after Octavia?

[nyc863]

i am nearing the end of warranty on the vrs tsi wagon
wondering what to change to. No particular reason just like a change.

the rs has handy performance but I get tired of seeing avg 11/100km for the accumulation of short school/shop/traffic and hill heavy trips the family must do.

I was thinking of a 40-50k budget and had a few ideas.

first was a Mazda cx5 diesel. I test drove one and liked the istop, consumption and utility. being a typical suv it is nice not to dodge potholes and so on. But. big but. the interior was a leg down after VAG: like sitting in a hard dark grey plastic bathtub that alone was the deal killer. it has a car like driving position which buries you more in the cheapness than a typical suv.

next up is a superb wagon tdi. I know I will like this idea a lot, but it is perhaps too statesman like for kids and school
mum use. still tempting though. i pause for thought because I believe superb has a redesign very soon.

finally I test drove a prius v. as expected, driving it is a momentum game but I love the tech and the third row for those times my wife wants to play taxi service for 5 crazy kids! it is also really roomy in general and I think can do sub 5 per tank even for our terrible (inefficient) use patterns. creeping along in traffic in electric mode is really satisfying for some reason. unfortunately there is not yet a Prius v itech which gives the cool radar following, leather and sunroof etc.

other ideas: Kia sportage?

what would you guys pick post Octavia wagon? it is quite difficult if you want a change. at skoda prices, interiors of the competition are disappointing

[DunlopRS]

how about the TDI - never seen an indicated consumption in my vRS above 8L/100 if the trip is more than 5 km....

[gldgti]

Yeah, I mean I think anyone with any sense would find it hard going 'back' after an Octavia.... sounds like maybe you just got the wrong engine

Something like a Mondeo would probably compare in terms of consumption, roominess etc but the interior is poor just like the mazda.

[nyc863]

regarding consumption almost all our trips are 5km such is the nature of where we live, and hills make things worse I guess.
generally the whole tank gives us 400km, and this with a light foot.
if we drive to the blue mountains I can get it down to 7.something.

i knew consumption would not be great and that isn't why I am looking to change, just want a change. before the rs was a golf tdi so I am used to flip flopping on the power train.

yeti is tempting. as long as it comes with a kids bike carrier now that we don't need to fold strollers etc.

[woofy]

A diesel won't help those figures, I was near 11 with our SKoda and about the same with the diesel Santa Fe. I was planning to get a Superb wagon, but the issues with the 7 spd DSGs and the need for a 3rd row overweighed it.

I contemplated an Odyssey but liked the turning circle and short length of the Santa Fe. Lots of new choices coming out now, the CX5 is a rort for the diesel the lower models are better value just the anaemic petrol engine lets it down. Suburu and Toyota have some of their joint cars, the 86 looks interesting and the Subie variant also looks the goods. The new XVs are much improved.

[Mysticality]

Kia Sorento SLi. (CRDi)

Had one before the Octavia. Traded because I was always taking it down 4WD tracks and it was only a matter of time before I bent something too expensive for me to fix.
Amazing engine. Interior quality feels the same as the Octy. Ride quality is pretty well exactly the same as my vRS.

Towards the end of my having it, I was getting a typical average mileage of around 7L/100km. 4.5L/100km highway and around 8 in town.
Got 13 in Sydney CBD, but I was flogging it.

[candy_wagon]

My wife has a MY10 Sorento SLi CRD and while it fits the bill for seating and economy, I can't agree with Mysticality on the interior front. I feel that the design is good but the plastics, fit and finish are much less than VAG. That aside, while the diesel engine and 6sp auto are rippers, the noise intrusion in unacceptable and the ride quality is quite poor compared even to the humble Territory.

As for the Sportage - too small for more than 1 kid, rear vision would shame a Lamborghini and in a recent small SUV megatest in Wheels, if finshed 3rd last out of about a dozen cars. Writers cited poor refinement, ride quality and engines.

My alternative would be to stay VAG and go consider a Passat wagon. Bland, yes, but the new Allroad variant is out here now/soon and gives you the space, diesel economy, quality and price you want.

That's my 2 cents worth anyway...

