Skoda Octavia

[Jensen]

Possibly looking to change cars and fancy one of these, anybody got one and what's your thoughts/ experiences.
Looking at a diesel 1.6 litre with zero road tax. More interested in the latest version one that's no more than 2 to 3 years old.
Any major things to look out for ?
Cheers

 

[Robster59]

I've got the Superb with the same engine. 2 years old, 63,000 miles. Good economy and a good mile eater but not a lot of torque. As it's part of the VAG group, I would imagine that any used version is due for mods to the engine management system. Mine is.

Best testimony is that they Octavia's are the main taxi car in Glasgow which says something about their reliability I think,

 

[SaintHacker]

When I was driving cabs a mate of mine had one (diesel) that was still going strong at 375000 miles.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Had one when they first appeared back in '98. A cracking car, with the then VW reliability.

 

[JohnnyDee]

Got two regular PPs with these. One the estate and the other a saloon. Both swear by them and the boot space is just what the golfer orders.

I'm about to get a new car myself and I'm checking them out too.

 

[CliveW]

My son has a tdi and loves it. He is a diver and hauls all his equipment up and down the country with no issues. As said it is the choice of many taxi operators and also used extensively by Polis Scotland.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The only question mark I would throw in is your choice of engine. If you are doing low miles then the 1.6d is okay but I had one for 2yrs, modern engine, in a Volvo and then in a VW Golf on holiday, exact same engine as you would get, and I found it very tiring. The engine is small for that size of car so it has to work hard. That means more noise, poorer economy and lots of gear changes. Fine if you live in Norfolk and are permanently on flat ground, less fine for anywhere else. This may not be an issue for you depending on your style of journeys but I have gone back to 2.0d and would not touch 1.6d again unless it was in a small car.

With regards specifically to Octavia's, cracking cars and as with others on here it will be on my list to look at next time around. In fact it is probably a toss up between an Octavia and a Superb, but both with 2.0d engines.

 

[Hacker Khan]

The Skodas always do well in the What Car awards, seem to remember reading it the other day and pretty sure the Octavia won its category.

Edit, here it is http://awards.whatcar.com/family

 

[londonlewis]

My dad has a 1.6 automatic Octavia. It is a great car. It has 7 gears in its transmission so has a gear for any speed you are going, also means it flies when you put your foot down. Boot space is massive and this is only the 5 door saloon.

When we have kid number 2 we will be getting an Octavia estate.

 

[Tiger man]

I have the vrs diesel and its a fantastic car, got the estate so loads of room, good performance and regularly return 50 mpg. Would not hesitate getting another

 

[SaintHacker]

Hampshire plod use the rsi version for their unmarked pursuit cars, so thats got to be another decent recommendation

 

[patricks148]

Only thing that stopped me buying one was Arnold Clarke taking over the franchise in Inverness.

 

[Lump]

Hampshire plod use the rbi version for their unmarked pursuit cars, so thats got to be another decent recommendation

VRS.

 

[SaintHacker]

VRS.

Yeah, that one. RSi is a golf club:rofl:

 

[stevelev]

I've on my second.

1st was the L&K Estate, very nice, very comfy, plenty room with all the gadgets you will need. MPG always average over 50 and thats not driving like miss daisy. I do quite a bit round town
2nd is my current, 2.0 Diesel Elegangance, less MPG but still around the 50 mark, options for driving style, still loads of gadgets. Great for the money.

Would I buy another.............. Of course, I have one, father in law has one, brother in law has one and we all swear by them.

Just make sure you get at least a 2.0TDi and above the base model so you get the gadgets if you into that. Go for an ex-demo and check what deals they got on as Skoda always having VAT free deal etc

VRs not really worth the extra and you dont get as much on them as on the Elegance, just a bit sportier, but pointless really on UK roads with all the speed cameras

 

[bladeplayer]

Great motors as are the superbs , could get caught up in VW emission "scandal" just be aware of that .
Theory is (only a theory ) performance & fuel economy may suffer . ask salesman when buying & best of luck

 

[selwood90]

The taxi drivers round my way love them. They go on forever, saw one with 298000 on the clock and was still going. Family member owns one and has no trouble with it. Also got the 4 of us plus the dog down to Devon (6 hours for us) comfortably with plenty of luggage

 

[Three]

Nice looking cars.

Has the old Skoda image completely gone now? Seems like it.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Hampshire plod use the rsi version for their unmarked pursuit cars, so thats got to be another decent recommendation

Not necessarily, the cars will often be bought by the accountants rather than on the recommendation of those driving them, so it could be done on who offers the best fleet deal. The Met are now using them instead of the 5 series BMW.

For clarity, I'm not suggesting they're not good, just that police usage is not necessarily the recommendation it may appear.

 

[GreiginFife]

Nice looking cars.

Has the old Skoda image completely gone now? Seems like it.

Went ages ago. The Octavia is a good car, based on the chassis plsn of the Passat IIRC not long after VAG took charge. The VRS is an absolute beast (petrol one). My mate has the VRS Estate and it is frightening quick.
One drawback is that, as with all VAG cars, parts are not cheap if you go OEM. In fact, extortion was a word that came to mind when he had to replace a cam position sensor.