Car dilema!!! - Which car

yop

Lads,
Am 1 week away from finally buying my car. Its down between 2.
Both 2006 cars.

1st - Mondeo ST TDCI 2.2 , 155 bhp - Agreed price and carried out HPI check, AA to check the car once I confirm next week. Car is very high spec, park assist, xenon, heated leather seats, FSH, new tires, just serviced. Cost 13400 euro inc VRT, travel and to tax it for one year (823 euro)
58000 miles.
The car is in Scotland so will take a bit of getting to but not too bothered about that. Probably get back and over in 1.5 days with flights and boat etc.

2nd - Skoda Octvia VRS PD TDI - 2.0 litre, 170 bhp.
71000 miles. new tires, FSH.
Standard VRS spec, nothing major outside it.
Car is in Armagh - Agree a price but have yet to book AA check.
Cost 12525 euro inc VRT, travel and tax for 1 year (614 euro)


So what would you do. I know some of you don't like Fords, others Skoda.

I have driven an ST and did enjoy the drive. Never driven a VRS TDI.

Has anyone driven either or both?

I do only 5-6k miles per year so wont be doing mental mileage

So what would you guys do?

Pros and Cons.
Potentia piece of string!!

.Longshanks.

For only 5-6k miles per year you should looking at the petrol alternatives to both cars....

mickdw

yop wrote: »

Lads,
Am 1 week away from finally buying my car. Its down between 2.
Both 2006 cars.

1st - Mondeo ST TDCI 2.2 , 155 bhp - Agreed price and carried out HPI check, AA to check the car once I confirm next week. Car is very high spec, park assist, xenon, heated leather seats, FSH, new tires, just serviced. Cost 13400 euro inc VRT, travel and to tax it for one year (823 euro)
58000 miles.
The car is in Scotland so will take a bit of getting to but not too bothered about that. Probably get back and over in 1.5 days with flights and boat etc.

2nd - Skoda Octvia VRS PD TDI - 2.0 litre, 170 bhp.
71000 miles. new tires, FSH.
Standard VRS spec, nothing major outside it.
Car is in Armagh - Agree a price but have yet to book AA check.
Cost 12525 euro inc VRT, travel and tax for 1 year (614 euro)


So what would you do. I know some of you don't like Fords, others Skoda.

I have driven an ST and did enjoy the drive. Never driven a VRS TDI.

Has anyone driven either or both?

I do only 5-6k miles per year so wont be doing mental mileage

So what would you guys do?

Pros and Cons.
Potentia piece of string!!

If I was doing that small amount of mileage, I wouldnt be getting a diesel.

EPM

out of those two i'd pick the mondeo. Slightly rarer around these parts than the octavia. Octavia would probably be easier to sell afterwards though being cheaper to tax but the ST would have a following too, just a bit smaller

yop

Jesus them were quick responses!!!!

No version of the ST in petrol

I have just come out of a crash where I was at fault, cost me over 100k euro so my insurance for an ST24 is not an option!!!

So 1 vote for the ST

unkel

Any reason it is down to those two cars? As the others said, with that low a mileage, petrol would work out better and cheaper for you. What do you desire in a car (apart from that you're obviously looking for a 4 door saloon / hatch)? What's high on your priority list? With your budget, you have an enormous choice of cars to pick from!

unkel

yop wrote: »

I have just come out of a crash where I was at fault, cost me over 100k euro

Ouch :eek:

I presume it cost your insurance company 100k and not yourself? If the former, did you check you can get insurance at all on those two cars and at what insurance premium?

johndaman66

Agreed with Longshanks100 and mickdw. Doing only 5 - 6,000 miles per annum think you are missing the point regarding driving a diesel. I'm doing over 25,000 miles a year and even at that rate I don't consider a comparable diesel a viable alternative to drive. I wouldn't think the mondeo or a 170 bhp skoda would be too easy to insure if insurance is an issue for you either. Would a 2.0 petrol Mondeo ghia for example be a very real alternative. Cheaper to buy surley, probably comparable to insure if not less I'd be thinking, cheaper on the road tax, and probably a hell of a lot hassle if anything goes wrong I'd imagine.

