New Octavia ....when? How Much?

[Polo GTEye N9]

Last Saturday drove an Brown Octavia Elegance TDI DSG S'wagon. Ok but after the VW GTi seats we were not impressed. I have flagged our interest in test driving their Silver Octavia vRS TSi DSG S'wagon.

I notice the S'wagon twin exhaust is a single system with a fake outlet on the right side. The Liftback is a twin outlet.

Stiv and GeeMatt seriously they quoted you guys 12 mths from order to delivery time, at least?

It has already been said but not many people will tolerate these sort of extended wait times. What are Skoda thinking, these cars are not high end excotics. How do these Skoda sales dealerships and staff survive? We only have two in Brisbane.

I should think they would be breaking their necks to do deals and give the customer the best deal possible. I never pay full price if it is at least negotiable. Then if they can't offer a better price then at least add value. Posts here suggest up to 8+% discounts for those prepared to haggle?

Well no one has mentioned the fact that for possibly the last twenty years new cars in their specific segment 'micro, small, large SUV etc' have pretty much remained the same or reduced in price but have grown in every other way, size, technology, safety, etc etc. The first Commodore is much the same size as a current Mazda 3. As for value for money they have much much more for your $$ but prices have either remained similar or reduced.

For example the first WRX RRP MY93 were approx $40k RRP and the current MY15 is $43K RRP.

My point is that if my observations and limited exposure to the brand and facts are correct there has been two Models the superceded 1Z and the current NE series of Octavia vRS released in Australia. The price seems to have reduced for the NE series and they have advanced much more in terms of better platforms, engines & transmissions and equipment.

Those in the know please correct me if I am on the wrong track.

On paper, prior to a test drive, I really like the MY14/15 NE Octavia vRS TSi DSG S'wagon in Moon White or Race Blue with Option of Tech, Canton, Pana Roof, Keeys with alarm.... But 12 mths at least wait............

Cheers Al

[Stiv]

Hi Al, 12 months is a very long wait agreed, the dealer I was dealing with was frustrated, as I could tell he wanted to move cars but couldn't. 2 different dealers told me the same wait period and one was in Brisbane, other in melbourne.
I'm fortunate that I don't need the octovia for at least a year or even more, we have other cars which we are keeping. The purchase is more of a want now, and a need if kids come our way they will fit in nicely. I accidentally stumbled across the rs and couldn't be happier for trying it. For others needing it now, it's hard to beat under 45k and other options may be required.
This month I've tested the new wrx which is awesome, but a bit small in the rear seats if baby seats where in backwards and a passenger directly in front. The liberty gt premium which has an excellent engine but the seats don't hold you in place and the brakes aren't very good, and it's very pricey and doesn't steer as good. Went into Renault to check out the gt220 today, but it's manual only so no go. Cars left to try are the holden sv6, bmw 328i 2011 or 12 model, Volvo s60 T6 2011 model, and audi a4 2014 model if I wait a year it might be around the same price as the drive away skoda rs.
I have read that many people are getting great discounted prices hence me asking what they have actually paid, but I called another dealer after the original quote of high 43k, and he said he could match it but not beat it.

[Benmac]

New Octavia ....when? How Much?

Where are people getting 12 months wait? Granted different specs can cause delay but we ordered a car mid May, was built mid July and was on a ship end of July. Will be on a ship for about a month and here early September. For a custom build to order coming from Europe I rate that pretty quick. Audi Mercedes BMW would struggle to do as well.

Factor in new stated emphasis on VRS lead times getting reduced and MQB mastermind getting fired for messing up supply I would venture to say my experience will be the norm. You also need to realize that batches get consolidated for shipment so you need to time you order.

Re exhausts. Diesel vrs has a fake 2nd outlet. Petrol has 2 genuine ones.

Re price. 8 to 10% is not that hard. Just be prepared and know what that price is. I took in an excel printout.

[brad]

I notice the S'wagon twin exhaust is a single system with a fake outlet on the right side. The Liftback is a twin outlet.

Really? You got under & had a look? Someone else made that comment once based on there being a pipe but it was "blocked off". They didn't realise it was a flap that opened as the RPM climbed.

How do these Skoda sales dealerships and staff survive? We only have two in Brisbane.

I reckon thay don't.

The dealer I bought off appears to have taken on Skoda as an entree to getting a VW franchise. He had Skoda for a year, then got VW & bailed out of Skoda a year after that.

I'm also told that the new franchisee in that area had been promised the Audi franchise if they took Skoda.

It's all hear-say but perception is reality.

When I bought my car in 2008 the saleswoman mentioned that she had sold 3 cars in 6 weeks. She was an experience saleswoman & had come from another niche marque where she had been very successfull, so it wasn't that she didn't know how to sell a low volume brand.

My point is that if my observations and limited exposure to the brand and facts are correct there has been two Models the superceded 1Z and the current NE series of Octavia vRS released in Australia. The price seems to have reduced for the NE series and they have advanced much more in terms of better platforms, engines & transmissions and equipment.

The Mk2 is a very good car, I'm sure the Mk3 is better in it's own way (there have been some backward steps). In fact I've just this morning got out of a 30,000km Mk6 Golf TDI and was thinking what a piece of crap it was compared to my 139,000km / 6 yr old Octavia.

Re: bending over backwards to do a deal... No point if the wait is 12 months - you may as well do RRP, especially if you think you aren't going to be there in 12 months as I believe commission only gets paid when the vehicle is delivered? (woofy will know). You'll probably find most Skoda salesmen are just using it as a stepping stone to VW or Audi where there is stock & quick sales available.

