Purchase price of a Skoda vRS Octavia Wagon MY11

[Jake02]

Difference between the Mazda6 and Octavia that big and that negative? I don't think so!

It's amazing just how far opinions can differ! One of the cars we almost bought over an Octavia was the Mazda6 and while the 6 was a solid car, I thought it was nothing compared to the Octavia. The plastics and general presentation of the Octavia, IMO, was so much better than the 6 and it's one of the reasons we bought the Octavia. We also found the Octavia to be much better value (even more so as there's no performance 6), much faster (petrols of course, no diesel 6 at the time), more practical and it handled better too.

The best part? The Octavia doesn't look like a Mondeo wagon (like the 6 wagon does and even the Peugeot 508 wagon too). But each to their own really! Pretty 5h!t service there by the way...

[VAG newbie]

.... I have to say the wife and I were both pleasantly surprised with the presentation of the car. Solid thunk when closing all doors and the boot. Cabin was very well laid out with storage, soft touch materials and instruments.

Skoda on the other hand, was a joke. Firstly, I asked the salesman if we could see a 118, and he led me to an RS. I initially sidestepped that issue and sat in the driver's seat - not even close to the quality of the Golf and sub par compared to the Mazda (shock horror). Doors didn't feel as solid and the boot took 4 slams just to close. I then asked if I could see a 118 and he said "this is one". I asked then why it had RS badging all over it and alcantara seats. He still insisted it was a 118 until I told him to go and get a manager. He then admitted he was new to the brand, and later again said he was on loan from another dealership. Hell, the 17 year old that served us at Mazda was more professional.

Salesman aside, I couldn't help but be overwhelmingly disappointed with the Octavia. We didn't take either for a drive, so it's possible that could sway me back the other way. But as it stands now, the Mazda would need a wheel fall off in the middle of the test drive to lose this race.

I implore any Octavia owner (in the eastern states I guess) to take a look at the Mazda 6 diesel and objectively compare it to the Octavia. 118 or RS. I'll have to reserve my full verdict until I drive both in February (the soonest a diesel will arrive in the state).

Sounds like you've already made up your mind! Don't forget subjective feeling is also very important. If you don't like Octavia, regardless of what we say, you still won't like it. Don't expect any RS owner to give you an "objective" comparison as RS owners have chosen the RS because they like it. Like many have said, we found Skoda much better built quality than Mazda. But it's subjective.

So go with Mazda 6, you will save yourself $10k, and end up with a car you and your wife like.

[MurphyTheElf]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind! Don't forget subjective feeling is also very important. If you don't like Octavia, regardless of what we say, you still won't like it. Don't expect any RS owner to give you an "objective" comparison as RS owners have chosen the RS because they like it. Like many have said, we found Skoda much better built quality than Mazda. But it's subjective.

I definitely haven't made up my mind - especially without driving either car. I'm just relaying my first impressions as a current Golf owner. I really really want to like the Skoda and I've been convincing the wife that it's the best choice for a while now. Once I confirmed the price disparity on a like for like basis (feature- and performance-wise) I had my work cut out for me, but still thought it would be an easy sell once we sat in both cars...... I'll tell you what, the complete opposite happened. I'm as surprised as anyone.

You make a good point though about subjectivity with this audience. I'm not looking for Octavia owners to admit the Mazda is better, I'm more looking for reasons that the Octavia is so damn good. But like I say, I'm yet to actually drive either, so maybe that's the $10000 difference.

[Brycem]

Each to their own but your door weight and build quality chat is way off the mark. The octavia doors are heavier than the mkvi golfs. I have both sitting next to each other in the garage so should know. Surprising but true.

The skoda doesn't have:

1. Carpet in the door pockets

2. Rubberised seat angle adjusters

3. Damped grab handles.

But other than the above it is on a par with the golf and reliability surveys have consistently shown it to be better built.

As for the Mazda where does a plastic gear knob and handbrake lever fit with your perception of quality? Add to the above the lack or rear vents and shambolic dash and multifunction wheel layout and known dpf problems.

I think you should look again and closer.

Ps golf wagon boot at 505 litres is only fractionally smaller than the 6.

[zach]

I definitely haven't made up my mind - especially without driving either car. I'm just relaying my first impressions as a current Golf owner. I really really want to like the Skoda and I've been convincing the wife that it's the best choice for a while now. Once I confirmed the price disparity on a like for like basis (feature- and performance-wise) I had my work cut out for me, but still thought it would be an easy sell once we sat in both cars...... I'll tell you what, the complete opposite happened. I'm as surprised as anyone.

You make a good point though about subjectivity with this audience. I'm not looking for Octavia owners to admit the Mazda is better, I'm more looking for reasons that the Octavia is so damn good. But like I say, I'm yet to actually drive either, so maybe that's the $10000 difference.

failing to see where the $10k price difference is? if you want diesel the non RS wagon w/dsg should be abt high $30s depending on options and Mazda would be the same and only comes in manual. there is no RS comparison in the 6 range.

