Although we test sat in a few, surprisingly I didn't test drive any other cars, I knew from researching online reviews and reading personal feedback that there was likely few if any other cars in that price range that had both sufficient head room and legroom in the back for a 6' 2" passenger.
Plus once I had driven the Octavia, I was so impressed that immediately there was no question about it for me, I just had to have one as I really couldn't see any other suitable sized car being equal or better at that price.
Mondeo hatch has the fashionable, dreaded sloping roof that restricts rear headroom excessively. There was a Mondeo wagon but it had a list price of $40k in diesel and the 2.3 petrol was reportedly a bit anaemic. No Ecoboost available in wagon. Mainly short trips meant the diesel may have had DPF issues and too much time spent in shopping centre and other car parks now means the bigger turning circle and size of the Mondeo wagon would probably make it unwieldy.
Perhaps some kind of SUV like an X-Trail or something would have suited but I'm not really a fan of SUV type vehicles when a more usual style car suits my needs and handles better.
Have you noticed that in Australia the Octavia 1.4 wagon is quoted at 103 kW @ 4500 rpm, whereas the hatch is 103 kW @ 5000 rpm? Must be because the wagon is tuned to potentially carry heavier loads than the hatch I suppose.
Interesting that xenon lights was the major item of the Tech Pack you wanted, I've never had a car with them myself so my wish to have them was based only on the positive opinion and feedback of others.
My best car overall so far has been my Mercedes 300E, so solid and nice to drive, it just got too old unfortunately and became uneconomical to maintain. Really liked my V8 HJ Holden wagon too, it was a long time ago now but it went like a rocket, was relatively easy and cheap to maintain, handy to sleep in the back on surfing trips and sounded great. It really sucked the juice though, be expensive to run now at today's petrol prices. It is partly fond memories of that wagon that has me excited about owning a wagon once again, it's so convenient to be able to fold the back seats down to carry large items in the back of a wagon.
Need some car shampoo, a new wash mitt and related items. Wouldn't mind some cargo netting to stop things sliding about but won't be getting lots of bling like you, although the chrome key ends are strangely appealing. Where did you order them from, if you don't mind letting me know?
