I have to say i am getting pretty fed up with waiting on skoda to release any information on the new Octavia VRS and when order books are likely to open, so i have been looking at what is out there currently.

 

Ideally i would want a new unregistered red 245 hatch manual, but obviously these are all gone. I did speak to one dealer who said that they had a batch of unregistered 245's available, but none of them red unfortunately.

 

The 245 at Bristol street motors seems ideal as it already has a towbar fitted (which i would need), but has 2k miles and was registered in November on a 67 plate. I have been offered this for £21.5k

 

I can get hold of a 230 in red with Black pack + brand new for around £20.5k

 

If i went for the 230 i would like folding mirrors and winter pack, but this would obviously not be possible.

 

The only thing that is putting me off the car at Bristol Street is that it isn't brand new, otherwise it is perfect. I have never had a brand new car before and as i am spending what is a substantional amout of money (to me) i want to make sure it is perfect and i'm not sure it would be as special.

 

I have only driven a 245 and i loved the acceleration and noise. Is there much difference with the 230? I know that the exhaust is different, but is it really noticeable?

 

Will i regret not going for the 245? 

 

For info, this car will mainly be used for school runs and family holidays and days out. I work from home, so don't have to commute and have a VX220 for weekend blasts.

 

Part of me thinks wait until the order books open again, but nobody know how long this would be, and i am guessing that discounts won't be quite like they are now? (not for a while anyway)

 

So, what would you go for? I'm tearing my hair out over it (as they say) and really can't decide what to do. I think if i had driven a 230 it might help, but that doesn't seem possible...

 

 

 

 

Edited 14 March, 20188 yr by chuno

I believe the order books are closed due to a change to the emissions on petrol engines and the need to have a gpf fitted and also the fact there is a higher demand for petrol engines and hence a backlog of orders. Hence, when they open the order books again it will not be the same as if this was a new model or anything a consumer is really going to find desirable hence I would expect the discounts to either be there from the start or appear a lot quicker than if there had been a model change or facelift. In fact, with the order books shutting it may mean dealers asking a premium for the ones they have left in stock (supply and demand). If you do not need a new car right now then wait a few months and order the car you want when the order books open again.

- You could wait for ages (orders open up again, and then it eventually gets built) and end up with an expensive brand new car that has issues as soon as you are 5 miles down the road (like mine was, 5 yrs ago), but is still "yours" (hopefully it would have no issues)

 

- or you could find a much cheaper "used" car sooner, which has absolutely no niggles (or they've been corrected) , but has done a few miles and has had other people driving it

 

neither one is going to be "perfect", which one is going to be more "special" ?

 

In my head, I still haven't decided whether "bagging a bargain because someone else took the depreciation hit" is a better special than "this is brand new, and alllll miiiiiine"

I'd go for the 230 personally while you can get it, especially as it's not your fun car but I think it's a question only you can answer.

1 hour ago, Wet Kipper said:

- You could wait for ages (orders open up again, and then it eventually gets built) and end up with an expensive brand new car that has issues as soon as you are 5 miles down the road (like mine was, 5 yrs ago), but is still "yours" (hopefully it would have no issues)

 

- or you could find a much cheaper "used" car sooner, which has absolutely no niggles (or they've been corrected) , but has done a few miles and has had other people driving it

 

neither one is going to be "perfect", which one is going to be more "special" ?

 

In my head, I still haven't decided whether "bagging a bargain because someone else took the depreciation hit" is a better special than "this is brand new, and alllll miiiiiine"

 

Thanks for the replies everyone - all helps.

 

Wet kipper - that's the issue, if i could get a decent discount by going second hand, then i probably would, but i can't

 

I want a current FL model (perhaps i am the only one who prefers this one over the old one) and currently the cheapest used FL model is £20k.

 

Why you would pay that when i can get a brand new car exactly the same for only £500 more is beyond me...

