Good Afternoon

 

I am just looking for people's thoughts on a new car purchase I am looking at, as I have never purchased a new car before I want to make sure I am not missing something that should be obvious etc.

 

Currently looking at the Octavia Estate SE (maybe the SE-L) as these are the only two that allow for 16inch wheels.  The reason I am going for 16inch wheels is so that I can get a full size spare etc and also the tyres on-going are a more reasonable price.

 

So have worked my way through the configurator and brochure and have decided based upon the SE to add on the following extras:

• Standard Blue colour
• Full size spare
• Trip Computer upgrade
• Smokers Pack (need the light for charging, am not a smoker)
• Protection Pack
• Roof Rack
• Door Sill Covers
• 5 year warranty upgrade
• 3 year servicing upgrade

I would have liked a heated screen but this is not available on the 1.4 TSI according to the brochure but is on the configuration tool, sadly I cannot have a diesel.  Also would have liked the retractable mirrors hence am considering the SE-L as again they are not available for the SE from what I can see.

 

In addition

• have looked at ALA for GAP insurance which takes into account rises in the cost of the car (it will be a cash purchase)
• have priced up an Alloy to replace the spare wheel so that all are identical and can be switched and swapped around etc

Am not sure at this stage what tyres are on the car at delivery, will ask when it comes to ordering as I would like to have Michelin Primacy 3's which I find a good tyres.

 

Thanks for the thoughts

 

Paul

If you can get an SE-L on 16" wheels Id probably go for that. For only a reasonable bit extra you do get alot more standard kit over and above SE....admittedly some things you may not necesssarily want or need but will be nice all the same.

You dont need the smokers pack by the way.....the car comes with the 12v outlet anyway...no lighter just a plastic plug for the hole...also the ashtray is just a storage box without it. Perfectly fine.

I also would suggest if you do go SE the colour maxidot isnt really worth the extra 80 quid.....the display on the SE is still maxi-dot just B&W but functions and displays stuff v much the same....in fact the colour computer displays info mostly in Black and white anyway...just some of the information and warming messages have some colour in them. Id rather a multi function wheel myself.

RE tyres..frankly it could come with anything but they will almost always be branded....Skoda seem to buy job lots and just fit what they can get hold of but I wouldnt lose sleep over it.....on 16" wheels and standard suspension the O3 only handles so well anyway regardless of the tyres

Edited 10 July, 201510 yr by pipsypreturns

Thanks for the advice on the smokers pack, that is officially off the shopping list now.  Will look at taking the colour maxi-dot off also then.

 

I know what you mean about the SE v SE-L, there are things that I am not really bothered about etc but might just take the hit on it and go for it. 

 

Thanks again for the reply.

V welcome.

By the way there is also a 2nd 12v outlet in the boot on the estate so handy for charging stuff out of view of prying eyes.

The estate is simply vast and worth going for over the hatch so thats a good choice...has the added benefit (IMHO) of being better looking/proportioned than the hatch too.

Your local tyre dealer might swap almost new (under 50 miles) for the ones you want...plus the change out costs etc.

The SE-L makes more sense financially as it retains more value, trade car prices DO NOT include the cost of any optional extras and whilst, a private buyer may well want some of the extras you car has, they are not likely to admit this whilst haggling.

 

Buy the SE-L, its more car, retains more value and is generally a much nicer place to spend time, having got it I'd recommend the DSG, first really bad traffic jam and you'll understand why but, it is a another cost.

Have you looked at all the options? Is a cash purchase the best financial way for you to go? Have you looked at PCH and PCP options? They might mean money sits in your account and you don't rake a big hit when (if) you sell it?

V welcome.

By the way there is also a 2nd 12v outlet in the boot on the estate so handy for charging stuff out of view of prying eyes.

 

There's a socket in the boot of the hatch as well as the estate. There is in mine.

Go SE-L, but get the right price - try buyanewcaronline (I have no interest in them, just used them before) or similar.

I would get the heated seats, colour MFD, parking sensors (front & rear), rear camera, mirror pack.....trying to think what you have not already mentioned as the packs are different on VW's.

 

Forget the door sill covers & boot sill strips as the VAG ones are rubbish, get the ones from Rearguards Ltd which are MUCH better & WAY cheaper! I got the full set or 4 doors & rear bumpers for less than what VW want for a smaller rear bumper one!

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

 

I think my first preference is for the SE-L as for the extra £1500 roughly there is so much more.  Have amended my add-ons slightly to:

 

• Full size spare
• Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS and LED daytime running lights etc
• Front Mud Flaps (Dealer fit not factory fit)

I fitted all my own mudflaps & got the flaps at time of purchase from the dealers. Had to get the wheels off to fit the flaps properly as 5 fixings per flap & had to drill holes for them, AS per the instructions, which is why they charge for the fitting! I had the wheels off to copper grease the hub/alloy mating faces anyway!

 

Bi-xenon's & LED DRL's cost a fortune, even I winced at the cost on my car but it looks soooo much better & will date less!