Hello Everyone,

 

This forum was of great use to me when I was car hunting for my wife and family, so I have officially joined the forum, and would like to contribute something back. So here are my impressions of the Octavia III, 1.2 TSI 110BHP Ambition Model 3 months in...

 

History

 

9 years with a Ford Focus Saloon 1.8 TDCI. Family car doing very very short runs to school and shops. Motor Tax regime in Ireland changed in 2008 favouring diesels. In the 9 years I had the car, I replaced the alternator once ( a common weakness apparently), starting motor twice, and batteries three times. Mechanics comments every time was the car was not doing enough mileage. (Surprise Surprise).

 

Anyway, after lurking here reading lots of advice, I was convinced the Skoda Octavia III was a suitable replacement, with a petrol engine, due to very low mileage.

 

Ford dealer offered me €2000 euro trade in on my used  Focus, so I laughed at him, and drove straight to my nearest Skoda dealer, who gave me €4k for my trade-in. I bought an early 2016 Octavia 1.2 TSI 110BHP, uni Blue, with 20k kilometers on the clock, and in  3 months in can report the following...

 

• Mechanically perfect.
• Easy to drive (my wifes opinion).
• Pleasant to drive, and enough poke to keep up with any form of traffic.
• Simple to use. Logical layout to all controls.
• Only fault is the plastic tabs holding the cords that lift the parcel tray have both failed. Dealer sent 4 in the post, and easy to fit.
• MPG - as we are now a province of EU/Germany I need to think in metric, but do a conversion.  Early MPG was not great - 35MPG when wife was driving it without ever hitting 6th gear. Once I drove it more, and showed her, we now average 47 MPG.
• Apple Carplay with Google Maps works well.
• Lots of room, huge boot.
• Feels a high quality car compared to previous Ford, and also the most recent Ford Focus I walked away from, which had a very cluttered dash.
• I am happy I made the change.

 

Regards,

 

Mike 

9 years with a Ford? you deserve a medal  Glad you like the Octavia, great cars. I switched from a 2014 2.0 CR VRS, to a 1.4TSI 7 speed DSG, best car I have ever owned.

Our 13 year old Mk 1 Focus is still going strong and, not being turbocharged, accelerates more smoothly than our Octavia (and has needed only one new battery), although the 2 year old car feels much more refined.

I had a Focus 8 years, petrol. I can say that it was quieter (no "boom") and the suspension was a lot better - no rough ride, and independent rear suspension - though I didn't know about this at the time, I now know I prefer it. I can feel it. Ford never failed me. 

 

Skoda is also great but there's the booming which is slightly there still (but acceptable now) and the ride is quite rough - not sure if it's stiff suspension or the larger radius wheels on mine, but it does hurt my back a little as I can feel almost every bump. Other than that - totally brilliant. Great spec, looks amazing, great spec (so good I mentioned it twice - folding mirrors, sat nav, DAB radio, leather & alacantra seats, rear-view-mirror tint, cruise control, parking sensors, you name it), I like the layout, it's big (too big for me, TBH... Fabia looks a good size!) and yes... my old Ford got 37mpg average. I hit peak 61mpg in the Skoda driving at 55-60mph for 35 miles... around town, more like 37mpg or so... at normal speeds on the motorway it's more like 51mpg and 47mpg long-term average. 

 

IMO I'd rather they got the basics right as I do feel it's a bit bumpy and that damn booming issue is ridiculous. Less "stuff" and better basics. Aside from that, I'm amazed at the economy and love the layout and the spec. I'd think twice about buying again - good value for money but those issues have tainted it a bit for me. I'd try Honda or similar Japanese brand, I think..

 

I sat in a new Focus EcoBoost recently. Felt underpowered, the touch-screen was harder to interact with, the economy still isn't great (up to 41mpg avg) and it felt smaller. Definitely quieter and a better "ride" than the Skoda, though. 

 

Also have to say I've been driving in Eco mode but Normal mode is much better... just feels "right" ... 

Edited 7 May, 20179 yr by guitarman001