Reasons not to buy an Octavia

tibor_imo

Hi all,

Our trusty Peugeot 207 has sadly passed away so in the market for a new (used) replacement.

We have a 3 month old and all the baggage that comes with it - likely another coming along in the next few years.

Mileage wouldn't be massive, a Dublin city > Blanch commute and the usual runarounds with a few weekends away. Hence leaning towards a petrol model.

Budget tops out at 15k and would ideally be 141 or newer.

All of my research to date points to a Skoda Octavia, has the boot space, reliability and price point. Looking at something like this:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/octavia/used-2015-152-skoda-octavia-petrol-st-dublin-fpa-201807278875553

So....What alternatives are out there that people would suggest? Any reasons to not go for the Skoda Octavia? Anything to look out for in used petrol models? Above model look decent?

Thanks for any input!

Philb76

None they are an excellent car great practicality drive well and that looks like a nice one style spec also

bazz26

I wouldn't buy that particular Octavia. It's incorrectly advertised as a Style model when in fact it's the base Active model, doesn't even have a front arm rest or stereo controls on the steering wheel and has windy windows in the rear.

Philb76

bazz26 wrote: »

I wouldn't buy that particular Octavia. It's incorrectly advertised as a Style model when in fact it's the base Active model, doesn't even have a front arm rest or stereo controls on the steering wheel and has windy windows in the rear.

Yeah noticed that after style is high spec no fog lights wind up Windows in the back for that price wud be wanting better spec

bazz26

Looking at it closer and seeing it has alloy wheels which the Irish Active doesn't have, would make me think it might be a UK car.

Philb76

bazz26 wrote: »

Looking at it closer and seeing it has alloy wheels which the Irish Active doesn't have, would make me think it might be a UK car.

Looks like a uk s spec car

colm_mcm

This era 1.2 TSI would be prone to timing chain rattles?

Philb76

colm_mcm wrote: »

This era 1.2 TSI would be prone to timing chain rattles?

I thought the tsi engines were all belt by then cud be wrong though

bazz26

I think they switched to a belt when the Mk3 Octavia came out.

colm_mcm

Philb76 wrote: »

I thought the tsi engines were all belt by then cud be wrong though

Yeah, the VWs had them by mid 2014 anyway, but not sure if it was rolled out across all brands at the same time.

FurBabyMomma

Recently had to move to a 7 seater so had to trade in our beloved Octavia estate. I am GUTTED! It was so reliable, the boot space was amazing (I have 3 dogs) and the interior was cleverly designed when it came to pockets, etc. I'm driving a Peugeot 5008 now and I've already had grief and storage is rubbish. My mil has the Octavia now and she's loving it too. I keep threatening to take it back

Shefwedfan

With that sort of driving a hybrid will give you better MPG....

Have you looked at Lexus

colm_mcm

The only issue with Lexus is that the boot in the CT is tiny, and a 141 IS (which is a saloon and mightn’t suit for practicality) would be most likely be outside budget (it is just about possible to get a good one with high mileage from the uk outside of the dealer network if you do enough hunting)

Auris tourer Hybrid might do it though?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807178544832?model=AURIS&postcode=bt11bh&minimum-mileage=5000&sort=sponsored&body-type=Estate&advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-mileage=60000&price-from=4000&make=TOYOTA&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&fuel-type=Hybrid%20–%20Petrol%2FElectric&page=1

tibor_imo

Shefwedfan wrote: »

With that sort of driving a hybrid will give you better MPG....

Have you looked at Lexus

Yeah have considered the is300h but probably topping out the budget for an older model with a lot more miles on the clock. Maybe worth investigating a bit more.

khaldrogo

Kia or Hyundai

tibor_imo

colm_mcm wrote: »

Yeah, the VWs had them by mid 2014 anyway, but not sure if it was rolled out across all brands at the same time.

Thanks guys. Going to have a gander at it tomorrow anyway so will make sure to check this out.

tibor_imo

khaldrogo wrote: »

Kia or Hyundai

Looked at the i30 tourer too. What Kia?

colm_mcm

tibor_imo wrote: »

Looked at the i30 tourer too. What Kia?

Kia Ceed is the same idea as the Hyundai i30.
Up until very recently, both cars had an uncomplicated 1.4 petrol engine. No turbo to worry about. The Kia would have had a 7 year /160k warranty from new, the Hyundai 5 years / unlimited mileage.

0lddog

What is a Dacia Logan like ?

I see the same dealer as the Skoda has an ex demo 181 petrol unit up for sale :

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/dacia/logan/used-2018-181-dacia-logan-signature-a-dublin-fpa-201806117376918


OP have you considered a Leaf ?

( ask on the EV forum where to buy & what they think of for e.g. https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/leaf/used-2014-141-nissan-leaf-accenta-5dr-dublin-fpa-2496499552647637300?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_FPA_FROM_FEAT_LIST )

Lantus

Just back from camping with bikes, tent, bedding table, chairs etc, cool box powered in boot and loads of bags with zero hassle. Great car.

