Hi guys,

 

I am long overdue to upgrade my 2006 Honda Jazz (which I will still keep). I am shopping around for a new car which has to be petrol/hybrid, low amount of mileage, below £20k and automatic. I'm based in London, on the edge of the north circular. I need my next car to last me as reliably as my Jazz i.e. 15 years +

 

I have driven an Octavia VRS 2018 and I have to say it is an amazing drive. Unfortunately the rest of the family hate the styling, I'm not the biggest fan but I will grow on. In terms of needs in a new car the Octavia VRS ticks every box apart from looks for me. And with London regulations constantly being imposed I am paranoid that a petrol ban is coming up in the next 10 years...Plus points are that, its an incredibly fun drive, practical (I have a dog, but an estate isn't essential), 2.0L turbo seems to have decent economy etc.

 

I have also driven an IS300H on the day and it is the polar opposite. Ticks every box, but the drive is boring, and does not offer nearly the level of engagement the VRS has. On the plus side, the interior and comfort is unmatched, good MPG, and this is a car my wife would actually use (she refuses to drive an estate....). Additionally a 2017 Lexus will come with an effective 5 year used car warranty (so I'll have to get it serviced there). Of course not as fast or fun as a 2.0 turbo, but the 2.5L CVT has about 220 BHP, so it is decently fast just doesn't feel like it.

 

What I need to know is, are there are any other cars I should consider?

 

Will a 2018 Octavia VRS with 40k last me 15 years or so? Or will petrol cars be banned/taxed etc sooner than that? 

32 minutes ago, adj209 said:

IS300H

Mogodon on wheels. Enough said?

9 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Mogodon on wheels. Enough said?

Maybe - but on balance it's probably one of the best used cars you can buy.

 

I was thinking about getting the F-Sport as it actually looks pretty decent.

 

http://oversteer.co.nz/road-test-lexus-is300h-f-sport/

1 minute ago, adj209 said:

but on balance it's probably one of the best used cars you can buy.

If you want reliability maybe, but if you think this is the last ICE car you'll be allowed to buy, don't you want something you'll enjoy driving?

Just now, KenONeill said:

If you want reliability maybe, but if you think this is the last ICE car you'll be allowed to buy, don't you want something you'll enjoy driving?

Londoners have been getting screwed pretty quick in terms of ultra ULEZ, ULEZ, congestion charge, etc. So I have some paranoia that they might decide to stamp down sooner (i.e. next 10 years) rather than later on ICE cars.

 

The recent petrol price hike when it was almost £1.90 per L also makes me unnerved as in the next few year that could quickly jump up.

 

I've heard that people do learn to love the IS300h and power is underwhelming but sufficient. With time I hope that I can too.

 

But yes that's my whole dilemma! My fun vs what the family needs & wants. 

 

 

If you 'need' the same level of reliability as a Honda, and for the same length of time, you might be better off looking somewhere other than VAG IMHO.

 

Gaz

 

Just now, Gaz said:

If you 'need' the same level of reliability as a Honda, and for the same length of time, you might be better off looking somewhere other than VAG IMHO.

 

Gaz

 

I drive 5k miles PA, so not that much.

 

I don't need the same level of reliability as a honda, toyota or lexus - But I just need to know what kind of annual repair costs/maintenance to expect for a 4 year VRS, and whether it would last 15 years+

1 hour ago, adj209 said:

Will a 2018 Octavia VRS with 40k last me 15 years or so? Or will petrol cars be banned/taxed etc sooner than that? 

You should ask the question here: https://www.youth4work.com/Talent/Fortune-Teller/Forum

4 minutes ago, J.R. said:

You should ask the question here: https://www.youth4work.com/Talent/Fortune-Teller/Forum

I'll clarify, MK3 has been out for quite a while now (2013...) - I'm interested to know how people's period of ownership since then has been in terms of VRS reliability, maintenance, unexpected issues etc - And therefore if it is likely to last as long as 15 years...

Welcome.

Since they are at their oldest 7 years since Euro 6 cars then who knows after 8 years.  **2015/16 Euro 6 Emission cars.**

 

If you are still getting allowed to run 2018 cars in 2037 you should be fine.

 

5,000 miles a year.

An oil and filter change every year, or 2 years, or 3 years or even 4 if you want.

 

Gear box in manual then never,

if a DSG then every 8 years.  Pollen filter will depend on pollution or runs through fields of straw. 

 

VAQ ever 3 years. 

 

You decide what you want or who you want doing it. 

Edited 22 September, 20223 yr by roottoot

@adj209

Why not just buy a used EV? 

Nippy enough, cheap for London, you will have loads of chargers about.  An hour of charging could take you 150 - 200 miles or getting around.

 

Maybe no electricity though in a year or 3, but then there would be no petrol either.

A KIa / Hyundai, a MG or even a boring Stellantis / PSA EV. 

Edited 22 September, 20223 yr by roottoot

On 22/09/2022 at 13:10, adj209 said:

Hi guys,

 

I am long overdue to upgrade my 2006 Honda Jazz (which I will still keep). I am shopping around for a new car which has to be petrol/hybrid, low amount of mileage, below £20k and automatic. I'm based in London, on the edge of the north circular. I need my next car to last me as reliably as my Jazz i.e. 15 years +

 

I have driven an Octavia VRS 2018 and I have to say it is an amazing drive. Unfortunately the rest of the family hate the styling, I'm not the biggest fan but I will grow on. In terms of needs in a new car the Octavia VRS ticks every box apart from looks for me. And with London regulations constantly being imposed I am paranoid that a petrol ban is coming up in the next 10 years...Plus points are that, its an incredibly fun drive, practical (I have a dog, but an estate isn't essential), 2.0L turbo seems to have decent economy etc.

