Purchase price of a Skoda vRS Octavia Wagon MY11

[VAG newbie]

I haven't driven the Mazda diesels before so can't comment on that. But I have recently switched from Japanese car to European cars and I can tell you the driving experience is completely in a different world! You are a GTi driver, you should know it.

I never liked Mazdas myself. Despite it's "high quality" built, it doesn't feel as solid. Go knock on the panel yourself. Compare the Mazda 6 to your own VW. The Mazda feels like tin can. I don't know how they achieved 5 star safety rating, I guess the bonnet just crumbles and absorb all the energy...... But you just don't feel as safe. Also the door close with a clunk instead of a thud.

Also in Japan, Mazda is considered third grade brand. First being Toyota and Honda, followed by Nissan, then Mazda and Subaru, with Suzuki and Daihatsu being the lowest grade. Somehow Mazda and Subaru gained prestige image here in Aus....I guess it's cuz they are the only importers with cars still made in Japan. But, their built quality is not as good as Toyotas and Honda's in Japan.

However, I fully agree with you. It has been discussed many times, when you compare Skoda's to Japanese/Korean cars, Skoda is very expensive. Many people in this forum have said, don't compare it to Asian cars. Compare it with Euro entry brand like Alfa/Peugeot/citroen then it would be cheap. Don't compare with Renault as it is essentially Korean now.

[MurphyTheElf]

I understand the difference between tactile quality as opposed to build quality. You can certainly have one without the other. One of the reasons I splurged and bought the GTI was the brilliant reviews, the fun factor and the feel of the cabin (actually I went entirely on overseas reviews because I pre-ordered the car prior to release). I stand by the decision though. However much I am a stickler for the "feel" of the car, I'm having trouble reconciling the price difference for vehicles that are in direct competition. Add that to the fact that the car will be a mum's taxi, although when we're both in the car, I'll be driving it. Tough choice, but I think my wallet will eventually be the deciding factor.

I should mention that I did test drive the Mazda 6 diesel back in 2008 before I bought the GTI. I was very impressed with the performance of the engine and I wasn't (from memory) offended by the tactile quality. I also test drove a Forrester at around the same time and it was the cheapest feeling piece of crap I've ever encountered. I felt like I was travelling in a billy cart - with about the same amount of power. Horrible car. Also, a friend of mine has a 2010 WRX and it's the same story - simply awful.

[dArK5HaD0w]

i had actually put down a deposit on mazda 6 sports liftback (hatch) about 2-3 years ago - but i didn't go ahead with it.
the m6, as u said, is good value for money, however, there was no "fun-factor" to it.
engine was under-powered. didn't feel solid enough and servicing was every 6 months. the automatic transmission was bland.

the octavia rs, for me, was the perfect match. yes it's more pricey, but for the better build n finish, better perfomance, better transmission and euro design.

[Brycem]

I have a mark vi gti and an rs wagon. I looked at the 6 diesel wagon when purchasing the rs. It just didn't do it for me or my wife, the primary user of the rs kid's taxi. It is of course now much better value with leather and front and rear parking sensors. I will look at it again in March when the rs potentially goes. I see the best value in the passat 118 wagon which can be had for under 40k drive away.

Saying all of that, the rs wagon is a great machine with the sporty edge that just doesn't exist in other wagons at its price point. There isn't anything sporty about the passat or 6. It all depends whether you get your fill with the gti and don't need sporty with the kid's taxi.

You will be able to buy a petrol rs wagon with dsg for 40k drive away. So the gap is not 10k.

[bluefrog]

although I can live with diesel for short times eg. euro holidays, petrol and it's instant response, especially 147++kw = much more fun in a kid's taxi

[RSOK]

Gotta say I too test drove the Mazda 6 wagon when I was looking about 18 months ago...but I stumped up for the RS wagon...I echo the comments above, the 6 just didn't have that 'fun-factor', it just felt a bit like a sensible commuters car...I think the 6 is a stylish wagon and although the interior is a bit more plasticky and some ergonomics irk me, it's nothing I couldn't live with had I enjoyed the driving experience...but I just didn't.

The RS on the other hand convinced me that it was worth the extra spend, and to this day, 18 months and 22,000kms on, I know I bought the right machine to suit my needs and wants. The RS has it all over the 6 from behind the wheel, but if it's a sensible wagon with good roominess and road manners then the 6 certainly isn't a bad option, it's just not the keenest drivers option in my books.

[woofy]

I was seeing that price recently for the petrol touring wagon, but not the diesel so guess they are discounting it further? Having had a Mazda 6 for years and and RS. To be blatently honest, the RS leaves them for dead even with like for like specs. Just in handling etc, the 6 feels like a whale these days to me, but at the time compared to a Euro it left that for dead. Servicing is actually cheaper if you do around 15k a year, now that there is no timing belt its definitely cheaper. The local dealer here will update any maps for free if you bought from them.

[onyertod]

Like many others I looked at the Mazda 6 wagon before buying the Octavia wagon but I opted for the petrol Octavia tsi with the 7 speed DSG after all the great reviews about that particular driveline combination.
The tsi is no vrs but after 35,000 klms its still a great car with lots of nice touches such as auto lights and wipers etc.
And its no slouch at under 8 seconds for the 0- 100. Plenty go for our roads and good economy too for thousands of dollars less than the vrs.

[RSOK]

Yep my mate stumped for the 118TSI (albeit liftback) and I can tell you that it is no slouch, doesn't give much away to the RS in a straight line at all... thru corners its not as sharp but it doesnt have sports suspension or lower profile gripper rubber, but you're dead right, the 118 with 7 spd DSG is a cracking drive and hard to ignore for a keen driver.

[GTREA]

Do what I did, keep your eye out for a 12 month old vRS wagon.

Picked up a black vRS Wagon with Leather for $34'000 in Melbourne, and shipped to Perth.

Its pretty much as new, and after a few months of ownership your not really going to care you never bought brand new anyway....yet you'll still remember saving 10 grand

Oh and I dont have to drive a Mazda 6 Diesel

---------- Post added at 09:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 AM ----------

Oh and i'd better mention I have a MKVI Golf GTi as well.....because it seems everyone with a vRS has a GTi......its just the way it is