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

They are rare only 3 2016 reg 1.8 L&Ks on Autotrader

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612150626641?minimum-badge-engine-size=1.8&radius=1500&fuel-type=Petrol&make=SKODA&postcode=gl31nw&model=OCTAVIA&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=price-asc&maximum-badge-engine-size=1.8&year-from=2016&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

if you search petrol engine size 1.8.

You're right they have now been phased out and wont be in the facelift version.

Was a very niche model, didnt really make financial sense as you could get a VRs for similar money.

They are rare only 3 2016 reg 1.8 L&Ks on Autotrader

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612150626641?minimum-badge-engine-size=1.8&radius=1500&fuel-type=Petrol&make=SKODA&postcode=gl31nw&model=OCTAVIA&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=price-asc&maximum-badge-engine-size=1.8&year-from=2016&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

if you search petrol engine size 1.8.

You're right they have now been phased out and wont be in the facelift version.

Was a very niche model, didnt really make financial sense as you could get a VRs for similar money.

 

Agreed. Like for Like as standard the L & K would have had far more kit compared to the VRS, but purely from a running costs POV, a friend has the 1.8 180 in his Leon FR and his running costs are virtually identical to my 2.0 TSI 220.

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.

Thanks buddy. You are right. I have looked at the Broadspeed quote and also have Orange Wheels sorting a quote for me now to include and to exclude a trade-in quote. I've done Car Wow too and have used this site (through Colin's link) to get some further quotes too.

If my dealer won't match the lowest quote I get plus give me (separately) what I want for the vRS, I will go elsewhere.

I have spent the morning looking at alternative cars for similar money - trying to double-check I am making the right choice.

Nothing out there seems to match the toys, space, running costs, relative pace, low emissions etc etc at this price point (c. £19k).

Second hand is the other option - but if I think down this route I always come back to keeping my vRS - a car I have known since new....

What else is there for £19k that would tempt you guys, new or under 2 years old?? Remember I need space for the 2 kids and their clobber, 0-62 in about 8 secs, low running costs & good toys / tech. And I can't do diesel!! Thanks!

Edited 16 December, 20169 yr by dunc69

I haven't read all the responses, so forgive me if I'm repeating people (which I'm sure I am) but I can see two ways to look at this:

 

1) I love my 1.4TSi, it's a cracking engine and hits a sweet spot for me for pace and economy. The rear suspension set-up is more of an issue, particularly if you're a spirited driver (which is only 1% of the time for me). If you're swapping it then this is a fantastic option.

 

2) You say "I'd like to reduce tax and fuel costs" then go on to talk about dropping 20k on a PCP deal. I don't get it. Money is money and at 12k/yr there's no way you're getting that 20k back in fuel efficiency and tax savings. The cheapest car to own and run is almost always the one you already have so buy the 1.4TSi if you want it (it's why I got mine) but don't try to justify it financially because you're only lying to yourself!
 

I haven't read all the responses, so forgive me if I'm repeating people (which I'm sure I am) but I can see two ways to look at this:

 

1) I love my 1.4TSi, it's a cracking engine and hits a sweet spot for me for pace and economy. The rear suspension set-up is more of an issue, particularly if you're a spirited driver (which is only 1% of the time for me). If you're swapping it then this is a fantastic option.

 

2) You say "I'd like to reduce tax and fuel costs" then go on to talk about dropping 20k on a PCP deal. I don't get it. Money is money and at 12k/yr there's no way you're getting that 20k back in fuel efficiency and tax savings. The cheapest car to own and run is almost always the one you already have so buy the 1.4TSi if you want it (it's why I got mine) but don't try to justify it financially because you're only lying to yourself!

Ok. I get that. But, at some point you have to decide to either sell your current car while it is still worth something to put down on a new one, or run it into the ground and start afresh with little or no deposit. It's every motorist's dilemma.

I am happy to admit I'd like a change after 6 years. But I also love my vRS. However, it now has nearly 84k on the clock. At some point it will start getting expensive in repairs on top of the £225 tax & 30 mpg max that I already pay. It's a balance & not an easy one.

Good incentive to do it also before the new raod tax in April.

