I have been in touch with these guys

Mazda MX5 Importers and MX5 sales, Largest stock of MX5 imports and Mazda MX5. MX5 Parts, MX5 service and MX5 accessories.

regarding the possibility of a p/ex deal for my Octavia.

They said they would be happy to take it as p/ex against any of their cars and gave me a figure of 4-4.5k as a trade in.

Now i am stuck as to what to do.

If i could get as near to 4.5k should i go and buy one of their cars? and just have a MX5 as my only car.

Or do i keep trying to pick up and old 1.6 MX5 for less than 2k and keep the Octy?

The cars at that place look amazing and they have some of the limited edition ones in too, which is what i would want.

But i would be spending maybe 5.5-6k on a 12 yr old car. However their cars are mint as far as i can gather from the people i have spoken too who have dealt with them.

If i stick with my Octy and get a 2k "5" will i always wish i had got something a bit more special and with a 1.8 lump in it.

I think I would keep hold of the Octavia and hold out for a cheap Mazda.

The Skoda is too versatile to lose and the Mazda prices will drop a bit soon

due to the time of the year

I have had a Mazda and they are great fun but rather restictive...

Buy a cheap but decent mazda and see how you get on with it.

If you like it then selling it in the spring will get you all your money back and you can then trade in the Octy for a newer MX5 safe in the knowledge you'll get something you like.

Excellent plan from Dr Z

I wanted to keep my octavia and buy an older one.Ended up selling it and buying a newer 1.8 mx.We do have one big family car though so I was ok to do that.

Not tried the 1.6 but even the 1.8 is no rocket ship.Not a slouch but you have to drive them hard (which is good fun and they sound rather good too:) )These cars are more roof off enjoy the handling so I don't think I would worry too much about the 1.6.Think you get about 110 bhp compared to about 146 (watch out for some 1.6's though which I think only put out about 90bhp

So,if you do still need a big car,follow Dr Z's suggestion.These cars don't seem to lose money