For long term bike trips think about a tow bar. Wish I had one.

Get ambition spec as a minimum. Yes petrol is better but a good diesel will likely last as well and there is great selection.

tibor_imo

0lddog wrote: »

What is a Dacia Logan like ?

I see the same dealer as the Skoda has an ex demo 181 petrol unit up for sale :

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/dacia/logan/used-2018-181-dacia-logan-signature-a-dublin-fpa-201806117376918

OP have you considered a Leaf ?

( ask on the EV forum where to buy & what they think of for e.g. https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/leaf/used-2014-141-nissan-leaf-accenta-5dr-dublin-fpa-2496499552647637300?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_FPA_FROM_FEAT_LIST )

The Logan may well be practical but don't think I could bring myself to drive that around just yet!

I had briefly looked at a Leaf. Not overly keen on the older models cosmetically, new one looks great.

Cheers!

terrydel

FurBabyMomma wrote: »

Recently had to move to a 7 seater so had to trade in our beloved Octavia estate. I am GUTTED! It was so reliable, the boot space was amazing (I have 3 dogs) and the interior was cleverly designed when it came to pockets, etc. I'm driving a Peugeot 5008 now and I've already had grief and storage is rubbish. My mil has the Octavia now and she's loving it too. I keep threatening to take it back

What size dogs if you dont mind me asking? I've 2 medium sized ones (20-25kg) and looking for a car that can accomodate them in the boot.
What year Octavia was it?

Turbulent Bill

tibor_imo wrote: »

Thanks guys. Going to have a gander at it tomorrow anyway so will make sure to check this out.

I have a very early (132) 3rd-gen Octavia with the 1.2TSI and it's belt-driven, don't think the older chain-driven TSI was ever available in it.

Have ours a few years and it's a great family car. As others mentioned, go for the Elegance / Style spec, can be hard to find with the petrol engines though.

uck51js9zml2yt

No reason not to get one.
Have one 5 years. It's 10 years old. Nothing major gone wrong.

Get the estate if possible. A great family car.

tibor_imo

Aya Jolly Swatter wrote: »

No reason not to get one.
Have one 5 years. It's 10 years old. Nothing major gone wrong.

Get the estate if possible. A great family car.

Thanks for this. I'm a fan of the estate alright, but not sure if the additional size is needed.

Shefwedfan

One reason not to buy a Octavia........It's a Skoda....a cheap man/ladies Passat:P

If you are happy to drive it then no other reason....

Personally I would buy the Passat or A4 version

FurBabyMomma

Shefwedfan wrote: »

One reason not to buy a Octavia........It's a Skoda....a cheap man/ladies Passat:P

If you are happy to drive it then no other reason....

Personally I would buy the Passat or A4 version

I have no problem with it being a cheap anything, sure if it's reliable then I've much better things to spend my money on than keeping up appearances

Shefwedfan

FurBabyMomma wrote: »

I have no problem with it being a cheap anything, sure if it's reliable then I've much better things to spend my money on than keeping up appearances

Personally I like my comfort. I have been supplied a few times with Octavia's when car is in for service/repair etc.



The interior is shocking on all of them and they sound like a tractor.



I would buy a Passat/Audi a year older than the Octavia equivalent to keep those comforts. Pointless driving a car and not enjoying it.....just a personal point.....something the OP needs to decide themselves

FurBabyMomma

Well personally I've always found them comfortable to drive and the interior to be very roomy and practical. It is a personal choice as you state, which is why a responded to your 'it's a Skoda' remark, which came across and pretentious.

tibor_imo

I do have a soft spot for an audi aesthetically. Guess it's about weighing up whether sacrificing a newer car with less miles for something a bit more stylish.

FurBabyMomma

Yeah I can see what you are both saying. At the end of the day, you're getting your VW engine with either the Passat or Octavia, so it's down to your personal choice of money or aesthetics. But that's not to say that one reason is less valid than the other and painting someone as cheap because their priorities may be different doesn't cut it IMO.

terrydel

FurBabyMomma wrote: »

Yeah I can see what you are both saying. At the end of the day, you're getting your VW engine with either the Passat or Octavia, so it's down to your personal choice of money or aesthetics. But that's not to say that one reason is less valid than the other and painting someone as cheap because their priorities may be different doesn't cut it IMO.

What size dogs do you have and what year is your Octavia?

bazz26

The Octavia is not a cheaper Passat, it is based on the Golf platform but obviously has more space than a Golf.

Philb76

I wud call it smarter man ladies choice and they aren't that cheap and haven't been for a long time audis interiors are nicer but the vw are identical also passat is a superb not an Octavia

Shefwedfan

FurBabyMomma wrote: »

Well personally I've always found them comfortable to drive and the interior to be very roomy and practical. It is a personal choice as you state, which is why a responded to your 'it's a Skoda' remark, which came across and pretentious.

It was a joke :-)

The bit about the interior was not.

The Skoda is not the same as a VW. Maybe if you bought a cheap baseline Irish Passat and got the top of the line Octavia in the UK they might be similar....

