Legacy 3.0R spec B? Not sure whether it ticks all your boxes' date=' or what discounts are available, but I've yet to see a bad review of it.

Chris[/quote']

Yes and it kicked the Volvo's but around anglesey on fifth gear last Monday.

Quite like the look of the Volvo's these days - nowhere near as square as they once were.

The Subaru apparently handles very well for an estate car -- along with that unusual flat six motor.

Legacy 3.0R spec B? Not sure whether it ticks all your boxes' date=' or what discounts are available, but I've yet to see a bad review of it.

Chris[/quote']

Looks great value for the spec and good discounts. Only scary bit is the fuel consumption: 16 mpg urban, 23 mpg combined.

Wouldn't rely too heavily on tests in mags or by telly bimbos Skodaw. Most of us won't spend our lives driving round empty airports. Best way is to try them. V50 is based on Focus and drives nearly as well with decent engines not available in Focus estate. Has the same high driving position that's not to all tastes.

Looks great value for the spec and good discounts. Only scary bit is the fuel consumption: 16 mpg urban' date=' 23 mpg combined.

Wouldn't rely too heavily on tests in mags or by telly bimbos Skodaw. Most of us won't spend our lives driving round empty airports. Best way is to try them. V50 is based on Focus and drives nearly as well with decent engines not available in Focus estate. Has the same high driving position that's not to all tastes.[/quote']

Unfortunately life is about compromise - some are easy to take others not so easy, at the end of the day it depends on your priorities and what you need.

I am fortunate in that I don't need a particular size/style of vehicle - my choice can be made by me for me - the main reason that I previously purchased Skoda and have returned to Skoda is that I can have a better spec car using the latest technology for a more reasonable price -- a good compromise.

If I wanted an absolute sportscar - then the £23k that I've spent could be put to better use,the same can be said if I wanted a luxurious car - but I personally dont think I could buy a better specced or performing car for the money -- sure there may be other cars in the same price bracket - but not specced to the same level

If I wanted an absolute sportscar - then the £23k that I've spent could be put to better use,the same can be said if I wanted a luxurious car - but I personally dont think I could buy a better specced

For that money with the discount available you could have full leather seats in the colour of your choice with matching interior trim and full electric adjustment. Not even options on vRS iirc. Called the S40/V50 T5.

or performing car

Which is also around a sec faster 0-60.

for the money -- sure there may be other cars in the same price bracket - but not specced to the same level

And getting the normal basic stuff like all-electric windows and full set of air-bags isn't an optional extra as with the vRS. The basic spec for vRS is lousy unless green-painted brakes are high on your list. Huge premium on the discounted Ambiente but without the choice.

Other cars in the Octavia range with the big discounts available out there are great value. Without any real discount and with every car churned out having the same (not exactly classy) interior the vRS looks top dollar to me for what's perceived as a budget car. The clever marketing I admire.

The volvo may be better equipped as standard - but so it should be it's more expensive - the T5 starts at over £23k and then you have to add other items on.

I'm not sure why you like the volvo so much - it has the metal=fast interior too

And a very quick look at the price list puts it somewhere in the region of £28k to get a similar spec to my vRS

I have no doubt that its a fine car,but is certainly beyond my budget and again I don't think there is another car with the same or better performace AND spec for the same price.

Note on the new passat. I do not believe it is much bigger, (VW hype at work) compared to an octavia II.

Parked my superb next to a new passat, and the passat looked decidely compact by comparison! Rear legroom tighter than octy.

The volvo may be better equipped as standard - but so it should be it's more expensive - the T5 starts at over £23k and then you have to add other items on.

I'm not sure why you like the volvo so much - it has the metal=fast interior too

And a very quick look at the price list puts it somewhere in the region of £28k to get a similar spec to my vRS

I have no doubt that its a fine car' date='but is certainly beyond my budget and again I don't think there is another car with the same or better performace AND spec for the same price.[/quote']

The T5 is available with discount from around £21500.

If I liked the Volvo so much I'd have ordered one already but it's a possibility. The aluminium finish is a free option and can also choose wood finishes - but I don't object to aluminium. (Not so keen on chrome inside.) Options and choices are nice though aren't they.

But you couldn't get a similarly spec'ed vRS as the T5 at any price could you? Not even a paid option for leather interior or electrically operated seats on vRS is there? Both standard with choice of colours on T5. No option for T5 performance of course either.

Probably no option for go-faster green painted brake calipers on the Volvo but wouldn't think that too great a loss.

I don't have loyalty to any brand. Point being that unless it sells at the same discounts as other Octavias it's not such a bargain imho - either compared with others in the range or other offerings. And that assumes you don't mind being seen in public with that Halfords interior.

Chris,

Would like to test drive before buying but I have run out of time, so I either order or end up with a Astra or an Accord.

Legacy sounds nice but cannot afford both cost price and tax.

I m sure your right and a mondeo is a lot faster, but I will stick with my choice.

Note on the new passat. I do not believe it is much bigger' date=' (VW hype at work) compared to an octavia II.

Parked my superb next to a new passat, and the passat looked decidely compact by comparison! Rear legroom tighter than octy.[/quote']

I think the Passat estate is 8" longer than the Octavia which is a pain for parking in town. Bigger all round than the old one. Size of Octavia estate would have been enough for me. Would like to try it though when dealer gets a 2.0T in.

