I currently drive a Mondeo 2.3 Auto Ghia Estate and it's been a great car. It is a little thirsty though and starting to show its age (MY09) a little which is why I'm in the market for something newer.

 

My car needs to be an estate for the things I carry around including the dog. He's an elderly Pointer so it's important that the boot lip of any car I have is quite low. The Octavia Estate fits the bill from that point of view.

I also need an automatic as my clutch knee is not quite as good as it could be.

 

In 40 years of driving I've never had a diesel car and with the way things are going this doesn't seem to be the time for changing the habit of a lifetime so it's going to be a petrol.

 

I'm therefore looking at 1.4TSI DSG's or if a good one came along I'd also consider a vRS. Budget is up to £17k which looking on the Skoda used website and Autotrader should get me a nice low mileage and 2 or 3 year old car.

 

I do like my cars (I currently also have a Smart Roadster) so I'm seriously tempted by a vRS but I'm just wondering how good it will be as an 'everyday' car. The roads round here are not great so the last thing I want is a hideously hard ride on the rough surfaces and as the alloys disappear down potholes. While the surfaces may not be good the actual roads, especially heading into the foothills of the East Pennines are great and a good place for a driver to have fun, which I have aplenty in my Roadster.

 

The other thing I want to ensure is that my new car behaves itself and isn't fragile in a sense that it's a regular at the local independent VAG garage. Apart from that, the tax level is half of the Mondeo and fuel consumption should be much better too.

 

There is a newly advertised vRS which looks very nice but it will take a morning of my time so it would be useful if I can find some things out before committing to go and see it.

 

If anyone has any advice on my potential purchase then I'd be very grateful.

 

David

I went from a mk3 Mondeo to an Octavia VR, both diesel, and was disappointed with the build quality and economy compared to the Ford.

You will like the DSG gearbox though and there is plenty of toys to be comparable to a Ghia spec Ford. 

I'm pretty sure the Octavia estate still has a lip on the boot unless you get the underfloor storage. The Superb has a level floor to the lip iirc. Someone will be able to correct me there. 

The Octavia is physically smaller than the Mondeo, which would be closer to the Superb, but you shouldn't find it short in space in the front or boot but the rear seat passengers may find it slightly less roomy. 

You may also find the ride a bit more harsh due to the lower profile tyres on the VRS. Handling is ok but not as sporty as you'd imagine. 

VRS has IRS which actually improves the ride over lesser versions with the torsion beam. VRS on 18" wheels would probably be a better bet than SE L on big wheels.

 

Maybe also check out the Superb, it might be within your budget?

Edited 16 October, 20178 yr by juan27

Thanks for the reply.

I've already had a look at a non vRS estate and it seemed to fit the bill from a practicality point of view, especially regarding getting the dog in and out.

I have to say that the Mondeo is very nicely put together and even with 69k on the clock it still feels very solid and tight. I'm happy to drop down in size a little too as the Mondeo is a big car.

The tyres on the Mondeo are pretty low profile but the suspension works well with them so the ride is never harsh.

 

Interesting that your profile says you have a 320D M Sport as that (with a petrol engine) was the other car that I'm very tempted by.

Well spotted. My Octavia was a lemon, lots of problems - mainly down to build quality in interior, seals and electrics. The Mondeo after 10 years and 120k miles was in better condition than the Skoda less than a third of its age. 

I was going to go back to a Mondeo but wanted something smaller. I was impressed with the 1 series my has so checked out the running costs and it worked out cheaper to service, even using the main dealers, than the Skoda. After test driving one there was no contest, it was smoother, quieter, much more fun to drive but also cost a lot more to buy  too. The ZF auto gearbox is an absolute peach. 

The 3 series in estate version isn't very big in the boot though and you seem to sit lower in the car and they have high sills too so may not be ideal if you have a dodgy knee as I struggled when I knacked mine up a while ago.

 

It's interesting is this as we seem to have had or are going through the same decision making process. What year and mark was the VR you had problems with. Realistically I'm probably looking at MY15-16.

