Reasons not to buy an Octavia

tibor_imo · 06-08-2018 02:59PM #1

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 · 06-08-2018 03:26PM

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

bazz26 · 06-08-2018 07:10PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:14PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:19PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:21PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:23PM

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

Philb76 · 06-08-2018 07:28PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:39PM

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

colm_mcm · 06-08-2018 07:39PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:45PM

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 · 06-08-2018 07:51PM

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

Have you looked at Lexus

colm_mcm · 06-08-2018 08:05PM

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 · 06-08-2018 09:24PM

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 · 06-08-2018 09:31PM

Kia or Hyundai

tibor_imo · 06-08-2018 09:37PM

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 · 06-08-2018 09:48PM

khaldrogo wrote: »

Kia or Hyundai

Looked at the i30 tourer too. What Kia?

colm_mcm · 06-08-2018 09:49PM

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 · 06-08-2018 09:51PM

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 · 06-08-2018 10:24PM

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 · 07-08-2018 09:18AM

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 · 07-08-2018 09:45AM

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 · 07-08-2018 09:47AM

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 · 07-08-2018 09:55AM

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 · 07-08-2018 11:26AM

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 · 07-08-2018 11:28AM

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 · 07-08-2018 11:33AM

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 · 07-08-2018 11:39AM

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 · 07-08-2018 11:44AM

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 · 07-08-2018 11:58AM

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 · 07-08-2018 12:08PM

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.

Reasons not to buy an Octavia

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