VW Golf or Skoda

ddarcy

So VW is doing a 0% offer on the Golf Highline as well as Skoda Octavia (I’ve looked st the Style here).

I typically buy a new car and run it into the ground. Had a great Mondeo for years (petrol going on 300k now, how it still runs I do not know). I’m wondering what people here thought on the two? I’m was not impressed by the new Mondeo.

My general concern is that this is the end of the mark Golf. It’s a really nice car though, although the rules of the offer kind of restrict me to colours that I don’t really want (has to be registered etc by end of month). The Octavia honestly reminds me of the Mondeo and is cheaper. Space wise is great as well. Have to say I’m quiet impressed by it.

I’d say I’m leaning for the Octavia, but thought I’d throw out there to see what you all think. Would you recommend something else? My budget would be 35k max and my mileage is running at about 35k per year as well. I’m renting and in the country, so electric is a non runner. The nearest charger is 10km from me when working, so really not doable.

GustavoFring

I'd look at a superb over an Octavia as a long term bet. 35k would buy a nice spec, better equipment and comfort.

Casati

GustavoFring wrote: »

I'd look at a superb over an Octavia as a long term bet. 35k would buy a nice spec, better equipment and comfort.

I have a Superb and previously use of an Octavia and their is no comparison but I would look at the Mondeo again as you get the 2.0 for just over 30k, which is great value. You need a 2.0 with the Supberb but it will be close to 35k for Ambition spec which isn’t that exciting.

Presume your buying diesel so remember that both the Golf and Octavia make do with a 5 speed box if your buying the 1.6

Lantus

Both different cars. Golf is smaller and generally has a nicer interior subject to preference. 35k will get you almost any octavia.

Style is very nice and packed with features.

That budget may get a superb which is a good long term bet?

micks_address

Yes I bought a 35.5 k Octavia with 2 litre dsg, style, sportline. Nice car but I can't help feel if I spent the same money on a superb with slightly lower spec I'd have better resale value

AMKC

Don't buy either. Check out the brand new Peugeot 508. The Opel Insignia in the right colour is really nice too as is the just revamped Mazda 6. The new Toyota Corolla is a nice car too.

DaveyDave

Maybe it's just me but the interior of the Corolla is hideous looking. Typical Japanese plastic yoke, nice looking on the outside though.

If you're looking at a Golf or Octavia get a DSG gearbox. Either 1.5 petrol or 2 litre diesel. If you're going petrol I'd say get tech pack, 18" wheels, keyless entry, paddle shifter and LED headlights and haggle down to €35k. If you're going diesel maybe skip the 18" wheels or LED headlights due to cost. Sound system is fairly decent so not necessary to upgrade in my opinion. Turn up the bass on the equalizer and it gets nice and punchy without distortion.

Octavia Style is €1,500 more than the Golf like for like, but maybe you don't want heated seats, tint or digital dash etc. It does come with the bigger 9" infotainment but I find the 8" to be ideal.

The climate controls are a bit cheap looking in the Skoda with the glossy plastic, someone said they're the same but they aren't and the alcantara sport seats in the Golf also give it a nice touch, it definitely has the edge on the inside.

Can't go wrong either way to be honest.

micks_address

DaveyDave wrote: »

Maybe it's just me but the interior of the Corolla is hideous looking. Typical Japanese plastic yoke.

If you're looking at a Golf or Octavia get a DSG gearbox. Either 1.5 petrol or 2 litre diesel. If you're going petrol I'd say get tech pack, 18" wheels, keyless entry, paddle shifter and LED headlights and haggle down to €35k. If you're going diesel maybe skip the 18" wheels or LED headlights due to cost. Sound system is fairly decent so not necessary to upgrade in my opinion. Turn up the bass on the equalizer and it gets nice and punchy without distortion.

Octavia Style is €1,500 more than the Golf like for like, but maybe you don't want heated seats, tint or digital dash etc. It does come with the bigger 9" infotainment but I find the 8" to be ideal.

The climate controls are a bit cheap looking in the Skoda with the glossy plastic, someone said they're the same but they aren't and the alcantara sport seats in the Golf also give it a nice touch.

Can't go wrong either way to be honest.

Good advice and not the typical skoda are just cheap vws that often goes around

cute geoge

I have 1.6 d 131 octavia and wife has the 131 d highline golf .No comparison really ,octavia is mighty strong reliable ,great road holding and great power for 1.6 .Golf nothing exceptional ,injecters replaced .To tell you the truth i could not praise the octavia enough .I would say it might see me out!!!

bazz26

DaveyDave wrote: »

Maybe it's just me but the interior of the Corolla is hideous looking. Typical Japanese plastic yoke, nice looking on the outside though.

If you're looking at a Golf or Octavia get a DSG gearbox. Either 1.5 petrol or 2 litre diesel. If you're going petrol I'd say get tech pack, 18" wheels, keyless entry, paddle shifter and LED headlights and haggle down to €35k. If you're going diesel maybe skip the 18" wheels or LED headlights due to cost. Sound system is fairly decent so not necessary to upgrade in my opinion. Turn up the bass on the equalizer and it gets nice and punchy without distortion.