3 hours ago, chuno said:

The 245 at Bristol street motors seems ideal as it already has a towbar fitted (which i would need), but has 2k miles and was registered in November on a 67 plate.

 

The only thing that is putting me off the car at Bristol Street is that it isn't brand new, otherwise it is perfect. I have never had a brand new car before and as i am spending what is a substantional amout of money (to me) i want to make sure it is perfect and i'm not sure it would be as special.

Seems to me you've answered your own question.

 

If you've never had a brand new car before, I'll let you in to a secret...  it's far from perfect - as many others will testify, their brand new pride and joy often has to be returned for faults. Factor in that a brand new car is only brand new until you sign the dotted line and, well that's your next problem... you loose shed loads of money. And of course being brand new, delivery dates etc are a worry. Had my fair share of brand new cars over the years, believe me, I'd take a pre-reg every time. 2k miles is bugger all - it's classed as nearly new. How long are you intending to keep the car? If you're going to keep it for 2-3years, that Bristol Street Motor car will be worth about £500 less than a brand new car. Keep it longer and the price difference will be less.

 

And just becasue it says £21.5k that doesn't mean there's not a deal to be had. Dealers are usually keen to shift stock.

 

And the bonus ball...  it already has an expensive accessory that you'd add. Is the towbar fitted aftermarket or is it one of Skoda's pop-out bars?

 

If you're describing the car as 'ideal' then sounds to me like a no brainer.

Edited 14 March, 20188 yr by Guest

Sorry  - I think I may also have missed part of your dilemma - it's not just the whether to get a new 245 at some unknown future point, or a new one now

you've  got the decision between a brand new 230, and a used 245, which seem to be similar in price

 

not having driven either, I can't help

Firstly it is only new until you drive it out of the showroom, few weeks later wont be any different from nearly new

 

Just did a scan on Skoda used, any car >200PS and red

Is there are a reason why it has to be an Octavia VRS rather than say a Superb Sportline 220

 

Your decision is do you buy what I can get, or wait for orders to reopen (then possibly wait another 3-4 months) so possibly 5-9 months total

 

https://usedcars.skoda.co.uk/en/used-cars/skoda/model-search?lat=51.426048&lon=-0.30572&unitSystem=imperial&currency=GBP&mcategory=all&zip=KT2 5DJ&radius=8047&gas=1||7&manufacturer=54&color=10&kw_from=200&max=20&view=list&sort=availability_timestamp%3ADESC#result-tools-top

 

 

Yes, that it basically it. I either...

 

Buy 'used' 245 at £21.5 (which is advertised at £22.5 so don't think i'm going to get them much lower)

Buy 'new; 230 at £20.5k (but without a couple of options that i was hoping for)

Or wait an unknown amount of time to order a new one to my spec at a price that i don't yet know.

 

This thread has been very helpful, but to be honest i'm still undecided. I realise that the best option seems to get the used 245, but if i do it's just my luck that they will op[en the order books straight after for 245's. (I personally think that current values of 245's are slightly inflated because of the lack of supply and values will drop when order books open for them again)

but from what we've been guessing, based on Geneva information, is that ALL vRS Octavia's will be 245PS, and you need to buy another add-on to make them "special" in the same way that current FL 245s are compared to FLs230s - so who knows how much extra they will charge for that, compared to how they are now

 

prices for a 245 may be a bit inflated now, due to lack of supply, but if the newer ones still suffer from long lead times, you can expect dealers to exploit that to keep the prices high for someone who "wants it NOW" once the order books open.

I think the slightly used 245 is a ‘no brainer’ if you are a cash buyer (or not doing a Skoda PCP).  I would be saying ‘make it £21k and I’ll give you a deposit now’ (you will kick yourself if you miss it, particularly if the books don’t open soon).  Get a new 230 and you will have buyers remorse because it’s missing important elements and you had set your mind on a 245.  My only caveat is if you are a Skoda PCP customer and there is a dealer deposit contribution and a low APR to sweeten the deal further. 

