Hi all

I'm currently going round the houses (endlessly) in trying to find a car that'll be reliable as a daily runaround, relatively cheap to run, not too expensive to buy, a modicum of performance and doesn't wallow around corners like a boat on the ocean.

So far I've been through a Corolla D4D, Avensis D4D, Mazda 6 2.0D, Civic Type S, Fabia vRS and my dad's Octavia TDi. So far, the closest to what I'm after has been the Civic, but it's a lot more expensive than some of the other options. I was originally after a diesel, but changed tack now and am open to petrol power

I've seen a 4x4 1.8T 2001 nearish me with 69k on the clock for 5.5k.

1) What sort of things would I need to look out for on a car with this mileage?

2) Is the price reasonable?

3) Would a car of this age and mileage be a reliable daily runner (and relatively cheap to run)?

4) Do they wallow on bends (my dad's diesel did a bit....)

I'll be trading down from my '04 MR-2 and will be looking to free up some cash in the trade (which the dealer seems happy to do).

Does anyone have, or know where I can get, a PDF copy of the original Octavia brochure so I can have a look through at the specs and details?

I'd go out today and get a test drive, but we live near the peak district, on a hill, and my neighbour was struggling for about 45 minutes to get out of his drive and up the hill to the main road in his BMW, so I don't really fancy it in the MR-2 :eek:

If there are threads that you know of that have pretty much covered this already then feel free to point them out I realise this is a lazy way of seeking answers, but appreciate the help Oh, I'd be after the hatch as well and not the estate.

Cheers

Steve

Well scratch the brochure question. Didn't realise that Skoda still had them available on their website

The 4x4 does wallow im afraid - its the biggest single gripe I have with the performance of the car.

As a guide I paid 6k for a 19,000 mile FSSH Elegance 1.8T 4x4 hatch four months ago and it is in top condition - just a small scratch on the rear bumper and two stone chips up front and other than that its spot on. To drive it it literally feels like a new car with no rattles or squeeks.

Good luck in the purchase - I've found mine to be a good all rounder (particulalrly capable in this snow!) and a real wolf in sheeps clothing!

Lee

Lee was it dealer or private sale?

His was a private sale, I paid 7k from a dealer with same mileage, dark blue, warranty etc and it had had 2 services and 4 new tyres.

Yup, as above (thank you Dr.) :P

Reliability wise the only thing that has let me down mechanically/electrically on the car has been the drivers side one shot switch - this was sorted under warranty however!

Mine had two stamps in the service book but was due a service and four new tyres were also needed - car was on the originals still and probably had less than a few thousand on them until they were on the limit. BUT I prefered to buy like this as I could take the car to get serviced were I knew they would do a proper job and I got to put my prefered choice of tyre on also (Avon ZZ3's)

Other than that its one of the best purchases Ive ever made in terms of bang per buck

Lee

The 4x4 does wallow im afraid - its the biggest single gripe I have with the performance of the car.

lee

you say wallow , ie when cornering or braking or both ?, do u think shorter / stiff springs would sort it ?, as i in the market for a 4x4 est

what mpg are u getting m,y old turbo was 32/ 33 ave , 27 in town , 38 on run ??

Coming from a 75k mile focus I don't find the handling to dire, it does roll and I find the pitching is the worst thing under accelerating and braking.

MPG varies wildly with mine, on a few testing runs after mods have been getting 8mpg, on decent motorway runs have been getting up to 40mpg...

Nah, you want a vRS estate. Cheap as chips. 18k miles on variable servicing, 34'ish mpg on average and a major service that costs less than £200. Fast as fook, frighten the kids (and dog). You know it makes sense.

As above really but not sure how the heck the mpg is differing that much Henry!

Mines been hustled a lot lately and is sitting at 21mpg currently - a long run will see this rise to 35mpg but not much higher!

Lee

...as i in the market for a 4x4 est

what mpg are u getting m' date='y old turbo was 32/ 33 ave , 27 in town , 38 on run ??[/quote']Mine has averaged 31.73 mpg over 14656 miles, some 10000 miles of which are post-remap.