[MarksVRS]

I live in Concord (Sydney) and 85% of our driving is less than 8km round trip and almost always in traffic. Even in the heaviest of traffic the economy remains 8l/100km or less (unless I am absolutely stopped which is rare fortunately). The consumption drops very rapidly once out of traffic (a quick trip to Silverwater via the M4 is enough to drop to 6l/100km).
I can't help but suggest the TDI VRS although if you want something different, there is a good range of TDI competition. Previously I owned a 2007 (AH?) CDTI Astra which was great except for lack of storage in the front and the hatch wasn't big enough for family holidays. The missus still wishes we kept it as a second car. I have to say it was an efficient and zippy car with a nice 6 speed manual.

[Mysticality]

I always found the interior to be an awesome place in the Sorento; be it on or off road.
Mine got muddy a few times, and the only damage to it were broken plastic mudflaps, because of large rocks, and a slightly dinted centre muffler. But its not like you need that anyway.

In all honesty, I would never look at anything that wasn't diesel, ever again. The pure torque and economy is beautiful. I'm getting 4L/100km highway out of my vRS manual.
Combined highway/city is about 6.
I remember once flogging it through town like an extreme p-plater. I got home and the dash showed an average of 9L/100. Not bad for a 15k trip on basically full boost.

Revelation - Perhaps thats why I need new tyres now.

[candy_wagon]

I always found the interior to be an awesome place in the Sorento; be it on or off road.
Mine got muddy a few times, and the only damage to it were broken plastic mudflaps, because of large rocks, and a slightly dinted centre muffler. But its not like you need that anyway.

I agree with its practicality, I just think the hard surfaces are a bit below par. My wife can't claim that she has been off road in hers (she still slows up for a puddle in her 'truck') but I did load it to the gills with timber and such today and it was good. We also average less than 8.5L/100km in mostly urban driving.

However I like our Sorento a little less after driving my father in law's new diesel Territory. I wouldn't buy one in a million years but it did ride noticably better and was infinitely quieter. It was however not as quick and still averages over 11L/100km in my FIL's very conservative hands!

[Mysticality]

Oh, bloody hell... :S
You'd think Ford could pull off a better vehicle than the humble Kia, wouldn't you. Heh.

That being said, I would buy another Sorento in an instant. Its an excellent car.
Although, I think my next car (Colorado 7) will sit alongside the Skoda in the garage, not replace it.

[nyc863]

I drove a yeti tdi yesterday and it is really pleasant. the diesel was spirited the car felt nimble and it was airy. I like the styling too unlike the Octavia look.
the sales guy said an Octavia run out is looming, and as the update will retreat from the facelift look there will be big incentives. I am a bit disappointed in the depreciation on the vrs, I think the onroad was 47k over 2 years ago, now I would be lucky to get 26k private despite low kms: that's more than the average 3 year depreciation figure

[K1W1]

finally I test drove a prius v. as expected, driving it is a momentum game but I love the tech and the third row for those times my wife wants to play taxi service for 5 crazy kids! it is also really roomy in general and I think can do sub 5 per tank even for our terrible (inefficient) use patterns. creeping along in traffic in electric mode is really satisfying for some reason. unfortunately there is not yet a Prius v itech which gives the cool radar following, leather and sunroof etc.

Some friends of ours purchased the first privately owned Prius in Australia. After 5 years and about 100,000km the steering system mucked up. The quote to repair - $14,000! For the steering system!
They now run a Yaris.

[K1W1]

the sales guy said an Octavia run out is looming, and as the update will retreat from the facelift look there will be big incentives.

According the the stories in yesterdays press the new Octavia will be released in the northern autumn (the September/October car show circuit) and will be here in Australia early in 2013. I guess that means that Skoda are unlikely to build any more current Octavias after their traditional summer holidays in July so realistically any stocks will have to last for 6-9 months until the new one arrives.
Skoda Australia always have a special in February and my pick would be that that would be when the Octavia run out would be on in earnest if there was any stock still available at that time.
This is looking really good for me. My car is 3 years old at Christmas so mid 2013 would be a good time to do a change the new model will mean it will be like getting a completely new car not just a face lift.

[scobb]

Something like a Mondeo would probably compare in terms of consumption, roominess etc but the interior is poor just like the mazda.

If you can hang on for about 6 months, the recently announced new Mondeo looks the business to me. More than a hint of Aston Martin, with a very classy interior.