Hi everyone,

 

After a recent nightmare with my Citroen C5 estate (turbo blew on the M6 three days after a new MOT and service) I'm looking at a new car. 

 

I wanted to try get into the VAG group this time as I found repairs on my Citroen to be really expensive, something I'd ideally like to avoid in the future. 

 

I quite like the rapid and rapid spacebacks but worried the smaller engines would be underpowered. I'm only coming from a 1.6l turbo diesel so not expecting anything too sporty but I've been using an automatic Kia Rio  1.2l for the last two weeks and find it lacking on the dual carriageway. I quite often like to take my kayaks out and I'm not sure how well a rapid would cope with the extra weight.

 

I've seen a 13 plate Octavia hatchback se 2l tdi for sale for £5750 with 68k on the clock. They say they've had new tyres on it, belts and water pump around 8000 miles ago. It's a manual so no dsg issues. Anything else I really need to be looking out for or anyone got any advice on the Octavia Vs the rapid? I could probably get a newer rapid for the same price with less miles too. 

 

Thanks everyone,

Levi 

I would say that if you are coming from a Citroen C5 Estate (I am a former Citroen owner - my first car was a Citroen CX), then you will definately need an Octavia Estate as your replacement car. 

 

With the VAG cars, its all dependant on your journey needs.  If zooming up and down the M6 is your thing, then you will definately need a TDI...no questions.  Generally, 45-55mpg and bulletproof reliability. DSG gearbox are not all bad...it all depends on the previous owner and how they have been used/abused in the past.

 

So - if you have your eyes on a 13 plate early MK3 Octy, then that sounds about the right price.  Sounds slightly expensive, but the trouble is that the second hand car market has gone bonkers recently (ie everybody wants a Skoda), so that could be the market trade price.

 

Things I would check - you will *definately* need the waterpump replaced as a matter of urgency - see

.  Make sure the car has had its minor/major services done and that its log-book is up to date (should have either a standard or digital printout).  Check recalls - https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall

and make sure that the dealer has done a proper service prior to selling it to you.  There are plenty of good MK3's available....my personal preference is the FL (or face-lifted) versions - cos they are generally put together better, but it all depends on your budget.  A good number of taxis drivers cannot be wrong - you have this fantastic resource available too.  I wish you good luck on getting your first Skoda!

 

PS....a Rapid will be too small.

Edited 29 July, 20205 yr by varaderoguy

19 minutes ago, varaderoguy said:

I would say that if you are coming from a Citroen C5 Estate (I am a former Citroen owner - my first car was a Citroen CX), then you will definately need an Octavia Estate as your replacement car. 

 

With the VAG cars, its all dependant on your journey needs.  If zooming up and down the M6 is your thing, then you will definately need a TDI...no questions.  Generally, 45-55mpg and bulletproof reliability. DSG gearbox are not all bad...it all depends on the previous owner and how they have been used/abused in the past.

 

So - if you have your eyes on a 13 plate early MK3 Octy, then that sounds about the right price.  Sounds slightly expensive, but the trouble is that the second hand car market has gone bonkers recently (ie everybody wants a Skoda), so that could be the market trade price.

 

Things I would check - you will *definately* need the waterpump replaced as a matter of urgency - see

.  Make sure the car has had its minor/major services done and that its log-book is up to date (should have either a standard or digital printout).  Check recalls - https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall

and make sure that the dealer has done a proper service prior to selling it to you.  There are plenty of good MK3's available....my personal preference is the FL (or face-lifted) versions - cos they are generally put together better, but it all depends on your budget.  A good number of taxis drivers cannot be wrong - you have this fantastic resource available too.  I wish you good luck on getting your first Skoda!

Thanks. I loved the size of my C5 estate as it literally fit everything in it but I've come to realise I don't actually need an estate anymore (finished university so won't be moving around as much and won't be starting a family for a fair few more years). This Octavia is just the hatchback unfortunately. 

 

Thanks the water pump issue wasn't one I was aware of. It's been replaced 8000 miles ago but seems like something I'd have to keep up with, the timing belt change every 4 years baffled me but seems necessary with the pumps going that often anyway. 

