used Octavias and your very foreign country

philes · 14 June, 2019

Hi all, moving to Dundee from Los Angeles in September, sight unseen (wife got a university job). I visited the UK 20 years ago, but I basically know nothing. I'm excited--I hope you'll indulge some outsider questions.

We'll be looking for a used car. The best choice seems to be a mk3 Octavia estate DSG. Not too big/clumsy for your country's charmingly small roads, but big enough to fit an MTB inside and occasionally sleep in.

Coming from a background of indestructible old Japanese cars, will the reliability be noticeably bad? There don't seem to be a lot of high-mileage Octavias for sale--are they all dead and off the road? Maybe I'm just used to a larger pool of used cars? I'd like to keep it for a long time, and would want it to stay quite reliable.

I've seen a few high-mileage cars/vans for sale with rust "in all the usual spots"--rust is foreign to me. Do they salt the roads? Does it kill cars?

In the US, used-car dealers are sketchy. Same in Scotland? I've clicked around the briskoda forum a bit, and it sounds like they're the same breed.

Diesel or "petrol"? I've read a few faqs, but they were pretty weak. I understand the basics--diesel costs incrementally more per "litre," gets incrementally better mileage, has incrementally better CO2 emissions. When I think VW diesel, I think "scandal." I also think of diesels as rough/loud.

DSG: Is it worth avoiding the 7-speed DQ200 for long-term reliability? Not sure what implications that would have for engine choices in the used models.

Traction control: it looks like all the new Octavia models have this. Do I want it? Not sure how long ago it was introduced. If it would keep me from getting stuck in a muddy "car park," I'm intrigued.

"CHEERS!"

silver1011 · 14 June, 2019

Los Angeles to Dundee, wow, now that in itself is going to take some getting used to, if at all possible

The Octavia is a good choice. I'd go petrol, the 1.4 TSI, a sweet engine and all you'll ever need.

What's your budget?

Yes, we salt the roads, it'll certainly kill cars faster than Los Angeles, but that's as much to do with the 360 days of rainfall a year, not so much the salt!

All MkII and MkIII Octavia's get traction control as standard.

If reliability is your absolute top priority, then sticking with Japanese would be your best bet...

philes · 14 June, 2019

21 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

Los Angeles to Dundee, wow, now that in itself is going to take some getting used to, if at all possible

DEFINITELY. They seem extremely different--in a good way. I'd spent enough time looking at the Dundee area on google maps to know that A90 was the main east-west artery. Then I was later poking around in street view, and was shocked to realize it was only 2 lanes in each direction--funny.

21 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

The Octavia is a good choice. I'd go petrol, the 1.4 TSI, a sweet engine and all you'll ever need.

Noted!

21 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

What's your budget?

I'd prefer to keep it under 15,000 pounds (need to learn the keyboard shortcut for that fancy "L"), but am flexible.

21 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

All MkII and MkIII Octavia's get traction control as standard.

Aha! Great to know.

21 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

If reliability is your absolute top priority, then sticking with Japanese would be your best bet...

Yeah, I suppose I'll have to come to grips with that essential truth. I suspect the SECOND car I get in Scotland will be Japanese.

THANKS for the input!

Ootohere · 15 June, 2019

Welcome.

What a great choice of place, and an Octavia would be perfect if you want a ICE vehicle.

A Fabia Estate would be fine, but that will have a DQ200 DSG.

Maybe a VW Sharan / SEAT Alhambra TDI / DSG would suit better for your use.

My recommendation would be go to Broughty Ferry and get a Suzuki or a Honda.

A Vitara is perfect for winter time in and around Dundee.

Or a KIA / Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan AWD. There are all the dealerships in Dundee.

http://westendsuzuki.co.uk

http://westendgarage.net

You might think on an Electric Car though.

There are Scottish Government Grants.

Plenty charging points, at the University etc, plus good public transport / busses, and Electric Taxis...

Dundee is the sunniest City in Scotland. Centre for computer games at one point and pretty much still is.

