Should I buy a new Skoda Octavia L&K Combi?
Hi, you reviewed the Skoda Octavia L&K recently and I was wondering what wheel and engine noise were like in the cabin of the car. I am close to making a decision on a Combi estate version and the spec is very high compared to other similarly priced cars. Overall would you think it would be a good investment, as I intend to keep it for five years at least?
Many thanks, Ian O'Neill
Ian O'Neill (Waterford)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
Cracking car, but yes, you do get a good bit of tyre noise, especially in the back. Take it for a good test drive on the nearest motorway or dual carriageway to see if it's too noisy for you.
Should I switch my Ford Focus for a diesel car?
Petrol or diesel? I am looking to change my 2005 Ford Focus 1.4 petrol to something similar. I am averaging 40,000 miles per year and wonder what would be a good option for me. The budget is approx €10k.
Shirley Mulcahy (Portlaoise)Oct 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shirley,
I think you need to be looking at diesel with that kind of mileage. A €10k budget would slot you nicely into a 2009 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CDTi (don't worry about the size: it's cheap to tax). It's ood to drive, massively spacious, economical and reliable.
There are also some Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDIs and Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4Ds around for this budget that are well worth looking at.
How much road tax for a Skoda 1.9 TDI?
Hi,
What road tax will I pay on a Skoda 1.9 TDI diesel registered in February 2008?
MICHAEL LENANE (WATERFORD)Oct 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
It depends on the model but if it's the Octavia 1.9 105hp then the CO2 emissions are officially quoted as 135g/km, so you'll pay €280 a year to tax it. If it's a Fabia hatchback 1.9 TDI then it'll be €270 (129g/km of CO2), a Roomster 1.9 TDI will set you back €390 (145g/km) and a Superb the same €390 (153g/km).
Would an Opel Insignia be a good alternative to an Octavia?
You recommended in June a Skoda Octavia or SEAT Leon for my needs. The Leon would be too small and I've being trying unsuccessfully to get an 08/09/10 Octavia since. Would an Opel Insignia be a sensible alternative in terms of efficency, reliability and durability?
Thanks!
Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
Yes, and the Insignia is also lovely to drive and really quite classy. It may not be quite so robustly reliable as an Octavia though. But if you buy with a full service history and look after it properly it shouldn't give any major trouble.
How does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Hi! What is my 2011 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI with 103,000 kilometres on the clock, worth? And how does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Thank you
Joe. Limerick
Joe Franklin (Limerick)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
I'd say your Octavia is worth in and around €12,000. The RAV4 and the CR-V are not really direct rivals although there is some crossover of their price points.
The RAV4 is very nice, well made, decent to drive and very spacious, but the more expensive CR-V looks and feels appropriately more sophisticated.
Relevant reviews:
2015 Honda CR-V review (AWD)
Honda CR-V review (front-wheel drive)
Mazda3, Skoda Octavia or Toyota Corolla?
Hi guys.
I currently drive a Volkswagen Golf (2007) and am looking to upgrade to accommodate a growing family (two young kids). I've narrowed my selection down to Mazda3 (saloon), Skoda Octavia, or the Toyota Corolla. Space is a main concern.
Any advice?
Cheers, Ronan
Ronan Murphy (Carrigaline)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Go for the Octavia. The Mazda3 is nice to drive and incredibly reliable and the Corolla is about as reliable and unbreakable as a granite rock, but the Octavia has the best interior space and reliability is generally excellent, so go for that. Case in point: once spent two consecutive weekends hauling my young family from Dublin to Waterford to visit relatives. First weekend with a Ford S-Max, second with an Octavia (this would have been 2006) and the Octavia carried the same amount of luggage as the S-Max...
Relevant reviews:
Opel Astra Sports Tourer or Skoda Octavia Combi?
Opel Astra Sports Tourer against Skoda Octavia Combi: which is the better option? New 2015 models.
A O'brien (Longford)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi there,
I'd go for the Octavia. The boot is significantly bigger than that of the Astra's, and the Astra is also starting to feel its age a bit - there's an all-new model coming towards the end of the year, so the Octavia feels fresher and better to drive.
That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Astra, and if, with that new model coming along, you can get a sharper deal on the Astra, there'd be nothing wrong with grabbing one.
Relevant reviews:
SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf?
Which car is the best secondhand buy: SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf? I just changed jobs and need a new car. I'll be doing 25-30,000km a year so I'm only really looking at diesels in the 2005-2008 bracket. Which of the cars is best value for money in fuel efficency, cheapest repairs, car longevity etc. Any tips on what I should look out for when buying or any other cars you would suggest?
Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
Go with the Octavia or the SEAT - both are comfy for long journeys, frugal on diesel as long as you go for the 1.6 TDI and both should work out a little bit cheaper to service and run than the Golf, if only fractionally. It's worth shopping around to see if anyone has any inclusive service or extended second hand warranty offers on the go - both can save you a fortune further down the line.
Is the Volkswagen Golf Highline 1.2 a good car?
I'm looking for a mid-sized family car and have looked at the Golf Highline 1.2 TSI; Volkswagen finance options are good so am considering buying new. Can you please advise if this is a good family car and any alternatives you would suggest?
Thanks, Karen
Karen Golden (Dublin 6)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Yup, it’s a cracker - well made, nice to drive and that 1.2 TSI is super-econmical. Good alternatives would be the Skoda Octavia with the same engine, a Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125hp, or a Peugeot 308 with the new 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo engine.
Relevant reviews:
Volkswagen Golf review (2.0 TDI Highline)
Skoda Octavia review (1.2 TSI)
Peugeot 308 review (new 1.2 PureTech)
Why won't my Skoda Octavia petrol restart?
My 2004 Skoda Octavia petrol engine died and would not restart. It has a good battery. Any ideas?
Terry Coogan (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
It's very difficult to assess such an issue from afar I'm afraid. Is the engine turning over (i.e. the starting motor is fine)? Is there fuel in the tank? Is the fuel pump in the tank working? Is there spark? Has a sensor failed and there's an electronic problem?
You'll have to bring the car to a mechanic I'm afraid. Best of luck with it.