Bad idea to buy new at moment?

Go Tobban

Hi all,

I'm currently looking to buy a new Octavia in the next few months. I'm 29 now so would really want it to last as a family car for the next 10 years. I'd buy with the intention of driving it until it dies to be honest

With all the new proposed laws around banning the sale of petrol/diesel motors, would I be mad to buy new? I'm thinking that tax and all the other fees that might come along in the not so distant future, it could be a costly move if they actually go ahead and implement them.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

maidhc

if you are keeping a car for 10 years then resale value doesn't matter. Also, it is not like there is a replacement or better technology out there for diesel for medium/large size cars that do reasonable mileage.

I'd suspect in 10 years time you will be buying into a mature market for EVs, but it will take that long I would think for the market to evolve.

Lantus

You cannot say you will keep a car for that long with total certainty.

7 years is a good time to keep car and then trade.

Modern diesels are fine but the petrols are frugal so consider them also. Petrol is cheaper than diesel to buy so unless mileage will be really high you won't see a huge benefit.

Octavia is a great car. Consider higher spec or options if your going long term. Sensors. Heated seats etc. A little extra but gets a lot in terms of value.

No one knows for sure what will happen re petrol and diesel being banned in 2030 ish. But as we all own those cars there will be some sort of incentive to migrate.

Zubeneschamali

Go Tobban wrote: »

I'm currently looking to buy a new Octavia in the next few months.

I am doing likewise - my S-Max is coming up on 10 years old, and I don't need such a large bus anymore.

Not bothered in the slightest about the "banning" of diesel/petrol in x years stuff because a) it's hot air and b) even if it happens, it just means I'll be scrapping the Octavia for an electric car in 10 years instead of scrapping it for a petrol/diesel.

Scoondal

I suggest that you forget about the hype about diesels being suddenly bad. I drive an Octavia 1.6 diesel with "DPF". This means that co2 emmissions are very small. The recent turn against diesel cars relates to nitrous oxide emmissions. There is a lot of work going on to reduce these "Nox" polluntants.
If I was buying a Skoda now, and considering that they don't have hydrid or electric cars yet, I would consider a petrol engine. But by next year they could also have a cleaned up diesel engine. If you are buying a car now for the long term, a conservative and factual approach is the the way to go. Don't be swayed by hype and popular opinion. The government can't suddenly penalise people who own a diesel car without due notice of many years or else compensation or a scrappage type deal.
Pick the best car for your needs now that is for sale now.

Scoondal

It is not the consumer's problem to have to guess what government policy will be in the future.

Arthur Daley

They can only force us to go electric in drips and drabs. I see it taking quite some time. If enough of us flat out refuse on a logical basis, it can and will take decades.

Go Tobban

Lantus wrote: »

You cannot say you will keep a car for that long with total certainty.

7 years is a good time to keep car and then trade.

Modern diesels are fine but the petrols are frugal so consider them also. Petrol is cheaper than diesel to buy so unless mileage will be really high you won't see a huge benefit.

Octavia is a great car. Consider higher spec or options if your going long term. Sensors. Heated seats etc. A little extra but gets a lot in terms of value.

No one knows for sure what will happen re petrol and diesel being banned in 2030 ish. But as we all own those cars there will be some sort of incentive to migrate.

Yeah I actually meant to say I will be going petrol in the op. I'm living in Dublin and my commute isn't bad so I wouldn't really see the benefits of going Diesel

In terms of spec, I'd go mid range. Not too fussed on parking sensors but heated seats for the Winter sounds good:D

Go Tobban

Scoondal wrote: »

It is not the consumer's problem to have to guess what government policy will be in the future.

It shouldn't be but I think it would be foolish not to take it in to consideration

I'd be sick if a new ridiculous tax scheme came in a few years down the line when I plan to have the car for a lengthy term

grogi

Lantus wrote: »

No one knows for sure what will happen re petrol and diesel being banned in 2030 ish. But as we all own those cars there will be some sort of incentive to migrate.

The ban, with 2040 being more probable, will be FOR NEWLY REGISTERED cars. What is on the roads, will be able to stay there as long as it can move...

grogi

Go Tobban wrote: »

Yeah I actually meant to say I will be going petrol in the op. I'm living in Dublin and my commute isn't bad so I wouldn't really see the benefits of going Diesel

In terms of spec, I'd go mid range. Not too fussed on parking sensors but heated seats for the Winter sounds good:D

Sensors are one of the best things invented... Autobox and ACC are the second and third in my list...

Go Tobban

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I am doing likewise - my S-Max is coming up on 10 years old, and I don't need such a large bus anymore.

Not bothered in the slightest about the "banning" of diesel/petrol in x years stuff because a) it's hot air and b) even if it happens, it just means I'll be scrapping the Octavia for an electric car in 10 years instead of scrapping it for a petrol/diesel.

