Choices - doing my head in.

[brad]

Hi All

I've made a couple of posts but thought I'd ask for forum consensus.

Currently looking at Octavia. Tight-arse side of me says 1.8T manual liftback. Revhead & practical side of me says 2.0T manual RS wagon.

Skoda will be #2 car. Wife drives a 7 seat wagon & we drive it most of the time. My current car is a '98 Golf Cabrio with a suprisingly strong 2.0 8-valve & 5 speed manual. My regular commute is 45km each way - 80% on motorway.

Previous car was a '97 Liberty RX 2.5 auto AWD sedan with suspension mods - it was a nice car. Prior to that I had a Nissan U13 2.4 Auto Bluebird sedan - which was even better than the Subaru.

All these sedans have given me the dirts as the boot never quite opens big enough to throw in computer monitors, TVs, etc but I'm not sure I really need a wagon with the wifes car available. Liftback drivers - does the load space do the job you need it to?

As a price indication, Skoda has offered me (depending on the body/model) between 60%-80% more trade-in on the Golf than what VW has offered me on a Golf GT Sport diesel. My specification is car + metallic paint + sunroof and change over figures are:

• 1.8T Elegance Liftback = $20850
• 1.8T Elegance Wagon $24350
• RS Liftback = $25120
• RS Wagon $28620

As you can see, the pricing on the Liftback is pretty sharp. Do you reckon there is more than $4k extra value in the RS package? (I'm thinking there might be) +2" wheels, suspension, better brakes, sportier seats... what else?

Also what type of fuel usage are you getting? Overall & highway running (100-130kmh type speeds?) Dealer is telling me 7.7L/100 for the 1.8T & 8.4L/100km for the 2.0T)

Thanks for your help

[nj018]

I believer the difference in load space is only 30L between the Liftback and Wagon. That is only 15 bottles of 2L coke is how I picture it. Don't know about you, I cannot see myself ever stuff the boot that full that I require that little bit more...
The RS vs 1.8T is much harder to decide.
Running cost for 1.8T is lower on price, fuel and rubber as well don't forget.
However the grin and look factor in the RS makes it a very hard call...
I would probably go for the 1.8T spend extra on getting a remap and 20".

[gregozedobe]

Disclaimer: I bought an RS wagon, so I might be thought to be slightly prejudiced

If you want to cart tall loads, the wagon does have significantly more height in the load area, particularly towards the rear (but both have a very large "boot").

After test driving both I quite liked the 1.8 motor, but the RS definitely has more squirt when you get serious.

The RS had more supportive seats and sportier seats and suspension (more responsive steering), as well as a bit more std kit. Tyres for the RS will cost more to replace (18").

The wagon has much better side/rear vision than the hatch (I was surprised at the difference).

Take them for a decent test drive, as only you can decide whether the extra money for an RS and/or wagon is worth it or not.

Can't help you with fuel economy figures, as I only got it last friday.

If you do a significant amount of night driving I find the Xenons are good (pity they are low beam only though )

[brad]

Yeah, I was looking at it as 2 drums of commercial cooking oil.

Sales lady is going to lend me a demo vRS wagon overnight next week.

vRS is hawtness but 1.8T for slightly less than weekly lease fee as a Mazda3 diesel is very appealing to the hip pocket. Also, I keep wondering how long the 18" wheels will last at my place of work >insert western suburbs of SYD stereotype here<

[Fredescu]

All these sedans have given me the dirts as the boot never quite opens big enough to throw in computer monitors, TVs, etc but I'm not sure I really need a wagon with the wifes car available. Liftback drivers - does the load space do the job you need it to?

Absolutely. I was looking at different cars for ages and had my heart set on a wagon, but there was a liftback ex demo at a great price that I ummed and ahhhed over for a while before I finally pulled the trigger.

560L is massive, much bigger than the compact SUVs and small/medium wagons I was looking at. The hatch opening is huge, and something to look out for when you first open it inside. I nearly hit the beams in the roof of my garage. I would have if I parked a bit further forward. One annoying thing is the grooves on the roof seem to direct the water right into your boot, so be careful when opening in the rain. I'd say unless you're carrying items that are specifically very tall, you won't find yourself wanting for space in the back of the liftback.

[mrx]

Also what type of fuel usage are you getting? Overall & highway running (100-130kmh type speeds?) Dealer is telling me 7.7L/100 for the 1.8T & 8.4L/100km for the 2.0T)

I can't say for the 1.8T, but the figures are a bit ambitious for the RS. I get more like 9.5 - 10.5l/100km around town and 8.4 ish cruising on the highway. Still very good for the performance though.

[brad]

Ordered my car on Thursday.

1.8T M6 Elegance Liftback.
Red with Onyx cloth
Floormats F&R
Continental or Dunlop tyres (I think the Bridgestones are too touring orientated)
Asked for the underbonnet insulation to be bought
getting tint done by a place I had my last car done at.

[rym]

Congrats! Yeah, the bridgestone turanza er300 is touring focus... breaks traction too easily for the 1.8T, need to change my driving to get around this.

How much is the underbonnet blanket? I'm going to get one also, been meaning to for sometime but haven't got to it yet.

[brad]

Congrats! Yeah, the bridgestone turanza er300 is touring focus... breaks traction too easily for the 1.8T, need to change my driving to get around this.

How much is the underbonnet blanket? I'm going to get one also, been meaning to for sometime but haven't got to it yet.

The company pool car (astra wagon) has Turanza e300 and it has some very strange handling characteristics - understeers into a corner & oversteers at the apex. I'm sure it's a mismatch between chassis, suspension tune & tyres but the Turanza e300 don't impress me at all.

Not sure how much the underbonnet thing is yet. It's supposed to be part of the deal. I told the saleslady to put it in the boot & I'll fit it.

[rym]

Brad, remember that it should come with clips. Just in case the salesperson isn't aware. Will save you another trip to pick them up...

Turanzas are ok for touring... perhaps ok for the 1.9 diesel. But, I think the 1.8T should come with stickier rubber. The torque just overwhelms the front drive setup with this engine... this is without any intention of traffic light drags. The grip goes and the traction control kicks in regularly.