Test Drive Impessions

[wfdTamar]

I got to test drive three Octavia's the other day to help me decide what to buy when I'm ready:

1. Petrol DSG RS wagon.
2. Diesel manual RS wagon (both RS's current model factory demos with a few thousand km's).
3. 1.9 diesel 5 speed manual hatch (standard except for 17" wheels).

A 30 min drive in each on a short bit of highway, moderately windy country road and some town.

I currently have a 1998 Holden Vectra 2.2 litre manual wagon (104Kw, 200Nm torque) which suits me. I'm getting 8.3 l/100Km - mostly hilly country road driving. I do all my own servicing and maintenance and have a doo dah that connects to the computer for the car to diagnose it. I'm looking for a car I can do the same with (once the warranty period is over). Skoda seems to have the same enthusiast following (in Europe) that develop these kind of tools. Never bought a car new and if I buy a Skoda I'll be keeping it for at least 20 years.

This is the right size car for me. Definitely want a wagon. Like my gadgets and toys in a car. Occasional swift driver, but not a hoon or law breaker. Mostly normal country road driving at 100kmph.

Also considering Subaru Liberty and maybe Mazda 6 diesel (Mondeo not economical enough). Would like turbo for power & economy. 4wd would be nice for the occasional rough driveway in the wet I face.

Car 1. Petrol DSG RS wagon
Blimey! This thing is a speeding ticket magnet. It goes like stink, but where can you use it?

Pros:
a. Looks nice, better than in photo's.
b. DSG works very well.
c. Excellent for overtaking.
d. Big side mirrors (do they need to be that big?).

Cons:
a. Droning sound from the rear (Tyres? Exhaust? Bearings? Air?). Is that in all Octavia wagons or just the RS? Salesman tried telling me any brand wagon has that - my car has none of it.
b. Seats not that comfortable (for me) and I hate those white 'racer boy' antimacassars. More for the WRX crowd than a car like this. Annoying to have to pay for the full leather to remedy that.
c. Rattle/squeak between leather & plastic in the front. This car had about 4000 km so surprising.
d. DSG works very well - so well, a moments inattention and you're way over the speed limit. With a manual it's easier to keep track of speed. I wonder about how durable they are and expensive to repair/maintain (2 clutches).
e. I found this one had too firm a ride. It did not suit bumpy, windy country roads. More of a highway cruiser with those 18" wheels. Maybe 17" would better suit country driving.
f. The whole boot arrangement - back seats don't fold down flat (or do the seat bottoms come up?) and the whole floor isn't on the same level! Boot floor is crummy material. Drop from boot lip to floor so you have to lift things out rather than sliding. (compared to my current car which is flat right through). Definitely needs the fake floor accessory shown on the Skoda home site (no mention of it in Australia though).


Car 2. Diesel manual RS wagon
Not as fast as the petrol DSG. I haven't driven a diesel before so found it hard to know where the 'sweet spot was in the revs. Didn't have it long enough to find out. Made more difficult by the manual gearbox. I was trying to simulate overtaking a slow car by accelerating from 80 to 110km but just couldn't get the right gear to give a satisfying result. I'd be interested to drive a DSG diesel RS. The fuel consumption gauge was on in this one (didn't think to turn it on in the petrol). Couldn't get it below 7.8 at 100kmph.

Pros:
More comfortable ride than the petrol. Only 10kg's heavier than Car 1 so maybe it was a tyre pressure issue.

Cons:
a, b & f from Car 1 (drone, seats & boot).
g. Not as economical as I thought it would be at highway speed. Could just be that car though as it is a factory demo (thrashed by journalists and test drivers) and I think had only done about 1200 km.

Car 3. 1.9 litre diesel hatch.
I only really tried this for the standard suspension to see if it suited me better than the overly stiff petrol RS's. It did have the non standard 17" wheels. I did find it much better for the kind of roads I drive on, but this might be because it was the most like what I'm driving now. Perhaps you'd get used to the RS. Sounds like a tractor until it's warmed up. Nicer manual gearbox than the 6 speed. No more economical than the diesel RS (during normal driving)! If you're going to suffer through that clanking thing you'd want super economy for it. at least.