[woofy]

One of the features we liked as mentioned is the rear air vents. Our 6 was hot in the back with kids, although the Mazdas A/C as a lot more potent, the Skoda generally is cooler in the back. I found just drivability with an RS to be the main point of difference, and at the time in late 08 the suspension was better set up than Golfs and Jettas, they were pretty awful at times. I don't know what the Mk6 is like though in that respect. Interior wise, I've noticed very little difference between the two.

Someone brought up a very very good point, I almost got the first gen diesel 6 and so glad I didn't they have had all kinds of issues, I would stay well clear of any diesel Mazda until the 6 Sky engine comes out next year. Drivetrain wise the Skoda will be years ahead at the moment. Also with a manual 6 spd, the mazdas gearbox was always notchy and never really was nice to use. The manual RS is a smooth as silk, and always a joy to use. I avoided the DSG as I still think that will come back to haunt longer term owners and I prefer while my arms are still able to control shift points.

[MurphyTheElf]

Each to their own but your door weight and build quality chat is way off the mark. The octavia doors are heavier than the mkvi golfs. I have both sitting next to each other in the garage so should know. Surprising but true.

The skoda doesn't have:

1. Carpet in the door pockets

2. Rubberised seat angle adjusters

3. Damped grab handles.

But other than the above it is on a par with the golf and reliability surveys have consistently shown it to be better built.

As for the Mazda where does a plastic gear knob and handbrake lever fit with your perception of quality? Add to the above the lack or rear vents and shambolic dash and multifunction wheel layout and known dpf problems.

I think you should look again and closer.

Ps golf wagon boot at 505 litres is only fractionally smaller than the 6.

I didn't compare the doors to the Golf - I compared them to the Mazda. Because I didn't drive either car, I didn't get a chance to heft the doors around outside of the car park, but the Mazda's felt very well put together - wife even liked the feel and sound more than the Golf, much to my horror. Let's not say one is better than the other, let's just say the Mazda doors are better than I expected. And the non-closing boot was a freak occurrence.

Here's a line by line of the Mazda 6 diesel vs the Skoda RS diesel - features that matter to me and mine:

0-100: 8.5s for both
Economy: 5.9l / 100 for both
Gearbox: manual for both
Seat trim: leather vs alcantara - leather easier to clean so tick for Mazda
Parking sensors: front and rear for Mazda - another tick
Bluetooth: yes for both
Electric seat: yes for both, 3-way memory function for Mazda - another tick
Boot capacity: 519l vs 580l - tick for Skoda
Sat nav: tick for Skoda - make that a BIG tick for the Columbus unit
Handling: presumably tick for Skoda

The 6 diesel actually does have a leather steering wheel and I thought the button layout was fine. The gear knob is indeed plastic, but I'm sure that could easily be fixed.

The Octavia exterior and interior door handles feel cheaper than the Golf, as do the vent controls, climate control knobs, and the power window buttons. There is no cover for the drink holders in the console, but the Golf and Mazda do - much neater appearance. Golf and Octavia have the MFD, which is a big bonus. No rear vents on the Mazda while the others do.

[zach]

i honestly don't think you need to go for the RS if considering the mazda6 (same would apply when considering the gti you wouldn't compare against the 3), which means you can option full leather, etc. or you could save another $2k and get the 1.8TSI, economy is still low at 6.7 and 0-100 is under 8s. bit out of left field but what about the scout?

[MurphyTheElf]

i honestly don't think you need to go for the RS if considering the mazda6 (same would apply when considering the gti you wouldn't compare against the 3), which means you can option full leather, etc. or you could save another $2k and get the 1.8TSI, economy is still low at 6.7 and 0-100 is under 8s. bit out of left field but what about the scout?

It's a good point to make about the 118 - which is what I asked the dealer to see. But he was useless and didn't have any 118's in stock for a test drive. The Scout is a bit drippy off the line for my tastes.

I've been reading a few horror stories about the Mazda diesel, but pretty much exclusively refers to the previous 2 litre engine. It would be nice to be able to wait for the next generation Octavia and Mazda due in late 2012/early 2013, but very easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the next big thing.

One option (gulp) is to pick up a SIDI Commonwhore wagon in 6 months time - under $20000 from a stealer with 3 year extended warranty. 9.3l per 100km with decent straight line speed and plenty big boot. Live without leather, but seat covers are easy to find for Aussie cars. Pootle around in that for a couple of years then flog it off for $5000-$8000 depreciation. Then look at next gen stuff.

[Gnat]

Please go for the Mazda, I very much enjoy the prestige of having non-mainstream and the smile on my face that signals I love my little secret

Funny how the guy at work almost begs me to tell him my 12 month old vRS has a problem, or a rattle, or bit thats falling off, or discoloured ...... but it hasn't, so I can't. He's a GTI owner, with some rattles, and bits that fell off ..... and feeling a little deflated because of it LOL

BTW, I note you are now talking a reasonable amount about price and depreciation. To me it seems then that you have no real attachment to any of these cars, or lost that attachement when you started over analysing price and cost factors. That happens!

