So I need a new car and I have to admit that even after looking at other cars I still like the Octy II. It isn't my only choice of car, however it is a strong contender if i can get one for the right price.

So...

What are the advantages or disadvantages of the hatchback or estate apart from the obvious one is a hatch one is an estate, and the fact that they didn't fix the running water into the boot :(

What is road noise like from the estate?

Thanks

Estate is no different to the hatch for noise. My vRS estate is spot on. Mind you I prefer the shape and design of the estate compared to the hatch..... it's just that bit more versatile.

Just realized your on about an Octy II, mines on a Mk1

When I upgraded from the Fabia estate, I really wanted an Octy II estate and took one out for a test drive and loved it, but could not afford the premium over the hatch.

However, if there is one thing that seriously winds me up about the hatch, it's the water gushing into the boot. It's ridiculous at times.

For that reason alone, if it was avaliable and from what I know now, I would take the esatate.

I would say you're probably going to get a little more road noise from the rear as the back end isn't quite so sealed from the passenger compartment.

If you don't envisage carrying loads that require the headroom, and you can deal with the water ingress, then the hatch makes sense. Loadspace is still good and the lip on the estate isn't *that* much lower than the hatch.

Regarding the water running into the boot, does this happen where the hinges are or does it happen at the bottom of the boot lid (ie where the number plate is fixed) when the boot is fully open?:confused:

We chose the estate for following reasons.

1. Preferred the look

2. Slightly more head room in rear seats - we have tall sons

3. Flush load floor in Elegance with the variable floor

4. The variable floor, wife thinks it is fantastic as it stops shopping bags sliding about

5. The view through rear window when reversing seems slightly better.

Noise doesn't seem more noticeable, but only drove the hatch a short distance.

I would say you're probably going to get a little more road noise from the rear as the back end isn't quite so sealed from the passenger compartment.

I've had both a hatch and an estate, and I can guarantee the road noise is no different. MrkyMrk... I don't know how you think the boot isn't as "sealed." The parcel shelf in the hatch is no more noise insulating than the boot cover in an estate.

I think the Estate is a really nice looking car but I think given the budget constraints you may be facing Mark a hatch would be cheaper.

Does it affect your insurance?

I've had both a hatch and an estate, and I can guarantee the road noise is no different. MrkyMrk... I don't know how you think the boot isn't as "sealed." The parcel shelf in the hatch is no more noise insulating than the boot cover in an estate.

I thought the noise coming from the rear was more noticable between MK1 hatch and MK2 Estate (apples and oranges, I know) but in general I've found estates to be a tad noisier. I put this down to the flimsy roll-over cover not shutting out the resonance as well as a nice solid and carpet-textured parcel shelf. Driving a hatch with and without a parcel shelf there's a noticable increase in road noise. My presumption that the estate may be noisier is just that. If it's not, brilliant

I think the Estate is a really nice looking car but I think given the budget constraints you may be facing Mark a hatch would be cheaper.

Does it affect your insurance?

Afraid I'm going to keep quiet on details but I *may* have found a bit of a bargain up north.

Am asking because if not it will be a banger and a time to save mission.

The Octy Estate is about £700 more to buy new is it not?

I find the focus estate noisier than a plain focus, again I'm thinking that it is due to the roll over cover, but then I fine an estate so practical for moving things around

With the MK1 you can tell the difference in noise level with the seats

down and the roll cover out. there again I suspect I have a wheel bearing

on the way out - time to change it!

I've got to say I prefer the Estate in Octy 2 form (and not just because I have one:D ), the hatch seems a bit plain apart from the vRS with the rear spoiler.

That said I hardly ever use the space above the window line so my next motor may well be the vRS TDI hatch. The variable floor would be brilliant if you only use the boot occasionally, as mine is always full I took it out to increase space!

I've got a 1.6 Octy II hatch as well as the Superb. The boot is huge and very versatile.

Road noise is quite significant in comparison to the Superb but not as much as any of my Mk I's were.

