Buy a used Octavia.

[MYSKODA]

Sure mate, its a 2011 octavia, wagon, 90tsi, 6 speed manual. Here is the link Brad.

2011 Skoda Octavia 1Z 90TSI MY11

[brad]

looks good. Good body / engine / trans combo for an economical run-about.

there should be some wiggle room in that price as there were near new / demo 90tsi wagons occasionally coming up in CarSales earlier in the year for just under $20k.

[MYSKODA]

Certainly room for movement in price, considering ill have to put 4 new tyres on board, and a service in 5000k's time.

[brad]

45,000km service is a minor one IIRC - about $300-$350. You might need brake fluid flush (~$80) if it wasn't done at 30k. I'd probably do a pollen filter & air filter because they are cheap ($25 each) & fuel filter to be anal retentive.

Tyres: I'd actually look on eBay / Gumtree & the various VW/Audi forums for some near new 15" or 16" tyres already mounted on wheels from somebody "upgrading". Nobody wants them & they are often dirt cheap ($400 for 16") once the seller has come to there senses. My Michelins were from eBay. $400 mounted on 16x7.5 Audi rims. They'd been on the A4 1 month & had 9mm left on the rear & 8.5mm left on the fronts.

by all means tell the seller that new tyres will set you back about $600

[MYSKODA]

Much appreciated for the info Brad. So all in all, would you buy it?

[brad]

If the price is right & the rest of the car looks genuine - in a heart beat. I'd have no issues buying another Skoda.

[Skooter]

My two bob's worth. If tyre noise from the front is the only issue and the car looks straight, with no obvious collision damage, it's hard to imagine you'd be up for any expense beyond tyres and wheel alignment, which is minimal in terms of your purchase price. Noise sounds a lot like directionals fitted backwards (tyre rotation across instead of Fr to Rr?). Once you own an Octavia you'll wonder why there aren't thousands more on the road.
Had our 4x4 Octavia Scout (TDI 6-sp manual) for over a year now, bought with 47k and 2 years old, and still think it's the best car I've ever driven, let alone owned! The manual is a treat too.

[woofy]

Once you own an Octavia you'll wonder why there aren't thousands more on the road.

Because VW Australia don't want them to be, they want VWs to be the bulk car and Skodas to be niche and are scared that wherever Skoda gets a foothold, eg UK & Germany they outsell everything else. I'm sure plenty of VW dealers were very nervous and were probably pandered to keep Skoda low profile (likely still are).

[cbay]

Much appreciated for the info Brad. So all in all, would you buy it?

YES

i've got a 90tsi wagon, and the only thing that I have a problem with is the DSG. that car is a manual so it'll be even better.

got enough power on the daily drive, and very good economy (for a suburb-driven car)

also, ridiculous amount of boot space.

good luck with the purchase!

[wfdTamar]

One thing to look for is about 10mm play in the steering wheel. Caused by looseness in the shaft at the bottom of the steering column. Only official fix is a new column at $960 plus fitting! I had this on a 67,000km car.