 

I've tested two 320 Tourings. one a diesel and the other a petrol. Both were very nice to drive and as you say the 8 speed auto box was a delight. I haven't ruled the 3 series out yet but there is very limited choice with petrol cars and for my budget I'm likely to end up with a MY13-14 so a couple of years older. The other drawback is rear wheel drive and specifically winter weather. I always fit winter tyres and manage to just use them on the front driven wheels of the Mondeo. A BMW is going to need four.

Although I admit the BMW is a little lower I didn't really notice a problem getting in and out (Remember I have a Smart Roadster). My knee problem is exacerbated primarily with the clutch pumping action so I stay well away from manuals these days.

It was a 2013 so the last of the Mk2 Octavia's 

 

I've not had any real experience of snow yet in mine as we only had a light dusting of snow this year. My wife hasn't had a problem in her car also a 2 Ltr diesel but with the older auto box but she does use winter tyres on an old set of wheels. I've bought some for mine now but only because I've used them for the past decade and know how much better they perform in the cold. 

 

I missed the bit about you having a Smart Roadster but if it's only downward pressure that gives the knee problems then you shouldn't have a problem. Not an old truck driver by any chance?

 

 

Knee problem probably caused by running too many marathons in my younger years and kneeling to lay a laminate floor.

Just had an email from Drive the Deal today offering  a new Octavia 1.4SE for £16227. 

16 or 66 plate SE L DSG is a lotta car for that budget, tyres are 45 profile so should live with nearly every road surface.

 

Rear suspension is the only questionable bit but, try 1 & see what you think, £30 a year tax disc too.

1 hour ago, juan27 said:

Just had an email from Drive the Deal today offering  a new Octavia 1.4SE for £16227. 

Thanks for that. I'd never heard of Drive the Deal. And yes, that price is pretty good for a new Octavia. Was it petrol and automatic?

19 minutes ago, MadeInYorkshire said:

Thanks for that. I'd never heard of Drive the Deal. And yes, that price is pretty good for a new Octavia. Was it petrol and automatic?

 

Petrol but manual. 

 

Maybe worth looking at Drive the Deal and also CarWow. I bought my latest Octavia through the latter. Getting quotes is quite painless.

These are the two Octavias that are high on my list. One is an Elegance the other a rather tasty vRS. The vRS could be mine for £17k

 

https://video.citnow.com/vtCth2N127p

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201710140279502?make=SKODA&fuel-type=Petrol&aggregatedTrim=vRS&postcode=hd97nw&year-from=2013&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&maximum-mileage=50000&model=OCTAVIA&radius=1500&body-type=Estate&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=sponsored&transmission=Automatic&page=1

One thing that I'm wondering about is the two different power outputs of the 1.4TSI engines. Early ones are 138bhp and later ones 148bhp. The acceleration figures are pretty similar so is there and advantage going with the newer one?

I upgraded from a Fiesta 1.2  petrol hatch into a VRS diesel manual estate (company car) and to me its one of the best cars ive ever driven.

 

I'd discount any naysayers about quality - Skoda quality is miles better than a shonky ford mondeo!

 

buy as new as you can- for reasons of warranty, possible emissions problems and of course more power

vRS nice, but lowish spec. No nav, no heated seats, no roof. None of this may bother you. 

 

Are you happy £17k is low enough though? 

 

I bought a ‘14 plate vRS 220 Estate in May with 23k miles, DSG, Columbus and Pano roof for under £15k as a used approved from Skoda.  

Thanks for that information especially about prices. I know it doesn't seem to mention any sat nav but isn't that likely to be standard on a vRS?

24 minutes ago, MadeInYorkshire said:

Thanks for that information especially about prices. I know it doesn't seem to mention any sat nav but isn't that likely to be standard on a vRS?

No, if it says ‘set up’ on the top right button, there is no nav. Otherwise is says ‘Nav’. 

 

Many prefer their own nav or smart phone apps, but I don’t think ‘15 plate cars have Apple Car Play or Mirror Link. Worth asking though. 

