All,

I've been an Octy 2 dweller for 6 years and, for some context to my question, posted this a few days ago over there:

"I have come to that point where I need to decide whether to keep a car and run it into the ground, or to chop it in whilst it is still worth something and change.

I bought my Octy 2 vRS Estate new in July 2010. Petrol, FL, DSG, Columbus, xenons, leather, rear park, curtain bags, maxidot, Brilliant Silver Metallic. It has been comfortably the best car I have ever had and has never let me down.

It has now done 83,000 miles. Its usage has now changed. It used to be for family days out, trips abroad and general SDP duties. It now does all that plus taking the wife to work and kids to school every day 12 miles away. We're on about 12,000 miles per year.

I'd like to reduce tax and fuel costs. I have already started this process by selling my petrol Scout in August and replacing it with a Citigo 75PS Elegance. £0 tax and >50 mpg.

The vRS is worth about £6700 privately sale or £5700 as a trade in - I would welcome views on this.

It is in excellent condition and also has steel wheels and winter tyres that could go with it.

I am tempted by a Superb 280 (who on here isn't) and by a petrol Mk3 vRS (I can't go to diesel) but neither will reduce my costs by much.

The sensible choice would be an Octy 3 1.4 TSI 150 SE L on 18s (Golus) with Nav and one or two cheaper extras. I doubt I'd find one in this spec second hand though. I'm prepared to take reduction in power, partly because the Citigo is so much fun (and has showed me power isn't everything) and partly because the Mrs will be driving the 'family car' 8/10th of the time.

So, if I change, do I lease (haven't done this before but it is very tempting), buy new (HP) or hunt down the perfect 2nd hand Octy 3? I could put down 4-5k, do some things that need doing in the house with the excess and then budget £250-£300 per month for the new car.

Or do I keep the car I love until it dies and start again with no deposit to put down?"

I've had a few replies, mainly saying keep the vRS and, rightly, add up what all your options will cost you per month to help your decision-making.

Okay, I'll get to the point! I went to my local dealer today (new to me as we have moved) and discussed / looked at a 1.4 TSI DSG SE Sport Estate.

Xenons, Amundsen (as big & lots cleverer than my current Columbus), rear park, 17" alloys & quite a bit more on a very tempting PCP at 0% with £2000 in from Skoda. This would be a pre-facelift model from stock.

So, two questions for you Octy 3 dwellers:

What is the 1.4 TSI 150 DSG like to drive and how will it compare to my Octy 2 Petrol vRS DSG?

Does this sound a good deal / have others on here done something similar recently?

I think I'm aware of the pros & cons of PCPs, but would still welcome advice from you guys!

FWIW, £22,890 is the bottom line at the moment. £230 x 42 months. I haven't entered into any negotiations yet. Test drive for the 1.4 DSG 150 engine arranged for next Thursday 22nd.

Sorry this got so long! Thanks all!!

Edited 15 December, 20169 yr by dunc69

The 1,4 TSI + DSG is near a perfect combination of power, performance, comfort and economy IMO.

18" on a Octavia without independent rear suspension is a long way from perfect :-)

Almost 2 months in on my good lady's 150 TSi DSG SEL and loving it.

Expecting to be under 10K miles per year so can live with it struggling to maintain 40mpg on the day to day plod.

But slot it into ECO mode and let it chug along a little more sedately and it will happily see nearer 50mpg - as it did today.

But click down a few cogs with the paddle and watch it fly any time you like - again, as I did today when joining a Big Road.

And it's as quiet as a church mouse compared with my chugging Superb diesel (and all previous diesels actually).

As above, a good compromise. I chose the standard 16" wheels on sport suspension in light of 21st century roads, plus a few nice to have extras. Really enjoying the car.

norsko & BoxerBoy, thanks for the swift responses!

Good to know you are both happy with the 1.4.

That's just what I'm after. Economy (40+) but some pace when I need it.

Mrs Dunc will be the primary driver as I'll be in the Citigo most of the time.

But, when we go away as a family, fully loaded, it would be good to know that the 1.4 will cope & allow a turn of speed too.

I appreciate it won't be petrol vRS quick, but something close would be a great all-round compromise!

Cheers guys.

I know they are doing the 0% and the £2k deposit, but £22k is too much when they are £18k on broadspeed.

https://broadspeed.com/CarView/Skoda/Octavia/43776/TSI_1.4_150PS_Petrol_SE_Sport_Automatic_5_doors

Also check out carwow.

A lot of carwow dealers will discount and still offer the 0% and £2k deposit.

Also make sure you register before April to lock in the cheap road tax before the £140 rate comes in.

1.8 - multilink, near vRS power and performance.

Optional sport suspension...

1.8 - multilink, near vRS power and performance.

Optional sport suspension...

 

The 1.8 TSI isn't available in the Octavia for the UK Market. 1.4 TSI 150 is the most powerful non-VRS petrol.

Edited 15 December, 20169 yr by ahenners

If you can live without the multilink rear suspension (a decent test drive should convince you) the 1.4 and a DTUK tuning box would give pretty reasonable performance and economy (180bhp+), fully removable if necessary...

glosrich, thanks buddy. Good shout. I have already spoken to carwow & will check out others too. You are right that there are some great deals out there!

Today was a first 'sighter' with the dealer. I don't want to show my hand too soon. I will test drive a 150 TSI before starting to negotiate.

