It's all very confusing...

[Vashtar]

Hello,

 

I've just purchased a 2013 Octavia 2.0 TDI (though I'm not actually picking it up until Sunday). I'm changing job locations, so instead of living away Mon-Fri and commuting about 100 miles per week, I'll be joining the daily grind of a 75 mile daily round trip. So I've bought the Octavia as a cheap to run, no nonsense A-B car. Box ticked, I reckon.

 

My previous car was a 2001 Honda Accord, which was fine seeing as I only was actually behind the wheel of it for about 2.5 hours a week. The rest of the time it would sit there, rusting away and not depreciating. Never let me down either, but it won't stand up to doing the use I'm going to need it to do, so it's off to the scrapyard on Sat (genuinely a bit gutted to be honest- we've been through a lot).

 

so I've about to enter the world of Skoda and modern motoring (ish). The Honda had a tape deck, to give you an idea of what I'm leaving behind. And as the title says, it's all very confusing, with a tremendous amount of acronyms and systems and facilities and concepts etc. I actually just want to turn the key and drive, but those days are gone, I know. So I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to the forums and learning a bit more about my new car, and what it's all about. Luckily, being an SE, there's lots of blanking panels where real cars have buttons, so it could be worse I suppose.

 

So, that's me off the the Octavia section to become even more intimidated and out of my depth. 

[Superb170]

Welcome .  That 2.0 TDi Octavia will be just the job for that commute!

[Vashtar]

3 hours ago, Superb170 said:

Welcome .  That 2.0 TDi Octavia will be just the job for that commute!

Thanks very much!

[Russ77]

Welcome!

 

I still consider myself a newbie in these parts, swapped my '05 Focus Titanium for '14 Octavia Elegance at the end of February.

 

The Focus did have a CD player and touchscreen nav unit but I still feel like I moved from a horse & cart to a spaceship 

 

Hope you enjoy your Skoda, I'm loving mine!!!

[Skodaboy1983]

Welcome to Briskoda

 

Davy

[Vashtar]

Thanks for the welcome, Russ77 and Davy. Much appreciated.

[HerrMinerr]

Welcome, Vashtar!

 

I completely understand your point about modern cars being slightly intimidating from the point of view of the technology in them and all the details to take into account.

 

I used to own a Daewoo Matiz (first car) and then a Vauxhall Corsa. Believe me, not cutting edge technology in either of them. Stepping into my little Citigo meant i had to embrace modern motors, I guess. Don't worry, it's all a learning curve.

 

Good choice on the car, by the way! I commute a 40 mile round trip and I know your pain. You have to have a car which makes it enjoyable to do so. Good luck!

 

Andrei

[Vashtar]

Hello Andrei- nice post, thanks.

 

I'm reading the online manual at the moment- though it's a bit difficult to relate to without actually having the car yet. I much prefer sitting in the vehicle, reading a section from the book, and then pressing the buttons. That way it sinks in quicker, and some of it might even stick.

 

I think I'm just going to learn what I need to,  and then let the rest evolve as time goes by. I'm sure I'll be bored waiting at traffic lights someday and start pressing buttons- and then discover some fantastic facility that I didn't know existed. Like the bonnet release.

 

As long as there's not a self destruct button, I'm sure I'll be fine. My girlfriend has a self destruct button fitted to her Alfa Romeo, incidentally. It's called the ignition (and I'm not even joking. Well, much).

[Oldmansomerset]

A warm welcome !  Don't be intimidated, take your time reading up and trying things out.  I have driven cars from 1930 - crash gearboxes and all that, right up to my present 2017 Octavia.  Read and try to understand the book and then try things out when you have a quiet moment.  Enjoy!

[Vashtar]

Thanks very much! I pick up the car later today, which is when the real learning starts. In the meantime, I'm up to page 64 out of 401 in the Octavia III sub forum- so picking up some good knowledge and tips.

 

I've  driven trucks and tanks in the past, so I'm hoping a modern diesel hatchback isn't going to beat me. I remember being really pleased when my dad got a new car as a kid, and it not only had hazard lights, but a 5-speed gearbox. Which it proudly announced to everyone via a badge on the boot lid.

[ColinD]

@Vashtar welcome and good luck on the commutes.

 

A friend just retired her octy diesel after 250k, so 75 a day, there is potential it's a car for the life of the job!

 

Definitely too much going on now in cabins, boings, bongs, beeps. Still fondly remember the old cab of the old lt28, cira 83, heater, two sliders, hot/cold, fan speed. Neither had much effect on a van cab with no bulkhead  The quickest way to warm up, was to pop the engine hatch cover

 

On a skoda history day a few years aback we took a 1950's Octavia out. It was amazing till we saw another car, then we felt quite vulnerable, but still carried on being a part of the driving experience, hearing the birds through the air gaps. I think your MKIII will be a contrast and a lovely one at that. 

I used to commute into manchester, so not as far only 40ish miles, but slow, 90mins on normal days. I found that with a bit of cunning I could leave really early and get home really late, just had to find things to do, like Gym, shopping. What I never banked on was falling asleep, which I did twice, stationary. So I guess, I end with, be safe on the change in route, because newer cars, are too comfortable, cosy and with a warm glow from a red stop light, are the ideal places to have a kip. 

[Vashtar]

Hello Colin D,

 

im looking forward to getting some experience and then hopefully being able to contribute something to the forum, joining in discussions etc. Because obviously, that's how forums thrive, and I don't want to be one of those people who just takes for their own needs without trying to give something back to the group! Even if it's only to stimulate discussion rather than offer anything useful or constructive (I'm all to aware of my limitations).

 

My dad used to drive a string of Ford Cortina Mk II 1600E as a kid. They were bangers then (I'm frightfully working class) but worth a fortune now, obviously. The first job he always did on getting a new one was to fit the 'stick on' rear window demister. Intertia  reel seat belts were something out of a science fiction film- the Cortina ones just used to be folded and hung up on the pillar.

 

And your drivers fatigue problem (of which I fully understand and have lots of experience of) was beautifully solved on any long journey, by the car ensuring fresh air breaks were taken at regular intervals, making my dad had to get out and change the points, or top up the overheating radiator.

 

Great days!