Octavia V New Mondeo

LittleGarry

Hi Folks,
Just looking for some advice / opinions on choosing a company car. I have narrowed down the choice to two cars but cannot decide between them! They are both diesels - New Mondeo 1.8TDCi (100bhp) LX and the Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI Elegance (105bhp) I do about 15,000 miles a year - the vast majority of it is city driving so comfort is very important. My heart is being pushed towards the Mondeo as I have always liked Fords but my brain is pushing me towards the Octavia for the equipment level / build quality - obviously depreciation isn't a factor in the equation as it will be a company car. Any thoughts???

cyborg

If given the chance I 'd rather be seen driving the new mondeo than an octavia.
It will probably be much better to drive too and the engine will be more refined,it's a bigger car and is likely to be more comfortable and quiter ,I'm not sure what the octavia will offer in the line of extras over the lx mondeo? And why worry about build quality if its a company car.

Anan1

cyborg wrote:

If given the chance I 'd rather be seen driving the new mondeo than an octavia.

I don't think anyone's going to notice the driver of either, to be honest. That said, i'd say the Skoda has a slightly more upmarket image.

cyborg

Anan1 wrote:

I don't think anyone's going to notice the driver of either, to be honest. That said, i'd say the Skoda has a slightly more upmarket image.

the mondeo would certainly turn more haeds being a new model but true neither car is going to pull d ladies! Skoda an upmarket image ...lol

daedalus2097

cyborg wrote:

If given the chance I 'd rather be seen driving the new mondeo than an octavia.
It will probably be much better to drive too and the engine will be more refined,it's a bigger car and is likely to be more comfortable and quiter ,I'm not sure what the octavia will offer in the line of extras over the lx mondeo? And why worry about build quality if its a company car.

The 1.9 TDI engine in the Octavia is a fantastic engine, I wouldn't think it needs any refinement at all... It's the same engine that was super popular in the Golf and Audi lines because it was a lovely engine to drive with. At the end of the day I think it'd probably come down to preference of looks. Why don't you go and test drive both and see what you think of them?

cyborg

daedalus2097 wrote:

The 1.9 TDI engine in the Octavia is a fantastic engine, I wouldn't think it needs any refinement at all... It's the same engine that was super popular in the Golf and Audi lines because it was a lovely engine to drive with. At the end of the day I think it'd probably come down to preference of looks. Why don't you go and test drive both and see what you think of them?

The 1.9 TDI 's popularity lies in its super MPG and reliability and it does pull well- a good all rounder but it is definately not the last word in refinement, despite being found in the auid range. BMW,PSA, honda and fiat diesels are all more refined

gyppo

daedalus2097 wrote:

The 1.9 TDI engine in the Octavia is a fantastic engine, I wouldn't think it needs any refinement at all... It's the same engine that was super popular in the Golf and Audi lines because it was a lovely engine to drive with. At the end of the day I think it'd probably come down to preference of looks. Why don't you go and test drive both and see what you think of them?

The 1.9tdi engine is a very good engine with a good longevity. However, its lacking way behind the newer engines eg. newer 2.0tdi, fords TDci, etc.. in refinement terms

edit - cyborg beat me to it!

Cyrus

daedalus2097 wrote:

The 1.9 TDI engine in the Octavia is a fantastic engine, I wouldn't think it needs any refinement at all... It's the same engine that was super popular in the Golf and Audi lines because it was a lovely engine to drive with. At the end of the day I think it'd probably come down to preference of looks. Why don't you go and test drive both and see what you think of them?

please stop, its a rought 105bhp diesel knockin around years

what are the other choices apart from the mondy and skoda, ie the ones diiscounted

run_Forrest_run

well that's one problem I would love to have! Best of luck making that decision.

LittleGarry

The only other choice on the list is the Seat Toledo S 1.9 Diesel, I dont even think it is at the races!

Anan1

cyborg wrote:

the mondeo would certainly turn more haeds being a new model but true neither car is going to pull d ladies! Skoda an upmarket image ...lol

Times have changed, my friend.;) You'll see quite a few Octavias in the more salubrious driveways of coastal south Dublin, but very few Mondeos.

Cyrus

probably not!

cyborg

Anan1 wrote:

Times have changed, my friend.;) You'll see quite a few Octavias in the more salubrious driveways of coastal south Dublin, but very few Mondeos.

They must be replacing the trusty fiestas in 3 car households so.....

Henry Ford III

Anan1 wrote:

Times have changed, my friend.;) You'll see quite a few Octavias in the more salubrious driveways of coastal south Dublin, but very few Mondeos.

You need to go to Specsavers. Skoda is the lowest rung of the VW family ladder. Image is a huge problem, even now.

Anan1

Henry Ford III wrote:

You need to go to Specsavers. Skoda is the lowest rung of the VW family ladder. Image is a huge problem, even now.