Cheers,

Dunc

All, does anyone have O2 Petrol vRS vs O3 1.4 TSI 150 experience they can share?

Thanks!

Edited 15 December, 20169 yr by dunc69

Another option is PCH. Your current car would probably pay for 2 years worth.

https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/car-leasing/skoda/octavia/estate.html

The 1.8 TSI isn't available in the Octavia for the UK Market. 1.4 TSI 150 is the most powerful non-VRS petrol.

Not true.

1.8 TSi is available in the L&K model.

Probably discontinued after the face lift though.

Edited 15 December, 20169 yr by glosrich

Thanks guys. A typically useful & swift Briskoda response. Keep the thoughts coming!

I haven't driven one, but there are so many people who swear by the 1.4, and 150hp in an O3 is sufficient.

I had a Mk2 FL vRS petrol manual and it was loaded with most options on the list. I have to say, as good as my Mk3 L&K is, if I had to pick the car I liked more it would the Mk2 by a country mile.

1.4TSi SE 7 speed DSG here, brilliant engine and my God it's quick when you want it to be. Also frugal on the fuel, I'm seeing 49.7 MPG on long motorway runs at 70MPH.

Echo what MoggyTech said. I get near identical steady state true 110kph (68mph) consumption of 49mpg. My manual has slightly lower gearing in top compared to his DSG.

Be aware that low fuel prices are going to end, probably sooner than we think! Could be important especially in regard to the Superb 280 option.

 

I have not regretted my decision to buy a 1.4tsi one bit as I could not drive a vRS any faster without risking my license.

Not true.

1.8 TSi is available in the L&K model.

Probably discontinued after the face lift though.

1.8 TSI was available but looks like they discontinued it already, no sign of that engine or L and K trim on the configurator.

I'd rather avoid the 1.8 TSI. Had that in my Scout and it started 'over-sipping' on oil after the 80k mark.

Performance-wise, the Scout was adequate with 160 PS. I'm hoping an overall lighter car, also without the extra weight of 4WD gubbins, should feel sprightly enough with 150 PS.

Thanks for your collective thoughts! Definitely keen now. Will update you all with my thoughts on the test drive soon.

Just wondering did they offer you £5700 for a trade in and £230per month as those figures don't seem to add up against the ner £23000 price tag?

They didn't mention trade in price. They have said £4000 is the most I can put in up front & they will add £2000.

I haven't worked it all out. I just asked for a ball-park figure to give me an idea. As I said above, I haven't even started negotiating.

I'd rather avoid the 1.8 TSI. Had that in my Scout and it started 'over-sipping' on oil after the 80k mark.

 

You don't say what scout it was. At 80K I'm going to assume it was a MK2 or a pre-2012 FL. If that is the case then you are comparing different engines.

 

The earlier gen CDAA/CDAB are very different engines form the new EA888 gen 3 CJSA/CJSB. Just as it would not be correct to associate the 'twincharger' woes with the current 1.4.

 

The previous generation 1.8t and 2.0t could be problematic and high oil consumption in later life was sometimes put down to poor run-in early on. Although they were particularly susceptible to that you can get it with anything. I believe it was to a greater extent corrected in the last of the FLs even on the old engine.

 

All bit academic as Skoda UK seem intent on not selling the 1.8 models available and slowly phasing out the ones they do anyway

Hi flybynite. It was a '10 plate - Mk 2 FL with a lot of toys. Thanks for the engine info.

In every other respect it was a great car! I loved it and would often take it out in preference to the vRS. It had a natural relaxed, comfortable feel to it, adequate pace & fabulous grip on all season rubber (Falken Euro All Season).

Yeah 2010 and 2011 seemed to be some of the worst from what I hear. I think they sorted it somewhat for 2012

 

The problem with the current 1.8 is it seems to have been dropped on the current configurator (along with the L&K) and is rare as rocking horse poo used in the UK so to stick to that is cutting down the choice drastically.

 

Although it is a shame it doesn't come with multilink you wont be disappointed with the 1.4 engine.

Yeah 2010 and 2011 seemed to be some of the worst from what I hear. I think they sorted it somewhat for 2012

 

The problem with the current 1.8 is it seems to have been dropped on the current configurator (along with the L&K) and is rare as rocking horse poo used in the UK so to stick to that is cutting down the choice drastically.

 

Although it is a shame it doesn't come with multilink you wont be disappointed with the 1.4 engine.

 

It must be rare indeed, a search on Autotrader turned up... 0!

They didn't mention trade in price. They have said £4000 is the most I can put in up front & they will add £2000.

I haven't worked it all out. I just asked for a ball-park figure to give me an idea. As I said above, I haven't even started negotiating.

Remember its the price to change that matters, dont let them bamboozle you with monthly payment figures.

Sounds like it might be cheaper to get one off Carwow or Broadspeed for £18500, sell you car privately or to WBAC etc, for £5k approx, then get a personal loan for £13k approx.

Reates are so low at the moment, you'd still be better off than taking the skoda 0% but at their higher sale price.

For example Sainsburys bank, £13k over 5 years is £233 a month, costs you £1035 interest.

I'm sure you'll find the 1.4 TSi 150 very adequate, its a great all rounder, good mpg and low road tax (before April!).

I've got the 1.2 TSi 110, and for everyday motoring its adequate, so the 1.4 must be a lot better.