack) and was easy to fit and it all felt really secure

 

I've also had a really positive experience with the dealership too (even with a hiccup in the order) and I think this helps too

 

so another happy customer here  :-)   

Edited 6 April, 201511 yr by johnthesparky

I prefer my octy compared to Audi RS7.

The thing is that nearly everyone likes their car when new, but the true test is whether the love lasts.

I have had quite a few new cars on lease arrangements and my purchases were head over heart pragmatic selections based on my family's requirements.

Basically, transport with long warranties equals Korean but I soon fell out of love with them as their individual failings wore down any potential enjoyment. They did their job and that was it, there was no emotional attachment.

I won't bore you with my selection process that lead to the purchase of an Octavia Mk2 1.9d, seven years ago.

True to form I chose the practical base model (don't like blingy things that can go wrong) with the least performance.

Liked the car from new and was just amazed at how it excelled at any challenge I threw at it.

It rode dirt roads better than previous SUVs, huge internal capacity, long distance touring was a breeze, great mid-range torque for easy overtaking.

The stand out for me was the steering, pin-point accurate when straight ahead, and somehow offered fantastic feedback without any kick-back through the steering and all on 15 inch wheels. Strong cross-winds were simply dismissed.

Yes, the love just grew with every drive and I felt I was cheating on her when I test drove a Mk3 last year.

So now we have had a Mk3 estate for about 10 months, the guilt over the transfer has faded.

The mk3 1.4tsi manual is a great car, but it was following a hard act and does not do all things better than the old one imo.

Steering is still very good but not quite as magical, ride is better (even with torsion bar, probably due to the longer wheelbase), but I do not think it handles quite as well and is more affected by cross-winds (probably due to being lighter). Performance is better (weight again) and it is more nimble in traffic, although economy is not quite as good but still very impressive. It does address the one issue we with the old car and that was accommodation for our taller/bigger friends.

I do enjoy every drive in her, and while we are on very, very good terms it is too early to say whether it is true love.

Edited 7 April, 201511 yr by Gerrycan

8 Months and 8k miles, and i'm still loving my vRS.

 

I especially love the DSG. 99% of the time it does a far better job of changing gear that i do.

 

Its that bad, i have regular arguments with the wife, because she flat refuses to drive her own car!

13 months and 14.5k miles here, and no problems to report. All going very nicely.

20 months in and 11,000 miles.  Loved it at first but that was probably down to being the first car I'd ever specc'd and ordered new.  Still enjoy driving it and the park assist makes me smile every time it reverses into a space on its own.  I also smile when using the total closure and always watch the sunroof slide forward and close! 

 

I miss the oomph from my previous Mondeo ST TDCI (300+ lb/ft), the Octy doesn't come anywhere close to the kick that machine had and fuel economy is only about 1-2mpg better - I had expected more but the DSG box kills the economy.  It's smooth and relaxed to use, great in slow moving traffic or hill starts but it's not matched to a diesel engine.  Also the rear suspension lets the car down, the difference between torsion beam and independant suspension is highly noticeable.

 

No mechanical problems at all, only build 'problem' is one piece of interior trim is different to the others - and that took about 8 months to notice it (passenger side rear door metal effect trim).

 

Would I have another... no... I like it but I'll be going the private car route next year as I hate paying the government any more tax than I have to and BIK rates are climbing higher every year.  I'll be better off with my own car and the lure of a GTI Edition 30 or a BMW 535D is very strong.

Edited 7 April, 201511 yr by Sheldon.Cooper

The thing is that nearly everyone likes their car when new, but the true test is whether the love lasts.

Personally, I think I scrutinize more in the first few months and then the car becomes just another part of my life.....

So for me the niggles become obvious very early on and then I just learn to live with them :-/

I think the long lasting love comes from reliability, build quality and customer experiences with the dealers etc

Even if you get a fault, that might not actually put me off the product as long as I am dealt with correctly...

Edited 7 April, 201511 yr by johnthesparky

I've had my VRS tsi over a year now and am still enjoying it. Fairly rapid whilst still being pretty good on fuel. I think its almost unbeatable for performance vs space vs cost

Whether its just me in it hacking to work or its loaded up with wood from trees I've felled for my stove or lugging friends and family about it seems to do it all

[...]good news rarely makes the headlines hence the thread I thought should be started.

I also accept isn't perfect but is still much better than many I have owned...a very capable vehicle that's enjoyable to drive.

Completey agre with your reasons to start this thread and hats off to you for doing so. :clap:

I am also in the "satisfied/happy" camp: the car is still only 2 months old and has 3000km on the clock. No problem up to now. Goes really well, has enough space (no car has too much of it (maybe a 40t truck) and I "love" every part/function on it.

While I am still looking for the 184 bhp the VRS is supposed to have, I acknowledge that coming from a 200bhp petrol it was never going to be the same, but neither is the consumption (I still have the other car so power is not a problem). I also miss a few functions that are standard on other VAG cars, but on the whole and esp. considering the price, we are well chuffed.

 

Personally, I think I scrutinize more in the first few months and then the car becomes just another part of my life.....

