Skoda Octavia

barura

So what is this car really? The cheaper version of an A4/Passat? Explain unto me this fascination! Is it just the VAG or is there something more sinister afoot?

I guess what I'm asking is, why is this car so popular with praise and hate at the same time?

mike65

its the boot

barura

That's all??

mickdw

All joking aside, I happened to have a look in an octavia boot just this morning. Looked tight to me.

Also its more a golf equilavent than A4. Passat is a far bigger car.

si_guru

Octavia is based on a Golf not a Passat.

The boot is huge for that segment of car.

barura

mickdw wrote: »

All joking aside, I happened to have a look in an octavia boot just this morning. Looked tight to me.

Also its more a golf equilavent than A4. Passat is a far bigger car.

But why is it so popular as a joke etc? I can sorta understand it, but I don't know why it took off! Is it cause you can get a 1.9tdi with a tow bar for reasonable cost? If that's the case, why not just get a small van?

arybvtcw0eolkf

si_guru wrote: »

Octavia is based on a Golf not a Passat.

The boot is huge for that segment of car.

Yup, Golf Bora with a massive boot.

And I know its a running joke in this forum, but the boot really is something special, fold down the seats and the amount of stuff you'll carry is astounding.

I've a 1.9Tdi.

Mechanically it hasn't been fantastic tbh, most expensive repair so far as been replacing the fly wheel, boy was that a kick in the sack I didn't need.

I've had Fiats and an Alfa Romeo 156 which were all without exception mechanically superior to my Octavia.

barura

Angelina Magnificent Outfield wrote: »

Yup, Golf Bora with a massive boot.

And I know its a running joke in this forum, but the boot really is something special, fold down the seats and the amount of stuff you'll carry is astounding.

I've a 1.9Tdi.

Mechanically it hasn't been fantastic tbh, most expensive repair so far as been replacing the fly wheel, boy was that a kick in the sack I didn't need.

I've had Fiats and an Alfa Romeo 156 which were all without exception mechanically superior to my Octavia.

That fly wheel is a problem on a lot of modern diesels thuogh, if I'm not mistaken. And most cars are pretty big when you put the seats down. When did your fly wheel go? Also, have you owned it since new?

GTE

barura wrote: »

And most cars are pretty big when you put the seats down.

Well you asked and that is the answer. It can only be bigger as its the Skoda version of the Bora and Jetta but it does not have the saloon style boot for lack of a better term.

The point is not about taking the seats down, that gives more or less the same space but its in conjunction with the way the boot is designed before the seats go down.

You get a couple of hundred more litres of space in the Octy over the Golf and about 40 extra over the Jetta.

Thats a few more 5ltr fuel cans in the Octy over the Jetta


Of course you wont need that with the TDI, dare I cross another joking line

barura

Wonderful stuff so! Thanks for clearing that up. Also sorry for screwing up what it's similar to. The boot does look fairly big to be honest but I've always been a fan or the old saying "it isn't size that matters, it's how you use it".

shedweller

Octavia boot space with seats folded: 1350 litres
Kia ceedSW bootspace with seats folded: 1664 litres
Kia ceed hatchback bootspace with seats folded: 1300

I don't see what all the fame and fuss ia about really.

In fairness, the octy is a good car but to say its boot is so massive it needs to be mentioned all the time is stretching it a little.

-Corkie-

shedweller wrote: »

In fairness, the octy is a good car but to say its boot is so massive it needs to be mentioned all the time is stretching it a little.

It is a bit sickening allright especially all this VRS talk..

shedweller

Ah yes, the VRS.:)

-Corkie-

shedweller wrote: »

Ah yes, the VRS.:)

Great car and alll but FFS come on.. I wouldnt buy one for the simple reason the crap about them here. Of course I could close my Boards account and buy one..:)

Damokc

So is the VRS a good car or not?

And by the way are those 1.8T engines practically the same in the A3,Golf GTI,Leon Cupra and VRS?

Nissan doctor

Damokc wrote: »

So is the VRS a good car or not?

And by the way are those 1.8T engines practically the same in the A3,Golf GTI,Leon Cupra and VRS?

They are all the same engine, with various different power outputs.


All octavia's share every single major mechanical part with the golf/bora/A3/jetta/leon etc


IMO most of the skoda jokes(which have died out now surely?) originated from Skoda's pre VAG days when they were more akin to the likes of Lada.

