The octavia is a decent car, but it is a family wagon with a bit more power.  And as above if you're wanting to hoon about in it all the time I think you'll be disappointed in a standard one.

 

I'd be looking at Focus ST/RS, Civic Type R, BMW M140i myself.  Bit more focused and quicker.

When I had my vRS the main issue was my wife hated the suspension and the kids hated the front seats, because they were sat behind them and you can see nothing ahead, due to the front seat shape, and seating quite low in the back you see little either side. I quite liked it, but it had nothing to my Golf R, in anything other than bone dry the traction light would be on pulling away from junctions, PS4S would have helped a little but the Golf would be long gone. 

As others have said the vRS is a good family car that can be a little fun, but it is compromised in both areas, well for my family anyway, but it may depend on how old your kids are. When I drove the family to the South of France the kids couldn't wait to get out of the vRS.

4 minutes ago, matrix2020 said:

When I had my vRS the main issue was my wife hated the suspension and the kids hated the front seats, because they were sat behind them and you can see nothing ahead, due to the front seat shape, and seating quite low in the back you see little either side. I quite liked it, but it had nothing to my Golf R, in anything other than bone dry the traction light would be on pulling away from junctions, PS4S would have helped a little but the Golf would be long gone. 

As others have said the vRS is a good family car that can be a little fun, but it is compromised in both areas, well for my family anyway, but it may depend on how old your kids are. When I drove the family to the South of France the kids couldn't wait to get out of the vRS.

Interesting kids are 11 and 6

Mine were a bit older but not much, if its not for long journeys it wont be a problem, however worth sitting in the back to try it out first.

👍🏻

On a slightly separate note has anyone got a pedal box on their VRS?

 

I’ve  had them before on several cars most definitely benefited from the mod but others (fiesta included) had such a good throttle response in sport that it wasn’t needed. 
 

Assuming Sport mode will improve throttle response does it still need a pedal box to remove any ‘dead’ play?

Edited 10 May, 20206 yr by FOX1429

2 hours ago, FOX1429 said:

On a slightly separate note has anyone got a pedal box on their VRS?

 

I’ve  had them before on several cars most definitely benefited from the mod but others (fiesta included) had such a good throttle response in sport that it wasn’t needed. 
 

Assuming Sport mode will improve throttle response does it still need a pedal box to remove any ‘dead’ play?

OK I've stayed outta this one as I can be a bit blunt for most but, @FOX1429 you seem to handle differing opinions ok.

 

Having pee'd about with many cars for many years I can easily say, the Pedalbox makes the most impact to a car for the money of ANY & EVERY mod I've ever made, get 1.

 

Other than 'off the line' a remapped 245 can race Golf R's ect, being 200kg lighter from 50mph upwards its accelerating faster, its also a lot more fun trying to get all the power through those fronts wheels. Far more engaging than a 4X4 which whilst no doubt fast, are pretty boring.

 

Regards comfort, yours & the families, get the electric seats & the DCC. The electric seats are heated so, that another tick & the very small adjustments possible to the lumbar support will help your back. The DCC can change the car from handling well (for its size) in Sport to being limo comfort for when you've gotta be dad.

 

I don't think the vRS can tick all the boxes for you but, i think it'll tick more boxes than anything else thats available.

Awesome. Thanks for the reply and def open to honest (blunt) views!

 

pedal box is a given then.

 

had it on 2 other ‘VW’ brands so stacks up that it would be a positive addition to the VRS.

 

may consider tuning box but will prob see how the pedal box with stock feels first. Always gives me an option a few months down the line if/when the Itch returns!

 

ive had a good scout around and best deal by far is the ultra low mileage 69 plate I mentioned however this has the manual seats (not too concerned with lack of electric) With canvas seats - I’ve test driven one with these seats and they were very comfortable so that seems ok. Has heated seats and virtual dash options.

 

No DCC however. 

Just my ten pence worth but I made the move to a mk3 vRS TDi (not as quick as 245) from a mk7 fiesta ST running stage 2 map. 

 

The vRS is never going to be anything like the fiesta, the mk7 is an even stiffer ride than the mk8 that you have, an absolute belly rumble on the right road and a fun way to hoon around a track should you want to. But it was awful on long commutes, a pain when you're not actually in the mood for going fast.  Really only good when it was up on its toes through the bends, everyday driving... well it was just a stiffer more uncomfortable fiesta. 

 

Onto the vRS, now I drive the diesel which is only going to mean that a 245 will feel that little bit better. But from my experience driving it, it's very competent. Its comfy, economical, I can haul a boot load full of rubbish to the tip all the while having a big smile on the country roads. 

 

Some may say the handling isn't anything to write home about, I'd say that depends on the context of where you're driving. There are some bumpy, twisty and fast roads up here in northumberland and I can say the vRS handles them a lot of the time much better than the ST did, it soaks up the battered English roads and makes quick progress of slower traffic. It is a very good all rounder.

 

Also... you can always get a cheeky resonate delete to gain more noise from the exhaust should the noise be something you're missing

59 minutes ago, Towelie said:

Just my ten pence worth but I made the move to a mk3 vRS TDi (not as quick as 245) from a mk7 fiesta ST running stage 2 map. 

 

The vRS is never going to be anything like the fiesta, the mk7 is an even stiffer ride than the mk8 that you have, an absolute belly rumble on the right road and a fun way to hoon around a track should you want to. But it was awful on long commutes, a pain when you're not actually in the mood for going fast.  Really only good when it was up on its toes through the bends, everyday driving... well it was just a stiffer more uncomfortable fiesta. 

 

Onto the vRS, now I drive the diesel which is only going to mean that a 245 will feel that little bit better. But from my experience driving it, it's very competent. Its comfy, economical, I can haul a boot load full of rubbish to the tip all the while having a big smile on the country roads. 

 

Some may say the handling isn't anything to write home about, I'd say that depends on the context of where you're driving. There are some bumpy, twisty and fast roads up here in northumberland and I can say the vRS handles them a lot of the time much better than the ST did, it soaks up the battered English roads and makes quick progress of slower traffic. It is a very good all rounder.

 

Also... you can always get a cheeky resonate delete to gain more noise from the exhaust should the noise be something you're missing

Thanks for that really appreciate the reply.

 

I think that’s a pretty good description of the ST (albeit I have a Mk8). 

 

Should be making a decision in next few days as all deals can be done remotely and they will deliver new car and take mine away so there’s no travelling involved due to the current situation. 
 

Just got to make up my mind between Cupra300 (no winter pack, older car more miles and more deposit but 2 services and 2 year warranty included) and the VRS with 600 miles 2 1/2 years warranty left - service done before delivery, less deposit for same monthlies. 
 

I’m leaning towards VRS for the space, newer car, almost as much performance (can put tuning box on If needed) and I’ve had a Cupra previously. 

My favourite mod on the 245 was replacing the airbox/air filter with a airtec cone filter which gave a great sucking noise going through the gears but disappears on a cruise. For around £300 fitted it really does change the character of the car without having to break speed limits to have fun. Even my wife loved the noise which is unusal for her to comment on anything car wise.

Definitely second everything themanwithnoaim said, I might add that if you're into mods you should consider doing handling upgrades as well as engine upgrades. So many people remap their car and then complain about understeer and wheelspin. I have done:

*Dogbone mount 

*Lowering springs compatible with DCC (Eibach pro)

*Offset LCA poly bushes, Superpro 

*Front and rear sway bars 

*Decent tyres 

*Front strut brace 

It now handles very nicely - it's an absolute hoot on a twisty backroad.

Then again I plan to keep mine for at least 5 years so it makes the upgrades worth it in the long run.