New Car-which one?

[Mysticality]

I haven't driven any of the petrol Octy's (P-plate, can't drive turbo petrol) but I have the 125TDI and have driven a 103TDI Scout. I'd probably go for the 77TDI.
Less kW but more Nm than the 90TSI; and diesels are great for long highway drags.
About the same, if not a LITTLE better on fuel in the city areas, though.

I remember my little '07 Kia Rio; 1.4ltr 5spd manual with something like 75kW/125Nm. Not nearly enough torque.

[wombatoutofhell]

I think I'll take a 77 for a drive although losing a gear (manual) will be hard. So used to 6 speed now! Looking about you can get a low km 103 for around 30k which isn't much more than a new 77. Found a great Yeti-brand new 103 TDI, black, manual for $29990 drive away. Pity it's in Queensland. Also I'm apparently not allowed to have the same colour car as my wife.

[Mysticality]

I find myself sitting in 5th on the highway, anyway.

Some seat-of-the-pants testing, the MFD instant fuel consumption, along with my OBD-II scanner (watching engine load) has lead me to believe that best economy is around 2,250rpm.

Green P limit is 100, so 100km/h in 5th is around 2,250rpm. Its perfect.
Only really see the benefits of 6th when going over 110.

[iampivot]

Found a great Yeti-brand new 103 TDI, black, manual for $29990 drive away. Pity it's in Queensland.

Is it still on carsales?

[wombatoutofhell]

It was Saturday morning.

[wombatoutofhell]

Had a bit of a look around now, at many cars but keep coming back to Skoda. I've driven both the 90tsi dsg Octy and the 77tsi Yeti. I've looked at the Tiguan, Lancer, Golf, Cerato, Elantra, ASX, Dualis and a few others. I've reduced my budget a bit and also decided I don't really need all the space of the Octy, although it would be nice. To be honest I found the Octy a little underwhelming but thats probably due to it being DSG (I like manuals) and I'm used to my RS. The Yeti I loved. A 90tsi engine with manual transmission would be perfect, but not available. The 77tsi is a pearler of an engine and strangely sounds almost like the RS.
Bottom line-head says Octy, heart says Yeti.

[Mysticality]

Had a bit of a look around now, at many cars but keep coming back to Skoda. I've driven both the 90tsi dsg Octy and the 77tsi Yeti. I've looked at the Tiguan, Lancer, Golf, Cerato, Elantra, ASX, Dualis and a few others. I've reduced my budget a bit and also decided I don't really need all the space of the Octy, although it would be nice. To be honest I found the Octy a little underwhelming but thats probably due to it being DSG (I like manuals) and I'm used to my RS. The Yeti I loved. A 90tsi engine with manual transmission would be perfect, but not available. The 77tsi is a pearler of an engine and strangely sounds almost like the RS.
Bottom line-head says Octy, heart says Yeti.

Take a look at the Kia offerings.
Before I had the vRS, the family had 3 Kia's. My mum's '06 Rio is still going strong at 250,000km and 1,100km/week.
Despite what people say, they're really making nice vehicles now.

As for Octy vs Yeti... Do you do any offroad/gravel driving? At all?

If you sometimes take a dirt road to a friends house, then go with the Octy.
If your lifestyle is more outdoorsy (camping, fishing, etc) then get the Yeti!
If you want the Octy space, then get a wagon!

Why not take a look at the 77TDI Octy?

[woofy]

Sounds like you should get the Yeti Dave....the question is, why aren't you sold on it?

Actually not sure why you said there is no 90TSI man available, are you talking the Yeti or the Octavia as recently they were still advertising the Octys in manual driveaway.

[wombatoutofhell]

Love the Yeti but still wondering about how hard it would be working out on the highway-also concerned about fuel economy as some of the articles I'm reading quote figures close to what I'm getting now. Had my car valued as a trade in today and am more than a little miffed at Skoda now. $7500 for an RS is insulting. Went and test drove a Megane hatch. Nice but no Skoda.

[Mysticality]

You might be better off on a private sale...

[woofy]

I might know someone after your car, we were offered less at trade in for our mid 2006 Mazda 6 hatch in immaculate condition with 45k on the clock last yr at 5.5yrs old than a 6.5yr old Mazda 323 we sold 3yrs prior with 90k on the clock. Used car prices are down the toilet at the moment!

[Tigger]

$7,500 for the RS as a trade???

What model / kms / etc is it????

[wombatoutofhell]

It's a yellow 2007 although the compliance says 200 wagon with nearly 120000 on the clock. There are a couple of small problems, the worst being a hole in the carpet where my heal sits. It has a full service history.
After some deep reflection last night I've decided that the best car for me is the one I have. I was trying to cut my costs, less fuel, cheaper tyres, slightly cheaper insurance, lower repayments etc as well as regain a warranty for the period I'll be on limited income. I also have a balloon payment next year to pay it out. But with every car I've looked at I'm happy to be back in mine. So now I plan to refinance mine to cut payments and remove the balloon. The Yeti would have been cheaper to run most likely but I'm not sure it was enough to worry about. I just hope I don't blow an engine or anything-although probably the worst thing that will happen is the clutch wears out.

[wombatoutofhell]

I have no idea where that smiley came from-I thought u typed 2008. I have to admit such a low trade in offer would make me hesitate in buying another Skoda.

[BluChris]

Your trade in value is probably not as simple as 'it's a Skoda'. Factors affecting it would be manual, over 100k, no warranty and finally it's a Skoda. Mine was a built 07 complied 08 Octavia Ambiente diesel DSG. Two levels of trade offered - one around $8,500 for dealers who didn't give a toss about my business and $11.5 - 12.5 from those who did. Depending on the new car in my price range, could have got $13 - 13.5 max. But mine was 'auto' and under 45k. TBH the badge was a minor issue but some were worried about the DSG. They were scared it was dying hence reason for sale (it wasn't). Trade value was similar to a friend's Aurion, so not great or awful.

Most people tend to be shocked at trade in valuations nowadays, they are generally low with big markups once the car hits the yard to cover overheads and potential long lead times to sell given the strength of the new car market.

You probably are best off keeping your current ride if it is reliable and you like it.