My father is considering a 2nd hand Octavia (early, as budget around 5k) or possibly a Fabia.

Any advice on engines to go for? or avoid?

He's a fairly high mileage driver, not overly concerned with performance, but not a slowcoach either. Might consider a diesel, but concerned about putting petrol in it in error.

(I have a Felicia 1.3, so I can't really help him on this.)

As your father is a high mileage drive, I would avoid the 2.0 Petrol, it drinks fuel like there is no tomorrow and is quiet an old design. 1.4 in an octy will be to small, due to size of car.

Would suggest the 110bhp diesel but the first generation Octys, this only came in the SLX.....I think. So I guess these may be outside the budget.

If this is the case perhaps the 90bhp TDi...cam in GLX trim.

Both give around 50mpg but the 110bhp is much better performance wise.

As your father is a high mileage drive, I would avoid the 2.0 Petrol, it drinks fuel like there is no tomorrow and is quiet an old design. 1.4 in an octy will be to small, due to size of car.

Manny,

My 2.0 8v octavia never drunk fuel like no tomorrow, it was good on fuel I always averaged around 33mpg and with reasonable smooth driving would better this, it may be an old design engine but its got plenty of low down torque.

I like the 1.6 myself nice and cheap good fuel consumption and you should be able to get a good one for under 5K

Go for the 1.6 GLXi.

Should be plenty of good ones for the money.

1.6 LXi has a different engine with less power and it has very little in the way of toys.

I'd probably go for the diesel if it for high milage, as you'll save some cash. The 90bhp is good for 60-70mpg at 55mph on the motorway. As for worrying about putting petrol in, get a diesel only sticker on the fuel cap....

Any advice on engines to go for? or avoid?

He's a fairly high mileage driver' date=' not overly concerned with performance, but not a slowcoach either. Might consider a diesel, but concerned about putting petrol in it in error.[/quote']

Diesel will have lower fuelling costs and will run to higher miles (generally), but servicing and purchase price are higher.

So if he's only got

Thanks for the help guys. Very useful.

If you do go for the Fabia, avoid the Saloon Version, and the Automatic. Never choose a rare 1.1, and the base 1.2, not the 12v one (64).