Best value for money over a 5 year period

StevePH

Folks, hope ye can advise.
I'm lookin into buyin an 05/06 Octavia with the idea of holdin on to it for 5 years or so.

Ads I've been lookin at are mostly for either 1.4 petrol or 1.9 diesel motors. My question is which would offer the best value for money over the next 5 years?

(My first thought is that, due to fairly low mileage requirements - less than than 5000 miles per year - and the higher tax, I'm not drawn to the diesel motor - which could also be more expensive upfront....but are there other considerations?)

Insurance/Tax for 5 years - insurance for either seems to be much of a muchness.
To tax the 1.4 petrol - 333 * 5 - €1665
To tax the 1.9 diesel - 582 * 5 = €2910
...if I buy the 1.4, I'd have €1245 in the pocket to go towards servicing costs over 5 years.

More info - For me, performance isn't a priority. Just lookin for reliability and somethin that won't be a money pit.



Anybody owned both in their time/have a preference for either one?

Thanks

bijapos

Octavia? Hmmmmmm, never had one myself so I can't say much about them. I recall reading somewhere that they have a very big boot. Slips my mind where I read that now. :cool:

Sobanek

1.4 is not enough for the octavia.
Period.

statto25

Sobanek wrote: »

1.4 is not enough for the octavia.
Period.

+1. The car is too heavy for the 1.4 engine.
If you go for the diesel make sure you put aside a few quid for a new Flywheel also. If you keeping the car for five years you will probably end up replacing. Thats usually about €1000 to replace. It can go at any stage but is usually around the 100,000 mile mark.
Cant think of anything else at the moment

Edit: Yes the boot is massive!

StevePH

statto25 wrote: »

+1. The car is too heavy for the 1.4 engine.
If you go for the diesel make sure you put aside a few quid for a new Flywheel also....

Thanks Sobanek n Statto. Corkie said somethin similar on another thread.

With the smaller engines, its it that fuel costs could be higher? - havin to 'floor it' to get away from junctions/roundabouts? Or is there more engine trouble/wear n tear to expect?

Doesn't the DMF trouble/costs comin along down the line put ye off buying the diesel version?

-Corkie-

StevePH wrote: »

Thanks Sobanek n Statto. Corkie said somethin similar on another thread.

With the smaller engines, its it that fuel costs could be higher? - havin to 'floor it' to get away from junctions/roundabouts? Or is there more engine trouble/wear n tear to expect?

Doesn't the DMF trouble/costs comin along down the line put ye off buying the diesel version?

I did say it surley!!:)

As you said its underpowered and uneconomical. They have a habit of drinking a bit of oil too. The DMF gives less trouble on the 1.9TDI as opposed to the 2.0 TDI. Try a get a low mileage example.

Dilbert75

Used to have the 102bhp 1.6 and it was reasonable - used to get 40-42mpg on open road constantly at speed limit, <30mpg short journies around town. But the 1.4 only has 75bhp, so more than 25% less power for same weight. Can't imagine it'd be as efficient or as sprightly. Did read on here recently as well that VAG 1.4 engines tend to be a wee bit troublesome - maybe it was oil burning, I don't recall. Have you driven one under your normal driving conditions? Did you like it? Would your annual mileage make high fuel consumption a problem? Would your annual mileage justify the cost of a diesel?

StevePH

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Used to have the 102bhp 1.6 and it was reasonable - used to get 40-42mpg on open road constantly at speed limit, <30mpg short journies around town. But the 1.4 only has 75bhp, so more than 25% less power for same weight. Can't imagine it'd be as efficient or as sprightly. Did read on here recently as well that VAG 1.4 engines tend to be a wee bit troublesome - maybe it was oil burning, I don't recall. Have you driven one under your normal driving conditions? Did you like it? Would your annual mileage make high fuel consumption a problem? Would your annual mileage justify the cost of a diesel?

Dilbert, useful stuff there. I haven't test driven any yet - was tryin to narrow down the options as much as possible first.
My annual mileage might not even be 4/5000 miles - so can't see the likeihood of the €s flyin out the pocket on fuel on a weekly basis.

Criteria for me at the minute:
Performance not such a big deal for me (short daily commute plus weekly shop)
Newer style model (late 05 onwards i think has the less flintstoney-style dash/radio area :-) )
Up to 80,000 miles on clock
4 to 5k

StevePH

Just givin this thread a bump in case theres any Friday afternoon web surfers out there, who own/have driven 1.4 Octavias, and can offer the their experiences.

Was suggested earlier in this thread that the 1.4 engine might not be enough for some drivers and this has made me take a closer look at the 1.9TDI ads.
I don't have the heaviest of right foots myself so will def test drive both a 1.4 petrol and a 1.9 diesel before buyin.

Any experiences from past/present owners much appreciated.


Also have another q on pricing at the current time. Are these priced well? Do ye think a cash offer could shave much off these egs?


1.9s Takin my fancy so far
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2232588
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2286727

or a VRS http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2391995




..and if I persevere with the 1.4s :-)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2426473
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2371777
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2238020
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2262662


Thanks in advance lads.

jethrothe2nd

Yep, I'm a 1.4 Octavia driver. It's all been said already really. Underpowered with a big boot.

Having said that, I'm happy with it. I am in a similar position to you. I don't do a massive amount of mileage - mainly small commutes into work and trips around town, and I don't have a heavy right foot. Not sure what MPG it gets, but with city driving, from a full tank to the light coming on, I get about 600km. I have had no problems in terms of reliabiity yet - mine is an 07 with 60,000 on the clock, it's comfortable, and speccd reasonably well

I'm not an expert on cars, but it sounds like the amount of driving you do doesn't make it economical to get the diesel.

statto25

Id agree with Jethro, for the milage you will do the Diesel wouldnt do you justice.

I wouldnt bother with the VRS either. They are 2L Petrol and 200BHP. That one has been crashed too. They are a lovely car but I dont think the economy wouldnt be great either for small trips.

dr.fuzzenstein

Just buy a 1.6!
Problem solved, not as puny as 1.4 and not as expensive as the diesel.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/1.6-ambi/131097741809840/advert?channel=CARS