New Car-which one?

[wombatoutofhell]

Hi all-I'm after some advice. Next year I am returning to full time study and as such will have alot less income. This means cost cutting and obviously the car is one way of doing this. I've had a look around and decided a Golf or another Octavia. Currently I have a 2007 RS. Another reason for updating is it's going to be about 5 or 6 years before I can update again.
So the questions. I need something comfortable and able to make interstate trips. Obviously the 103TDI or 118TSI would be ideal (obviously the diesel is cheaper to run) but what about the 90TSI? It sounds a bit underpowered, but is it? They are certainly cheap enough and pretty well equipped for a poverty pack. Same questions for the 77TDI. I should mention I'm talking wagons.
Next-the DSG. I've read about people having issues but I put that mainly down to people with problem will jump on the Internet and make their feelings known, those who are happy have no reason to say anything. I am concerned. About extra service costs. No salesman I've spoken to can (or will) give me an answer on this. Any insights? I'd prefer a manual but they aren't easy to find.
Similar questions regarding the service of the TDI. Salesmen vaguely say it's about $40 more than the petrol, but I've learned not to pay much attention to them and do my own research. Are they right? The price of VW group servicing is really the only issue I have with getting another Skoda.
That's all for now-if I think of anything else I'll add to the thread.
Thanks all.

[BluChris]

I may not be the best to answer seeing I've just decided to get out of the brand, but if you are sticking with VAG I'd suggest look at the 90, but manual. Have seen plenty of manual hatches, not sure about wagons. By all accounts performance is OK.

There's plenty of evidence the 7 speed DSG is problematic, just look at the Golf and Polo sections. The 6 speed has a chequered history but is generally more robust and a safer bet. If you must have DSG then you'd need a diesel to get the 6 speed.

Can't speak for the new 77TDI, I have the old 77kw 1.9TDI. It ain't fast, but will cruise all day at the speed limit without a problem while returning great economy (low 5s with a full car and boot).

[K1W1]

Acceptable performance is something that only the owner can really quantify unfortunately. I might be happy with a car you may not but we are both actually correct from our perspective.
All I can say is that my neighbour across the road has a Octavia 90TSI hatch and has told me several times that it's the best car he has ever owned. To get to our houses it's 5km uphill and rises over 400 metres in that 5km and the neighbour has purchased a new car every three years for the last 25 years that I have known him so he has some form in owning lots of different cars at this location.

[wombatoutofhell]

If it will cruise quietly at 110kph with a full load, that's good enough for me. What make did you change to Chris? I've also looked at i30 (bit small and no wagon with the new model) i40 ( nice but a bit pricey, petrol model uses more fuel than my RS) 308 (ugly! Also in the small side) 6 and Mondeo ( pov packs unimpressive, diesels pricey, petrol models less economical than RS) Superb (lack of manual, price). Actually I really liked the 6 but price is problem. Hyundai and Ford have fixed price servicing which is a plus. I could make a case for both the Yeti and Tiguan (and probably other SUV's but I'd prefer a proper wagon)

[woofy]

I'm guessing you are looking at something below 30k as the Mazda 6 touring wagon dropped heaps last year and was around 34k driveaway for a long time. I've noticed the hatch is still pretty much the same price. I'm pushing my parents towards the 90tsi hatch Octy, but my Dad keeps looking at the i30 all the time.

[wombatoutofhell]

Somewhere around 30k yes. Price I got for the 6 from my local dealer was $35290 for auto petrol and $36490 for manual diesel. Obviously I can do better by shopping around but even then the diesels are hard to find

[BluChris]

I've gone with a Focus Trend manual. My budget was <25k since this was a change I didn't want to make but felt I needed to for my long term sanity. I also have other financial priorities such as braces for my 13 yo...

I don't need a wagon, or even the load space of an Octy any more so that helped massively. A reasonbly priced wagon is a problem nowadays as SUVs rule. The Octavia is one of the very few, and though I like the Yeti I'd go an Octy wagon for family duties.

[wombatoutofhell]

It's not really for family duties, but I like getting my bike in the back without removing the wheels and having room for when my wife and I go away. I do need to be able to fit grandchildren from time to time though

[BluChris]

Have you looked in person at the Yeti and Tiguan? Have both in our car park at work. Don't look very long so not sure if a bike fits or not?

If you can go manual and aren't fussy on colour there have been a few Melbourne based Yeti 77TSIs on Carsales at reasonable prices. If still there, I believe the $24k orange ones are at Essendon, $25k white at Richmond.

[K1W1]

The back seats lift out of the yeti in about 20 seconds. Great system for reallocating space.

[wombatoutofhell]

I have seen those yeti's and may take one for a drive but 77kw doesn't seem to be much power for a 1380kg car. Still apparently 90kw is enough for a 1425kg Octavia so who knows? As for the manual, I'd prefer it. I like to drive.

[K1W1]

My HQ had a whopping 88kw for 1340 kg weight and used to regularly tow a trailer made of real steel with three or four off road motorcycles plus people and gear and spare fuel all over NZ which as we know is way, way hillier than Australia.
Maybe the 3 on the tree was the secret to it's success or perhaps our expectations have changed somewhat.

[Damo105]

What are you doing with your 07 RS? I'm in the market for one potentially in the next fortnight.

[wombatoutofhell]

You have a 2011 and you want a 2007? I'd probably sell privately as the trade in offered was frankly insulting (apparently they can't sell a yellow car) Haven't really thought of what I'd want for it as there's a bit if wear and tear as well as it being a little oddball in the first place ie: rear wind up windows, silver roof rails no floor mats or cargo nets and no parking sensors.

[Jake02]

The Yeti 90TSI has just been announced to come with a DSG and I've heard Skoda Australia are doing it next quarter as a replacement or supplementing the 77TSI. I was pleasantly surprised by the 1.2 litre's performance but the 1.4 litre would be a better bet. Could be worth a look?