Octavia or 159

[hiho]

Hi all,

our 9n3 Polo TDI has been absolutely trouble free for 165K but is unfortunately too small for our growing family. My wife and I are looking at replacing it with a larger diesel and are considering an Octavia sedan/wagon or Alfa 159 sedan/wagon. I'd prefer a manual gearbox which seems to limit selection in either case.

I am after informed opinion on either car (or suggestions for other cars to consider).

Cheers!

[GTR27]

An Octavia will be a much more reliable prospect. The 159 isn't as spacious either. They aren't as bad as old Alfas for reliability, but they certainly arent a Toyota. Should be able to pick up a manual diesel Octavia cheap, if you are prepared to wait for one to come along. Either car get it inspected by a brand specialist independent mechanic.

If you do go the Alfa, avoid auto at all costs.... It's one of the most unreliable gearboxes ever made (selespeed). Makes the 7spd dry clutch dsg in the polos seem reliable.

[geoffs]

Neighbours had a 159 but not for long.
Alphas use oil from the start. Maintenance cost a bomb with the engine requiring the timing belt and a major service after 40,000.
Have a look at the UK JD Power reliability survey

[hiho]

Thanks GTR, i think a test drive would help alot. I like the look of the skoda but love the look of the alfa....

[brad]

I love the looks of most Alfas too.

I'd love a Brera.

Agree with others. Stay away from Autos.

I have a few mates that have had Alfas and they all wax lyrical about the "drive" but none seem overly motivated to relive the ownership experience.

Neighbour up the road has a late 90s GTV that he's had since new. It used to be his daily but he drives a Kia these days. I think the 60k timing belt change interval was sending him poor.

A good friend of mine had a 147 diesel bought new for 5 years & by all accounts it was trouble free. She did get it serviced by Foley though & they have a great rep. She now has a Giulietta QuattroVerde, so she obviously likes the marque.

I don't think Alfas are as bad as some make out but you definately need to be an enthusiast to own one. Camry drivers need not apply.

[hiho]

I have a couple of pre-fiat alfas that take turns up on blocks. They're on club reg so its ok, kinda duty/standby daily driver cars....

I dont think my wife would like her car added to that mix though! She has her eye on the Octavia so if we get a 159 and ANYTHING goes wrong i am going to be in big trouble... but then, the 1.9TDI is the same motor as the polo in a bigger car and the 2.4JTD has 400nm....

Things to consider when buying a newish car....

[woofy]

Agree with what others said, if you like throwing money at a car and can afford for it being a paperweight go the Alfa....I can count two friends with late model alfas sitting not running at the moment. One is due to the big service being due.

Depending on how far back you are looking all Octavias were manual before the end of 2008, the DSG was MY09 so were just starting to come in the later half as were the diesels. Some smart people still got manuals, I certainly will be again.

[GTR27]

The 1.9pd is extremely reliable, just not fast. I think the 103 might have had injector issues but is much faster. Maybe brad/transporter/ other mechanics can elaborate on what you need to look for on a 103?

[brad]

I know stuff-all about the finer points of diesels. I don't think you'd go too wrong with any of them especially if you get non-DPF.

Personally, I'd look for a manual 118tsi or an RS. Both great buying, reliable & good economy for the amount of oomph they have.

[Martin]

The 159 does handle well, the styling is a matter of taste
The interior space/room is disappointing for the size of car,
get 4 adults in there and you'll see what I mean - the front seats need to go forward, everybody has to compromise
The center console is very wide reducing the size of the driver and front passenger foot well

The selespeed gearbox is awful - only blind brand loyalty enables people to tolerate it

At a recent Wakefield Park track day the Alfa guys were there - it was their national event
Two of the modern Alfa's lost their gearbox during the day

[anthony]

Why not play safer and get a Jetta ???

[GTR27]

How is buying a jetta safer than an Octavia? Same pretty much everything, except shell. Skoda's are actually built in Europe too, so traditionally are screwed together better. They always rate higher than vw in reliability results, despite using the same mechanics/electrics

[brad]

Jetta are Mexican built aren't they? mainly aimed at the North American market?

[dArK5HaD0w]

Why not play safer and get a Jetta ???

the jetta is only available as a sedan. on the otherhand, the octavia is available as a liftback or wagon - hence more practical with carrying load.

Jetta are Mexican built aren't they? mainly aimed at the North American market?

indeed they are.
the american don't like skoda.

[woofy]

It's not that Americans don't like Skodas. VWs there are very cheap compared to here. The US has requirements where companies have to build locally sometimes as well. One of the reasons we went the Octavia is because QC in the Czech republic is reknowned, whereas the Jettas in mexico and the Golfs (well some of them) in SA wasn't so appealing.