Hi Al, 12 months is a very long wait agreed, the dealer I was dealing with was frustrated, as I could tell he wanted to move cars but couldn't. 2 different dealers told me the same wait period and one was in Brisbane, other in melbourne.
I'm fortunate that I don't need the octovia for at least a year or even more, we have other cars which we are keeping. The purchase is more of a want now, and a need if kids come our way they will fit in nicely. I accidentally stumbled across the rs and couldn't be happier for trying it. For others needing it now, it's hard to beat under 45k and other options may be required.
This month I've tested the new wrx which is awesome, but a bit small in the rear seats if baby seats where in backwards and a passenger directly in front. The liberty gt premium which has an excellent engine but the seats don't hold you in place and the brakes aren't very good, and it's very pricey and doesn't steer as good. Went into Renault to check out the gt220 today, but it's manual only so no go. Cars left to try are the holden sv6, bmw 328i 2011 or 12 model, Volvo s60 T6 2011 model, and audi a4 2014 model if I wait a year it might be around the same price as the drive away skoda rs.
I have read that many people are getting great discounted prices hence me asking what they have actually paid, but I called another dealer after the original quote of high 43k, and he said he could match it but not beat it.