Hello all. This is I know an old question but need some help. Please bear with my long-winded ramblings. We are getting rid of our family C-Max which is coming to the end of its warranty and has been a nightmare of unreliability and generally disappointing. Having looked at the Avensis (so dull) and the Mazda 6 (pretty but cheap looking and cramped inside) we have decided on an Octavia. The wife has been talked out of her problems with the badge by the value, specs and feel of the car. I'm not a badge snob myself I just know a good car when I see one. We have test driven the manual 2.0 TDI which felt very nice to drive although a little "tight" but then it was a new demonstrator so I guess the engine would free up a lot with age. Tomorrow we are taking out a Sport with the DSG. I love the look of the Sport and acually prefer it over the VRS as it's a bit more subtle. However once we've specced all the options we want on the Sport it ends up more expensive than the Elegance by about

I almost ordered the sport before chosing the Elegance. What clinched it for me was the spec of the elegance over the sport. I personally don't think the sport look different enough to justify the price tag, when you can get the elegance with the sport suspension and pegasus wheels for roughly the same money. I had the same problem as you when chosing, as I wanted to spec up the car with this, that and the other. and it worked out a lot more than getting half of it as standard and the rest as extras, just for the sake of a few bumper skirts and a spoiler (all though I lked the spoiler enough to have it fitted after I brought the car)

I prefer the sport suspension over the standard set up as I like the harder ride which is not uncomfortable and the same wheels are part of the deal when you order it. The tinted windows are just the slight tint that comes on most car windows now anyway, nothing like pimp tints, in this packed country you don't always get to use the cruise although it is handy and relaxing when you can, and I find the self dimming mirror and auto wipers handy as it dimms the glare and the wipers only work when they need to although they do sometimes get confused. if the window is dirty.

There are a few pics of both Sport and Elegance models here....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/lets-see-your-non-vrs-octys/72842/

Which will probably further add to your confusion :eek:

I went for the sport mainly as I liked the looks, the handling and the price was very good - there were some really good deals on the sport models when I was looking.

Thanks for your input. I think I will like the sports suspension as well as the looks. I rode fast motorbikes for many years before my luck ran out so I do drive a car a bit like I'm still on a bike. I'm just not so sure whether my wife will like it. So to clarify I could get:

Elegance 2.0 TDI Hatch with DSG

17" wheels & sports suspension

Front parking sensors

Curtain airbags & active front headrests

ESP

Multi-function wheel & maxidot

Pearlescent paint

If you're ordering a brand new car then there is surely room to get the extras you want thrown in for free as the dealers have more scope for reducing the price of options than the car's RRP but the price you have quoted won't even include and discounts off the list price either.

The other option is to try and find an ex-demo!!!!

I Went for the 2.0TDi Elegance, with the following

DSG

ESP

Maxidot

Multi Function Steering wheel

MDF2 Sat Nav

TPM

Xenons

My decission was made for me as the Sport doesn't come in an estate version

I had an Elegance with the sport suspension and 17" wheels, also managed to get the garage to fit the chrome tail pipes as fitted to the sport

I seriously miss cruise control when driving the wifes Golf instead of the Octy, so it's an option I'd always go for in future (really helps when you live in an area where there are loads of speed cameras)

I'm ordering new but through drivethedeal.com so no room for negotiation. If I was getting either of these from a dealer I reckon I'd be looking at around £1,500 to £1,000 more on either. I'd go for a very new ex-demo but I'd be unlikely to get everything I wanted including coolour. Also as I'm keeping it for so long I want maximum warranty.

Lady Elanore I just noticed your full spec. That's a lot for the money. which dealer did you get that from? I'd prefer a dealer car to build a relationship but I didn't think I'd get what I wanted for the money. I'd prefer a gazelle to a whale too .

Take the "drive the deal" price to your local dealer and give them a chance to match it. Our local guys bettered it by about £40, for an L&K (the new spec one, £18600, no extras, but theres bugger all left to add).

DTD won't print with a price, so take a screen dump and print it as a picture.

Phil

Cheers Phil that's a good idea. I'll try that.

Paul

The MK II Elegance doesn't under steer at all compared to the MK I.

That isn't saying it doesn't but the sports suspension is exactly the same that the sport has as standard.

I'd get the elegance with sports suspension and ESP myself.

Sure Cheezemonkhai I know it's the same suspension but I love the look of the Sport too. As I say I'm just that shallow. If they were exactly the same price I'd without doubt go with the Sport. I'm just trying to justify spending a little over £400 for looks alone. The father in me says no. The little boy says definitely you old fart.

Does anyone know how much the sunset privacy glass is? Also...on an unrelated matter does anyone know how I can change my user name?

Does the sport get ESP as standard, I didn't think it did.

If it does then either or

Yeah it has the ESP plus TPM, sports seats and kickplates (whatever they are), front fog lights and a 3-spoke steering wheel as well as the bodykit bits.

The more I witter on the more I find myself answering my own questions!

Lady Elanore I just noticed your full spec. That's a lot for the money. which dealer did you get that from? I'd prefer a dealer car to build a relationship but I didn't think I'd get what I wanted for the money. I'd prefer a gazelle to a whale too .

I stated with the Drivethedeal price and tried to get the dealers to beat it. Horner

Ah...a little far from me. I live in north London. Oh well I'm going to put my best haggling hat on tomorrow at Palmers in Watford. Anyone know them?

To get the best price you

There's only 2 near me and 1 of them never returns my calls.

There's only 2 near me and 1 of them never returns my calls.

You

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the advice. I test drove the Sport today with the DSG and loved it! The gearbox is amazing and I've always hated automatics. I found the suspension fine, in fact I really liked the way I could throw the car around without any wallowing about. That plus the look of the car sold me completely...so I bought one there and then. The dealer (Palmers of Watford) matched the price of the print out that I took in from Drivethedeal (thanks for that tip Storm Monkey). They were very friendly and helpful and I'm glad to have bought from a dealer. I feel like I know someone personally that I can pressure if I have any problems in the future. Also when I got home someone came to look at my C-max (ad not even in the Auto Trader mag yet only online) and bought it straight away with only a minor haggle off what I needed. What a day! I'm still buzzing. Now all I have to do is contain my excitement for 10 - 12 weeks! What am I going to do till then? I'll just have to look at pictures I suppose. Cheers everyone. Paul.

I can understand you impulsive purchase sounds like you got a good deal too.

Good effort................I assume you have another car though, and you won't be without till your sport comes!!! Waiting is still a pain though. My L&K is due any day.

Phil

Well done, glad you got a good deal, I do love the sports suspension on mine.

Hope your 10 weeks pass quickly.