Hello all. I was wondering if anyone can help with a dilema my wife and I have. We are just about to buy either a year old Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi ambiente estate or a new Roomster2 1.9tdi (both from a Skoda dealer) Having test driven both we are slightly drawn to the Octavia.

What we need from the car is:

1) reliable transport to and from work every day for my wife (20 miles each way mainly on dual-carriageways), annual mileage of about 15000.

2)lots of room to transport rather frail mother in law and maybe wheelchair in comfort.

3) hopefully children as well (fingers crossed).

4) has to last us at least 6 years.

We have a budget of

Go with the Octavia ....you know you want to

i would have thought a roomster would be better for carrying a wheelchair

Get the Octavia if your driving around on planet earth, get the roomster if you planning on going to mars sometime soon!

I would say the Octavia myself.

I found the rear sets of the Roomster to be a bit uncomfortable and the frail MiL might not enjoy the ride.

That said I think 13k would get you more than a 1.9 Ambiente Estate You are just on the fringe of PD140's and Elegance Spec there.

Octavia has variable servicing - can get 15 - 20k out of it

I found roomster quite good - despite it's looks. Mind I want a VRS Roomster - am I mad :eek:

Thanks for all comments. I think Iam now more inclined to buy the Octavia. Regards spec and price how much is a reasonable for a year old 1.9tdi ambiente with about 10,000 on the clock? Most main dealer prices seem to be around £13,000, I would normally expect to get this down By £500, is this figure reasonable or should I go for more! Rather than go up in spec, any money saved on the deal goes towards the £1000 budget I have to replace my own car (recently deceased - timing belt failure).

many thanks. Neil

DM Keith Skoda Dealer have one for 12k -

2006 06 Reg SKODA Octavia 1.9 TDi PD Ambiente

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 13,814 miles, Balck Magic. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Lumbar support, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Roof rails, Side airbags, Radio/CD Multichanger, Rear headrests, Traction control, Car at our Leeds Showroom. Insurance Group:7, Family Cars from a Car Family £11,995.

Mitchell Skoda have an Elegance for 12.5k -

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 22,000 miles, Diamond Silver, 16in alloy wheels,Anti-lock brakes,Climate control,Cruise control,Driver information system,Driver, passenger and front side air bags,Driver/passenger seat height adjustment,Driver/passenger seat lumbar support,Electric/heated door mirrors,eminent cloth interior,Front fog lights,Front/rear electric windows,Front/rear head restraints,Immobiliser,Power-assisted steering,radio/CD autochanger,Rake/reach adjustable steering column/wheel,Rear armrest,Rear parking aid,Remote central door locking. £12,495.

Fish Bros Skoda Dealer have one for £12.5k-

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 9,518 miles, Diamond Silver, Air-conditioning,Anti-lock brakes,Driver information system,Driver, passenger and front side air bags,Driver/passenger seat height adjustment,Driver/passenger seat lumbar support,Electric/heated door mirrors,Front/rear electric windows,Front/rear head restraints,Immobiliser,onyx cloth interior,Power-assisted steering,radio/CD autochanger,Rake/reach adjustable steering column/wheel,Remote central door locking. £12,495.

A search on Autotrader reveals quite a few.

Many thanks Stu, I have been looking at my local dealership (Winchester) and they seem a little bit more pricey than most - I will broaden my search.

Thanks again, Neil

Try Ford of Winsford - car supermarket

Fords of Winsford. The Original Car Supermarket in Cheshire.

Link below is an estate - looks good with Elegance trim and 2.0 Pdi diesel engine.

Fords of Winsford. The Original Car Supermarket in Cheshire.

Their stock changes daily do don't be too worried if you miss this one. Also, as Skoda have 3 year warranties (manufacturer rather than a used car dealer one) providing the car has a full service history (Octys are on variable so this one may not have had a service yet - if not (and indicator light not on) try to knock the cost off the price. The only thing you must check is that the car is UK suppied as new - otherwise your warranty will be invalid.

Given that (solicitors permitting) I'm hoping to move to winsford in a week or 2 drop me a PM if you do go ahead and we can meet up for a coffee.

You could also try motorpoint or trade sales - but be careful that the car is UK built. Motorpoint have some good deals on brand new cars which are built for Cyprus and Malta and brought in here. Fine until you need a warranty claim. That said Motorpoint and Trade Sales also have some ex fleet cars which are certainly worth a look.

If I was buying a car without P/X this is the way I'd go about it.

Hope this helps

I would say the Octavia myself.

I found the rear sets of the Roomster to be a bit uncomfortable and the frail MiL might not enjoy the ride.

That said I think 13k would get you more than a 1.9 Ambiente Estate You are just on the fringe of PD140's and Elegance Spec there.

- Octy II PD140 Elegance just over a year old for £12k or if you look in the right places £11k

I know for a fact that trade sales have some good ones in at the moment, but only 1 ambient estate as the other one i saw with DSG had sold.

Personally I would get a roomster.

If you are carrying the mother in law around a lot the roomster lends itself to mounting points being installed and a ramp so you could just wheel the chair into the back of the car, and clamping it down in place of a seat.

HTH

I'm not going to tell you which car I'd rather buy, but having had a number of disabled relatives to ferry around down the years, I'm going to advise you to take your MinL to the showroom and find out which car she finds easier to get in and out of.

Hi Neil,

Just for your information , i have visited my local dealer and they are selling a 06/55 Ambiente 1.9 TDI PD in blue for £10995. (14,000 Miles) Might be worth looking on line at it ?

Sorry forgot to say......Grasmere Skoda, Macclesfield

Welcome to Brisky Neil. Some great advice above I think, but I would recommend trying both vehicles for access for your mother in law and poss her wheelchair.

You should be able to get the Octy for around

Very good advice from all the above, many thanks. We are taking M in L out for the day next Saturday so will drop into Ash Green Skoda? (Newbury) and try them both out for size.

2006, 06 plate Octy 2.0 TDI Elegance hatchbacks for £11,999 + £71 admin fee at trade sales.

When I was there they had 2 in black and one in stone grey all with under 15k miles on.

TSL : Call Sales on 08701 220220

I know you were looking at the estate but that should give you a reasonable idea of what the cars can be bought for, and something to negotiate the dealer down a bit.