Skoda is, indeed, the lowest rung of the VW family ladder. This, I think, is the Mondeo's problem.

Sandwich

Anan1 wrote:

That said, i'd say the Skoda has a slightly more upmarket image.

I never thought Id see the day.:D

There are probably kids around here who wouldnt appreciate how surreal it is that the above statement could be made.

(And even funnier that the poster is probably right).

Toon--soldier

Henry Ford III wrote:

You need to go to Specsavers. Skoda is the lowest rung of the VW family ladder. Image is a huge problem, even now.

personally i'd think Seat is

maidhc

Anan1 wrote:

Skoda is, indeed, the lowest rung of the VW family ladder. This, I think, is the Mondeo's problem.

The Mondeo is the obvious choice here.

Neither car will have the birds falling from the treees (or off the footpath), but the mondeo is superior in every conceivable way. It may have a working class image, but at least it doesnt have a cheapskate one!

rebel.ranter

Both are rep mobeiles, so no real pulling power, either with the wimin or the acceleration. The Mondeo is probably bigger & more comfortable inside. I'd plum with the Mondeo.
Ddi you think about taking an allowance instead & getting something older but nicer instead?

copacetic

daedalus2097 wrote:

The 1.9 TDI engine in the Octavia is a fantastic engine, I wouldn't think it needs any refinement at all...

have to disagree here, it's ancient and the newer VAG 2.0TDIs (140 and 170) are much smoother and more refined than it.

maidhc

rebel.ranter wrote:

Ddi you think about taking an allowance instead & getting something older but nicer instead?

One must then define nicer.

Is a 316 "nicer" than a mondeo? A C180? Is a 530i nicer? If it is nicer is it a "nicer" alternative for someone doing 20k miles a year?

Sandwich

maidhc wrote:

One must then define nicer.

Nicer = list price new is higher

maidhc

Sandwich wrote:

Nicer = list price new is higher

My point exactly. Just because the mondeo is 25k doesn't mean it isn't as nice as a 316 which is 15k more. It is most probably a much nicer car in every respect.

bazz26

VAG 1.9 TDi unit was a good engine in its day but diesel technology has moved on quickly since then.

While it is economical and a tried and tested unit, it is rather noisy and unrefined compared to much more refined common rail diesel units these days.

If it was the Octavia 2.0 TDi v the Mondeo then I would opt for the Octavia but that is not the case so the Mondeo would be my choice.

Cyrus

maidhc wrote:

My point exactly. Just because the mondeo is 25k doesn't mean it isn't as nice as a 316 which is 15k more. It is most probably a much nicer car in every respect.

why so?

colm_mcm

Skoda- Upmarket?
1.9 TDI - Refined?

daedalus2097

Okay, fair point about the CRI engines being a bit nicer, but there's still nothing wrong with the 1.9 TDI, very reliable, economical, loads of torque and I wouldn't consider it noisy...

Henry Ford III

Mondeo vs. Passat is a more realistic contest. Mondeo wins this too btw (according to the reports I've read).

Longrangedriver

Mondeo v Octavia, no contest.

Wrong class for starters, what about Mondeo v Superb. Isnt an Octavia a rival:rolleyes: for Focus!

Me thinks it should go like:

Mondeo v Passat/Avensis/Laguna/Vectra etc inc Superb
Focus v Golf/Corolla/Megane/Ashtray etc inc Octavia

Or something like that, only my opinion.

HashSlinging

Toon--soldier wrote:

personally i'd think Seat is

According to VAG :

Sport Brand
Audi
SEAT

Family Brand
VW
Skoda

Tabnabs

Anan1 wrote:

Times have changed, my friend.;) You'll see quite a few Octavias in the more salubrious driveways of coastal south Dublin, but very few Mondeos.

I have noticed the very same thing. Octavia seems to be well respected in the roysch circles.

Superb is just taking it a bit far though...

maidhc

Cyrus wrote:

why so?

Both cars have the same range of performance, both cars are reliable, both cars are well finished. Both cars handle quite well.

The Mondeo is bigger, cheaper, more modern, and looks nicer.

colm_mcm

THe only Octavias you'll see outside posh houses will have a sign on the roof

Henry Ford III

colm_mcm wrote:

THe only Octavias you'll see outside posh houses will have a sign on the roof

Correct and right!

rebel.ranter

maidhc wrote:

One must then define nicer.

Is a 316 "nicer" than a mondeo? A C180? Is a 530i nicer? If it is nicer is it a "nicer" alternative for someone doing 20k miles a year?

Well what I mean is that by going back a few years you get a wider range of cars within you budget that are a little bit more interesting than a rep mobeile. Maybe a BMW or a Merc would be on the list bu the OP may have a preference for something else.
If it was my choice I think i would be oting for an allowance if the option was available.

maidhc

rebel.ranter wrote:

Well what I mean is that by going back a few years you get a wider range of cars within you budget that are a little bit more interesting than a rep mobeile. Maybe a BMW or a Merc would be on the list bu the OP may have a preference for something else.
If it was my choice I think i would be oting for an allowance if the option was available.

