I need some advice (no flaming please!).
We have decided to replace my wife's car and would like something quick but reasonably economical. Preferably to buy used (up to 1 year old, 10000 miles) costing no more than £14k.
The Skoda Octavia VRS 2.0T FSI would seem to fit the bill. I dont know much about these cars though, so would welcome opinions from those that have owned or driven one.
I understand that this car is basically a Golf GTI, but with more room. Is that correct? Does anyone know what the top gear ratio is (in mph per 1000 rpm).
What does FSI stand for? Is it basically a standard petrol injection system that any garage could work on or would it require specialist repairer? Are they reliable?
Any other thoughts?
I have also considered a Focus ST, but they look a lot more expensive to run. Opinions?
|
We had a new Leon FR TFSI with the same engine for a year - cracking engine, pulls like a train, smooth, very little lag. No problems in the short time we had it. Not very economical, but I guess that's not why you're buying it :-)
BTW you can get a new Leon FR for under 16k.
F
|
Yeah, it's a Mark 5 Golf underneath with the GTI engine and a much larger boot. FSI stands for Fuel Stratified Injection - I believe pretty similar to a standard direct injection system with the only difference being a slight tweaking in the method of fuel being injected into the cylinder - perhaps it is more widely dispersed? I'm no technical buff - this probably shows!
Great engine though as Focus says and the DSG 'box is cracking if you don't do three pedals.
The only thing to be weary of is that VAG advise you use 98 RON fuel with these higher powered FSI motors.
What do you need the car for? Does it need to be big? If space isn't an issue i'd much rather have a Cooper S or an MX-5 2.0 Sport for the cash!
|
|
Golf GTi has one of the best four cylinder petrol engines I've driven. Fast and smooth, combine that with a bigger, cheaper, arguably better made and definitely better delared brand and its happy days.
|
Thanks.
We have the 530i which is largeish but not that roomy so the other car needs to be a decent size hatch like an Octavia or Focus. Mileage will not be a lot so petrol economy is not of the highest importance/
.
Does anyone have any comments on the reliability of the turbo FSI engine, it does seem complex. Do they have any weak spots.
I have also noticed that there are quite a lot of low miles (under 10000 mile) vrs for sale at Skoda dealers. Where do these cars come from, I was thinking maybe ex-hire cars but vrs is unlikely hire car.
I have done some web reading an jabbasport will map the vrs to about 230+ hp for under £600 which sounds a bagrain.
I would also like to use this post to reply to jbif who accused me of being a troll on other thread. I am not a troll and posts were made in good faith. Best wishes to those that were helpful.
|
Jez, Skoda is highly rated, and if you don't mind the Skoda badge it's something of a bargain. I believe they are popular with the police, so that has to be a good recommendation.
Don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anyone, so best of luck with your dealings with the BIB.
|
What are you replacing with possibly Skoda vRS. I'd say if you can ignore the badge then Skoda will offer better value and more space than the equivalent Golf with the same chassis.
"Does anyone have any comments on the reliability of the turbo FSI engine, it does seem complex. Do they have any weak spots."
It's a turbo engine so not that complex. It's certainly not as complex as 1.4TSi with super and turbo chargers! Should be good for 97mph+ ;-)
Edited by rtj70 on 16/09/2008 at 22:08
|
I don't know what the hang up is about the badge ! For the last decade Skodas have been decent motors and everyone knows that - I find it a very non-threatening car to drive compared to my recent addiction with the Bavarian badge. As one of my office people said its a car with true"Zeitgeist".
|
I have no hang-up at all and wanted one when I got the Passat. Youngest step son was against so didn't want to offend.
Since being VAG cars I think they are excellent. I fancied the previous Superb but then the company scheme stopped doing VAG cars. Now I'd probably go for the Octavia.
Good build quality, better service and cheaper.... a no brainer.
|
|
|
|
You should have a look at the Clio 197. It's a pretty big car these days and a cracking little hot hatch. You might even get a new one for your cash.
Megane R26 with the Torsen LSD is also a fantastic drive but not sure if the 14k budget will reach.
The Octavia is good, but dynamics-wise not up to the top of the class. Recent road-tests tend to show that the Golf GTI has fallen behind the competition these days, but it's by no means bad. That Clio is really excellent though.
|
Thanks for replies.
Skoda badge is not a problem if it goes OK.
Would never buy a Renault. we had a renault once and to say it wwas rubbish is an understatement.
|
I have had (since 1999) the chance to drive a few VAG cars:
- Golf MkIV GTi Turbo (6 months and then stolen)
- Audi A4 1.8SE (few weeks before went back to fleet - underpowered)
- Audi A4 1.8T Sport (nice but under spec'd)
- Passat 1.8T Sport (loan car until mine arrived)
- Passat 1.8T Sport (my choice of car - dumb they didn't ask me to take the other one!)
I liked all of them and would have another VAG car anyday. Not all reliable. First and last in the list had lots of issues but never broke down.
|
|
|
|
I'm sorry but I have to stick my oar in here.
As a fleet manager, I cannot condone someone recommending a Renault over a Skoda.
In the VAG engined cars we have, between the lot we have covered between 3.5 and 4 million miles. (average 75-100k miles to replacement) in that period, we have had only 2 catastrophic breakdowns (i.e. a fault resulting in the car not being able to make it in for repair under its own steam) In fact, across 13 Octavia's the only "unscheduled" trip to the dealer I have any record of is one that had a re-occurring problem with the boot lock.
In the small number of Renault Lagunas we have had, totaling less than 200K miles, we have had a total of 7 catastrophic failures. (and an unbelievable amount of niggle faults)
When the last Renault to end its contract, was collected by the finance company, I said to the guy "I can't wait to see the back of this car" and his response was "You won't believe how many people say that to me, it's the same with Nissans"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strangely enough I test drove this exact model yesterday. I have previously owned 2 Mk I Octavia vRS's and currently drive a Roomster2 1.9 TDi - the Skoda badge is obviously not an issue for me !
