Buy a used Octavia.

[brad]

If the price is right & the rest of the car looks genuine - in a heart beat. I'd have no issues buying another Skoda.

[Skooter]

My two bob's worth. If tyre noise from the front is the only issue and the car looks straight, with no obvious collision damage, it's hard to imagine you'd be up for any expense beyond tyres and wheel alignment, which is minimal in terms of your purchase price. Noise sounds a lot like directionals fitted backwards (tyre rotation across instead of Fr to Rr?). Once you own an Octavia you'll wonder why there aren't thousands more on the road.
Had our 4x4 Octavia Scout (TDI 6-sp manual) for over a year now, bought with 47k and 2 years old, and still think it's the best car I've ever driven, let alone owned! The manual is a treat too.

[woofy]

Once you own an Octavia you'll wonder why there aren't thousands more on the road.

Because VW Australia don't want them to be, they want VWs to be the bulk car and Skodas to be niche and are scared that wherever Skoda gets a foothold, eg UK & Germany they outsell everything else. I'm sure plenty of VW dealers were very nervous and were probably pandered to keep Skoda low profile (likely still are).

[cbay]

Much appreciated for the info Brad. So all in all, would you buy it?

YES

i've got a 90tsi wagon, and the only thing that I have a problem with is the DSG. that car is a manual so it'll be even better.

got enough power on the daily drive, and very good economy (for a suburb-driven car)

also, ridiculous amount of boot space.

good luck with the purchase!

[wfdTamar]

One thing to look for is about 10mm play in the steering wheel. Caused by looseness in the shaft at the bottom of the steering column. Only official fix is a new column at $960 plus fitting! I had this on a 67,000km car.

[MYSKODA]

If that is the case, loose shaft, the car still has over 6 months warranty. Id like to think that would be covered. Thanks for the heads up ill check it out.

[Skooter]

One thing to look for is about 10mm play in the steering wheel. Caused by looseness in the shaft at the bottom of the steering column. Only official fix is a new column at $960 plus fitting! I had this on a 67,000km car.

That's seriously low mileage to present a problemo like that, wfd. And 7k out of warranty too? Any clues as to the cause? Bad case hardening on the rack or pinion?

[gldgti]

That's seriously low mileage to present a problemo like that, wfd. And 7k out of warranty too? Any clues as to the cause? Bad case hardening on the rack or pinion?

Theres a polymer bushing in the shaft that has a known early life failure on some units. Its not very common but its been documented elsewhere.

must have been the production run of one set of bushings.