103 vs 132

[Gerrycan]

I don't know what she's doing with that leg either. I can't get the adjuster to hit mine. I'll ask the 7 year old how he finds the leg room but I think the issue is having to put one leg either side of the tunnel. I suppose given we drive to QLD once or twice a year(2 days each way) it needs to be right.
.

(Read following with your best Monty Python Northern England accent)
I was youngest of three so got the middle seat with transmission hump which also intruded into the seat.
Car was a Standard 8 (8 hp from 800cc RAC UK rating). Two door, no boot lid (access via tilting rear seat), no seat belts, no heater (optional extra), top speed 61 mph (downhill). London to Devon took more than 10 hours (no motorways then). Luckily we were all skinny.

Tell that to today's kids and they won't believe you!

[brad]

LOL

I remember the hot, sticky vinyl seats in Dad's HR Holden driving to The Entrance for summer holidays. My older sister asked if we could get the beach towels out of the boot to sit on. Mum said no because "You'll make them sweaty". People used to put clear plastic seat covers over the vinyl seats. The 60s were bizarre.

Sorry for off topic OP

[Paul_R]

Oh the 70s and 80s. Having a birthday party after school? 15 kids coming? No worries. 3 in front seat (one in footwell), 5 across back seat and 2 more on the floor and 5 in the boot (estate not saloon). Car only had 2 seat belts and it wasn't a legal requirement to wear them.

Got a new baby? Put him (me) in his cot behind the seats of the MG Midget! Until we get the new Renault 5 at least. Then mum can sit in the back and hold him.

Yes, it's all very different now.

[GTR27]

Most cars have a transmission hump don't they?
If you're that worried about rear leg room, a superb will fit the bill.

I don't like the way dsg's take off either, but you can adapt your driving style so it isn't an issue. Just takes a while coming from a 'normal' auto. Maybe take a rs, or a TDI elegance for a spin?

Edit: but totally understand, happy wife = happy life so do what makes her happy. If you chose something and she doesn't like it you will never hear the end of it lol

[tigger73]

I've been following this thread for a while because the Octavia is on the "possible" list for my next car. One thing I need is a bigger boot than the Tiguan - which is where the Octavia gets a big tick.

Though I'm interested to hear peoples comments/feedback in the following areas:

• low km MkII vs new/demo Mk3 - is the extra $10-15k worth it?
• boot space - hatch vs. wagon
• road noise - hatch vs. wagon
• rear seat legroom for 3 kids (6, 9 & 11)

I know when I drive the Tig with the seats down it is quite a lot louder than seats up and boot cover on. I'm assuming that this is going to be similar for the Octy wagon. Though considering the wagon is a bit of a moot point really as my wife is not keen on a wagon (she says if I come home with a wagon she will kill me).

My other concern is the resale hit with the Octavia - hence why I would consider buying a low kms MkII vs new Mk3. As I drive high kms for work, 10,000km on a car is 3 months driving so a few km on the car is nothing really.

Even though I'd like to be driving an MQB platform RS, I'll be changing it over in ~3 years and don't want to be in a position where finance on the car is negative.

The plan is also to do some longer trips with the family so it has to have decent amount of space, good fuel economy and decent performance for when I need it.

[GTR27]

If you are doing 40k a year, anything you but will have a low resale...

I had a mk2 rs and loved it. Now have a mk3 amb+ on order. The mk3 is bigger inside (leg/shoulder room) and a lot lighter.
What is your main priority? Economy? Performance? Drive?

[tigger73]

If you are doing 40k a year, anything you but will have a low resale...

I had a mk2 rs and loved it. Now have a mk3 amb+ on order. The mk3 is bigger inside (leg/shoulder room) and a lot lighter.
What is your main priority? Economy? Performance? Drive?

Usually I get a fuel card for work so that's not an issue, however for family holidays I'll be paying out of my own pocket.

If I were to put them in order of priority it would be space/size, performance/driving enjoyment, economy. Basically if it's not big enough to fit everyone in comfortably then it's not enjoyable for anyone - particularly on longer trips which we're planning.


