Didn't really have a specific budget in mind but I wouldn't have been happy spending more than £30k. After much looking around, I finally bought my car in December and ended up buying a nearly new car simply because I though it was too good an offer. Having lived with the car for 6mths now, supposing my budget had been £40k, I'd still have chosen my 1.4SE-L Octavia estate. It does everything I ask of it and then some. The only car I could compare it to I suppose would be a Superb Estate but that's just too big for my needs.

Edited 4 July, 20187 yr by Guest

The only thing that I would consider changing my car for is a Superb 280Tsi but then it would need a re-map but don't currently need something that big as already owned a 16 plate MK3 Superb and parking was an issue for the wife, she prefers her Karoq.

Mazda 6 was on my list...

11 hours ago, mumphie said:

Mazda 6 was on my list...

 

Good cars good value 

57 minutes ago, TDIum said:

 

Good cars good value 

 

BIG car...

Quite like the Mazda 6 myself. As someone mentioned they seem to be good value.

22 hours ago, logiclee said:

 

$160,000 every 15k miles in tyre costs and an extra $20,000 if you have a puncture.

 

Needs to be a big win

Ah that's main dealer prices.  Just find yourself a local indy specialist and you can knock 30-40% off those prices, easily. 

21 minutes ago, donny1972 said:

Quite like the Mazda 6 myself. As someone mentioned they seem to be good value.

I came very close to getting a 2.2 TDI Sport Nav but....they suffer very badly from road and wind noise.  Whilst the cabin looks the part, especially with the stone leather option, I had some reservations regarding quality and longevity.  I was able to remove most of the centre console trim with a firm shake/pull.  Another refresh is due in showrooms soon and hopefully Mazda have addressed these points; after all they quickly changed the current model a couple of years ago to address criticisms of dated interior, dated infotainment and diesel rattle.   It's a shame that they won't be offering a better petrol line up.  

 

The Mazda 6 better to drive than any mainstream VAG car though.  As good as the previous generation Mondeo.  If the Superb felt the same to drive then it would be pretty much perfect. 

32 minutes ago, donny1972 said:

Quite like the Mazda 6 myself. As someone mentioned they seem to be good value.

I tested the new Mazda CX-5 the other day, absolutely stunning car inside and out but I am not a fan of SUVs so am also testing the new 2018 MAzda 6 tourer in a couple weeks as they have now added a more powerful engine in the GT trim which looks really interesting. (194PS 4 cyl with culinder deactivation tech)

 

Wind and road noise has been very almost removed now , they have listened and improved. Worth a look for sure. 

Edited 5 July, 20187 yr by TonyTonic

15 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

The only thing that I would consider changing my car for is a Superb 280Tsi 

DO IT 

1 minute ago, TonyTonic said:

 

Wind and road noise has been very almost removed now , they have listened and improved. Worth a look for sure. 

Is that in the new new model? 

Just now, penguin17 said:

Is that in the new new model? 

yes. the 2017 CX-5 (which also suffered from noise before that) and the new 2018 Mazda 6

 

Here is a link:

https://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/new-mazda6-tourer/

1 minute ago, TonyTonic said:

yes. the 2017 CX-5 (which also suffered from noise before that) and the new 2018 Mazda 6

 

Here is a link:

https://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/new-mazda6-tourer/

 

Also the new Optima in my shortlist (GT with 245BHP) https://www.brayleys.co.uk/kia/new-cars/optima-sportswagon

 

This is my shortlist basically:

 

Skoda Octavia estate vRS

Skoda Superb hatch L&K

Mazda 6 Tourer GT

Kia Optima SW GT

6 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Is that in the new new model? 

Infotainement still dated though but ACP and AA are being released soon apparently with retrofit capability and cameras have very poor resolution but not a deal breaker for me.

 

The VAG infotainement is one of the best on the market for sure

Edited 5 July, 20187 yr by TonyTonic

Just now, TonyTonic said:

yes. the 2017 CX-5 (which also suffered from noise before that) and the new 2018 Mazda 6

 

Here is a link:

https://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/new-mazda6-tourer/

Nice.  Like I said above, it's a shame the previous version was so noisy on the road as the engine noise was really well suppressed on the diesel, eerily so.  It has the potential to be a bloody good car.  I just had a niggling doubt that I'd quickly get frustrated with it and headed to the Skoda dealership instead.  

 

The Kia Optima also looks a good call but I can't see how they've managed crap performance figures from a relatively decent looking engine.  I like the Optima though and I think in another 5 years time Kia and Hyundai will be pretty much beating the Euro 'premium' badges at their own game.  Their rate of improvement and constant need to fettle and address criticism is great for the motoring industry.  Defo the 'new Skoda' in terms of value. 

 

Are Hyundai not planning an i40N Tourer? 

10 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Nice.  Like I said above, it's a shame the previous version was so noisy on the road as the engine noise was really well suppressed on the diesel, eerily so.  It has the potential to be a bloody good car.  I just had a niggling doubt that I'd quickly get frustrated with it and headed to the Skoda dealership instead.  

 

The Kia Optima also looks a good call but I can't see how they've managed crap performance figures from a relatively decent looking engine.  I like the Optima though and I think in another 5 years time Kia and Hyundai will be pretty much beating the Euro 'premium' badges at their own game.  Their rate of improvement and constant need to fettle and address criticism is great for the motoring industry.  Defo the 'new Skoda' in terms of value. 

 

Are Hyundai not planning an i40N Tourer? 