Octavia Style is €1,500 more than the Golf like for like, but maybe you don't want heated seats, tint or digital dash etc. It does come with the bigger 9" infotainment but I find the 8" to be ideal.

The climate controls are a bit cheap looking in the Skoda with the glossy plastic, someone said they're the same but they aren't and the alcantara sport seats in the Golf also give it a nice touch, it definitely has the edge on the inside.

Can't go wrong either way to be honest.

Have you actually seen or been in the new Corolla interior, I think it looks pretty decent for the class it's in to be honest. Looks a major improvement over the last model.

Personally I wouldn't be buying a current model brand new Golf at this stage of it's life, the Mk8 is about 6 months away from launch, similar with the current Octavia, these models are 6 years old now and will feel dated quickly when the new ones launch.

scuba8

I have a 171 Octavia 1lt dsg ambition. My wife has a Golf 1.6d highline.
Both are excellent cars. The Golfis probably better to drive but it is smaller especially the boot. The Octavia is very smooth to drive. The dsg gearbox is seamless. It has great space in the boot.
I am very impressed with both cars. If you need a bit of boot space get the Octavia. If you don't need the extra room get the Golf.
Whichever you go for you will not be disappointed.

NIMAN

AMKC wrote: »

Don't buy either. Check out the brand new Peugeot 508. The Opel Insignia in the right colour is really nice too as is the just revamped Mazda 6. The new Toyota Corolla is a nice car too.

Hadn't really seen one of these, so checked out the photos.

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2174462&r=s.php%3Fm%3D67%26o%3D2182%26r%3D2019%26g%3D0

It looks beautiful from the front and inside, but not mad on its profile from the side.

From the rear, is it a copy of the Mustang?

ddarcy

Thanks all. I actually saw a 508 at the local Peugeot dealer. I’m going to test it out and see. It’s a stunner of a car. I don’t normally go for blue cars, but the blue really sets it apart. They’ve a red one as well and I’d probably pass on that. It doesn’t work with the style in my opinion.

Also will look at the Superb. I think that might be a bit much. Although in saying that I guess it could be bought with future proofing per se. I’m leaning for the Octavia due to boot space. The Golf interested me in that they’re supposed to be good for resale later on.

kravmaga

I would go with the Skoda Octavia, I have one, never let me down, started 1st time even in the bad weather last year, beast from the east snow storm, front wheel drive , massive boot space, its a work horse of a car.

See this article also on its re sale value in Ireland.

https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/motors/2019/0116/1023573-skoda-octavia-now-has-best-second-hand-value-in-ireland/

Shefwedfan

If you plan on keeping the car for a long time then you are better off spending your money on the more comfortable car.....

The VW will be a better drive to a Skoda

But then again if you really want a lovely car then go to the A3.....test drive and you will know what I am talking about

Gael23

How about the Nissan Pulsar?

Shefwedfan

Gael23 wrote: »

How about the Nissan Pulsar?

Better to buy leaf 2

The pulsar is pulled in combustion version

Gael23

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Better to buy leaf 2

The pulsar is pulled in combustion version

Is that definitely happening? Bad move by Nissan if so.

bazz26

The Pulsar was dropped simply because it was a poor seller in Europe for Nissan. It wasn't part of a planned strategy or anything.

Shefwedfan

Gael23 wrote: »

Is that definitely happening? Bad move by Nissan if so.

Not really, the Leaf was outselling it and with the new 60kWh coming out they don’t really need a combustion version of it

Gael23

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Not really, the Leaf was outselling it and with the new 60kWh coming out they don’t really need a combustion version of it

The Leaf doesn’t suit everyone.
The Qashqai is going to be too expensive for some buyers so Nissan are excluding themselves from a popular segment of the market

Shefwedfan

Gael23 wrote: »

The Leaf doesn’t suit everyone.
The Qashqai is going to be too expensive for some buyers so Nissan are excluding themselves from a popular segment of the market

The market trend is going away from cars to Crossover/Compact Crossover and SUV.



You will see more and more car manufacturer drop non performing models.



The Leaf 60kWh will suit 90% of people that bought a Pulsar. The other option then is the Juke.....then up to the Qashqai....

Philb76

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Gael23 wrote: »

The Leaf doesn’t suit everyone.
The Qashqai is going to be too expensive for some buyers so Nissan are excluding themselves from a popular segment of the market

The market trend is going away from cars to Crossover/Compact Crossover and SUV.



You will see more and more car manufacturer drop non performing models.



The Leaf 60kWh will suit 90% of people that bought a Pulsar. The other option then is the Juke.....then up to the Qashqai....

Ur right but the two cars the op is looking at are strong performers Octavia is as practical and well built as any vw and this argument about interior plastic quality is getting a bit boring now

Old diesel

Like I said before with Toyota - Nissan arent going to make market decisions based on what a few Irish drivers want.

It's based on wider market.

In the US they will sell you Sentras, Altimas and Maximas as saloons because they see a market for saloons there.

If Nissan Europe saw a viable market for Saloons then Maxima and Co would be looked at for Europe.

