Skoda Octavia 118TSi Wagon Rental..

[OilBurna]

Had one for a week from Europcar in the Gold Coast think I saw more Skodas there than Melbourne!! We were only supposed to get a 1.6 Octavia hatch but got the wagon instead.

Pro's

Awesome engine / trans combination soo creamy smooth couldn't even hear the engine at idle the 7 speed seems a lot smoother than the 6 speed in my Passat changes were seamless also was less grabby in traffic and slow speed manourvres etc. Performance was effortless and fuel economy average 7.1l/km almost as good as a diesel mostly in traffic and some more spirited driving up to Mount Tamborine where the DSG was great in holding 3rd gear on some of the steep downhill sections. Loved the white on the dials at night and the new touch screen stereo although sound seemed a bit muddy. Handling and ride seemed good given on 16 inch alloy wheels and car felt like it could sit on 110 all day. Liked the straps in the rear compartment as well good for holding large water bottles..

Cons.

Wife said back seat was uncomfortable compared to Passat and even her baby Merc, (no problems with the fronts though) missed the rear parking sensors and overall didn't feel quite as solid as the Passat - can't argue for the price though.

Overall great value for a family truckster on a budget.

[Plicata]

We just had an Octavia hatch for a few days in Perth. Not sure which engine it had. I didn't like it as much as the diesels I've previously driven. Very hesitant from standstill but went well once under way. It also had a hair-trigger brake pedal that I haven't encountered on other Octavias. More or less 'on' or 'off'. Hard to drive smoothly at low speeds. Otherwise the car lived up to expectations. Only had 6,500 KM on it and we only did about 500 K, running around town.

[woofy]

I've had the diesel, both sedan and wagon, the fsi and mostly the 1.8tsi which I have at the moment (3mth old wagon). No issues with any, the dsg is always silky. I'm just glad europcar charge so little for them, they love them as well. It seems a lot of the qld ones come from vic- wonder if bayfords are selling them all.

The only thing I don't like is between europcar and the bike race, most of the owners trying to sell used ones will be in a mix of cheap skodas as they will be coming mainly from those sources.