Oh, and as others have said, seems a Standard Octavia should be compared to your Mazda 6, not so much the vRS

[hmoon101]

Oh, and as others have said, seems a Standard Octavia should be compared to your Mazda 6, not so much the vRS

That's exactly what I did and went for Octy 118 TSI, have never looked back since.

[RSOK]

Hmmm certainly not the first time I've heard of potential Skoda customers being put off by poor dealer customer service, inc woeful product knowledge. I must admit that the customer service from my local Mazda dealer was first rate, and while I still ended up buying the Octavia over the 6 on the strength of the car itself, I can see why many folks would immediately ignore a Skoda based on the poor customer service when they rocked up to a dealer to make inquiries and test drive, only to be confronted with a saleman who doesn't know his sh*t and who cannot answer their queries with facts.

Can't help but agree with some of the comments above about the vehicles though...don't get me wrong, I thought the 6 was a decent car but not quite up the the build and interior quality of the Octavia...nor the same driving experience. Luckily I knew my facts and had done my research and didn't need to rely on a salesman's advice/spin.

For some a car is a purchase with the head, for others like me it was more a purchase of the heart (ie what satisfies me and leaves me smiling... depreciation be damned, lidded-cup holders be damned...I want the car that I enjoy DRIVING as well as it fits my family's needs...both the Octavia and 6 wagons fit my needs, but it was the Octavia I enjoyed driving more).

[VAG newbie]

It's a good point to make about the 118 - which is what I asked the dealer to see. But he was useless and didn't have any 118's in stock for a test drive. The Scout is a bit drippy off the line for my tastes.

I've been reading a few horror stories about the Mazda diesel, but pretty much exclusively refers to the previous 2 litre engine. It would be nice to be able to wait for the next generation Octavia and Mazda due in late 2012/early 2013, but very easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the next big thing.

One option (gulp) is to pick up a SIDI Commonwhore wagon in 6 months time - under $20000 from a stealer with 3 year extended warranty. 9.3l per 100km with decent straight line speed and plenty big boot. Live without leather, but seat covers are easy to find for Aussie cars. Pootle around in that for a couple of years then flog it off for $5000-$8000 depreciation. Then look at next gen stuff.

As a father of 2 young boys (4&3), I would suggest you to consider the Superb wagon if SUV is not your taste. When I bought my Honda Euro, I said to myself, these boys are tiny, they don't need the rear leg room, so I went with the Euro.

You will be surprised how quick they grow. My boys are small compare to others in their age, yet both weigh over 17kg now. To put them into the child seat and fasten the seat belt in a tight rear space is a real strain to my back. Seriously! There is a reason that Commodore and Falcon have been Australia's favorite family car for years, and is only now taken by SUVs. That's why I'm letting my Euro go and getting a Superb now.

A 103TDI Superb wagon's RRP is $40990, but I am sure you can get it as driveaway price easily. It has park assist as standard, so all your parking sensors are there. Built quality will be miles ahead (it's in par with Audi A6!), 5 star safety (9 airbags!!) and not to mention heaps of rear leg room and the gigantic boot space! Yes, you will lose out on the leather and electric seat. But both can be opted, and if you are lucky, you should be able to pick up a demo elegance with all the features for similar money.

You can enjoy the performance and handling of your GTi now. But really, once you are a father, the safety and well being of your kids will become your priority, and you won't need those extra performance. A 103TDI should give you enough power for safe overtaking. Otherwise, a 118TSI mated with DSG in a superb will still give you a 0-100kph in 8.4 sec.

It's just my 2 cents as a father. Trust me, life is completely different when you are a dad!

[brad]

VAG Newbie proves that opinions vary like the weather.

i have a 14yo (165cm) & a 10yo (157cm) & they are both happy in the Octy - once they are in. I cant remeber having an issue getting them or the baby/booster seats in any of the vehicles we've owned in the last 14 years but we did sell a Suzuki Swift when the #1 was born. Mostly, I had medium cars (U13 Bluebird, Gen2 liberty, Mk3.5 cabrio & Octy sedan), wife had work cars that were mandated by her employers (about 10 falcadore sedans/wagons, 2x toyota Avensis verso 7seat, holden Captiva 7 seat, mitsubishi Outlander 7 seat, Subaru Outback). I did about half of the child ferrying & never had an issue getting the kids in & out of the smaller cars. Bigger just means you cart more junk around with you.

The kids favourite car has been the mk3.5 Cabrio with the roof down. The really like the turbo power in the Octy too. While I do drive a bit slower with the kids in the car, it isn't markedly so. A gutless car is just as big a safety hazard as a powerful car. Also, what % of time are the kids in the car? In my case, maybe 10% max, so no point buying a car just for the kids.