So for me the niggles become obvious very early on and then I just learn to live with them :-/

I think the long lasting love comes from reliability, build quality and customer experiences with the dealers etc

Even if you get a fault, that might not actually put me off the product as long as I am dealt with correctly...

 

 what he said!

20 months in and 11,000 miles.  Loved it at first but that was probably down to being the first car I'd ever specc'd and ordered new.  Still enjoy driving it and the park assist makes me smile every time it reverses into a space on its own.  I also smile when using the total closure and always watch the sunroof slide forward and close! 

 

I miss the oomph from my previous Mondeo ST TDCI (300+ lb/ft), the Octy doesn't come anywhere close to the kick that machine had and fuel economy is only about 1-2mpg better - I had expected more but the DSG box kills the economy.  It's smooth and relaxed to use, great in slow moving traffic or hill starts but it's not matched to a diesel engine.  Also the rear suspension lets the car down, the difference between torsion beam and independant suspension is highly noticeable.

 

Presumably your Mondeo was mapped? The standard Mondeo is hardly worlds apart from the 150 Octy

153hp and 265lb/ft torque with 295 available with overboost.

Were pretty quick in their day but probably felt quicker than they were due to the vast torque output....mondeo is a v heavy car too.

153hp and 265lb/ft torque with 295 available with overboost.

Were pretty quick in their day but probably felt quicker than they were due to the vast torque output....mondeo is a v heavy car too.

yep 265ft lbs isnt the same as "Mondeo ST TDCI (300+ lb/ft)"

Presumably your Mondeo was mapped? The standard Mondeo is hardly worlds apart from the 150 Octy

Yes it was mapped.  I agree that a standard Mondy is very close to a 150 Octy engine wise - handling is another matter entirely

Edited 7 April, 201511 yr by Sheldon.Cooper

Yes it was mapped.  I agree that a standard Mondy is very close to a 150 Octy engine wise - handling is another matter entirely

Hardly fair to compare then , get the Octy mapped and report back

Had my 1.4TSi SE DSG hatch for a week now, and observations so far:

Pluses:

Cleverly pitched interior trim quality

Mechanical refinement

Interior/boot space

Easy-to-understand ICE/info systems

Excellent blend of performance/economy

DSG's smoothness/efficiency

Minuses:

Cheap back axle = average ride

Slightly anonymous looks in SE trim (and I felt I couldn't go Elegance because the ride needs a high profile tyre IMO)

I wouldn't keep a dry clutch DSG beyond the PCP term

Fuel tank seems small

Erm...that's it

A year on and 30k.

Put simply. It's the best all round car I have owned to date. Comfort, space, toys, reliability, performance. Is all spot on for what I wanted. Yes there are obviously better cars but for the 21k with options I paid? Absolute bargain.

Only minor negatives are 50L fuel tank and interior is starting to show slight wear already. But then so is my 35k (when new) BMW

Edited 7 April, 201511 yr by Stuski

A whole 350 mls and we love it. Big improvement on our MK2.

If youre offering the keys OP, cheers, drop em round. Im sure i'll love driving yours as much as mine and itll keep the mileage down on mine.... :clap:

I've had my 1.2 SE for 20 months and covered 29k miles. I've had no issues at all with the car and works perfect for me as a family motor, loads of leg room in the rear and the huge boot is great and I get on average 54 mpg long term which is good (I think).

I'm glad I spec'd the 17" Denoms as they were discountinued not long after I took delivery and they really suit the car.

I have just taken delivery of a MK7 Golf to sit along side the Octavia so I'm a fully paid up VAG owner now. Whilst the Golf shares a lot of interior components with the Octavia the Golf has a more premium feel and the build quality is superior....but to quote a well known saying " you gets what you pay for".

Pound for pound you'd be pushed to find a better all rounder than the Octavia.

Must be, ordered a second one (scout this time!)

Sorry can't say I am enjoying my Octavia, I am loving it. Easily the best car I have had so far. ACC is a joy to have on a car wether in town with flowing traffic or on the motorway. The little 1.4 with DSG has taken on everything I have thrown at it so far.

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I get on average 54 mpg long term which is good (I think).

Not just good, impressive.

Well the Mk3 certainly has its faults, but its a brilliant car, and it looks better every time I see it. One of the best looking cars out there. Yes it has cheapo suspension and so a harsh ride at times, but we are past the worst, and it is now just about bearable. I tell you, it handles like a dream to. All those saying it isn't fun to drive. Its amazing. Its goes straight ahead, it turns left and it turns right. What more do you want!!! The day it refuses to turn left or right, and I might change my mind

No in all seriousness, I enjoy driving it.

 

Only major downsides: Paint quality, uncomfortable rear seats, and rear suspension.

Petrol VRS estate, just about (almost) the perfect car for me. I have a lurched who can walk about in the boot, loads of leg room in the back for my 6ft 3 rugby playing son and his friends, wife is happy with the car. It has ACC which is brilliant for the 13K business mile I do a year; at an overall average MPG of 38 and can get 45 on a long run at 70. Weekends can be a blast when I'm on my own!

.... wife is happy with the car......

 

One of the best features actually :p