I know! But people who buy "repmobiles" normally buy them to put up pretty serious mileage. A 25k mondeo will happy put up 30k a year for 4 years without costing much in maintenance. An old interesting car is unlikely to give the same service. Call me boring, but I really can't afford to be late for work/meetings/court because my car is so interesting it won't start.

Sonnenblumen

Anan1 wrote:

Times have changed, my friend.;) You'll see quite a few Octavias in the more salubrious driveways of coastal south Dublin, but very few Mondeos.

Sounds like shiny suit talk, you should tell us where are the salubrious driveways of costal south Dublin.

Everytime I see Skoda I think Aldi, Lidl and yes realise it isn't even German but built by Czechs for German owners. Ah well Club members unite!!

Mondeo is far more interesting car, better styling, pedigree but if yellow pack commiecon merchandise is your style, well Nosterovia Komrad!!

tanka006

Hi Guys,

Anyone know when the new Mondeo will actually be availiable in the dealers?

tanka006

Double post - deleted..... sorry

Henry Ford III

Soon enough. Ask a dealer.

4istic

Forget your Mondeo's or Skoda's, the best car on the market in this segment is the Avensis 2.0 D-4D. The new Mondeo is not being received that well in the press - see Irish Times todays. Apparently Ford realise now they got the design wrong!!!:D

Mailman

4istic wrote:

Forget your Mondeo's or Skoda's, the best car on the market in this segment is the Avensis 2.0 D-4D. The new Mondeo is not being received that well in the press - see Irish Times todays. Apparently Ford realise now they got the design wrong!!!:D

Every review I've read has raved about the Mondeo. The Avensis isn't class leading anymore.

Henry Ford III

4istic wrote:

Forget your Mondeo's or Skoda's, the best car on the market in this segment is the Avensis 2.0 D-4D. The new Mondeo is not being received that well in the press - see Irish Times todays. Apparently Ford realise now they got the design wrong!!!:D

Not even the most blindly optimistic Toyota nutter would claim that

Please post a link to The Irish Times article.

Henry Ford III

I'll save you the bother...

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/motors/2007/0530/1180134127018.html

maidhc

4istic wrote:

Apparently Ford realise now they got the design wrong!!!:D

The:

Passat
Avensis
Accord
A4
3 Series
C5
Laguna
407
and even 157 are hardly oil paintings. Indeed if they were the average punter would be as scared by them as he was by the original Sierra.

wingnut

4istic wrote:

The new Mondeo is not being received that well in the press - see Irish Times today's.

I don't see how you got that from the article. "...find it difficult not to be impressed by its quality, space, high specification, dynamics and comfort."

The criticism centered solely on not being 'noticed' in the car. I would question the intelligence of someone who bases the decision to buy a car on the 'getting noticed' factor. IMO it is a rubbish review and not very insightful anyway. Are they any decent Irish motor journalists, I think not!

bazz26

tanka006 wrote:

Hi Guys,

Anyone know when the new Mondeo will actually be availiable in the dealers?

It's offically being launched on June 8th afaik.

Sandwich

wingnut wrote:

I don't see how you got that from the article. "...find it difficult not to be impressed by its quality, space, high specification, dynamics and comfort."

The criticism centered solely on not being 'noticed' in the car. I would question the intelligence of someone who bases the decision to buy a car on the 'getting noticed' factor. IMO it is a rubbish review and not very insightful anyway. Are they any decent Irish motor journalists, I think not!

I think the thrust of the 'be noticed' theme of the article was, would Ford manage to make the car stand out somehow in a crowded segment.

Without expressing a preference for any of them or debating the validity of the claims to fame, the following cars in the class each got a piece of the action by some particular (perceived if not actual) characteristics

Avensis - reliability
Passat - upmarket image (in realtion to its competitors)
- the powerful/economic PD engines
- reliability
Alfa 156 - good looks
- sporty handling
Honda Accord - luxury image
- powerful engines
Saab 9-3 - exclusive/discerning quality

The last Mondeo might have had a minor eputation for relatively good handling, but little else - just mediocre OK-ness, MondeoMan, repmobile etc.

So I think the article was probing a valid question - how does Ford get the attention of the customer to try and convince him of the merits of the new one.

gyppo

Sandwich wrote:

The last Mondeo might have had a minor eputation for relatively good handling, but little else - just mediocre OK-ness, MondeoMan, repmobile etc.

I think you've been watching too much Top Gear

Sandwich

gyppo wrote:

I think you've been watching too much Top Gear

You missed my point - these are popularly perceived characteristics - not necessarily views that I hold myself.

(BTW - never see Top Gear - dont get BBC).

colm_mcm

try telling me they're not similar!

these pictures haven't been streched to fit each other.