 

I have also driven an IS300H on the day and it is the polar opposite. Ticks every box, but the drive is boring, and does not offer nearly the level of engagement the VRS has. On the plus side, the interior and comfort is unmatched, good MPG, and this is a car my wife would actually use (she refuses to drive an estate....). Additionally a 2017 Lexus will come with an effective 5 year used car warranty (so I'll have to get it serviced there). Of course not as fast or fun as a 2.0 turbo, but the 2.5L CVT has about 220 BHP, so it is decently fast just doesn't feel like it.

 

What I need to know is, are there are any other cars I should consider?

 

Will a 2018 Octavia VRS with 40k last me 15 years or so? Or will petrol cars be banned/taxed etc sooner than that? 

I wouldn't worry about the styling, it really does grow on you.

Around town, the VRS economy is going to be worse than you might think, but for 5K miles a year, that shouldn't be a big problem.

The only fly in the ointment I can anticipate is valve carbonisation which will need sorting some time in the next 15 years, as the 245 only has direct injection AFAIK, and not direct and port injection as some other EA888 2.0L engines have.

As for choosing between the Octavia and the Lexus, I couldn't advise. It's such a personal thing, and there are so many factors that go into choosing a car that vary from person to person.

I too keep my car ages, and so the lack of port injection was a deal-breaker for me. (Though I had a short panic when I thought the car ended up buying didn't have port injection, but it turned out that it did.)

On 22/09/2022 at 15:06, roottoot said:

@adj209

Why not just buy a used EV? 

Nippy enough, cheap for London, you will have loads of chargers about.  An hour of charging could take you 150 - 200 miles or getting around.

 

Maybe no electricity though in a year or 3, but then there would be no petrol either.

A KIa / Hyundai, a MG or even a boring Stellantis / PSA EV. 

Thank you for the insight on servicing etc - That's really helpful!

 

I'm not really bought into EVs yet, my current car is a jazz which is good but I've been wanting a big boy car for a while and I don't think EV's will scratch that itch...

 

Fortunately I don't really drive in London that much, more out of London and on the outskirts. 

On 23/09/2022 at 14:58, EnterName said:

I wouldn't worry about the styling, it really does grow on you.

Around town, the VRS economy is going to be worse than you might think, but for 5K miles a year, that shouldn't be a big problem.

The only fly in the ointment I can anticipate is valve carbonisation which will need sorting some time in the next 15 years, as the 245 only has direct injection AFAIK, and not direct and port injection as some other EA888 2.0L engines have.

As for choosing between the Octavia and the Lexus, I couldn't advise. It's such a personal thing, and there are so many factors that go into choosing a car that vary from person to person.

I too keep my car ages, and so the lack of port injection was a deal-breaker for me. (Though I had a short panic when I thought the car ended up buying didn't have port injection, but it turned out that it did.)

I think you're right.

 

Yeah economy won't bug me that much as its not less than 30MPG at the worst case scenario.

 

Noted on the carbonisation - Hopefully not too expensive to fix? 

 

Thanks for the comments!

@adj209

You had best go out and drive some big boy cars then.

Maybe try a boring EV and see which car gets you up to 60 mph quickest then stopped again without any dramas or anyone around even aware you were accelerating quite quickly.

2 minutes ago, roottoot said:

@adj209

You had best go out and drive some big boy cars then.

Maybe try a boring EV and see which car gets you up to 60 mph quickest then stopped again without any dramas or anyone around even aware you were accelerating quite quickly.

The VRS and lexus are definitely my big boy cars! Hard to consider much else...Yeah I might as well try to test drive an EV - I'd be happy with the Kia EV6 but too expensive currently.

On 25/09/2022 at 14:47, adj209 said:

Yeah economy won't bug me that much as its not less than 30MPG at the worst case scenario.

My car is pretty lousy for MPG doing short runs, and it's the Gen3B engine, which is the economy version of the 2.0L EA888.

If you're doing slow stop/start traffic and short runs, sub-30 mpg is a real possibility.

It's easy enough to check on a test drive. It'll much better than that on a run, though.

 

On 25/09/2022 at 14:47, adj209 said:

Noted on the carbonisation - Hopefully not too expensive to fix? 

It's going to depend who does it. Here's an example of someone offering the service for about £350. https://www.awesomegti.com/intake-clean-carbon-clean/

I don't know how often it would need doing. I think it depends on the type of driving you do. But over the lifetime of the car, it's very likely to need doing at least once.

I haven't noticed carbonisation issues mentioned much on Brisky, but then I haven't been looking for it.

I have had an IS300h for a 24h test drive years ago. It'd a brilliant car, except interior and boot space will not beat an Octavia estate. Not many cars beat that anyway. 

 

London stop start traffic you can certainly expect sub 30mpg from the vrs but the IS300h will average 40mpg and above easily regardless. 

 

IS300h won't have Android auto/car play but reliability will be better plus that warranty too. 

 

You just need to rank your requirements and will end up with one or another. 

 

I cross shopped a GS450h vs my current superb 280tsi. Boot space, fold down seat, and the fact that I love a golf r drive train meant I am here now. Would be happy in either but the superb suits more of my needs at the expense is something I don't value as much. 

Just read this thread.

 

Nobody including those in city hall, have a clue if petrol cars will be banned in 10/15 years, but what I can say for fact, is that like the Skoda VRS, the Lexus IS300H also has a petrol engine.

 

As above from Root, nothing is ever guaranteed but buying an EV is about as 'futureproof' as you can get right now.