Suggestions for a New Car? (I'm Looking At Skoda)

dealsucker on 22/11/2015 - 09:55
Last edited 23/11/2015 - 14:02 by 1 other user

Hi Guys,

So it is time for me to buy a new car and this would be my first car down under. My preference is a European primarily because they look better (subtle and sophisticated) and I have narrowed down to Skoda Octavia Wagon or Sedan or the Skoda Yeti Diesel Outdoor, all these cars are automatic with the DSG gearbox. I have a couple of deals as below. The reason I am looking for Skoda is because they are VW underneath without the price. Another factor is that they are currently offering 1.2% interest rate for a period of 4 years (with or without balloon payment max 30% of the price). So essentially I am paying just the principal amount on the car for a period of 4 years.

Coming to the cars, I have the following options. I also want to know if you have any personal experience with Skoda cars or their service? A little concerned about the reliability part especially compared to the Japanese.

  1. Demo Skoda Octavia Elegance trim with a few extras such as automatic parking and sat nav —> $25k driveaway with 1.2% interest rate. They do charge $750 and add it into the loan amount and that amount is charged at 1.2% for a mx period of 4 years. The car comes with a 1.4 TSi engine with 110 kw. The car has done 5k kms.

  2. Demo Skoda Octavia Elegance Wagon + Tech Pack (Automatic parking, xenon headlamps,sat nav,adaptive cruise control,leather seats) —> $31k driveaway with the same 1.2% interest rate. 4k kms done. The car comes with a bigger 1.8 TSI engine with 132 kw.

  3. Skoda Yeti Outdoor Diesel with on demand 4x4 —> There are two cars one with the tech pack and one without. They both have done around 5k kms. The dealer is offering me 25k's for the one without the tech pack driveaway.

Any suggestions on which I should go for? I am inclined towards the 1st option. I am open to considering other brands as well in case they are running good offers. Thanks for your time guys. Love the community.

Automotive Skoda

Comments

  • rambutann on 22/11/2015 - 09:59
    +7

    So im gathering you dont like money?..

  • dealsucker on 22/11/2015 - 10:01

    Why would you say that? Are Skoda's in Australia that bad?

  • Nugs on 22/11/2015 - 10:07
    +1

    VW diesels…………

  • dealsucker on 22/11/2015 - 10:09
    +1

    I do not think there is an issue per se with the engine except ofcourse that it does not meet the emission regulations. The engine is fuel efficient and fairly powerful. What about the Octavia with the petrol engines?

  • Cheeper on 22/11/2015 - 10:23
    +3

    Whatever car you choose call a couple of dealerships before you commit and ask for a price on a service.
    Korean / Japanese cars are more reliable and usually depreciate less here. Just my opinion, the euro image may be worth the $'s lost to you though?

    • plmko on 22/11/2015 - 15:56
      +1

      Liking European cars more is one thing, but qualifying Skoda as one is a bit…

  • PVA on 22/11/2015 - 16:02
    +1

    sorry, the Yeti is not stylish and sophisticated, its goofy looking like a Great Wall or old Kia.

    what did they all drive like. A friend had a 1,4 octavia but very quickly after purchase he didnt like the performance (taking off at lights was sluggish) and sold it after a couple of years.

    • dealsucker on 22/11/2015 - 21:57
      +1

      It may not be a very stylish car but I like Yeti because it looks different and is an incredibly practical car from casual offroad to Ikea runs. As of now I am inclined towards the 1.4 Octavia Elegance. Will test drive all and decide.

  • isthisreally_me on 22/11/2015 - 19:28

    Having owned an Octavia VRS for near 3 years i can say i have had no problems with it at all and it runs very smoothly. Highly recommended from my experience.

  • IVI on 23/11/2015 - 07:39

    I'm waiting for VW's Nano-class, 1 cyl diesel, due 2007.

  • Max Power on 23/11/2015 - 15:42

    It doesn't inspire confidence when the company name means this:
    http://www.carscoops.com/2014/03/the-meaning-of-word-skoda-i…
    It's almost as bad as driving a Pajero in a Spanish speaking country.

    • dealsucker on 23/11/2015 - 16:03

      Amusing but any first hand experience with the car please? I don't want to go down the usual path of playing safe and getting the boring but ultra reliable Camry.

      • rambutann on 23/11/2015 - 16:40

        Why would you not want to go down the avenue of ultra reliability?
        When the Skoda breaks you will want the ultra reliability. Not saying that the Skoda wont be mega reliable, but when it does come to fixing it you will be selling your left kidney to fund it (in comparison to a Toyota).

        • dealsucker on 23/11/2015 - 16:43

          Any first hand experience of the same or you heard?

        • rambutann on 23/11/2015 - 16:56

          @dealsucker:

          First of all its a european car, there is not a single european car that is cheap to fix in Australia.
          Second of all Skoda is owned by the Volkswagen group, which I have had first hand experience of the high cost when things go wrong.
          Third of all you will generally have to go to European specific repairers, once again jacking up the price as they are not as simple as other cars (Australian/Japanese). And its not as easy to source second hand/aftermarket parts.

          IMO if you are going to go for a European car, go hard or go home (buy a Mercedes Benz), either way when things go wrong it will cost you heaps, but at least with a Benz you will feel better because its a benz (unless you think that a Skoda is the pinnacle euro car then I guess you will be going hard in your opinion).

          But that is my opinion and if you really want to spend that much money on an object that gets you from point A to point B when there are potentially cheaper alternatives out there then by all means go ahead.

        • dealsucker on 23/11/2015 - 16:59

          @rambutann:
          Hmm… also looked at Mazda 3 Sedan. Will check it out this weekend perhaps.

  • Max Power on 23/11/2015 - 18:06

    This might be of interest to you. Especially since the Octavia won its category.

    Australia’s Best Cars is the nation’s most comprehensive and independent, consumer-focused vehicle testing and awards program, and is presented by the Australian Automobile Association, on behalf of Australia’s Motoring Clubs - NRMA Motoring & Services, RACV, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA, RACT and the AANT to provide independent consumer information and advocate for safe, affordable motoring.

    2014 Winners
    Score sheet for Medium cars under $50,000

  • dealsucker on 24/11/2015 - 09:40

    Have spoken to a few people around. The feedback is that it is a good car but will be expensive to repair if anything goes wrong. The same feedback is consistent but so is the fact that none of them have actually owned the car. I guess it is more a perception issue than anything else. Will research a bit more and take my decision.

  • dtc on 24/11/2015 - 21:56

    There is a big octavia thread on whirlpool that is worth a read. A bit of misinformation on here. Skoda has v high reliability results here and overseas.

    • dealsucker on 24/11/2015 - 21:57

      Thanks Mate. Thats sound a lot more reassuring :)

  • dealsucker on 30/11/2015 - 09:51
    +2

    So I went ahead and bought a brand new Mazda 3 SP25 GT. What sealed the decision was Bose 9 speaker stereo system, 138 kw 2.5 engine and paddle shifters :D I am a happy bunny. Thanks for all your responses.

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