But if you get a decent spec Passat their is a noticeable difference.The Audi of course is the next step up.

I don't care about the number on the plate which most people seem to be hung up on. I prefer the comforts in the car. Proper seats, dual air con, bluetoot, etc etc etc.....I would never buy a 15 Octavia instead of a higher spec Passat/Audi to get a "newer" car.

At the end of the day, you are the one that has to sit in it, drive it and use it. Can you see the number plate from the drivers seat? will you care you have a 151 at the end of a long trip and your arse is broken from the seats......


As I said, its a personal decision.

Shefwedfan

bazz26 wrote: »

The Octavia is not a cheaper Passat, it is based on the Golf platform but obviously has more space than a Golf.

So it is bigger than a Golf, similar size to a Passat then?

0lddog

tibor_imo wrote: »

The Logan may well be practical but don't think I could bring myself to drive that around just yet!........Cheers!

LOL ! I'd be the same



FWIW we have had an Octavia estate ( 02 elegance TDI ) in the family for over 10 years. Its been very very satisfactory

Philb76

Take a look at the interior of a golf and its the same as an Octavia the superb interior is the same as a passat and dual air con and those things come in an Octavia depending on the model why are you comparing Octavia with passat

bazz26

Shefwedfan wrote: »

So it is bigger than a Golf, similar size to a Passat then?

No, it's more similar to a Jetta than a Passat.

lawred2

FurBabyMomma wrote: »

Recently had to move to a 7 seater so had to trade in our beloved Octavia estate. I am GUTTED! It was so reliable, the boot space was amazing (I have 3 dogs) and the interior was cleverly designed when it came to pockets, etc. I'm driving a Peugeot 5008 now and I've already had grief and storage is rubbish. My mil has the Octavia now and she's loving it too. I keep threatening to take it back

What grief are you having with the 5008?

colm_mcm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

So it is bigger than a Golf, similar size to a Passat then?

Compare it to a Jetta?

DaveyDave

How would the interior of an Octavia compare to a Leon? Boot might not be as big but it's bigger than the 207?

bazz26

Leon is similar in size to the Golf which would be a bit smaller than the Octavia, them and along with the A3 are all based on the same platform though.

FurBabyMomma

The Octavia I had was a 2012 estate imported from the UK so the spec was quite good, in fairness.

lawred2 wrote: »

What grief are you having with the 5008?

The issues I had with the 5008 were mainly ones that should have been picked up when it was traded in as involved damage to the internals: one rear seat wouldn't lock into place and could fly up, broken clasp on boot seatbelt, broken underfloor storage, etc. I didn't notice on the test drive - 8 months pregnant so didn't examine every orifice and didn't notice the issues til I got it home. But that's from the previous owner, not the car itself.

I had heard that the electrics on Peugeots can be dodgy, which could be nonsense, but so far I've had the esp/asr error lights come on during a journey and then disappear then next time I turned on the engine, so that has me on edge. I also drove around with one auto light broken and didn't realise, as apparently there's no warning light for that, although I always had a warning light for blown bulbs on any Skoda I drove. I've only had the car a month, so the fact I've had any issues just has me irritated.

Anyway I'm dragging the thread off topic, but I guess it just highlights why I'm still fond of my dependable aul Skodas.

butrasgali

Don't forget about the octavia scout..great car..only comes in diesel..and is 4x4..

colm_mcm

butrasgali wrote: »

Don't forget about the octavia scout..great car..only comes in diesel..and is 4x4..

Ideal for someone looking for a petrol car to drive around town.

uck51js9zml2yt

FurBabyMomma wrote: »

Well personally I've always found them comfortable to drive and the interior to be very roomy and practical. It is a personal choice as you state, which is why a responded to your 'it's a Skoda' remark, which came across and pretentious.

I drove Betsey Kerry and Donegal twice last week. It was a good drive.

tibor_imo

Thanks for all the replies.

Off to look at this today: https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/octavia/used-2015-151-skoda-octavia-1-6-tdi-c-tipperary-fpa-201808179576893

Feel like I'll be doing a bit of tyre kicking. Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for apart from the usual check on service history etc?


Anyone dealt with Autolines before? Feel free to PM.

Cheers,

Wildly Boaring

tibor_imo wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

Off to look at this today: https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/octavia/used-2015-151-skoda-octavia-1-6-tdi-c-tipperary-fpa-201808179576893

Feel like I'll be doing a bit of tyre kicking. Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for apart from the usual check on service history etc?


Anyone dealt with Autolines before? Feel free to PM.

Cheers,

That's a lot of car for the money.
Looks clean too.
60k is about 20k a year which I'd prefer in a second hand diesel as too little worries me.

Get the old UK reg and check it's MOT history for free.
Get a HPI check ultimately if buying

Timing belt on these? Prob due soon

Philb76

As above usual checks great spec on that one and looks clean

tibor_imo

Looks good alright, almost too good which has me a bit wary. I figure belt and pump is due soon, have factored it into the price.