 

The car is pricey but it's a private seller so probably can't shift them too much. I was hoping to hold off buying for another year once the market was a bit more stable and I could stretch some more savings in but needs must. 

 

Thanks for the advice 

29 minutes ago, LeviSJ said:

Thanks the water pump issue wasn't one I was aware of. It's been replaced 8000 miles ago but seems like something I'd have to keep up with, the timing belt change every 4 years baffled me but seems necessary with the pumps going that often anyway.

 

Generally, a new waterpump will fix the problem - it was just the factory original pumps that were problematic.  If it was done 8k ago (along with the timing belt), then all good for another 52k miles.

I wouldn't worry about the hatchback size over the estate unless you're planning on moving large bulky items around often,  the boot on the hatch is pretty big.

Engines as above petrol for shorter journeys and diesel for 10mile min (otherwise you're not warming them up properly)

 

i think Ive seen the car you're looking at (grey one?) looks decent to me and I didn't think expensive, if anything its a good price looking at others in the same bracket - it is very basic though ..something to think about

Edited 29 July, 20205 yr by Gissin

3 minutes ago, Gissin said:

I wouldn't worry about the hatchback size over the estate unless you're planning on moving large bulky items around often,  the boot on the hatch is pretty big.

Engines as above petrol for shorter journeys and diesel for 10mile min (otherwise you're not warming them up properly)

 

i think Ive seen the car you're looking at (grey one?) looks decent to me and I didn't think expensive, if anything its a good price looking at others in the same bracket - it is very basic though ..something to think about

Ye a grey in St Helens.  Ye my daily drive to work is about 20 miles on a dual carriageway and at least once a month I have a 50 mile trip to my second job so the engine should get warm enough and have a good run. 

 

Basic as in the extras that come with it? I'd be coming from something with the whole automatic headlights, wipers, cruise control and satnav but the only thing i think i would really miss is the automatic headlights. 

yeah like for instance there's no steering controls, arm rest etc.  although a lot of that can be retrofitted afterwards.

 

yeah a tdi should be just fine then. with regards to the engines as long as they've been serviced regularly they should be fine my old Octavia had the original clutch and flywheel in at over 180,000 miles. The one you're looking at has only covered around 10K a year and depending on what roads / how it's been driven the DPF might be a little full.

 

I'd personally take an Octavia over a rapid I find the build quality is a bit better.. but they're quite similar.

On 29/07/2020 at 14:20, varaderoguy said:

I would say that if you are coming from a Citroen C5 Estate (I am a former Citroen owner - my first car was a Citroen CX), then you will definately need an Octavia Estate as your replacement car. 

 

With the VAG cars, its all dependant on your journey needs.  If zooming up and down the M6 is your thing, then you will definately need a TDI...no questions.  Generally, 45-55mpg and bulletproof reliability. DSG gearbox are not all bad...it all depends on the previous owner and how they have been used/abused in the past.

 

So - if you have your eyes on a 13 plate early MK3 Octy, then that sounds about the right price.  Sounds slightly expensive, but the trouble is that the second hand car market has gone bonkers recently (ie everybody wants a Skoda), so that could be the market trade price.

 

Things I would check - you will *definately* need the waterpump replaced as a matter of urgency - see

.  Make sure the car has had its minor/major services done and that its log-book is up to date (should have either a standard or digital printout).  Check recalls - https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall

and make sure that the dealer has done a proper service prior to selling it to you.  There are plenty of good MK3's available....my personal preference is the FL (or face-lifted) versions - cos they are generally put together better, but it all depends on your budget.  A good number of taxis drivers cannot be wrong - you have this fantastic resource available too.  I wish you good luck on getting your first Skoda!

 

PS....a Rapid will be too small.

Just want to second this comment about the second hand market having gone bonkers recently. Some really weird pricing variations going on.

There seems to be a big demand for 4-6 year old cars, but even 10 year-old car prices seem to be holding up surprisingly well.

I can't make head or tail of it, TBH.