I'd suggest you factor in a good few quid extra for travel, accomodation and the like if you intend to travel over to the UK to buy. Also I'd be particularly conscious of rust on the underbody if buying from England and in particular the greater London area. They tend to salt the roads over there even if there is only a slight touch of frost or ice and consequently the underbody of many cars coming over can be badly attacked with the tin worm. I'm sure the AA report would highlight this if it was a problem though.

yop

johndaman66 wrote: »

Agreed with Longshanks100 and mickdw. Doing only 5 - 6,000 miles per annum think you are missing the point regarding driving a diesel. I'm doing over 25,000 miles a year and even at that rate I don't consider a comparable diesel a viable alternative to drive. I wouldn't think the mondeo or a 170 bhp skoda would be too easy to insure if insurance is an issue for you either. Would a 2.0 petrol Mondeo ghia for example be a very real alternative. Cheaper to buy surley, probably comparable to insure if not less I'd be thinking, cheaper on the road tax, and probably a hell of a lot hassle if anything goes wrong I'd imagine.

I'd suggest you factor in a good few quid extra for travel, accomodation and the like if you intend to travel over to the UK to buy. Also I'd be particularly conscious of rust on the underbody if buying from England and in particular the greater London area. They tend to salt the roads over there even if there is only a slight touch of frost or ice and consequently the underbody of many cars coming over can be badly attacked with the tin worm. I'm sure the AA report would highlight this if it was a problem though.

I take your points on insurance, have checked them both and I am sound for insurance.

As I said in the post, travel included in the prices.

The car is in Scotland, not London and will have a full AA check done on it.

I can't find anything comparable with regards petrol replacements.

Had an A4 so moving on to a different car now.
Alfas I dont like, Opels, Mazdas, Volvos are boring. BWM's again too basic spec, Mercs I am 33 not 63

colm_mcm

I'd have the VRS to be honest.

yop

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd have the VRS to be honest.

Could I ask why Colm?

colm_mcm

cos I had one for a week in Scotland last year and fell in love!

Also, while the Mondeo is entertaining, It's not as fast, not as nice inside, and in my opinion carries more of a stigma than having a Skoda.

yop

colm_mcm wrote: »

cos I had one for a week in Scotland last year and fell in love!

Also, while the Mondeo is entertaining, It's not as fast, not as nice inside, and in my opinion carries more of a stigma than having a Skoda.

Thanks Colm.

kuro_man

From a practical point of view, cars in Scotland will have more corrosion than cars in London from heavily salted roads. This can damage wheel bearings, suspension bushes etc so ask the AA to check for this.

As for the "typical Merc driver being 63"...age before wisdom perhaps.

The Real B-man

VRS Without a Shadow of a Doubt!

yop

kuro_man wrote: »

From a practical point of view, cars in Scotland will have more corrosion than cars in London from heavily salted roads. This can damage wheel bearings, suspension bushes etc so ask the AA to check for this.

As for the "typical Merc driver being 63"...age before wisdom perhaps.

Thanks for that, the Merc was a generalisation! Not an insult to 25 year old Merc drivers

yop

The Real B-man wrote: »

VRS Without a Shadow of a Doubt!

Thanks for the comment, I would ask why? Have you driven either? Its just I want to get a list of pro's and cons.

Thanks

Biro

yop wrote: »

I take your points on insurance, have checked them both and I am sound for insurance.

As I said in the post, travel included in the prices.

The car is in Scotland, not London and will have a full AA check done on it.

I can't find anything comparable with regards petrol replacements.

Had an A4 so moving on to a different car now.
Alfas I dont like, Opels, Mazdas, Volvos are boring. BWM's again too basic spec, Mercs I am 33 not 63

You shouldn't generalise. Mazdas 3 or 6 MPS, RX8, RX7, MX5 are a hell of a lot more exciting than any Skoda in existance, same with a few Opel's like the VXR (in vaxhaull form), and the 220 roadster, but that's another matter.
You should look for a petrol as was said. You'd get a Mondeo ST220 for that kind of money.

yop

Biro wrote: »

You shouldn't generalise. Mazdas 3 or 6 MPS, RX8, RX7, MX5 are a hell of a lot more exciting than any Skoda in existance, same with a few Opel's like the VXR (in vaxhaull form), and the 220 roadster, but that's another matter.
You should look for a petrol as was said. You'd get a Mondeo ST220 for that kind of money.