The 1.4 TSi is currently £30 will go up to £140, so over a few years ownership that's quite a cost.

What else is there for £19k that would tempt you guys, new or under 2 years old?? Remember I need space for the 2 kids and their clobber, 0-62 in about 8 secs, low running costs & good toys / tech. And I can't do diesel!! Thanks!

 

 

New Astra Estate SRI 200bhp can be had for about £19K and 5years 0%

Edited 16 December, 20169 yr by juan27

Have you considered the fabia 1.2 SEL estate 110ps. 0-60 in 9 seconds and plenty of room for luggage and should have no problem getting over 50mpg. If this is about costs and future savings then the fabia SEL has a good spec for 13-15k otr http://m.skoda.co.uk/vehicles/fabia/new-fabia-hatch-0/se-l

I had the mk3 estate 1.4 diesel 90ps dsg and loved it. 66mpg and it felt very quick, hard to belive it was only 90ps. 2 adults, 2 teenagers and 2 dogs and luggage all fitted in no problem for are weeks away in Cornwall.

Just seen a new Astra estate in red. Rather smart.

1 or 2 year old Merc c class estate 2.0 petrol 180ps, or 318i Touring, but this is a 3 cylinder turbo, 136ps, might be a bit unrefined.

Superb estate or even the Kodiaq in 1.4 guise when its launched.

Edited 16 December, 20169 yr by glosrich

Have you considered the fabia 1.2 SEL estate 110ps. 0-60 in 9 seconds and plenty of room for luggage and should have no problem getting over 50mpg. If this is about costs and future savings then the fabia SEL has a good spec for 13-15k otr http://m.skoda.co.uk/vehicles/fabia/new-fabia-hatch-0/se-l

I had the mk3 estate 1.4 diesel 90ps dsg and loved it. 66mpg and it felt very quick, hard to belive it was only 90ps. 2 adults, 2 teenagers and 2 dogs and luggage all fitted in no problem for are weeks away in Cornwall.

They are ok, but the rear leg room isnt a patch on the Octavia, the Octavia is much more spacious.

Edited 16 December, 20169 yr by glosrich

Ok. I get that. But, at some point you have to decide to either sell your current car while it is still worth something to put down on a new one, or run it into the ground and start afresh with little or no deposit. It's every motorist's dilemma.

I am happy to admit I'd like a change after 6 years. But I also love my vRS. However, it now has nearly 84k on the clock. At some point it will start getting expensive in repairs on top of the £225 tax & 30 mpg max that I already pay. It's a balance & not an easy one.

 

Just to be pedantic, I'd argue that it's not a question of using your current car as deposit while it's got value or wait until you have no deposit. Surely if you keep it for now you can save up what you would be spending on a new car and that's your deposit. At £200-£300 pcm you build a sizeable deposit over a couple of years. If you still have no deposit in a couple of years then you spent that money on something else, so that's the real choice. It's not every motorists's dilemma, it's just a question of what you want to spend your money on and whether you can save for the big ticket items or feel compelled to spend all of what comes in. I know we all have different financial situations, but if you can stretch to the PCP payments on a 20k car then you're already at the point where you definitely have choice.

 

All that said, I know that I sound like a sanctimonious git (because I am!) but I also understand where you're coming from. I swapped my last car at 6.5 years old with 85k on, and whilst it was the first hint of having to spend money on repairs that prompted it, the truth is that keeping it was still the cheaper option. I wanted a bigger boot and fancied going back to petrol, so the potential repair bill was the trigger, but not the real reason.

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.

Only you know/can decide if it's time to change your car. The qoute above is from someone who has just changed from a VRS TDI to the 1.4 and loves it.

Today I drove home from work and at an average speed of 18mph the car did 39mpg(41.7 on dash). On a longer run at 70 with 4 up I can get 46 to 48mpg.

juan27 - good shout, but couldn't go Astra - just not for me.

Geek42 - I value honesty, however pedantic & sanctimonious ;-)

Actually, buying cars is often heart vs head & your comments have really helped!

glosrich - Merc & Beemer, thanks but not for me I don't think. My brother is a massive Merc man though! Each to their own!

