Evening all, do I exchange my current vRS and buy a new vRS at 40 grand plus and pay luxury car tax for 5 years, to downgrade and buy a 1.5tsi and save the lux car tax? What do people think apart from the obvious power difference? Thanks.

Edited 12 June, 202512 Jun by stubev156
Minor adjustment

Other than performance I think you'll notice...

• the ride & handling - suspension setup likely different, smaller wheels with higher profile tyres

• headlights - Matrix lights may not be standard on the 1.5tsi

• the 'toys' - the vRS probably comes with a few more as standard

• fuel economy - the 1.5tsi will be notably more frugal unless regularly extract the maximum performance

• Insurance premium

Which of those are positives and which are negatives is hard to say; only you can judge the relative value and if they're worth the additional cost or saving.

For me, the 1.5tsi is more than adequate. Performance punchy enough when I need it with ride and handling which are fine. Tyres can make a big difference, mine came with Michelin Primacy 4, now on Goodyear EfficientGrip (205/55-17); a sportier tyre may improve handling - but you probably know that already.

Edited 12 June, 202512 Jun by SteveTheElder
added note re. insurance

I think if you have an RS now you’ll be disappointed going down. As was mentioned it isn’t just the engine (which is more powerful in 4.5 guise with snappier DSG tuning) but the lower spec cars don’t even have independent rear suspension.

If the money is the issue so be it but if it you have an RS now because you appreciate what the car is and enjoy driving it I doubt you’ll be happy with the cooking model

Thanks for replying, you both make some good points. I got my current vRS from new, it’s a 220 2016, nothing wrong with it, it’s done 86k, just thinking about a change. I like the power but I don’t use it enough, I bought it because it came with a good bit of kit. I may look at a 1.5 and just se how expensive they get with the extras. Thanks again.

In your position, I'd get a vRS with less than 1k miles for around £35k.

Just because you have the power doesn't mean you have to use it. My vRS 245 just did an overnight trip of 463 miles at an average 56.5mpg :)

Another good point but I guess I would be paying the luxury car tax if the original,

list price was over 40k. I was trying to avoid that. :)

If you can save £7k off list price, £3k in extra tax becomes a slightly moot point. :)

Yeah very good point!

TSI with have softer suspension I think. Take them both for a test drive.

Also I'm not sure what the power of the 1.5 TSI is but only models with over 150bhp have independent rear suspension.

How about a curve ball, what about a CUPRA Born instead of an Octavia.

Just introduced a new spec called Exclusive costing £38,800 (so you can add fancy paint) and still be under £40k expensive car tax.

And they are offering a whopping £7000 deposit contribution. Comes as standard with many extra features, some of which aren't standard on the Octy.

Fairly similar power to the vRS at 231ps and a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds

Full spec here

https://www.cupraofficial.co.uk/content/dam/countries/gb/cupra-website/download-documents/2025/v2_cars_models_cupra_born_pricelist_12330198_07_2025.pdf

Quite like the Born for an EV but obviously a totally different driving proposition and will have horrendous depreciation.

And it says only available to current Seat/ Cupra owners. :(

Edited 5 July, 20255 Jul by stubev156

The Born is as far from an Octavia as a Huracan is.

The difference between the vRS and the 1.5 is honestly best answered by the similarities - which, really, are the carpets, infotainment, some body panels, wipers and basic chassis.

Otherwise, the steering, suspension, brakes, engine, gearbox, design and everything else is a totally different thing. They are designed to serve two totally different purposes.

It’s like comparing a 3.0 TDI A6 to an RS6 GT. Sure, they’re the same car, but they’re also just not even in the same universe, let alone the ball park.

Fair enough! Well on Saturday I am looking at a 23 plate VRs which avoids the lux car tax, and will test drive a 1.5 to compare it. Yes I see you pointsvsnd I am probably gonna agree! 🙂🙂

So I drove the vRS and the 1.5, the 1.5 was well specced, it was nice, but the vRS was much better. Suspension different, and obviously the power was stronger. The car I drove had been quickly sold on Cinch, so the dealer is sourcing me a car which will hopefully come in soon. Pretty much gave me what I wanted for my Mk 3 and chucked in some sweeteners, so I am waiting for the second Graphite Grey vRS to come in so I can see it and potentially get it. 🤞

if you're comparing a 1.5 to a 2.0 then performance isn't on the top of your list (I assume). All this 'power gets out of trouble' is rubbish - it gets you out of trouble until 245ps pulls you into a tree!

The real reason for having a bit more power is that overtaking/pulling out becomes a little easier and, crucially, when the car is loaded, you're still able to move along happily.

My 1.4 Leon FR was brilliant when empty, but put a passenger and fill the back up and she struggled a bit!