They don't see that market been there so no saloons.

People think Nissan and Toyota make decisions like.....

Nissan - no saloons AT ALL and no hatchback bigger then Micra.

Toyota - no diesels aside from Hilux/Landcruiser and Proace.

Just out of sheer stupidity.

When in reality the market openings for Toyota is hybrid stuff and for Nissan in EVs and crossovers.

Shefwedfan

Philb76 wrote: »

Ur right but the two cars the op is looking at are strong performers Octavia is as practical and well built as any vw and this argument about interior plastic quality is getting a bit boring now

I was answering a post about the Pulsar....


VW bought Skoda as a cheap brand to sell cars at a lower cost with lower spec etc....this seems to escape people in Ireland who think Skoda is better to VW, VW would never allow this....the same as the VW brand will never be better to Audi

Test drive a Skoda, then test drive a VW and then test drive a Audi. Audi is a huge jump up from both brands but the VW is also a significant jump up from Skoda.



Comparing a top of the range Skoda with a bottom of the range VW is not really a comparison.



The OP has 35k, this will get him/her into an Audi A3...they plan to keep for a long time then best bet is to go with the best and most comfortable car.....Audi ticks all those boxes

micks_address

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Philb76 wrote: »

Ur right but the two cars the op is looking at are strong performers Octavia is as practical and well built as any vw and this argument about interior plastic quality is getting a bit boring now

I was answering a post about the Pulsar....


VW bought Skoda as a cheap brand to sell cars at a lower cost with lower spec etc....this seems to escape people in Ireland who think Skoda is better to VW, VW would never allow this....the same as the VW brand will never be better to Audi

Test drive a Skoda, then test drive a VW and then test drive a Audi. Audi is a huge jump up from both brands but the VW is also a significant jump up from Skoda.



Comparing a top of the range Skoda with a bottom of the range VW is not really a comparison.



The OP has 35k, this will get him/her into an Audi A3...they plan to keep for a long time then best bet is to go with the best and most comfortable car.....Audi ticks all those boxes

That's not accurate. Come drive my octavia and tell me it's not as good as a 2 litre dsg golf.. skoda use vw parts to build their cars with their own designs . Often can be more reliable as they don't get the first cut of new stuff..which by it's nature can be buggy.. I've driven a friends a4 and I actually wouldn't take it over my octavia.. I'm not blinded by brand..

Old diesel

The Golf Mk 7 estate is growing on me.

I'd be looking to see if theres any of those left in the system.

Others have mentioned the Superb.

A beautiful car in the right spec but as a new car that spec is out of reach at 35 k.

You ideally want a 2.0 tdi 150 style with cream leather, adaptive cruise, DSG box and other such things to properly make a nice job of it.

Not really getting the full lovelyliness of the Superb with black cloth, manual box and lower power levels

Shefwedfan

micks_address wrote: »

That's not accurate. Come drive my octavia and tell me it's not as good as a 2 litre dsg golf.. skoda use vw parts to build their cars with their own designs . Often can be more reliable as they don't get the first cut of new stuff..which by it's nature can be buggy.. I've driven a friends a4 and I actually wouldn't take it over my octavia.. I'm not blinded by brand..

No point having the same discussion on every thread.If you can't differentiate between the drive in a Skoda/VW/Audi then you are 100% correct in buying the Skoda.


Personally I have driven all 3 and their is a huge difference between each of them. When possible and I have the budget I go for the Audi all day long. Beautiful cars and a nice place to be for a long distance.



Next I will buy the VW, yet to buy a Skoda and I don't think I will ever buy one.

I would prefer to drop down a plate and get a nice VW or even 2 plates and get a nicer Audi....

grogi

micks_address wrote: »

That's not accurate. Come drive my octavia and tell me it's not as good as a 2 litre dsg golf.. skoda use vw parts to build their cars with their own designs . Often can be more reliable as they don't get the first cut of new stuff..which by it's nature can be buggy.. I've driven a friends a4 and I actually wouldn't take it over my octavia.. I'm not blinded by brand..

You might not be blinded by brand, but have you heard about Choice-supportive bias?

Ionised

Shall we add Seat into the VW-Audi-Skoda argument? Shame to leave them out I think.

Shefwedfan

Ionised wrote: »

Shall we add Seat into the VW-Audi-Skoda argument? Shame to leave them out I think.

Personally, which will drive some people around the bend, I prefer the Seat to the Skoda, I like the new Crossover range they have....I just have never owned or driven one....well I have driven the Alhambra but not really relevant in this discussion

Old diesel

Ionised wrote: »

Shall we add Seat into the VW-Audi-Skoda argument? Shame to leave them out I think.

Yes 35 k should buy a nice Ateca especially nearly new.

Same with Leon Estate

Old diesel

This is a nice Ateca if it's still there. (Ad updated 7 days ago).

2.0 tdi 150 ps, leather etc.

2nd hand though.

Apologies for no link I'm on the phone - I just wanted to illustrate that 35 k can get you a nice Ateca

DaveyDave

That Pugeot 508 is a nice looking motor, very smart on the inside and a bit attention grabbing on the outside. Very nice indeed.