Expecting second child. Currently drive a 1.4L Polo

 

After spending more time on the forums, reddit, car websites ect - have come to the conclusion the 'best' value for money family car is the skoda octavia estate.

After spending even more time on autotrader, cinch, carzoo, dealerships etc. I still have decision fatigue.

 

I'm looking at either £14,000 20-30k miles 1.6L SE or £18-20,000 20-30k miles 2L VRS models

My question is, is the VRS justifiable for the +£4k in price?

 

I am a complete car novice, have never bought my own car before. Advice is welcome

Hi Asmwyz

This is my advice. Others will surely have differing views.

 

My short answer to "Do I really need a Skoda Octavia vRS?" title, is no.

 

A vRS is a very rewarding car to drive quickly and I find just getting into one is a small pleasure in itself. (Not that I have one. )

However, almost every cost associated with your car will be increased if you buy a vRS.

 

Without being judgy, why are you looking at blowing up to £20K with a kid on the way?   Especially when you seem to know very little about cars.

Are you sure you need an estate? The hatch has pretty much the same size boot, though you don't get the very useful roof bars.

 

A quick search of Autotrader turned up this. I think a car like this would be a better choice for you in your circumstances than a vRS.

But an equivalent estate could probably found at around the same price, if you're set on having an estate.

 

I suggest a vehicle like this car (not necessarily this particular example, just an Octavia like this) because:-

The highly regarded and excellent 1.4 engine is great in the Octavia: Economic, powerful and arguably "better" than the 1.5 that replaced it.

The automatic will be easy and rewarding to drive, and the recent VAG DSGs are excellent. Don't be put off by scare stories, the DSG is great.

The SE ties in with the spec you are looking for.

 

Talk it through with your wife. She may well be happy to go along with whatever you decide because she loves and trusts you, but she will undoubtedly have her own ideas about what she wants & needs from the family car.

Good luck, and try not to over-think it. Trust your gut, and don't trust the salesman.

 

 

Edited 6 August, 20214 yr by EnterName

13 hours ago, EnterName said:

Hi Asmwyz

This is my advice. Others will surely have differing views.

 

My short answer to "Do I really need a Skoda Octavia vRS?" title, is no.

 

A vRS is a very rewarding car to drive quickly and I find just getting into one is a small pleasure in itself. (Not that I have one. )

However, almost every cost associated with your car will be increased if you buy a vRS.

 

Without being judgy, why are you looking at blowing up to £20K with a kid on the way?   Especially when you seem to know very little about cars.

Are you sure you need an estate? The hatch has pretty much the same size boot, though you don't get the very useful roof bars.

 

A quick search of Autotrader turned up this. I think a car like this would be a better choice for you in your circumstances than a vRS.

But an equivalent estate could probably found at around the same price, if you're set on having an estate.

 

I suggest a vehicle like this car (not necessarily this particular example, just an Octavia like this) because:-

The highly regarded and excellent 1.4 engine is great in the Octavia: Economic, powerful and arguably "better" than the 1.5 that replaced it.

The automatic will be easy and rewarding to drive, and the recent VAG DSGs are excellent. Don't be put off by scare stories, the DSG is great.

The SE ties in with the spec you are looking for.

 

Talk it through with your wife. She may well be happy to go along with whatever you decide because she loves and trusts you, but she will undoubtedly have her own ideas about what she wants & needs from the family car.

Good luck, and try not to over-think it. Trust your gut, and don't trust the salesman.

 

 

Excellent reply, thanks for your input. 

 

I suppose my post initially lacks some context. My car knowledge is novice at best, but from what I have read online using a purely objective view, my conclusions were that the Octavia Estate (diesel) would suit us best. My reasons:

1) I commute 70 miles a day for work (I've driven 13,000-17,000 miles a year over the last 3 years)

2) We go on family day trips at least twice a month driving  at least 100-200 miles on a weekend

3) Relatively good value for money relative to other cars (from the online research I've done)

4) I thoroughly enjoyed test driving the VRS, has a nicer feel than the standard 1.6L TDI diesel (Mainly the acceleration, interior, and steering wheel 😅)

5) I have access to a Honda Jazz that I do occasionally drive, but going to have two under two, I prefer to have a bit more space in the back for two rear facing child seats as well as the bootspace. 

 

On another semi-related point on why I'm dropping £20k on a car. I've been pretty frugal all my life, and I'm in a position where I have more than enough disposable income to afford a nicer car. Very irrational point -  I mentally don't want to spend £40k-60k on a car because I don't feel like it's good value for money.

