It's my first post here so I'm hopefully posting in the right area... I'm currently in the process of deciding which car to get for a new job. I'm a vet and need decent boot space for all of the associated kit that needs to be carried around with me. As i do a lot of farm work I need a car which can cope with farm tracks (not full-on off road) but will also drive nicely as I'll be doing a lot of miles on the road between farms. Can anyone give me their thoughts on the pro/cons of an octavia vs a passat. Looking to spend no more than £5000 - planning on a TDi estate version. thanks for any help L

At that budget you'll be looking at a Mk1 Octavia rather than a Mk2 , and a previous shape Passat. I'd suggest that you'll be better off with an Elegance trim octavia as that has the better 110bhp engine instead of the 90bhp in the Ambiente or Classic.

I was very pleased with my Mk1 TDI (hatch rather than estate) which had a very large boot and it was a good reliable car that would do everything you need from it.

It's main drawback is rear seat legroom isn't great - something that isn't the case on the Passat.

I drove a passat estate on occasions and found it to be a softer sprung , less agile car. The interior looked a bit better but didn't actually feel quite as solid (especially the doors) and wasn't as good on fuel as my octavia.

The biggest problem you'll have though is that there simply aren't that many used Octavia TDI Elegance estates for you to choose from and you could be waiting a long time before you find a good car at the right price. Passats on the otherhand are very common and it'll be much simpler to find a car that fits your needs.

thanks Dr Zoidberg.

Forgot to mention - the mark 1 octavias are too low at the front - got a freind at a vets who are all given mark 1 ocatvias, every one of the cars has lost atleast 1 sump down farm tracks, one option is to fit a sump guard but that will lower the front end even further.

Q) Octavia or Passat for vet farm work?

A) Neither.

Autotrader - SUBARU LEGACY 2.0 GL Sport 5dr Estate

or

Autotrader - SUBARU FORESTER AWD 4x4, 2001,

Hmmmm , they did a 4x4 Mk1 octavia with taller suspension , but only with the 1.8T petrol engine in the UK which sounds like it won't be ideal for you.

The Mk2 4x4 is available with a tdi engine but they will still be quite expensive - about 8 grand is the starting point.

There are four wheel drive Passats but I think they are fairly rare beasties.

If you can stretch the budget a little then you could find yourself in a MkII Octavia and my suggestion is the 4x4 version as you seem to go down sludgy dirt tracks fairly regularly. Failing that the the 4x4 version of the MkI is still an execllent choice and slightly higher ground clearance than the standard car. Below are a few selections I found on ebay, happy hunting

Octavia II FSI 4x4 - £7,295

Octavia I 1.8T 4x4 - £4295

I'm sure there are more if you looked hard enough but that MkII looks to be a great buy imho

Oh you could do what my wife's practice has done and give up farm work

I'm an animal health officer s o probably do similar type trips. My mk1 tdi is way too low am thinking of mk 2 4x4.

Citoren c5 has adjustable ride height would probably be within your budget but rliability issues maybe