Pro's:
a. Seats more comfortable than the RS's. Not sure if that's the shape, foam density or material.
b. Easy to drive.

Con's:
a. Too much engine noise.
b. Can't read the (original style) radio through polarised glasses.


So my current thinking is that the RS is too sporty for my needs. The 1.8 DSG or 2 lt diesel (either plain or Scout) would be worth trying. The 1.8 has good performance/economy stats on paper. I'm hoping that the DSG is reliable as long as it's not thrashed. As I get more of an old duffer a non manual will probably suit me better. I do like the look of the Scout inside & out (if a tad high). Apparently it still handles ok despite the height. 4WD would be handy.

[K1W1]

I think that all your points are valid and you have presented them well.

If I lived in Tasmania I'd be seriously looking at the Scout.

FWIW I have averaged 6.6 l/100km over the 10,500 km that I have done in my manual diesel VRS so far. You need to learn to drive diesels so I can understand why the wagon probably didn't feel right at first. Third gear and using the torque will get you from 30kph up to nearly 100kph in very short order.

[wfdTamar]

Yes, I had it in my mind 'diesel = low revs for torque', so I think I was wandering around the 1500-2500 mark, but maybe that doesn't apply to turbo diesels as it seemed to have plenty above that too.

Do you reckon you made the right choice going for the manual instead of DSG?

Do the seat bottoms lift up (so the floor is flat)?

Do you have any idea what that droning sound in the back is? It is enough to stop me buying one.

[Jake02]

Do you reckon you made the right choice going for the manual instead of DSG?

Do the seat bottoms lift up (so the floor is flat)?

Do you have any idea what that droning sound in the back is? It is enough to stop me buying one.

1. Definitely! You're in more control with a manual when driving!

2. They do lift up, and are removable too. I'd love a false floor in my RS however to get a real flat area.

3. I don't know what you're talking about sorry, mainly because my RS is the Liftback not Wagon.

I think you'd be mad to go with a Liberty or Mazda6 over an Octavia. Ok so maybe the Liberty has more room and the Mazda has a better resale, but the Octavia posses a quality not found in any Subaru or some Mazdas, which is CHARACTER! I used to have a Liberty before my Octavia and it really disappoints me that the character and individualisation found in Subarus of old is gone, to be replaced by some Toyota boringness (which comes from Toyota's ownership of Subaru). Subarus are arguably the ugliest cars on the roads, I saw a new Impreza XV today and it's fugly. Nothing matches up on the car! Mazdas are a better company, they have character but the Mazda6 facelift is the opposite to what they wanted - a step backwards. The wheels and body mods make it look too fussy!

My suggestion: Scout 2.0TDI or an Octavia 2.0TDI (with options of course - especially those 17-inch wheels which make it look interesting). Both are really great value and are fabulous all-rounders.

[wfdTamar]

I agree about the look and commonness of the Subaru & Mazda. Subaru's are extremely popular in Tassie. They're not turbo (well the cheaper ones) so not as economical. Both Subaru & Mazda date quickly because they are fashion victims (mind you I reckon the new headlights on the Octavia fit into that category). Both look too chintzy for my liking. I'll try them so I know how they compare.

Mazda is even more powerful than the diesel RS (135Kw & 400Nm), but has some annoying things missing - i.e. an auto dimming mirror. I've put one in my Vectra and I wouldn't want to go without now.

Also S & M don't seem to have the enthusiast following that create after market tools for self maintenance (ha ha, no, not that kind of S & M - they do have the 'tools'). I could be wrong about that though. Because of the broad spread of the VAG engines there are plenty of support options for the home maintainer. This is an essential point for me - I couldn't afford to have it serviced by someone else.