Has the New V&A Museum , Great Universities & Colleges. Scotland's / UK's Electric Car City.

http://john-clark.co.uk//skoda/used-cars

Skoda Specialist Cars / John Clark Group very good in Dundee.

But lots of Car Dealerships in Dundee, Car Supermarkets, Bargains / Much Cheapness etc.

Arnold Clark, Peter Vardy, John Clark Dealerships and more.

Loads of choices.

Even more in Perth.

PS

Not so many Muddy Car parks about.

Well maybe this weekend, but that is unusual..

Edited 15 June, 2019 by Skoffski

**john999boy** · 15 June, 2019

10 hours ago, philes said:

I'd prefer to keep it under 15,000 pounds (need to learn the keyboard shortcut for that fancy "L")

Press and hold the ALT key and type the number 0163.

I’ll not charge you any £’s for that tip!

Ootohere · 15 June, 2019

@philes

I will be happy to lend you a Fat Bike if you want to try, or take you out and try an Electric bike, hard tail or Full Sus.

Just shout once you are settled.

Get a car with a towball and i can lend you a bike rack. (or sell you one, 'Much Cheapness'.)

Lots of Mountain Biking areas very near, and lots happening, clubs, and events.

You might be interested in Perth.

http://muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/fair-city-enduro

http://cacyclinghub.com/coupar-angus-cycling-festival-2019

I have tracks starting 500 yards from my door.

I am 13 miles north just off that 2 lane A90.

There are average speed cameras on the roads, but then not on the back roads and you will enjoy them.

And just 20 miles north to the Angus Glens, and maybe the A93 leading to the best driving roads in Scotland.

Edited 15 June, 2019 by Skoffski

Gaz · 15 June, 2019

16 hours ago, philes said:

DSG: Is it worth avoiding the 7-speed DQ200 for long-term reliability? Not sure what implications that would have for engine choices in the used models.

On that one point alone, we've had a VW Polo GTI with the DQ200 for a couple of years now and it's been faultless.

Two years ago a hybrid (Toyota Auris) nearly won over the GTI. Come forward to today and I think it could be a different story when considering electric or hybrid cars. It's a rapidly evolving market.

Gaz

Ootohere · 15 June, 2019

@V6TDI

VW managed to be more careful with the production / software & hardware of DQ200's 2015 on for the 1.8TSI 192 PS Polo GTI that they limited to 250 Nm, (The manuals being 320Nm.)

Pity that was not true with the others still from 2015 like current Mk3 Fabia owners and others are having and they have only 110ps.

philes · 15 June, 2019

9 hours ago, Skoffski said:

A Fabia Estate would be fine, but that will have a DQ200 DSG.

looks Just a bit short to sleep in, even at my 5'6".

9 hours ago, Skoffski said:

Maybe a VW Sharan / SEAT Alhambra TDI / DSG would suit better for your use.

That's much closer to my current "MPV" ["minivan" here]--a 2002 Toyota Sienna. I've loved the practicality but I can't stand driving it anymore. I really, really want something that handles like a car.

9 hours ago, Skoffski said:

Not so many Muddy Car parks about.

Really? I pictured a lot of mud at trailhead parking lots. Good to know.

8 hours ago, Skoffski said:

@philes

I will be happy to lend you a Fat Bike if you want to try, or take you out and try an Electric bike, hard tail or Full Sus.

Just shout once you are settled.

If you've got a spare bike that's anywhere close to my size (5'6"), I'd love a guided tour of your local trails in October! Our bikes will be arriving by container ship ~6 weeks later if all goes to plan.

8 hours ago, Skoffski said:

http://muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/fair-city-enduro

Ooh, hadn't heard about this. If we're settled enough (a long shot) maybe I'll rent a demo bike and give it a go. I did my first enduro race last year (https://www.pinkbike.com/news/california-enduro-series-round-7-kamikaze-bike-games-enduro-videophoto-recap-pro-stage-action.html) and am itching to do more. Haven't had time (for riding or anything else) this year because of the move.