Its very solid and feels well built. I remember you saying you had a MK 1 before and to be honest nothing on the Mk2 feels the same as the Mk1, they are both totally different.

Hope this helps a bit

Yeah i have driven a fair few octy II's just wondering what peoples opinions were on the hatch vs the estate. My MK I was a hatch

I would definately go for the estate if you have the money.Whilst I believe the hatch is a nice looking car, the estate is even better to look at (thought the Fabia hatch was an ugly car, but loved the estate and even thought the estate handled better) and I never noticed any difference in noise levels when I took one out for a test drive (I also had no issues with extra noise in my Fabis estate).

VRSean, I find that the water comes in where the hinges are mainly, but does tend to enter further down too when the boot is lifted fully, especially if there has been a lot of rain and the water has gathered on the boot lid. Sometimes you can get away with opening the boot a little and then closing and re-opening and it isn't as bad as some of the water has drained away, BUT, it's bloody annoying to say the least, especially if it's chucking down with rain and you are trying to get the pram in the boot etc.........

Sightly different view here - but I think that unlike on the Mk 1, on the Mk II the hatch is the better looking one in my opinion.

My Mk I one an estate but my Mk II is a hatch. so perhaps I'm jusy trying to justify my purchases!

Before my current hatch, I had a Suzuki 413 LWB jeep (I was young), a Mondeo estate, a Toyota Picnic (we all have our off days), an Alfa 156 Sportwagon and a Volvo V50, so all cars with reasonable size boots. Well the Alfa pretended to have one anyway.

The boot on my Octy II hatch seems more than big enough, although to be fair I only really fill a car right to the top on my annual camping holiday, which I havent done yet in my current car.

Suggest you ask yourself how often do you need the space of an estate? When I looked at it it was only on very rare occasions, and I realised I could do without one.

Roof bars, roof boxes, box trailers, etc are other options if it is only occasional use.

I testdrove both, and couldnt tell any noise difference between hatch / eastate. Parked them both side by side, and went for the estate. The reasons are.

1) I think it looks better, due to the shape of the backdoor and roofline.

2) because the rear door is a different shape its easier to get in/out of.

3) more rear headroom.

The estate is the same length/width as the hatch, but because of the shape of the rear tailgate its easier to get things in and out and you can carry larger boxes.

When I made my choice, space was not the number one factor though, I wanted a car that I thought looked good. The only large things I carry around are PC Base units when transporting them around for work.

Just to add further confusion, does anyone else think it depends on colour?

IMHO, some colours look better on estates and some on the hatch.

Possibly, mine is Sahara Beige metallic and it looks really good. Maybe the metallics look better than the solid colours.

We chose the estate for following reasons.

1. Preferred the look

2. Slightly more head room in rear seats - we have tall sons

3. Flush load floor in Elegance with the variable floor

4. The variable floor, wife thinks it is fantastic as it stops shopping bags sliding about

5. The view through rear window when reversing seems slightly better.

Noise doesn't seem more noticeable, but only drove the hatch a short distance.

Have to agree with all of the above points, and they are mainly the same reasons we brought the estate. I've been told that diesel estates hold a higher residual value than the hatch too, not sure if thats true or not as I dont have access to a Glasses guide, could be just sales patter

Darren

Yeah, I think silver looks great on both the hatch and estate, but I have seen a few colours that really look awful.

Any opinions on, or better still pictures of, black estates and grey metalic estates or silver ones too.

Any opinions on, or better still pictures of, black estates and grey metalic estates or silver ones too.

I had a silver fabia estate in 2002 and 2004 and, the second one in particular, was very nice with alloys and roof rails. My opinion is the same for the Octy II, lovely and silver really looks great.

I have seen one black Octy II estate and that did look nice too, but was quite dirty and it showed.

I have found that with my fabias and current Octy II in silver, it looks much better when a bit dirty. Don't know why, but from a distance, silver cars never look that dirty, despite the fact that they are, especially at this time of year.

Graphite Grey, it's the new Black

Darren