Not sure but. Tucson N is coming aparently

 

From looking at reviews from America where they had the 245bhp engine for a while the Optima produces better figures than advertised but it's a much heavier car than the Octavia.

Edited 5 July, 20187 yr by TonyTonic

35 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

 

 

The Kia Optima also looks a good call but I can't see how they've managed crap performance figures from a relatively decent looking engine.  I like the Optima though and I think in another 5 years time Kia and Hyundai will be pretty much beating the Euro 'premium' badges at their own game.  Their rate of improvement and constant need to fettle and address criticism is great for the motoring industry.  Defo the 'new Skoda' in terms of value. 

 

 

Didn't someone here buy the 2 liter Stinger, that has the same engine as the 2 liter Optima?

I did look at Mazda 6 and the Hyundai i40 estates and while very handsome designs I did not like those 'stylish' rising window lines effects on visibility especially on reversing. They really do need all the electronic aids to offset all those blind spots and I do not like that.

The visibility for 'small' rear passengers can also be affected by this type of styling especially with SUV's.

Just saying that as part of your test drive that you should try reverse parking in an underground car park. That usually shows up any weaknesses in direct visibility, mirror setup and reversing camera image quality, but try not to ding it.

An aspect that is often overlooked on a test drive, I know I did twice in my early days of purchasing a new car with regrettable consequences (I am a slow learner).

I had a hire Kia Ceed hatch last year in the UK and that was diabolical to reverse.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Gerrycan said:

I did look at Mazda 6 and the Hyundai i40 estates and while very handsome designs I did not like those 'stylish' rising window lines effects on visibility especially on reversing. They really do need all the electronic aids to offset all those blind spots and I do not like that.

The visibility for 'small' rear passengers can also be affected by this type of styling especially with SUV's.

Just saying that as part of your test drive that you should try reverse parking in an underground car park. That usually shows up any weaknesses in direct visibility, mirror setup and reversing camera image quality, but try not to ding it.

An aspect that is often overlooked on a test drive, I know I did twice in my early days of purchasing a new car with regrettable consequences (I am a slow learner).

I had a hire Kia Ceed hatch last year in the UK and that was diabolical to reverse.

 

 

To an extent I agree with you, I , too, am a fan of classic layouts and that's for design wise the Octavia is great. The only thing that puts me off is ( and I need to see what offers I get from the dealers) once I add all the extras I want (which are standard on the Optima and Mazda 6) the price goes up well above the the other two. (things such as pano/sun roof, ACC, DCC, 360 camera (I am not the only driver - it's needed), parking aids, hands free boot etc

4 minutes ago, TonyTonic said:

To an extent I agree with you, I , too, am a fan of classic layouts and that's for design wise the Octavia is great. The only thing that puts me off is ( and I need to see what offers I get from the dealers) once I add all the extras I want (which are standard on the Optima and Mazda 6) the price goes up well above the the other two. (things such as pano/sun roof, ACC, DCC, 360 camera (I am not the only driver - it's needed), parking aids, hands free boot etc

My first Skoda would have been a 1.9d Roomster, but my wife threatened to leave me and the kids said they would go with her. So a mk2 Octavia was the final decision.

Lots of factors and influences involved in determining the final choice 

2 hours ago, TonyTonic said:

To an extent I agree with you, I , too, am a fan of classic layouts and that's for design wise the Octavia is great. The only thing that puts me off is ( and I need to see what offers I get from the dealers) once I add all the extras I want (which are standard on the Optima and Mazda 6) the price goes up well above the the other two. (things such as pano/sun roof, ACC, DCC, 360 camera (I am not the only driver - it's needed), parking aids, hands free boot etc

You make a good point. Skoda follow the VAG (and Merc, Beemer) route of offering cars with little spec and then charging and arm and a leg for extras, many of which are must-haves these days. 

 

Kia are the opposite and will offer cars with all the extras in the price (at least at the upper reaches of their range). Others, Japanese makes included, do this to some extent too. 

 

So whilst Skoda used to be good value (and my Citigo 75PS S/S with Nav, heated seats and zero road tax still follows that model), they are becoming increasingly mid-market in terms of vfm, especially in their bigger cars (my friend’s Kodiak 7-seater 1.4 TSI is a gorgeous car). 

 

Excellent and award-winning as Skoda are, my head is now slowly turning elsewhere....  

 

....or, at least, for the first time in a long while, I am considering buying something other than a Skoda next. 

Edited 5 July, 20187 yr by dunc69

Does this including both new and used ?
 

Jaguar F or XKR or maybe something classic even if a bit hard to look after ( lets be clear, we are meant to be men)
Is close as I can get to reality of a dream car and I yearn for such a proper car, even if it only lasts a while so I've been there done that before then opting for the next gen battery vehicle lol.

As for Mazda - seen this recently and the mere mention of the brand this is all I can think of
 

 

Yeh maybe 20 years ago

I like the look of the new Volvo v60,  the 247bhp T5 engine should offer similar performance to the Octavia VRS. Hopefully when I start to look for a replacement in 3 years time they'll have come down to under £20k.

5 hours ago, TimmyB said:

I like the look of the new Volvo v60,  the 247bhp T5 engine should offer similar performance to the Octavia VRS. Hopefully when I start to look for a replacement in 3 years time they'll have come down to under £20k.

Volvo’s reliability is questionable if you take note of the recent surveys.  

 

You’d be better off with a Kia Optima petrol turbo. Roughly the same bhp, longer warranty, less likely to go wrong.