True enough. I'd be surprised if they get any real change going in 10 years but it seems to be talked about more and more the last few months, hence my concern

Out of interest, what have you seen price wise at the moment for a new Octavia? My current car would fetch 3/4 grand max private sale but I'd be interested to hear if there's any decent Skoda trade in offers at the moment

Zubeneschamali

Go Tobban wrote: »

Out of interest, what have you seen price wise at the moment for a new Octavia? My current car would fetch 3/4 grand max private sale but I'd be interested to hear if there's any decent Skoda trade in offers at the moment

My S-Max is 10 years old with 392,000 km up - it's only worth scrappage. Skoda will give 3500 against an Octavia or 4000 off a Superb.

who_ru

maidhc wrote: »

if you are keeping a car for 10 years then resale value doesn't matter. Also, it is not like there is a replacement or better technology out there for diesel for medium/large size cars that do reasonable mileage.

.

Have you heard of hybrids? Lexus or Prius will get 60+ mpg.

maidhc

who_ru wrote: »

Have you heard of hybrids? Lexus or Prius will get 60+ mpg.

No they won't, hybrids won't get close to diesel for open road driving in larger cars. City driving is a different matter.

ftm2008

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

My S-Max is 10 years old with 392,000 km up - it's only worth scrappage. Skoda will give 3500 against an Octavia or 4000 off a Superb.

according their their site for ECO grant the Octavia is 2750 and superb is 3750 and no mention of 'scrappage deals'
where did you see these numbers?

who_ru

maidhc wrote: »

No they won't, hybrids won't get close to diesel for open road driving in larger cars. City driving is a different matter.

I could link to 100s of YouTube videos presented by owners and reviewers proving the 60+ mpg of hybrids. But why bother...hybrids are cheaper to run too and less expensive to service.

Shefwedfan

I think it might be better if OP actually gave us a view of what mileage he is doing.

Are you doing lots of short trips? long trips? city driving etc.

I can't believe some of the comments on here. Diesel is not the answer to every question, neither is electric. You need to find what suits your driving best and if keeping for 10 years then no point buying something now and regretting for next 10 years.....

maidhc

who_ru wrote: »

I could link to 100s of YouTube videos presented by owners and reviewers proving the 60+ mpg of hybrids. But why bother...hybrids are cheaper to run too and less expensive to service.

In some cases. A hybrid driving from Cork to Belfast is just a petrol car with a heavy battery, economy would be poor. A diesel doing short journeys around they city is a disaster. Definitely not a case if one size fits all.

Few if any estate sized cars do 60mpg over a few tanks. You will do well to beat 50 on most.

grogi

ftm2008 wrote: »

according their their site for ECO grant the Octavia is 2750 and superb is 3750 and no mention of 'scrappage deals'
where did you see these numbers?

But those are the same, aren't they?

Zubeneschamali

ftm2008 wrote: »

where did you see these numbers?

They were all over the site, but seem to be gone this week, replaced by that ecogrant, which is a bit less, and may have different Ts&Cs.

But the 3500 figure is on my order form, which is what matters to me!

ftm2008

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

They were all over the site, but seem to be gone this week, replaced by that ecogrant, which is a bit less, and may have different Ts&Cs.

But the 3500 figure is on my order form, which is what matters to me!

missed the boat,, did you manage to get the 0% finance also ,, hopefully the new year will bring improved offers anyway good luck with the purchase

Zubeneschamali

ftm2008 wrote: »

missed the boat,, did you manage to get the 0% finance also

I think it was an either 0% OR scrappage offer, not both.

MidMan25

If you are really serious about keeping it for 7-10 years then get the best spec you can afford and don't be shy about adding some options. If I was buying an Octavia it would be the Style spec with 1.0 TSI.

Options Worth Considering

- LED Headlights
- Heated Seats
- Front + Rear Parking Sensors (Reversing Camera better again!)

Lantus

MidMan25 wrote:

- LED Headlights - Heated Seats - Front + Rear Parking Sensors (Reversing Camera better again!)

Wise words. Heated seats are awesome! You get warm in seconds on a cold day.

I'd also consider dual air con if your married. A marriage saver I'm told.

Sensors are a great addition to reduce any risk of a silly bump.

Scoondal

Lantus wrote: »

Wise words. Heated seats are awesome! You get warm in seconds on a cold day.

I'd also consider dual air con if your married. A marriage saver I'm told.

Sensors are a great addition to reduce any risk of a silly bump.

I just saw this reply. Subtly funny.

I spend 7 to 10 hours a day in my car and all these extras are nonsense.

uck51js9zml2yt

MidMan25 wrote: »

If you are really serious about keeping it for 7-10 years then get the best spec you can afford and don't be shy about adding some options. If I was buying an Octavia it would be the Style spec with 1.0 TSI.

Options Worth Considering

- LED Headlights
- Heated Seats
- Front + Rear Parking Sensors (Reversing Camera better again!)

I fitted an after market rear camera to my 07 Octavia. Best thing I ever did.