I have driven the RX8, fine car, would love one but for me its not practical. Also having to change the oil every 3k (I THINK its 3k) miles isn't worth the pain.

Also as I said I my insurance is now wrecked for the next 3 years + so if a 2005 A4 2.0 TDI S line is gonna cost me 1250 euro to insure then you can imagine what an RX8 will cost!

ST220 - love the car, drove it and it was mental, again the insurance for that is near 2k! Road tax on a 3 litre......

Don't like the Mazda 3 or 6.

I would look for a petrol but as I said, I haven't found cars in petrol that I like that I either like or won't totally screw me on insurance!!!

.Longshanks.

Maybe going off topic.....
But why do people always compare an Octvia with cars the same size as a Mondeo, Passat, A4 etc. You wouldn't do that with a Bora, but there are basically the same machine.
Nor would you compare a focus with a Mondeo....which is whats kinda happening here

R.O.R

Longshanks100 wrote: »

Maybe going off topic.....
But why do people always compare an Octvia with cars the same size as a Mondeo, Passat, A4 etc. You wouldn't do that with a Bora, but there are basically the same machine.
Nor would you compare a focus with a Mondeo....which is whats kinda happening here

I remeber running a comparison between the old model A4 and the Octavia (possibly the MK1 too) for a customer a few years ago. Difference in length was roughly 3 inches, width etc was also roughly similar. Spec levels were way in favour of the Octy

Biro

R.O.R wrote: »

I remeber running a comparison between the old model A4 and the Octavia (possibly the MK1 too) for a customer a few years ago. Difference in length was roughly 3 inches, width etc was also roughly similar. Spec levels were way in favour of the Octy

Yes, but the A4 is so small it's closer in size to the Octavia than the Passat. Longshanks is right, everyone on boards puts the Octavia in a class it doesn't belong.

Biro

yop wrote: »

I have driven the RX8, fine car, would love one but for me its not practical. Also having to change the oil every 3k (I THINK its 3k) miles isn't worth the pain.

Also as I said I my insurance is now wrecked for the next 3 years + so if a 2005 A4 2.0 TDI S line is gonna cost me 1250 euro to insure then you can imagine what an RX8 will cost!

ST220 - love the car, drove it and it was mental, again the insurance for that is near 2k! Road tax on a 3 litre......

Don't like the Mazda 3 or 6.

I would look for a petrol but as I said, I haven't found cars in petrol that I like that I either like or won't totally screw me on insurance!!!

How about an Accord 2.4? Probably cheaper to insure than you'd think, and should be easy to pick up a bargain due to the Irish being petrified of "big" engines.

alexmcred

They had a ST on wheeler dealer and it was mentioned that when the ST gets up in the miles some fairly expensive probs can rear their heads.

Don't know if you have seen this ST site

yop

Biro wrote: »

How about an Accord 2.4? Probably cheaper to insure than you'd think, and should be easy to pick up a bargain due to the Irish being petrified of "big" engines.

Is that not a 2.2? or is that a 2.4 petrol? Read a few threads on here about the Accord and they don't seem to be getting too favorable. I did look at the Accord Executive, they look like a tasty beast

yop

alexmcred wrote: »

They had a ST on wheeler dealer and it was mentioned that when the ST gets up in the miles some fairly expensive probs can rear their heads

Thanks, suppose every car can have that problem, but yes they are prone to ECR valve and injector issues. Also a droppy back bumper. The ECR valve and injectors have been changed on the ST I am looking at.
Been on both the ST and VRS forums to understand the potential pitfalls.

Biro

yop wrote: »

Is that not a 2.2? or is that a 2.4 petrol? Read a few threads on here about the Accord and they don't seem to be getting too favorable. I did look at the Accord Executive, they look like a tasty beast

The Accord is always favourable in any review, both on here and in various mags. I'm talking about the 2.4 petrol. You could get the diesel, but it's not as quick as the Octavia. (I'd probably still have the Accord though!).