Cerbera

I have an '08 VRS TDi from new and it is a fabulous car.

I had a 3-series before that and I actually prefer the Octavia.

Unless you are one of the "badge snobbery" muppets who wouldn't be seen in a Skoda then you should go for it, you won't regret it.

couldntthink

octavia has more space than a golf or a bora because it is, in effect, a big hatchback. My simplified understanding of a hatchback is a boot door that has glass. It shares a lot major parts with the a3, golf 4, bora, toledo. The a4, superb, and passat are a totally different platform.

Although they are all vag cars, they do differ slightly with reliability imo. This depends on where they are built. The vag cars assembled in South Africa are not as reliable as the german ones imo.

Flywheel problems are extremely common in all vag cars regardless of where they are built.

Also, for a 1.8T, the vrs and gti engines are pretty tame unless you get the GTI-R. The higher power diesels are they way to go.

marty-murt

Im thinking about the VRS for the new year, drove one in navan at the skoda dealer last week, nice and pokey. seats were lovely 6-speed gearbox and free sat nav..was wondering whats its like over a long distance though

-Corkie-

marty-murt wrote: »

Im thinking about the VRS for the new year, drove one in navan at the skoda dealer last week, nice and pokey. seats were lovely 6-speed gearbox and free sat nav..was wondering whats its like over a long distance though

EPM does a lot of long driving so he should know. Vectra has one too.

For Forks Sake

-Corkie- wrote: »

Vectra has one too.

Really?? :eek:

-Corkie-

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Really?? :eek:

Forgot to say I think he mentioned that they were a good car...:p

sean1141

couldntthink wrote: »

Also, for a 1.8T, the vrs and gti engines are pretty tame unless you get the GTI-R.

never heard of a gti-r in the vag range...

MugMugs

TBH, I vowed never to VAG again ever.

In saying that. If I could afford one, I'd buy a vRS at the drop of a hat (and quicker than I'd buy my long running luster "The Cortina")

vRS is a stunning car both visually and performance wise.


BUT


It's a Skoda

and I can't afford not to risk unreliability anymore/

sean1141

but any make of car can be unreliable more so the newer ones with so many electrics. my last 3 cars have been vag. at least 6 years since i got my first and at least 180,000 miles done between them with no major problems (touch wood)

EPM

marty-murt wrote: »

Im thinking about the VRS for the new year, drove one in navan at the skoda dealer last week, nice and pokey. seats were lovely 6-speed gearbox and free sat nav..was wondering whats its like over a long distance though

They are comfortable for long distance but you can't escape it's a golf class car and as such a superb or mondeo would be more comfortable.

I'm averaging about 43mpg including weekends around town and servicing through a main dealer for me is cheap as chips tbh. €110 for front and rear pads last week.

I have had some reliability issues but a lot were related to the car previously being used about town (dpf). When used about town at weekends it runs noticeable rougher.

Other than that I really like the car. It drives very well, has plenty of space and a well screwed together interior. I haven't found it wanting for pace either. I'd get a price on upgrading the sat nav to a Columbus unit, xenons and 18's but that would just be my preference on options.

MugMugs

What is it for Xenons on an order of these things ? 900 quid ?

People who buy that kind of car and don't equip Xenons should be whipped

EPM

MugMugs wrote: »

What is it for Xenons on an order of these things ? 900 quid ?

People who buy that kind of car and don't equip Xenons should be whipped

€1100 I think. Big wad on a €28k car and they'd have to be a factory order too.

-Corkie-

EPM wrote: »

€1100 I think. Big wad on a €28k car and they'd have to be a factory order too.

A good aftermarket kit is just as good imo.

E39MSport

Got another Greenline 1.6tdi this week.

Needs some serious foot slammage to get of the mark. Not great on that front.

On the populous front - I got a mates entire sitting room and hallway carpet and underlay in there

EPM

-Corkie- wrote: »

A good aftermarket kit is just as good imo.

If you can get a good kit then definitely. You'll lose out on the washers and auto leveling but washers can be retrofitted if you must have them and auto leveling is another thing to go wrong as the sensors can fail.

MugMugs

Are the washers and auto level not a legal obligation or is that just the UK ?

