Buying used Octavia: what to look for?

[iriches]

I'm looking to buy a used Octavia to replace my tired and rusty Felicia. I'm thinking of getting a high-ish miles (60 - 100,000) 3 to 5 year old Octavia 1.9 TDI Elegance. I have a budget in the £5 to £6k range, and do about 15,000 miles a year.

1) Is this a good idea? Is the TDI 110 worth seeking out over the Ambience-trim TDI 90?

2) Aside from fuel, how do the running costs of the TDI 110 compare with the 2.0 115 petrol engine? The cambelt change on the TDI seems to be every 60,000, and cost a fair bit. What is the interval on the 2.0 petrol?

3) What should I look out for on the cars? I've heard reports od some troubles with faulty electric windows, turbo/maf/n75/pipe problems and water leaks into the cabin. Anything else to look out for?

Thanks for any help and pointers.

Ian
(Looking for a car in the Bedford / Milton Keynes area, if anyone knows of one...)

[g7pkf]

You could buy mine?
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/t3480...es-please.html

Let you have it real cheap, buyer collects.

seriously 28K servicing intervals the 110 elegance is a lot nicer than the 90.

i had no problems till now

[iriches]

Originally Posted by g7pkf

You could buy mine?
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/t3480...es-please.html

Let you have it real cheap, buyer collects.

Umm...thanks...but no thanks. I'm looking for one in slightly better condition that that

Originally Posted by g7pkf

You could buy mine?
seriously 28K servicing intervals the 110 elegance is a lot nicer than the 90.

i had no problems till now

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming it.

Ian

[logiclee]

The 110 feels a lot stronger to drive than the 90 even more than the figures suggest.

For me I discounted the Ambient on the looks as well as power. The Ambients side profile looks poor with the small wheels and wheel trims IMO. The Elegance sits a lot nicer on 16" Alloys and the front end with headlamp washers looks a step up.

Watch out for knocking front suspension which is usually antirol bar links and bushes. Make sure the power delivery is linear and smooth if it's not there could be issues with the MAF meter or Turbo.

If buying from a non VAG dealer make sure they use the correct oil if they are servicing it, the oil for variable servicing is very expensive so most garages will use normal diesel oil if they can get away with it.

Cheers
Lee

[Ic3man]

Stone chips and light scratches plague the Octy due to the cheap paint used.

[octywagon]

I totally agree with logiclee - i brought an 01 model elegance tdi 110 wagon 2 months ago paid £6k with 41k miles and full history from private sale and its brill , when i see other octy's now the elegance spec does make them look a whole lot better and the specs inside have a lot of nice extra touches .

[iriches]

Well....I've just bought a 2001Y 55,000 mile TDI Elegance hatchback in Eucalyptus from my local Skoda dealer. The car only arrived in today and was still a bit damp from its valet when I test drove it...

I wont get it 'till the 16th, as the dealer can't get the agreed cambelt change in before I head off to Germany for a few days (Frankfurt Motor Show - anyone want to ask the Skoda staff there anything?).

The car didn't seem that quick on the test drive...until I looked down at the speedo and saw it on the "oops" side of 90mph. It's a lot quicker and quieter than my Felicia 1.3 estate....

Thanks for all the advice here.

Ian

[Skodarulez]

May I ask how much you paid......?

[iriches]

Originally Posted by Skodarulez

May I ask how much you paid......?

What seems the going rate for a used Octy at a Skoda dealer.

They were asking £6595. We agreed on £6395, with a 12 month "approved Skoda" warranty, plus a cambelt change, some cosmetic repairs, a new tyre, some car mats, and a promise (in writing) of the 60,000 mile service "at cost", which means half price labour (£30p/hr, not £60p/hr) and parts at cost price.

Ian
(Don't spoil my day by telling me I've been had )

[tikhon]

2001 Y silver Octavia Tdi Elegance hatchback. Bought from Skoda garage in Lincoln

Just under 62000 miles, agreed price £6500 with 6 months road tax, a full tank of diesel and a full service including cam belt change.

Could have done better I think, but have paid for what I hope will be good service from a garage with a good reputation.

[JRHartley]

Originally Posted by iriches

The car didn't seem that quick on the test drive...until I looked down at the speedo and saw it on the "oops" side of 90mph.

I Know the feeling....it can catch you out...sometimes find when you glance in your rear view a couple of hundred yards from setting off from the lights ,every one is way behind...

..try letting it settle at 30mph in third and just plant the pedal to the floor (private road ahermm..)..still makes me smile everytime..

[iriches]

Originally Posted by JRHartley

..try letting it settle at 30mph in third and just plant the pedal to the floor (private road ahermm..)..still makes me smile everytime..

Thanks. That's really helping me be patient waiting to get it on the 16th

Ian

[octywagon]

Originally Posted by iriches

Thanks. That's really helping me be patient waiting to get it on the 16th

Ian

boy are you gona love it - mr hartley is so right - where do all the cars that were behind go ??? can't work it out

enjoy and let us know how you get on Ian.