Anjin

Personally I'd go with the Octavia, drive one myself ( So i'm probably a bit biased) and half to say fantastic motor. Fast, reliable, good mileage and not too in your face so won't attract unwanted attention if you get my meaning.

yop

Anjin wrote: »

Personally I'd go with the Octavia, drive one myself ( So i'm probably a bit biased) and half to say fantastic motor. Fast, reliable, good mileage and not too in your face so won't attract unwanted attention if you get my meaning.

I totally agree with you on that, its a very subtle head turner, you might pass one without realising it.

Found out the insurance for this car is 350 euro higher which is odd.

Thanks for all the feedback, I will make the decision now in the next few days and post the pics

Sqaull20

Definetly the VRS over the Mondeo, looks better, goes better and I have a vrs fabia so a bit biased;)

Would be going for the petrol one though, 2.0tfsi is a super engine.7 secs to 60 and a top speed of over 150mph and good on fuel too.

yop

Sqaull20 wrote: »

Definetly the VRS over the Mondeo, looks better, goes better and I have a vrs fabia so a bit biased;)

Would be going for the petrol one though, 2.0tfsi is a super engine.7 secs to 60 and a top speed of over 150mph and good on fuel too.

Petrol ones are VERY rare here and when taking them from the UK the rip off VRT is 1300 euro dearer for the same year.

Drummerboy08

I personally would go for the Octavia. IMO, the Mondeo looks a very dated, tired car now. Added to the fact that if someone told me they drove a Mondeo, this is what comes to mind straight away -



The old, base model LX rep-mobile. For me, there are far too many Mondeo's on the road, for anyone (unless your a petrol head) to realise what the ST TDCi is.

I think the Octavia is a fresher looking car. It looks a little more special than the Mondeo, and there are less of them around, even in povery spec, so when someone see's a VRS coming down the road, they can see its a bit special.
OK, so the "I drive a Skoda" argument could be applied to the Octavia too, but It would be a lot easier to explain to someone that its the "sports" version, that it would be with the Mondeo.
The 2.0TDi unit is also very tuneable, so a few months down the line if you have the money, it could easily be remapped to 200+bhp.

Go for the Skoda, is my opinion.

yop

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I personally would go for the Octavia. IMO, the Mondeo looks a very dated, tired car now. Added to the fact that if someone told me they drove a Mondeo, this is what comes to mind straight away -



The old, base model LX rep-mobile. For me, there are far too many Mondeo's on the road, for anyone (unless your a petrol head) to realise what the ST TDCi is.

I think the Octavia is a fresher looking car. It looks a little more special than the Mondeo, and there are less of them around, even in povery spec, so when someone see's a VRS coming down the road, they can see its a bit special.
OK, so the "I drive a Skoda" argument could be applied to the Octavia too, but It would be a lot easier to explain to someone that its the "sports" version, that it would be with the Mondeo.
The 2.0TDi unit is also very tuneable, so a few months down the line if you have the money, it could easily be remapped to 200+bhp.

Go for the Skoda, is my opinion.

Just to help, as that mondeo bless it ain't any where near an ST, as a standard Octavia doesn't do the VRS justice I have attached pics of the 2 cars.

alexmcred

Based on the pics it would be the VRS for me

VeryRapidSkoda

Hi there,

If I can add to the opinions and say that I have a race blue petrol octavia Vrs. Its a cracking car. I would highly recommend it. I have had a lot of positive comments from people about it. Its more of a head turner as they are rare enough. They are even more impressed when they realise that its basically a golf gti, so its fun and practical.

Unfortunately I have to put my pride and joy up for sale. Take a look if you are interested.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/991761

yop

VeryRapidSkoda wrote: »

Hi there,

If I can add to the opinions and say that I have a race blue petrol octavia Vrs. Its a cracking car. I would highly recommend it. I have had a lot of positive comments from people about it. Its more of a head turner as they are rare enough. They are even more impressed when they realise that its basically a golf gti, so its fun and practical.

