My 2008 (08) Octavia Elegance 1.9pd estate has been with me since new and has never missed a service at a Skoda garage. It runs beautifully, never uses a drop of oil and apart from normal wear and tear, has never broken down. It does suffer from surface rust on the sills near the front wheels and a bit on the wheel arches. It's done 112,000 miles with myself as the only driver and averages around 52mpg over a year (top up to top up).

Within a few months (hopefully) I expect to have enough money to change my car for something just a few years old. Our driveway is short but steep and is a real pain to clear of snow, and I'm tempted to buy something with 4wd as I'm getting less inclined to shovel snow now that I'm getting nearer 70.  Whatever I bought would have to last me to near the age my current car is.  I'm wavering between keeping my car or putting it in part ex for a newer one. Other than rust, are there likely to be any other problems with my current car, like exhaust system or clutch that would run up big bills if I keep it running? and would putting on all weather tyres solve the snow clearing problem? 

The Mk2 Octavia was generally well built, and if fully serviced should be capable of continuing for a while

 

There is a chance something big / expensive will fail eventually, but it is guesswork and it might happily carry on without needing major work for 3-4 years

 

The new cars could with a lot of technology that has probably decreased their lifespan, made them more complicated, and its also a lot harder to fix.

 

My thought is get it properly inspected if you haven't already got comments and advisories from latest service or MOT. 

If there is nothing obviously on its last legs, then keep it, spending a few hundred is a lot less than changing car.

If you are are happy with it, it works, doesn't need major expenditure, why change it.

 

Regarding the snow, a 4wd on summer tyres will struggle more than a 2wd with winter tyres.   So changing the tyres is a better solution. 

If your drive is steep and prone to snow then there is a question mark about all season, you would need to pick winter biased tyres (rather than summer biased all-season) so maybe full winter tyres would be better.   You may even be able to leave winter tyres on all year (wont be quite as good in summer on dry roads, and might not stop as fast, and will wear a bit faster in summer), but the disadvantages in summer could outweigh the winter gains.   I am taking a punt that snow being a problem suggests you are in hilly area.

 

Perhaps save the money changing the car, buy winter tyres, and spend £300 buying a small snow blower for your drive (maybe nearer £500 if you have very long drive)

 

 

I have a similar car - 57 reg 2.0 TDI 140 Octavia Elegance estate 87,000 miles owned from new, always serviced by Skoda dealer when due. Never broken down, but had a new radiator in Feb 2017, almost £600, and traction control light came on a few days before the latest MOT meaning that a new ABS control unit was required, almost £800.

 

I don't know anything about snow blowers, but would tend to agree with everything else that SurreyJohn has said above.

 

I am thinking that like my car your's probably doesn't have a DPF, which would certainty be present in a more modern diesel and potentially a source of problems.

 

The Elegance is a good spec, and whilst it doesn't have all the modern tech, it probably has everything you need.

 

I would say keep the old car for a bit longer unless you really fancy a change. It sounds like you have a few months to think it over.

 

Get some Michelin cross climates tyres then you can have best of both worlds.  Still plenty of life left in the car and unless you fancy a change you can't beat the reliability of pd diesel engines as they seem to go on forever with regular oil changes.

If you change the car for something newer, you're almost certain to get a shinier but worse vehicle with lower economy figures, in my opinion.

112000 miles on a 1.9 engine is nothing.  Body panel rust has to go a long way before it becomes anything more than an aesthetic issue.

 

 

Thanks for the advice folks, much to consider. I'm tempted to keep the car, it's just had a major service in December and no problems reported. I just don't know if and when any major parts will wear out. I'll think about it.    Thanks again

They don’t make them like the mk2 anymore. I agree with all the comments from all Briskodians thus far here. Hey sold all seasons and I think you will be fine. I have driven past many a 4x4 SUV with summer tyres  with my Nokians on. 

I'd personally keep it. You've got the last of the 'analog' Skodas, no major emissions crap, and the always trusty 1.9 Tdi. 

 

If you go for a newer diesel its likely to have inferior mileage and reliability, due to all the comfort features (just like stated by SurreyJohn). You also won't have any idea of the faults that come with the new car. 

Might pay to pick up a cheap set of wheels, put some winter tires on them and keep it in the garage for winter if that's really a problem. AWD with summer tires is gonna struggle more. 

 

 

20 hours ago, gav_is_con said:

They don’t make them like the mk2 anymore. I agree with all the comments from all Briskodians thus far here. Hey sold all seasons and I think you will be fine. I have driven past many a 4x4 SUV with summer tyres  with my Nokians on. 

I know what you mean about tyres. I used to own an Audi 90 quattro and it stuck to bendy roads like glue in the summer, but was all over the place in snow on it's summer tyres. I also used a Peugeot 205 at work and in snow with winter tyres on the front I could stop on a snowy hill and set off again without skidding.

My VRS is 2006 with 146k on the clock. I made my mind up last year that I will keep it until I absolutely have to replace it.

Using the VRS as an example. Id have to spend 10-12k to get something newer (mk3) with similar spec.

 

Ive had the turbo rebuilt as the actuator ceased due to part of the EGR cooler getting wedged in it. Bar that the car has been faultless for the 80k ive had it.

You said you've a 1.9 PD engine and that being the case even a clutch swap whilst expensive should allow you to fit a solid flywheel rather than the dual mass you also won't have a DPF to worry about so I'd be inclined to keep it ... I've an 07 hatchback on just short of 133,000 miles and I intend to jeep her as long as possible ... 

 

Ive had her just over 4 years and replaced 3 calipers, both back and right front, both rear wheel bearings and right front along with the speed sensor, front left CV joint and both outer gaitors and front right spring and drop link ... Last month I replaced two turbo hoses and fitted all new discs and pads front and back and it's still cost less in repairs than my big Citroens cost me in half the time .. Like you my only worry is the clutch as its original and I'm due a new timing belt and pump next summer