Maybe Skoda will see the light and offer some options on that interior.

And that assumes you don't mind being seen in public with that Halfords interior.

Always preffered Halfords to Motorworld my self :orb_laugh

Anyone seen the dopey retractible 80's style phone keypad pops out of the Passat dash if you go for the handsfree option. Very functional i'm sure but so dodgy looking.

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050919.004/volkswagen/1.html

I think the front of the Passat looks cheap (something about the silver around the grill)

I think the front of the Passat looks cheap (something about the silver around the grill)

I think it depends on what colour you have - looks alright with some colours (black - is black a colour ??) but looks really naff with others.

I'm not too keen on the interior design either it seems a bit of a mish mash - there are influences from a load of other cars all rolled into one - I don't think it works that well - mind you that could be down to the horrible colour combo on the 360 interior view on the website

I'm not too keen on the interior design either it seems a bit of a mish mash - there are influences from a load of other cars all rolled into one - I don't think it works that well - mind you that could be down to the horrible colour combo on the 360 interior view on the website

Very bland and certainly not as nice as an Audi. You could alway get go-faster seat covers from Motor-world for a fiver to make it look like a vRS.

And they do give you a choice.

Very bland and certainly not as nice as an Audi. You could alway get go-faster seat covers from Motor-world for a fiver to make it look like a vRS.

And they do give you a choice.

Its almost like they are trying to copy Audi but can't quite afford it

Nah it's got to be Halfrauds - class they are

Its almost like they are trying to copy Audi but can't quite afford it

I assume they, the designers or whoever, aren't allowed to outdo the equivalent Audi. They want that to stay the upmarket badge. All clever stratified marketing. They also don't put the better engines in the base trim models. Skoda do the same.

Yes it's like Skoda being allowed to have DSG - but without paddle shift

Information on the New RS is on Irish dealer websites

ESP isn’t mentioned

Standard Items mentioned

Single ellipsoidal lens Xenons bulb headlights (I assume that means Bi-Xenons are out the window)

Auto Rear View Mirror

Rain Sensing Wipers

Headlamp washers

Heated Washers

Active Head Restraint

Seems a lot better specced than the UK version (so who's coming over to buy one )

http://northside.phoenixmotors.ie/newcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&Make=Skoda&Model=Octavia&strSpecs=sscIRL2002

OK got info from dealer today,Skoda have accepted my order - the dealer had to order it manually as the options I want are not on the system.

Skoda have said there "Should be no problems as they can all be fitted" Build week 3 in January so at dealers back end of Feb - Just in time for 1st March Collection(Hopefully).

Anyone on here had GAP insurance when they bought there new car,was thinking that with all the options on this car might be worth getting GAP to cover any losses should the worse happen - IIRC it costs about £380 for 3 years.

yeah I just bought GAP plus on my new L&K which I picked up yesterday. Last L&K got crushed by a tree last month, I was lucky to get out in one piece, lucky that Halifax paid out top dollar as there ain't that many L&K estates on the market, but unlucky that the lack of GAP cover left me nearly £5k out of pocket. Cost me £395 yesterday, hopefully I won't need it but better safe than sorry!

:(

yeah I just bought GAP plus on my new L&K which I picked up yesterday. Last L&K got crushed by a tree last month' date=' I was lucky to get out in one piece, lucky that Halifax paid out top dollar as there ain't that many L&K estates on the market, but unlucky that the lack of GAP cover left me nearly £5k out of pocket. Cost me £395 yesterday, hopefully I won't need it but better safe than sorry!

:([/quote']

Yes that's the kind of thing that I'm thinking about -- there certainly aren't going to be many vRS's around with my spec - and I don't fancy having to shell out even more money to replace it.

I think it's probably money well spent - that hopefully will never be needed

Edit: Glad youve managed to get yourself sorted - shame about the extra expense tho!

I have GAP insurance included as standard with my lease deal but i'm not sure I strictly need it.

The average Octy is worth 51% of its original value after 3 years. However, it can loose up to 20% in the 1st year. If you think you will have paid 20% off the car after 1 year and 50% after 3 years then GAP insurance may be a waste of time. I probably pay enough that there wouldn't be a difference between an insurance valuation on the car and what I actually owe on the car.

It was a different story on the Nissan Primera I was originally thinking of buying though. It retained less than 35% of its value after 3 years! GAP insurance was essential.

As I'm paying cash, I suppose it's more important for me to have it. I'll have to check with work and see if I can buy the policy from them - might be able to save a couple of quid off the price.

OK got info from dealer today' date='Skoda have accepted my order - the dealer had to order it manually as the options I want are not on the system.

Skoda have said there "Should be no problems as they can all be fitted" Build week 3 in January so at dealers back end of Feb - Just in time for 1st March Collection(Hopefully).

Anyone on here had GAP insurance when they bought there new car,was thinking that with all the options on this car might be worth getting GAP to cover any losses should the worse happen - IIRC it costs about £380 for 3 years.[/quote']

So the Multifunction Steering Wheel is available or will it be a vRS wheel ? Any idea what type/size wheels will come with the 18's ?

Any idea what type/size wheels will come with the 18's ?

The round type and they are 18" in diameter