 

If you you wait for the order books to open, you could still see another 6 months build time and to spec the car you want could see you paying many £k more.

Edited 14 March, 20188 yr by Falmouthboy

Whats the difference really between a brand new car and one with a few thousand apart from it already taking a chunk of depreciation. If the spec and price is right, go for it before another does!

Agree with the above thoughts. I bought new once, won’t do so again. 

 

The minute it gets its first tiny mark, it’s no longer new in your head. 

 

The value for me is in nearly new or about 2.5 yrs old (I buy rather than lease). 

 

Get the 245 if it is perfect in every respect apart from being ‘new’. 

 

Remember also, ‘new’ cars have still been thrashed around the port of departure and the port of arrival by someone whose job is to load / unload as many cars as they can in a set time period. So are they really any different from a car with 2k miles?

 

245 all day long buddy!! 

 

 

Never bought a brand new car; I have always bought wrecks or "well used but nice" cars up until I bought my current Octavia which I got with 9,000 miles or so on the clock 9 months old.

 

Personally I despise the tax man, as I do not have my own business and am fortunate enough not to be disabled (thus cannot reclaim any VAT) I can't think of anything worse than handing over 20% VAT to the ******, hence unless I win the lottery would never buy new.

 

If the 245 ticks all the boxes go for it; you can buy a decade supply of "new car smell" fragrances with what you would save by cutting the taxman out of the equation 

Edited 14 March, 20188 yr by BNT1985

My new car had 13 miles on it when I collected it and had been built 4 weeks earlier.

 

Was it new or was I merely the first owner?

8 hours ago, chuno said:

I have to say i am getting pretty fed up with waiting on skoda to release any information on the new Octavia VRS and when order books are likely to open, so i have been looking at what is out there currently.

 

Ideally i would want a new unregistered red 245 hatch manual, but obviously these are all gone. I did speak to one dealer who said that they had a batch of unregistered 245's available, but none of them red unfortunately.

 

The 245 at Bristol street motors seems ideal as it already has a towbar fitted (which i would need), but has 2k miles and was registered in November on a 67 plate. I have been offered this for £21.5k

 

I can get hold of a 230 in red with Black pack + brand new for around £20.5k

 

If i went for the 230 i would like folding mirrors and winter pack, but this would obviously not be possible.

 

The only thing that is putting me off the car at Bristol Street is that it isn't brand new, otherwise it is perfect. I have never had a brand new car before and as i am spending what is a substantional amout of money (to me) i want to make sure it is perfect and i'm not sure it would be as special.

 

I have only driven a 245 and i loved the acceleration and noise. Is there much difference with the 230? I know that the exhaust is different, but is it really noticeable?

 

Will i regret not going for the 245? 

 

For info, this car will mainly be used for school runs and family holidays and days out. I work from home, so don't have to commute and have a VX220 for weekend blasts.

 

Part of me thinks wait until the order books open again, but nobody know how long this would be, and i am guessing that discounts won't be quite like they are now? (not for a while anyway)

 

So, what would you go for? I'm tearing my hair out over it (as they say) and really can't decide what to do. I think if i had driven a 230 it might help, but that doesn't seem possible...

 

 

 

 

Speak to Lookers Manchester. Ask for Mike Cochrane in sales. He has two red 245’s in group stock ready to go. 

 

He sold me a white estate 245. 

23 minutes ago, EddGee said:

Speak to Lookers Manchester. Ask for Mike Cochrane in sales. He has two red 245’s in group stock ready to go. 

 

He sold me a white estate 245. 

White estates are obviously the superior choice! ;-) 

 

(sorry, couldn’t stretch to split headlights!)

Edited 14 March, 20188 yr by dunc69

Right i will be giving lookers Manchester a call tomorrow.

 

Just for a bit more info on the matter....

