So I'm just about to become an Octavia VRS owner (on Thursday). What sort of toys can I expect to have to play with on my new purchase.

I'm used to a 98 Vectra SRi which has an electric sunroof, front elec windows, onboard computer which srolls through trip distance, consumption, temperature, stop watch etc, steering wheel controlled cd player, centre arm rest etc.

Now I know the vrs doesnt have centre arm rest, doenst have a sunroof, and has electric windows all round but I was wondering whether theres an onboard computer or steering wheel stalk controls for the stereo to play with.

I will be getting reverse parking sensors - which should be fun getting used to.

The right hand stalk has a rocker switch on the end you can press in either direction to cycle through the trip computer read outs. There is also one underneath the stalk for trip2 functions. The latter is a common cause for comfusion so read the manual when you get the car.

is it a MKI or MKII Vrs you're getting?

Mk 1

i just dumped a vectra (worst car i ever owned) for a mk1 vrs beware the fuel computer on the vrs aint as good as the vectra's its when you get down low in the tank the thing kinda averages and goes up and down depending on your right foot where as the vectra did on the fly

i think you will find the vrs much more fun to drive

which vectra was it 120 or 140 bhp

It was the SRi 140 2 litre.

When I test drove the vRS I was amazed at the traction & the grip of the brakes.

steering wheel stalk controls for the stereo to play with

If there are, I haven't found 'em yet....but my wife likes playing with the kn0b anyway.

Si

So I'm just about to become an Octavia VRS owner (on Thursday). What sort of toys can I expect to have to play with on my new purchase.

You can download a .pdf brochure for the 'old' Octavia here. Page 18 lists the exterior and interior equipment you can look forward to.

The best thing that i have found since owning the vRS is that i really look forward to driving again, mine really makes me grin (especially when the long haired accountant stays at home). You will love it.

i had a 140 as well belive me the vrs will eat it alive when you get the vrs let me what think on the handling and braking compared to the vectra i'm still unsure maybe its cos the vectra was so much slower that it seemed better going round corners and pulling up

And I had the 150bhp vectra - total pants compared to the octy, especially if you get the baby mapped

Well I was amazed by the brakes on the test drive and that was at relatively low speeds. Ive always found the back end of the vectra to be a bit wishy washy even with Goodyear GSD F1's which a lot of the owners rave about. I found the ack end a lot safer with T1-s's on but they didnt last very long- too soft.

I'm going to miss the central arm rest and stereo controls if theyre not on one of the stalks but theyre minor points. I was very impressed with traction from a standing start and I'm sure i'll get better at gear changes as time progresses.

I'll let you know my thoughts when Ive had a chance to play.