[woofy]

I wasn't surprised to see Richmond Skoda had no original staff since the mk3 came, I'm pretty sure no commission would be paid until delivery. The new car is a lot more appealing to the general public, it seems they expected higher allocations by now and Skoda hasn't delivered. If they don't soon then they are finished. One guy said he had more orders himself than the entire months national allocation so the volume is there. They will stick it out for a while but if it's still like this by Dec I'm not sure what will happen. They do have the other models so hoping they don't have this issue with them when the new Fabia comes in particular.

[Guyzer]

Re price. 8 to 10% is not that hard. Just be prepared and know what that price is. I took in an excel printout.

For your reference Stiv I got 9% off an RS wagon with tech pack in July. Just happened to have a day off work. It was only a couple of days after EOFY. Basically haggling went to two friendly rounds, took 2 mins and was concluded by splitting the difference on the last $1000. I think if you seek 10% or more there have to be reasons why the dealer would want to (bonus targets, shifting yard stock, manufacturer incentives...) or you just have to be prepared to walk the talk - literally go from dealer to dealer seeking best price and seeing what happens.

The supply/demand situation with the RS is an interesting one. I reckon the wait times mean most dealers will offer something as a sweetener, but you have to remember the ultimate reason for the delays is it is a popular model. Skoda as a whole has no need to chase business, but some dealers might.

[GTR27]

Where are people getting 12 months wait? Granted different specs can cause delay but we ordered a car mid May, was built mid July and was on a ship end of July. Will be on a ship for about a month and here early September. For a custom build to order coming from Europe I rate that pretty quick. Audi Mercedes BMW would struggle to do as well.

Factor in new stated emphasis on VRS lead times getting reduced and MQB mastermind getting fired for messing up supply I would venture to say my experience will be the norm. You also need to realize that batches get consolidated for shipment so you need to time you order.

Re exhausts. Diesel vrs has a fake 2nd outlet. Petrol has 2 genuine ones.

Re price. 8 to 10% is not that hard. Just be prepared and know what that price is. I took in an excel printout.

And this is where people are getting angry. I ordered a ambition plus manual wagon at the start of may, and have **** all info aside from 'its ordered'. The only reason Skoda offer for such a delay is that it wasn't a modified dealer pre order.

You may have been lucky on modifying an existing dealer order, and have gotten there at the right time. But your experience is not the average experience with orders. An rs order that quick is not normal. 6-8 months is normal.

The only reason I'm waiting is there is nothing this size, with this space and all this kit for remotely close to this price brand new.

[Dzl_Dubba]

Finally got my VIN number. Car was loaded on the vessel Asian King on the 8th July and is now on route to Australia having left South Africa. Should get to Port Kembla on the 18th August.

[Benmac]

Why so slow to get the VIN. Dealer sucks? I think since Skoda is so poorly run here (or have been) there are far more bad dealers than good. Anyway good news and photos expected

[Dzl_Dubba]

Why so slow to get the VIN. Dealer sucks? I think since Skoda is so poorly run here (or have been) there are far more bad dealers than good. Anyway good news and photos expected

Dunno, but they've been good especially with the amount of emails I've been sending through lol. I was told the car was built back in July and my dealer was chasing Skoda for the vin. Still slightly worried my order may be wrong in some way or something may happen, similar to what Venom is experiencing. First time buying a new car so fingers crossed.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Unless VW Australia put pressure on skoda cz hq to increase the number of build allocations for oz, we r going to continue to c long long wait times for the mk3. As the mk2 became old, less factory order allocations were required. However, with the mk3, a new model with lots of interest, it looks like vw aus forgot to up the skoda build spots.
Frankly, vw oz aren't concerned, nor worried - customers will just go and buy their vw product instead.
Tis a shame really - the mk3 deserves alot more, however r being severely restricted to the Australian market.
Thank you VW Australia.

[Antiplastix]

There s more to buying a car than screwing the dealer for a 8% discount, like Brad I bought my first Skoda from the same defunct dealer. They had no interest or knowledge in/about the car. My new TDI was bought locally and while I got free on roads/delivery etc. I didn't get the huge discount some are talking about. I did however get a $20k trade in on a 5 year old (very pampered) vRS TSI manual wagon. We were both happy with the deal, and the trade didn't stay long on the lot. Out of interest that dealer has sold about 40 new Octavias this year.

[daMama]

Spoke to my dealer today. Still no build date, despite having bought the car back in late May. He also said I can't pay on credit card (was going to pay in instalments to avoid surcharges), so there go heaps of points

[Stiv]

For your reference Stiv I got 9% off an RS wagon with tech pack in July. Just happened to have a day off work. It was only a couple of days after EOFY. Basically haggling went to two friendly rounds, took 2 mins and was concluded by splitting the difference on the last $1000. I think if you seek 10% or more there have to be reasons why the dealer would want to (bonus targets, shifting yard stock, manufacturer incentives...) or you just have to be prepared to walk the talk - literally go from dealer to dealer seeking best price and seeing what happens.

The supply/demand situation with the RS is an interesting one. I reckon the wait times mean most dealers will offer something as a sweetener, but you have to remember the ultimate reason for the delays is it is a popular model. Skoda as a whole has no need to chase business, but some dealers might.

Thanks guyzer. I test drove the new holden Sv6 with the mrs today and we both agreed that it wasn't the car for us. So the skoda is still in number 1 spot and even at full retail value all cars tested so far can't match it. The rs is a very popular model, I'm really interested to see what resale value this car will have in a year or 2.

[Guyzer]

Indeed. As GTR27 said the product is good and unique in Oz. So I guess when you decide that, you accept you have to get in the queue and follow the Skoda pantomime for a few months. IMO there's nowhere else to go unless you are spending Audi money. I was in for a wagon and briefly thought about the SV6 sportwagon. Great value for money, running costs aside, but honestly I'm not sure when we'd need 950 litres cargo space.