Skoda UK are still listing the 4X4 as available on their site.

Just checked definately stopped coming in - if you order a new one just now you will only have the choice of stock cars that have been sitting in a field for a few months!! Bit of a shame really as the 4x4 is a bit of a Q car and is better value for money when it comes to a remap! But that plastic steering wheel :nono: !!! In fact why most octavias have a plastic steering wheel and gear knob beats me. :silly:

it is a shame they are not importing any more oh well looks like a secondhand bargain in 3 years time. :(

Well' date=' yes, I'd agree it's more likely to be seen on school runs than tractor runs, but I wouldn't say it's a lifestyle vehicle, on the grounds that unlike the other RAV4, etc. soft-roaders it is actually good for something...

Rob.[/quote']

Agreed

At the end of a day its a 'niche model' which is trying to appeal to a cross-section of people who want something different. I never quite got the raised ground clearance bit' date=' but I hope we'll get a decent fall of snow to justify it.

[/quote']

Maybe you've just hit the nail on its head, Rob. The 4x4 is a mega-seller in the Alpine countries, so I expect it was partly a purpose design for that market, in which Subaru had a near monopoly...

As for leather steering wheels, 4X4s don't have them so that their owners don't cause offence to cows when they drive off road.

Oops, huge cow offender here...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jotero/dutch12.jpg

It will be interesting to see if the 4X4 becomes sought after in the UK because of its rarity, or loses value because it has been discontinued. I'm not betting either way. Meanwhile mine is not for sale!

Here in Romania it takes a season to get the snow cleaned up.

I did instaled an optional reinforcement under the engine/ gearbox and + 15mm ground clearance - part of a "bad roads" kit for about EUR250.

DUTCH 4X4 - please give me some details bout the "chunky bumbers" available as an option in Holland.

Robert

DUTCH 4X4 - please give me some details bout the "chunky bumbers" available as an option in Holland.

Robert' date=' here you are. It's this post:

[url']http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showpost.php?p=29838&postcount=34[/url]

in this thread:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2593

The 4*4 came in half way thro' the life cycle of the Octavia ... this is a common occurence that new models are developed after the launch after the marketing gurus see who is buying for what reason and at what price etc .

The Octavia is now drawing towards the end of its life .... it was launched as an estate .

Has anyone thought that the next 4*4 might be the Fabia estate ?

I suspect, as others have said that Skoda make this model primarily for other markets.

I've just spent the last two weeks trying to figure out what car to get that has 4x4, a 400+ litre boot, drive like a car and does reasonable mpg and does not cost a fortune to buy. My work as a freelance photographer means I carry a lot of gear and need to get to some pretty remote locations - like the Scottish Highlands in January. I don't need to go 'off' road, but I need to be able to get there, park on an unmade sufrace and then get out again. Here's my logic:

RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail - not particularly economical, and surprisingly small boots (apart from CR-V).

Freelander diesel is economical, but again boot not that big.

Passat TDi 4motion - economical, but 3K more to buy than the Octavia 4x4, and not as nice to drive!

Ideally I would get an Audi A4 Avant, but when you look at the price (

Welcome to Briskoda, Niche Market, and may I be the first to compliment you on your choice! I assume you have opted for a Hatch rather than an Estate for luggage security reasons?

Yes, kind of. I actually prefer the looks of the estate, but the difference in boot space is pretty small as you know (428 vs 448 for the 4x4).

The other advantage for me with the hatch is the solid rear shelf - very handy for resting things on when working from the car and doing odd jobs like cleaning equipment.

Basically though, the right car at the right price came along. Also estates still command a premium over the hatch at 1 to 2 years old.

Security is a bit of an issue obviously, so I'll need to sort out a decent alarm.

Of course, the possibility of chipping it to 200bhp ish was another consideration!!!

Cheers

Tim

Of course, the possibility of chipping it to 200bhp ish was another consideration!!!

Tim, if that was all Jabbasport could get out of your car they would probably think twice about charging you. Think in terms of 220-230bhp from a remap, with the latter figure being perfectly feasible. Oh, and be warned that water drips into the boot when the rear hatch is opened - but not on the Estate where you have protection from the elements while you sit on the boot floor changing your footwear. (Mustn't mention wellies else the vRS lot will start bleating about sheep......)

Niche

Jabba remapped my 4x4 & got 226 bhp + Tons more Torque & this was with no other mods.

If you are Anywhere near Winchestere & want to try one mail me on [email protected].

Watch out for a programme coming up on Sky over Christmas called chasing the Cannonball, you might just spot a Silver Skoda wiping the smile off a few peoples faces in there expensive toys !!!

Stuart

Ideally I would get an Audi A4 Avant, but when you look at the price (

Anything more powerful than a standard 1.8T engine needs to have either rear wheel drive or all wheel drive as the power is just too hard to get down in typical UK weather!

Driving the 1.8T at the moment and going around the corners with a bit of throttle the wheels tend to skip a bit :(