 

Either way, £17k is steep in my opinion. I do accept that petrol DSG Estate vRS cars ‘14 - ‘16 plate are in short supply (I hunted for quite a few months), but you should still be able to negotiate a fair price! 

 

Good luck choosing. I also test drove the 1.4, but decided it wasn’t quite quick enough to be fun. Has to be a petrol vRS for me. 

Edited 17 October, 20178 yr by dunc69

Thanks for that very useful advice about the sat nav, I definitely want one in my next car so it looks like I will have to pass on that vRS anyway, regardless of the price.

I'm in a good position as I'm in no great rush to get another car. My Mondeo does everything I want, is running great and despite actively looking at other cars there is a distinct possibility that I'll fit its winter tyres and keep it until next Spring.

If you do find an Octy that fits your requirements make sure that you give it a proper test drive or drive with the dealer before committing to anything.

The only main fault/issue with the O3 is a "booming" air pressure from the rear of the car.

Theres a huge thread & lots of users who suffer from this issue but its yet to be officially accepted or an official solution provided by Skoda.

It affects all models & even some of the later model years have the same.

 

14 minutes ago, Gabbo said:

If you do find an Octy that fits your requirements make sure that you give it a proper test drive or drive with the dealer before committing to anything.

The only main fault/issue with the O3 is a "booming" air pressure from the rear of the car.

Theres a huge thread & lots of users who suffer from this issue but its yet to be officially accepted or an official solution provided by Skoda.

It affects all models & even some of the later model years have the same.

 

 

Is this not the same problem as the mk2 Octavia has with lack of sound insulation in the rear making the boot into a boom box amplifying road noise?

 

32 minutes ago, Gabbo said:

If you do find an Octy that fits your requirements make sure that you give it a proper test drive or drive with the dealer before committing to anything.

The only main fault/issue with the O3 is a "booming" air pressure from the rear of the car.

Theres a huge thread & lots of users who suffer from this issue but its yet to be officially accepted or an official solution provided by Skoda.

It affects all models & even some of the later model years have the same.

 

Thanks for pointing this problem out as I had no idea about it. I've just looked at the 53 page thread on here and it doesn't sound like a particularly good car feature to be investing in. Afraid it's the sort of problem that could drive me into the arms of a BMW dealer.

1 hour ago, MadeInYorkshire said:

Afraid it's the sort of problem that could drive me into the arms of a BMW dealer.

 

Couldn't agree more.  On the bright side, they don't all do it.  My 2015 vRS Estate doesn't, and never has, that's why it's so important to check.  Don't miss out on a good all-rounder on the basis of something it might have, coz it might not.  At the time of looking, I didn't think there was much in it in terms of overall quality between a Mondeo and an Octavia.  I preferred the Octavia to a Passat (that surprised me!), an Insignia was disappointing and a Mokka was worse.  The only other place I really liked sitting in was an Avensis (also a surprise), but the 1.8 felt weedy, so I ended up with the vRS.  My next door but one neighbour has just bought a 1999 BMW 528 and given its age, it's a fantastic car.  Super smooth and not a rattle or squeak anywhere.  Even the seats are showing no signs of wear.

 

Gaz

Even though I recommend a BMW over a Skoda it's not a fair comparison as they are significantly different in price. I'd still rather have a Ford over Skoda in the same price bracket

Obviously there are ten of thousands of happy Skoda customers who dont have the booming issue.

But given the number of people on the forum who have suffered from the problem it is better to know this information than come back dissapointed.

 

I'm sure BMW has similar problems, as all manufacturers,  if you know where to ask.

 

I also had the pleasure of driving a 320d for 18month along side the Octavia & this was a horrible car, I couldnt wait to give it back.

My previous 4 cars before that were various versions of Mondeo ST TDCi & whilst they were nice cars, I've never regetted getting the Skoda.

The big plus side for me was the fuel economy which was around 8mpg better, equivelant space Inside & 30% lower price.