 

I am actually not in a desperate rush for a new car. I currently have an 06 MK 2 that is still plodding along with 170k on the clock. However, i have been looking forward to ordering a new mark 3 for the best part of 18 months and am finally in a position to, so i don't want to have to wait another 9 if i can help it!

 

The new car will be a keeper though. I envisage keeping it at least 7-10 years (which is how long i have kept my current MK 2.

Edited 14 March, 20188 yr by chuno

If the choice boils down to, would you like your car with or without a GPF?  - as it very likely will, then the choice would become very easy for me.

 

GPFs may turn out to be trouble free but you would be taking a gamble, I would not expect them to have been adequately tested prior to introduction. Also they have to be introduced, so they will be introduced regardless of how problematic they will be.

5 hours ago, chuno said:

(I personally think that current values of 245's are slightly inflated because of the lack of supply and values will drop when order books open for them again)

I could give you an answer that might rival "War and Peace" in length but believe me, from personal experience, it won't make a blind bit of difference to used prices.

 

2 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

My new car had 13 miles on it when I collected it and had been built 4 weeks earlier.

 

Was it new or was I merely the first owner?

Given that 'new' means first registration then your car was new. And given your use of the word 'was', it's now very old and I'm sure there will be plenty of dealers lining up to offer you another 'new' one

It is a difficult question. I have bought several cars 1-3 years old that for me was "nearly new" but a lot cheaper. Remember that cars cost twice as much in Norway as in GB!

Two years ago I bought my first brand new car, for several reasons, and I have never regret it.

First of all it was because I couldnt find a used car with the spec that I wanted. And those who was close, cost nearly as much as a new one.

I loved the feeling when I could spec the car exactly as I wanted it, and get to know the car as it left the factory, without have to wonder if any wiggles was from a earlier owner.

After two years and 27k I havent found anything to complain about. Sadly for you that you cant buy the perfect Octavia in GB :-)

That be a hatchback with TSI, DSG and 4x4 :-)

7 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

If the choice boils down to, would you like your car with or without a GPF?  - as it very likely will, then the choice would become very easy for me.

 

GPFs may turn out to be trouble free but you would be taking a gamble, I would not expect them to have been adequately tested prior to introduction. Also they have to be introduced, so they will be introduced regardless of how problematic they will be.

 

If there’s no regen on a GPF then the way the driver reacts with the system shouldn’t be as noticeable. To say it won’t be adequately tested isn’t true, with DPF and Regen most of the issues are with the way drivers use the car and the missed regens.

The worst thing about GPF is that there’s not been 8 or 9 years of experience with Trucks, Buses and LGV that the Diesel Euro 4/5/6 have.

10 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

 

If there’s no regen on a GPF then the way the driver reacts with the system shouldn’t be as noticeable. To say it won’t be adequately tested isn’t true, with DPF and Regen most of the issues are with the way drivers use the car and the missed regens.

The worst thing about GPF is that there’s not been 8 or 9 years of experience with Trucks, Buses and LGV that the Diesel Euro 4/5/6 have.

Absolute no-brainer get the 245 custom re-map for £500 and you will have a 300bhp rocket for £22,000. What a bargain. Done 7500 miles in mine since August 2017, brilliant car, even the wife enjoys driving it.

12 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

 

If there’s no regen on a GPF then the way the driver reacts with the system shouldn’t be as noticeable.

Agreed. I'd still wait and see. Shouldn't is still not the same as doesn't. 

 

12 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

 To say it won’t be adequately tested isn’t true.

Didn't say 'won't' what I said was don't expect it to be - not quite the same thing.

Why don't I expect it to be adequately tested? - 1.5 TSI anti-stall

 

12 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

The worst thing about GPF is that there’s not been 8 or 9 years of experience with Trucks, Buses and LGV that the Diesel Euro 4/5/6 have.

And we know how great early VAG DPF installations went.

 

As I said its a gamble, it is entirely possible that there will be no downsides.