New Octavia Ambition 103TSi + OR Used MkII vRS ?

[li21]

Hi all

Trying to decide whether to go cheap or go all out for my next car, not that I'm spending huge money by car standards, but for me it's big..

A fun and fast vRS, but in the old model - spend around $22K for a 2010 model with DSG and lets say 60,000kms?

or

Brand new Octavia Wagon, Ambition Plus 103TSi Manual
I would spec with metallic paint, Tech Pack, Panoramic sunroof, Half Leather and MaxiDOt.
for around $35,500'ish on road before bargaining.


Now theres about going to be more than 11-13K price difference, but, is it a false economy to go for a cheaper used european car with DSG (possible DSG issues when out of warranty) than a brand new car for more initial out lay ?

What does everyone else think about:
* How the new octavia is going to fair in used car residuals ? Will it lose 40% after the first 3 years?
I gotta say though, I'm someone who gets bored of cars fast... I can't keep a car more than 2 years, maybe 3 if I absolutely love it. The older vRS would have less value to lose ? But since I lease/finance all the time, this might be more to worry about.

* Obviously the old vRS will be more expensive to fuel, service and insure.. I guess this is not really a questions but a statement

* The 103TSI seems pretty quick on paper for a economical car.. I test drove a MkII vRS a while ago and it wasn't really quick in my seat of my pants test.. but it was SMOOTH and super comfy and I felt confident in it. Has anyone gone from a vRS to a non-performance version of the new Occy and not missed the fun factor? Or better yet still felt it was fun?

* Will getting a manual hurt re-sale by a lot? I'm still not convinced with DSG if it doesn't have flappy paddles, and the non RS versions don't.

* if anyone knows.. with the tech pack.. Will the Driving Mode and Parking assist work with manual transmission?
Seems weird working the clutch when the car is trying to park it self..
And half the purpose of the Driving Mode select is to change the shift points?
So will getting a manual remove these features .

* For Ambition/plus owners, have most people opted for the cloth seats or gone for the $1200 Half Leather option ? Does this change the shape of the seats to look more like the Elegance shape only with half instead of full leather? Anyone have a picture of this?

* Lastly .. how can anyone stand the look of the 4 spoke wheel compared to the 3 spoke they get overseasLOL

[KWICKS]

New car value loss is greatest in the first year. And gradually decreases with each year of ownership. If you can't keep cars for long then buying new seems silly. I'm buying new, as I did with my last car, but I got 9 years from the last one and all things being the same I hope to get the same from this one.

If I were you I'd look at something second hand every few years, possibly 1-2 years old with balance of warranty.

[Antiplastix]

My new Elegance was $49 p/year more expensive to insure than my vRS,

[li21]

KWICKS - You are probably right.. buying new doesn't suit me.. but boy the new OCtavia has everything I want in a car which I wont be able to find in a used car

Antiplastix - And do you miss your vRS now that your are in your Elegance?

[vRS Paulie]

Just a few points to give you something more to think over:
*DSG in the vRS is the wet clutch 6 speed not the dry clutch 7 speed that the issues have mainly been with.
*As with any second hand car, check the service history - especially the DSG service at 60k.
*That extra cash available on the second hand one can go into an ECU tune for that extra kick in the pants feel.
*service costs should be similar and the fuel difference will only matter if you are sitting in lots of traffic.
*If you are changing every few years just wait a couple an you can get all the goodies you are after in the next one....

[GTR27]

If you plan on switching cars that frequently better off buying second hand. I had a 2010 my11 manual rs wagon. It was the best all round car I've ever owned. I've now ordered a manual ambition+ wagon. New one is bigger and has more things available but wait times are ****. Manual is not an issue come resale, in fact I think it's a bonus as they are almost rare. When I sold my rs it went quickly to the first buyer. Manual wagons are rare yet ultra practical. Good luck!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[li21]

Thanks GTR27... I would go DSG in the Mkii vRS for one reason... We'll make that 2.. Paddle shifters and steering wheel controls. Still don't get why they omitted then on the manuals.

Obviously you would have test driven the Mkiii wagon.. Any comments / comparisons you can draw with your last vRS ?

[daMama]

Hmmm.... I'd go second hand too because you tend to swap cars so often.
By the time you are ready to ditch the RS, you will find a used Octy with all the specs (or close to) that you like?

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[GTR27]

Well I test drive a dsg 1.4 wagon. Went awesome considering it's a 1.4. Runs out of puff much earlier than the rs did though. For normal town driving not a huge amount of difference. Can feel that the new model is considerably lighter. New model is noticeably larger inside. Older one felt slightly higher quality of materials. A used rs is a bargain without doubt. Both are awesome cars, but if you liked driving for fun, can't go past the rs.

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[Antiplastix]

KWICKS - You are probably right.. buying new doesn't suit me.. but boy the new OCtavia has everything I want in a car which I wont be able to find in a used car

Antiplastix - And do you miss your vRS now that your are in your Elegance?

95% of my driving is on the Freeway at 115km/h between Wollongong and Waterfall, don't miss it at all then. That occasional 5% when I drive home through the National Park, sort of. Although the diesel has plenty of torque out of the turns.