I found the Mk II a much more responsive drive than the Mk I, due I believe to a much more advanced chassis and suspension set up. The gear change was also much improved over the old car. The engine is an absolute peach, quick throughout the rev range and quiet at a cruise (70 mph = around 2400 rpm in 6th). The car I looked at was a 2007 57 plate with around 10K on the clock at £12995 from a Skoda main dealer.
I was very happy with the Mk I Octavia vRS, particulary my second one which was remapped to around 210 bhp. The Mk II seems to offer more sophistication, space and apparently remaps to around 240 bhp with a typical "stage I" map.
I will certainly be looking to change to one of these once I can secure a decent "cost to change" from the Roomster (another good car).
|
|
You can chip the 2.0FSI turbo engine to 260BHP with Revo for about £500 - makes it a real performance monster. I'd always (stupidly?) pay the extra fro the interior & brand equity of the GOlf GTi or Audi A3 with the same engine though personally
|
Just to pile in with another alternative - Vauxhall Signum 2.0T, 210BHP with the BRS stage one chip. Should get one at 3 years old for about 5k, plus 500 quid for the remap.
It's a Saab/Lotus unit, chain cam, v. good reliability record.
There are alot of very happy owners running this car/engine combo over on the Vectra forum.
|
|
|
I've been looking at either the latest vRS or a Golf GTI. Residuals used to be very good when the original Octavia and Fabia were out but have eased now, in general, not just due to current conditions.
Back in May I went to look at an 11 month old Octavia vRS, being sold privately. It was nicely specced, had the transferable three-year service package, had only done 8k and had cost the original owner something over £17k (he showed me the invoice, but I've forgotten the original amount). He started advertising at over £13k before gradually dropping. I saw it once his advert had expired and he would have accepted £12k, still beating his trade-in offer.
Problem was, it was in bright solid red, which I wasn't that fond of, nor do I think it's that popular in general, so I didn't go for it. I did later see it at my local dealer priced at £14k.
In common with it's Golf GTI cousin, a lot of owners still want the residuals to hold up and advertise for a high price but end up sitting on it for a while. There was a 2007 on eBay that ended in the last week that could have been had for £10k. There's a blue 2006 basic spec one on there 'on sale' with one bid at £8.5k at present.
More than half of the vRSs sold are in Race Blue, which really looks the part IMO.
The vRS doesn't have as much option choice as the Golf GTI. A popular combination is the pack of dual climate control, armrest 'Jumbo box' (which just about fits a drink can) and rear electric windows. Without this, they do have basic Climatic aircon. 18s were also popular and desirable used, as the tyre cost isn't that much different. The Maxidot display is useful if it's fitted for what it can control. The sunroof option is very rare to find used. If it doesn't have cruise and you want it, it can be retrofitted by the dealer.
There were a few minor changes for the 2007 model year, sold from mid-2006. I believe the main practical addition was MP3 compatibility with aux connection and these are identifiable by the red brake calipers instead of the green of the original.
Lots of useful posts can be found on www.briskoda.net
I only have the older mkI Octavia as my practical runabout (the boot swallows anything) and it has been great - I would happily buy another Skoda. I do fancy the DSG though, which means going for the Golf (or recently the diesel vRS).
|
Problem was it was in bright solid red which I wasn't that fond of nor do I think it's that popular in general so I didn't go for it. I did later see it at my local dealer priced at £14k.
Well I won't call you names JH, but I have to say the temptation was strong. I yield to no one on my aesthetic exigency in general, but rejecting a good car two grand below whassername for its colour? You must be rolling in it.
Takes all sorts of course, but sometimes I almost feel like criticising the Great Architect, knowImean?
Don't agree about the DSG either.
Edited by Lud on 17/09/2008 at 01:58
|
|
Is it still the case that VAG recommend using 98-octane unleaded in the FSI engines? Recall reading that a while ago.
|
|
When I had mine the fuel filler cap said 95 so did the dealer but it ran noticeably better on 98 (Optimax was better than Ultimate) especially when I had it remapped to 250 bhp by Revo. Really good car IMO and value for money tough to beat, great engine, brilliant brakes (needs those) nice cabin, big boot and a decent dealer network who try hard. Only downside and I'm being picky, was the handling which I thought was safe, predictable but a bit prone to rolling and leaning for a supposed sports hatch but £500 of Koni FSD dampers and Eibach springs sorts that. Plenty of good info on briskoda.net (seems every other vRS on there has been remapped and/or suspension upgraded) as mentioned by someone elsewhere.
|
|
The fuel cap on the TFSI Leon said 98, as did the manual and dealer.
|
>>The fuel cap on the TFSI Leon said 98, as did the manual and dealer.
That's VAG "consistency" for you - they can't agree on oil specifications so why should they on fuel?
|
i would buy the Skoda, as someone said on a prev thread
"Are new / nearly new Hondas over-priced as a make"
Why buy the VW, when you can get the same car (only difference more or less is the badge on the front) a lot cheaper than its marked up equivelent.
|
|
|
|
>>You must be rolling in it.
Unfortunately I'm not, so I didn't buy.
The £2k is enough to be the main dealer premium on VAG cars at that price point compared to private sale. The problem was, if the private seller couldn't get interest at £12.5-£13k from both an AutoTrader and eBay ad, chances are I would have similar difficulty selling further down the line.
The one who suffered most was the bloke selling. He started needing to visit central London daily so traded in the Octavia for a diesel MINI because of the proposed CC exemption, which of course never materialised.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