EPM

MugMugs wrote: »

Are the washers and auto level not a legal obligation or is that just the UK ?

I think it's Europe wide tbh.

IrishZeus

Actually ended up in an Octavia Vrs last night, the OH got it from work for two weeks.

Was pleasantly surprised by the power - quite a nippy car given its size, good pull from low revs.

Have to say though, for a saloon car I found the ride quite bumpy. A lot of road feedback. Also found the steering quite heavy...

Still though, would deffo consider testing one in the future if I was changing...!

vectra

One thing I would advise potential purchasers to watch out for is that damn Cabin noise.
Take them for a good run on various road surfaces..There are times I just want to get out of my one.
To be fair it is the only real gripe I have with the car and can be helped with a change of tyres.
I have Bridgestone tyres on mine and they are noisy.
I hear that Dunlops are worse.

I an thinking of some soundproofing is on the cards.

Other than that.
No problems
2 faults since getting it 13 months ago. >>

1) Crack in the stainless trim on the drivers door > Dealer fitted new door card.

2) Speaker in rear drivers side door popping,> Dealer fitted a new one again.


Other than that I do a lot of town driving.

averaging 43mpg.
No problem with DPF or anything yet.

Would I buy another one?
Tossing a coin as to which colour to order next time round

MugMugs

vvRS Blue hands down. Or that lime green Skoda snot colour if they do it in vRS

EPM

MugMugs wrote: »

vvRS Blue hands down. Or that lime green Skoda snot colour if they do it in vRS

Think you can order that on MY2012 cars.

Lex Luthor

I would imagine the Seat Exeo is more of a "cheaper" version of the A4/Passat? Certainly from the inside it looks like the previous A4

vectra

MugMugs wrote: »

vvRS Blue hands down. Or that lime green Skoda snot colour if they do it in vRS

EPM wrote: »

Think you can order that on MY2012 cars.

Is available as EPM said
Here is a photoshop view

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I would imagine the Seat Exeo is more of a "cheaper" version of the A4/Passat? Certainly from the inside it looks like the previous A4

It is the older A4 with some slight changes

Tea 1000

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I would imagine the Seat Exeo is more of a "cheaper" version of the A4/Passat? Certainly from the inside it looks like the previous A4

The Exeo is the previous A4 with the interior from the A4 Cabriolet, which was different to the saloon.

vectra

Tea 1000 wrote: »

The Exeo is the previous A4 with the interior Dash from the A4 Cabriolet, which was different to the saloon.

FYP

MugMugs

Would you consider the green vRS lads?

vectra

MugMugs wrote: »

Would you consider the green vRS lads?

I asked my wife about this last week.
I would order it in Rallye Green with Black alloys/ Grill/ Door Mirrors/ Black Spliter/ Black leather interior

She said she would divorce me if I did

Now I am thinking even more of ordering it LOL :pac:

MugMugs

New car. New woman to boot! Win win!

166man

Angelina Magnificent Outfield wrote: »

I've had Fiats and an Alfa Romeo 156 which were all without exception mechanically superior to my Octavia.

Good old trusty Alfa..

Matt Simis

si_guru wrote: »

Octavia is based on a Golf not a Passat.

The boot is huge for that segment of car.

The Passat is also based on the Golf chassis, as is the Superb IRC.

The Superb (estate) is a much nicer and more interesting car than the Octavia IMO.

EPM

Matt Simis wrote: »

The Passat is also based on the Golf chassis, as is the Superb IRC.

The Superb (estate) is a much nicer and more interesting car than the Octavia IMO.

Lengthened Golf PQ46 platform under both.

-Corkie-

I seen a yellow one today on the N20. It looks god awful.

EPM

-Corkie- wrote: »

I seen a yellow one today on the N20. It looks god awful.

There's one going around alright. I don't know what they were thinking tbh. Yellow doesn't work in this country.

-Corkie-

EPM wrote: »

There's one going around alright. I don't know what they were thinking tbh. Yellow doesn't work in this country.

The lime green one Vectra was one about is brutal too. I think she would cut my manhood off if I came home with it no to mind a divorce..

EPM

-Corkie- wrote: »

The lime green one Vectra was one about is brutal too. I think she would cut my manhood off if I came home with it no to mind a divorce..

I like it but wouldn't buy it. Even the blue stands out too much for me. Black or silver ftw.