This is partly why I am asking for advice if it's worth splurging extra £1000s for an upgrade. I could just chuck the difference in an index fund, but who knows how much joy a VRS could add to my daily commute :P 

1 minute ago, asmwyz said:

Excellent reply, thanks for your input. 

 

I suppose my post initially lacks some context. My car knowledge is novice at best, but from what I have read online using a purely objective view, my conclusions were that the Octavia Estate (diesel) would suit us best. My reasons:

1) I commute 70 miles a day for work (I've driven 13,000-17,000 miles a year over the last 3 years)

2) We go on family day trips at least twice a month driving  at least 100-200 miles on a weekend

3) Relatively good value for money relative to other cars (from the online research I've done)

4) I thoroughly enjoyed test driving the VRS, has a nicer feel than the standard 1.6L TDI diesel (Mainly the acceleration, interior, and steering wheel 😅)

5) I have access to a Honda Jazz that I do occasionally drive, but going to have two under two, I prefer to have a bit more space in the back for two rear facing child seats as well as the bootspace. 

 

On another semi-related point on why I'm dropping £20k on a car. I've been pretty frugal all my life, and I'm in a position where I have more than enough disposable income to afford a nicer car. Very irrational point -  I mentally don't want to spend £40k-60k on a car because I don't feel like it's good value for money.

This is partly why I am asking for advice if it's worth splurging extra £1000s for an upgrade. I could just chuck the difference in an index fund, but who knows how much joy a VRS could add to my daily commute :P 

Ah!

Well with that context, a vRS TDI seems perfect for you.

The only downside is that used prices are pretty spicy at the moment.

 

Another thought is that an Octavia Scout TDI 184 has the same engine as the vRS TDI, but is arguably a little more family-friendly than the vRS. Gives you 4x4 drive too.

On retirement I traded down from an Audi RS4 Avant (4.2L V8 estate) to an Octavia 1.4TSI Combi (estate).

 

Performance? - less but not as much less as I expected.

Space? - much more.

Insurance? - much less.

Running costs? - much less.

 

Of course I would have liked a vRS, but once I test drove the 1.4TSI I couldn't justify the extra costs (purchase and running) of a vRS.

7 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

On retirement I traded down from an Audi RS4 Avant (4.2L V8 estate) to an Octavia 1.4TSI Combi (estate).

 

Performance? - less but not as much less as I expected.

Space? - much more.

Insurance? - much less.

Running costs? - much less.

 

Of course I would have liked a vRS, but once I test drove the 1.4TSI I couldn't justify the extra costs (purchase and running) of a vRS.

I thought it was a pretty good option for OP, but I suspect he has his heart set on a vRS and wants a bit of moral support.

I went to buy an Octavia 1.6 TDI hatchback when looking for a replacement for my Superb. We disagreed over a stone chip in the bonnet, so I didn't buy it.  Went back in the showroom and took a vRS estate out for a test drive.  Really enjoyed the test drive, so bit the bullet and bought my first ever brand new car.  Had three very happy years in my Sprint Yellow vRS (TSI) Estate.  

 

I say go for it 

 

Gaz

16 hours ago, EnterName said:

I thought it was a pretty good option for OP, but I suspect he has his heart set on a vRS and wants a bit of moral support.

Moral support won't pay his bills though 

1 minute ago, PetrolDave said:

Moral support won't pay his bills though 

He doesn't need moral support to pay his bills, he has money.

Re-read his "context" post.

On 06/08/2021 at 22:23, asmwyz said:

On another semi-related point on why I'm dropping £20k on a car. I've been pretty frugal all my life, and I'm in a position where I have more than enough disposable income to afford a nicer car.

 

Life is always better with a VRS in it! If you buy a lesser model you will have times that you will regret it. With the miles you are doing I would defiantly go for one. 

 

Many thanks for all your help guys. I'm going to bite the bullet and just buy it. I suppose what I was looking for was moral support and telling me that yes. £+4,000 is worth it for the bigger engine and ride of the VRS. 

Hopefully it hasn't sold yet =P, if it has, then I'll nab the 1.6L and be more financially sensible. They're both so expensive though... The VRS was £21,000 in 2017 NEW... And it's selling for £18,000 now - I saw the receipt in the glove box. Talk about the inflated prices rn >_<

Used car prices have risen over the past few months for most makes.  I bought my 1.5 SEL Karoq 14 months ago at 9 months old and 15k miles.  It lost a round £3K over the autumn but has recovered around £2.5k of that!

 

 

 

Hope you got the vRS.

Coming from a BMW 5 Series to an Octavia vRS, I am nothing but pleased. The car has the ability to put a smile on my face every time I give it some stick. The kids love it, the wife hates it; so we're all winners.