[dazag]

I test drove a bunch of Octavia's 1.8TSI DSG wagon (the 7 speed variant), the 103kw TDI manual & DSG wagons, the RS 2.0TSI manual wagon and the RS TDI manual lift back - also test driving the Mazda 6 TDI and Subaru Outback & liberty wagon 2.0 manuals & auto's. I didn't really worry too much about what the econmy gaiges stated because i was putting the foot down a little to "test" the car.
I also test drove the Mazda 6 TDI and Octavia RS TDI with in 30 minutes of each other, and even though the Mazda has claimed better HP & torque, the RS felt more responsive and torquier then the Mazda. Also if you get the chance, test drive a Diesel RS with DSG and slip it into "sports" mode - you'll love it!!!!

I did find a bit of a drone coming from the back, but realised i had left the boot cover retracted and once i pulled it out to cover the boot space, it made a big difference. ( the Rs was slightly more droney then the standard ovtavia, mainly due to the 18" wheels I would say). Didn;t like the power delivery of the Subaru's at all, loved the torque of the Mazda and it drove really nice, but I didn't like it being manual due to the short rev range of the deisels you seem to be changing gears too quickly. the petrol RS was a rocket and i loved having a manual in it, but I wanted a car to tow with and one that was fairly economical - on paper the diesel with DSG looked the goods.
And dont listen to anyone who says that you dont have control with the DSG, that's what the manual mode or the paddles are for, in fact the owners manual recommends that you drive it in manual mode when you can so the ECU can learn your driving habits and adjust to suit more quickly. Personally i think the people who swear by manuals are just set in their ways is all, and that's coming from a manual driver , who has onwed nothing but manuals until this car.
My fuel economy according the MFD is telling me I'm now averaging 6.0/100, which has dropped from being 6.5/100 when i picked it up and now just coming up on 10,000km, I'm told the diesels dont fully bed in until the 12-15,000km mark, so I'm expecting better results. Even with a 8x5 box trailer loaded with a dirt bike, tools, ride gear, spares trunk, 2 dogs and a cage that acted like a brick, plus 3 adults and a bub plus bagage, I averaged 8.0/100km sitting on around 110km. The thing never missed a beat and the only way you knew you were towing something was by looking in the revision mirror or by looking at the MFD.

Depending on what you're after and exactly what you need the car for, I fully recommend the Octavia RS Deisel TDI with DSG. More then happy to offer up any more info if needed, just let me know.

Daz

[wfdTamar]

Thanks, that's useful info. It's hard to test over here because the local dealer has so little stock and doesn't ever seem to have any demo's. I only got the chance to try the RS's because they were over here for Targa Tasmania (I think). First time I've seen RS's in Tasmania.

Can you remember what you thought of the 1.8 DSG? I did find the RS's a bit to hard a ride, so that would seem a good compromise between them and the comparatively slow 1.9 diesel (though I need to try a 2 lt diesel). Seems to have performance not far off the RS and good economy. I could get one fully spec'd for a reasonable price. Most of my driving is by myself and not often with a lot in the car (but occasionally I need the space).

[woofy]

I'd say you are better suited to the Scout for sure, or the 1.8L Octavia, the seats are flatter in the models excluding the RS, both come with most of the goodies and both are a bit less rough to drive. The Scout craps all over the Outback (I used to have one), its amazing how well it drives in comparison.

The alcantara in the high wear bits of the RS seats is actually to stop you from slipping about, people seem to miss that point. With full leather....(which in reality is vinyl in the same spot) you slip like crazy around the bends.

Are you meaning noise from the tyres? Or drone as in the sports exhaust on the RS? I don't notice it droning but it does have a growl, more noticable in the back, I don't notice it in the front.

The boot is deep due to being able to have it flat with the insert, personally I prefer the deeper boot, as it means I can fit more in it that the false flat floor in my 6.