Thanks for the 1st April tax reminder. Good shout! Also, I'd love a Superb, but it's too big for Mrs Dunc - at least that's what she says!

Dempsey - thanks for your support and for the mpg info!

So, Orangewheels had a Skoda dealer call me directly to discuss - not what I was expecting to be honest, so much for my anonymity!

The dealer was very helpful though - Listers in Coventry. However, apparently Skoda are taking no more new orders on Octavias until February when you can order the Facelift. That will therefore bring the new tax bands from 1st April into play on any order.

Until then you have to hope the exact spec you want is available from their stock! Mine isn't. Listers were also £200 above Broadspeed.

So, slightly deflated now. Will sleep on it and rethink tomorrow.

Thanks to you all for your thoughts thus far!

Edited 16 December, 20169 yr by dunc69

Oh dear.

Looks like your restricted to whats in stock or pipeline then.

Have you looked at SEL and SE Sport spec?

Also consider Seat Leon ST. That comes with the same engine and DSG.

Have just had them search SE Sport so far! Haven't tried SE-L, but they are not such a great deal. No Xenons for example & pricier.

Not interested in Seat. Skoda for me!

To be fair it's just colour & minor spec. Wanted silver but restricted to black, grey & red, and none of those built have chrome window trim.

It's minor stuff, but if I'm spending big bucks (for me), I want it to be exactly as I want. As I've said, I'll sleep on it!

Thanks for your help glosrich - appreciated buddy!

Have just had them search SE Sport so far! Haven't tried SE-L, but they are not such a great deal. No Xenons for example & pricier.

Not interested in Seat. Skoda for me!

The sports has lots of extras. Picking up mine on the 28th, 1.6tdi dsg in race blue.

photo sharing

Edited 16 December, 20169 yr by POWYSWALES

1.6TDI sport....

Isn't that an oxymoron?

1.6TDI sport....

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Yes, but it seems to have a lot of useful options much the same as the higher spec models with economy. Perhaps it's a better buy in the long run.

So, what a difference 24hrs makes!

Having slept on the 1.4 TSI SE Sport decision, I decided that I probably shouldn't spend my hard-earned on a car that wasn't exactly what I wanted, spec-wise. I was also not completely sure I was doing the right thing. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

I then took the family today from my home South of Bristol to meet my folks for lunch in Stratford-upon-Avon. We took the vRS, newly on its steel wheels & winter tyres. Country roads for 30 mins, then M5, then A46 - sweeping dual carriageway interspersed with roundabouts. The perfect drive.

I fell back in love with the car. It's slightly more comfortable on the winters and grips very well in the wet / damp without losing too much in the corners. I wasn't cornering hard anyway today as we had the kids in the back.

It was fast, refined, averaged 36 mpg & with Columbus finding the way & Spotify streamed via BT, everyone was happy! The large boot also easily swallowed the Christmas-presents-for-the-folks cargo & all our other stuff!

So, decision made. We'll keep the vRS for a good while longer & (thanks Geek42!) put the £250 or so I planned to spend on the PCP to one side each month (if possible - Direct Debit set up today) to build a deposit on the next car.

I did say to the Fixtures Secretary (Mrs Dunc) on the way home that I can't believe I was thinking 150 PS would do as 200 PS pulled us up a steep hill - she replied, "Nor can I, and I don't want less than that either, I love this car!" She is the main driver of the family car after all - I usually have the Citigo 75PS in the week!

I wonder if the car chat with the owner of a silver Golf R estate outside the pub we had lunch in made any difference?? He admired the vRS after checking that it was indeed the petrol version!

Thanks all for your thoughts. It was very, very helpful & it's always useful to have a balanced debate.

I do think the 1.4 TSI 150 is probably the sweet spot in the current Octy 3 range when pace / space / running costs are all considered. I also think the SE Sport is a fabulous pre-facelift deal with loads of excellent options. Hence my temptation!

I will still test drive one as arranged & see how I feel about the engine, newer 7-speed dry-clutch DSG, its performance & the car in general compared with my Octy 2 - I'll feed back my thoughts.

Cheers,

Dunc

Edited 17 December, 20169 yr by dunc69