Unfortunately I have to put my pride and joy up for sale. Take a look if you are interested.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/991761

Thanks for the comments, the VRS is certainly getting the votes

Nice car there lad, but I will have to pass as the car I am looking at in NI is 12600 euro! Not unless you want to sell for anywhere near to that

Thanks

Drummerboy08

yop wrote: »

Just to help, as that mondeo bless it ain't any where near an ST, as a standard Octavia doesn't do the VRS justice I have attached pics of the 2 cars.

I know what both look like - I've driven both, and I used to work in a Ford dealership....;)

I still think the VRS does it for me. Its a much more refined, enjoyable drive compared to the Mondeo, IMO.

yop

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I know what both look like - I've driven both, and I used to work in a Ford dealership....;)

I still think the VRS does it for me. Its a much more refined, enjoyable drive compared to the Mondeo, IMO.

~Sorry the pics were't mean to imply that!

So you have driven both and would take the VRS. Thats interesting now.

I don't know anyone who have had both and taken the VRS, found a few on the various forum who have taken the ST over the VRS after owning both.

Thanks for feedback.

youtheman

The only point I would make is that a car that has been in Scotland has spent a lot of the winter time driving on roads littered with salt. It's still relatively new but something to bear in mind. I've been to Aberdeen may times and you'll note a 10 year old car as the wheel arches will be showing major signs of corrosion.

yop

youtheman wrote: »

The only point I would make is that a car that has been in Scotland has spent a lot of the winter time driving on roads littered with salt. It's still relatively new but something to bear in mind. I've been to Aberdeen may times and you'll note a 10 year old car as the wheel arches will be showing major signs of corrosion.

I would hope that the AA check will pick that up. Thanks for the heads up though.

Henry Ford III

I'm going with the Mondeo (shock horror ).

Bigger, rarer, better value, Superior ride and handling.

ST kit keeps it fresher looking than the bread and butter versions too. 2.2 TDCI has plenty of urge, and is decently refined.

bazz26

I don't know, I think an ST has as much road presence as a vRS.

OP did you spot this one:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200939195310489

yop

bazz26 wrote: »

I don't know, I think an ST has as much road presence as a vRS.

OP did you spot this one:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200939195310489

Good spot there lad, thats a good price for Ireland Almost too good!!!

Must get someone to have a look at it.

Cheers for that

yop

Well that ST is gone there in Dublin, thats a shame!

Jeebus but I think my wife has bought clothes quicker than this and thats saying a lot

gyppo

For me I'd pick the ST every time.
Someone brought up the point about mondeos being 2 a penny on the roads here - you could easilt say the same for the octavia.
Besides, as Bazz said, the ST has road presence (imo anyhow).

antomorro-sei

I'd go for the VRS to be honest. Looks better and by the sounds of things on this thread, its just better overall!

But, on the other hand, with a Mondeo you could throw on a High-Viz top, stick a couple more ariels on the car and go pull people over for the craic...

Ah no, kidding... Get the VRS

chrism2007

Skoda for the win. mondeos feel way too cheap. id never buy one unless it was for commuting and simply to save money

yop

Fup the ST And Skoda, this is now my new motor

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/919488

tred

chrism2007 wrote: »

Skoda for the win. mondeos feel way too cheap. id never buy one unless it was for commuting and simply to save money

How anyone can say a mondeo feels way too cheap over a Skoda octavia VRS..has never being in an ST mondeo..hes not buying an LX mondy here you know. Test drive the 2 of them. I know which one you will end up buying based on performance and handling.

yop

In case anyone was interested I got the ST checked out and it turned out to have too many issues which the seller wasn't willing to fix so I am going to pass on this.
The VRS has been sold according to the garage, though its still advertised

So now I have a price agreed on a Mazda 6 MPS, any opinions on these Reviews have been very good, one though, will parts be near impossible to get?

Thanks

Biro

yop wrote: »

In case anyone was interested I got the ST checked out and it turned out to have too many issues which the seller wasn't willing to fix so I am going to pass on this.
The VRS has been sold according to the garage, though its still advertised

So now I have a price agreed on a Mazda 6 MPS, any opinions on these Reviews have been very good, one though, will parts be near impossible to get?

Thanks

It'd blow the VRS into the weeds in every measurable way (apart from mpg!). Go for it. What price if you don't mind me asking?