[wfdTamar]

I didn't drive them long enough to pinpoint what was causing the noise. It was only when at home later I realised one possible cause might be the sports exhaust. Can you hear that at 100 km? One persons drone could be another's growl. Whatever - I found it grating. A fair bit of noise coming from the back, whereas in mine there is none (I have Michelin Primacy silica tyres which are quiet).

Yes I'm not keen on the Outback. It's huge now - lost all pretensions of being a 4wd car.

[K1W1]

Mazda is even more powerful than the diesel RS (135Kw & 400Nm), but has some annoying things missing - i.e. an auto dimming mirror. I've put one in my Vectra and I wouldn't want to go without now.

Only availble in a manual trans as far as I know.
I drove a Mazda diesel it was the only other car I actually test drove and all I could think of at the end of the drive was that it was okay. Didn't do anything at all for the senses but it went okay and was okay comfort wise and the radio was okay and the interior was, well to my mind cheap. I come from a Mazda background btw.

For general driving I sit between 1500 and 2000 rpm but if you put your foot down there is a real kick a bit over 3000 rpm more so than I have ever felt in a diesel before. Also diesels take ages to run in. With a couple of thousand kms on the demo it will still not be getting it's best performance or economy.

[wfdTamar]

Yes, the diesel Mazda wagon is only in manual (I have the brochure here).

[spellbound]

Yes the first few weeks in the rs annoyed me with the drone , which is lack of sound deadening around rear wheel arches , my liberty wagon was much quieter .

How ever i dont even notice it at all unless back seat is down now , just part of the sportier feel of the rs wagon .

My petrol manual economy 90% city driving 8.5l/100 , when in rural areas about 6.4l .

For me it can only be a manual , i loved the dsg in the country but found it hesitant around town , and after the stupid 5 speed auto sport box on the liberty i was not going to risk it again .

Had mine 22 months now and still love it , although i checked out the new superb combi last friday , wow very impressed with quality and acres of space , no damn manual .

[Inego]

A couple of others have suggested the Scout for your needs - I've had one for 5mths, replacing an Outback. The Scout doesn't ride as well, but provides a sportier drive than the Outback (which was still fun on winding gravel/mountain roads. The diesel's taken a little getting used to but, once you start riding the torque it's great - tighter bends, where the 2.5 petrol was struggling between with 2nd just too high and first too low are happily hauled in 2nd. Still having AWD is nice too, and the boot is a much better shape.

I haven't noticed a drone from the back, but the poms have noted tyre noise being tyre make specific too - some who've really hated it have added deadening in the wheel well, but we actually have a spare there.

[TuNeS]

Interesting about the fuel figures you have posted? I get 7.9L per 100km towing my go-kart with the manual petrol! Maybe the salesman have been flogging the pants off it before you get into the car affecting the average. The road noise bothered me at first too, however I dont notice it anymore and I didnt want to buy the Passat due to the mega increased price that came with it for this extra feature. Skoda is the value brand!

I went through the same decision process as you did. I loved the look of the old liberty, however the new one looks terrible (instant write off to me) and the mazda 6 looks ok and drove ok, but it lacked any real character to me. Also the interior and plastics are a step down in comparison to the Octavia. I also like the fact that my RS 'goes like stink' as you put it when I want it to, yet it is lovely to drive as a grandpa when your feeling 'old'

Remember the Octavia is based on the golf chassis, so it is a smaller car than the Liberty and 6......although the usable space is brilliant so its easy to compare them in the same group. If you do end up buying a skoda, you will be pleasantly surprised.

[dodgey]

I would have suggested the Scout too. I had one on loan while waiting for my RS, and I thought it was brilliant. A touch noisier, but I put that down to it being a wagon rather than a liftback. The scout has greater clearance and 4x4.

There have been complaints overseas about the noise coming from the back and the lack of sound deadening, but you can put that on yourself

Going past 3,5k rpms on the diesel only gives you more sound, no more go as far as I can remember... Around 2k-3k rpms is best in almost any gear