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[GTR27]

Well an Octavia is bigger inside than a tiguan, so that's easy. How much room you need inside will determine if you get a mk3 or mk2. A mk2 rs is a great value buy secondhand. I'd go a tsi model, just because they go better, are quieter and smoother.

Not much difference between sedan and wagon, but the taller space in the wagon helps with bikes etc. Not sure why she is against wagons. Once we got a wagon, my wife loved it. We also looked at SUVs and she agreed they are useless compared to a decent wagon. If you can get her past that hurdle, the wagon IMO is more usable for a family.

You planning on auto or manual? I would recommend driving both new and old - just remember new, look for something in stock because it will be 6-7 months if you order one ( generally orders will get better pricing though). For resale, of you bought new with 5yr warranty, and chopped it in at 3yrs with 2yrs warranty left, that would likely see the best resale.

[spud75]

Not much difference between sedan and wagon, but the taller space in the wagon helps with bikes etc. Not sure why she is against wagons. Once we got a wagon, my wife loved it. We also looked at SUVs and she agreed they are useless compared to a decent wagon. If you can get her past that hurdle, the wagon IMO is more usable for a family.

You planning on auto or manual? I would recommend driving both new and old - just remember new, look for something in stock because it will be 6-7 months if you order one ( generally orders will get better pricing though). For resale, of you bought new with 5yr warranty, and chopped it in at 3yrs with 2yrs warranty left, that would likely see the best resale.

The tiggy boot is tiny compared to my Octy wagon or even the A3.

I went shopping for a bigger boot from my A4 sedan. Had the A3 already. Compared boots on Q3, Tiguan, and Q5. Q5 was essentially the same size boot as A3. SUV's just dont have a big boot, they may often have a tall boot, but no depth so not really useful.

My wife loves the wagon as it is not much bigger a drive than the A3, but heaps more room inside. She also loves the big boot. The Octy is not like driving a passat or supoerb, but depending on just how much room you need, you may have to consider other options. Also drive the manual and the tdi if you get the chance. Sorry but the tdi is smooth, and it certainly isnt noisy, especially from inside the cabin. All the different combinations drive differently, so they are all worth test driving if you can.

Show the missus the RS wagon and once she sees the useful boot, she will change her tune pretty quick.

[tigger73]

I'd get auto/DSG just because it's one less thing to worry about when you have 3 screaming kids in the back. I'd only get the 6 speed so that means RS or TDI.

I'm aware of wait times on the Mk3 so I'd not be too fussy on the options boxes of I went this way. Low km Mk2 is attractive in terms of depreciation hit. Ideally I'd get both side by side but that may be a little hard.


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[Gerrycan]

I'd get auto/DSG just because it's one less thing to worry about when you have 3 screaming kids in the back. I'd only get the 6 speed so that means RS or TDI.

I'm aware of wait times on the Mk3 so I'd not be too fussy on the options boxes of I went this way. Low km Mk2 is attractive in terms of depreciation hit. Ideally I'd get both side by side but that may be a little hard.


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Solitaire Motors have usually got a couple of Mk 2's floating around on their site as well as the new ones
I am just down the beach at Grange if you want to look at and drive my Octavia Wagon. Nothing fancy just a Manual Ambition Wagon though.

[tigger73]

Solitaire Motors have usually got a couple of Mk 2's floating around on their site as well as the new ones
I am just down the beach at Grange if you want to look at and drive my Octavia Wagon. Nothing fancy just a Manual Ambition Wagon though.

Thanks for the offer. I'm up in the Barossa tomorrow so may drop through the Skoda dealer at Angaston and see what they have there. I know they have a new RS demo advertised for $39,990 + ORC but not sure how this compares to the current drive-away offer.

I still have to get the wife over the line on this one... and I think that may be the biggest hurdle to me owning a Skoda (badge snob haha)


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[Gerrycan]

I still have to get the wife over the line on this one... and I think that may be the biggest hurdle to me owning a Skoda (badge snob haha)


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Watching a very old episode of 'New Tricks' tonight. The Asian liaison officer joked that his name "Pushkar" was Hindi for Skoda.
Probably true for the time and I think that reputation still lingers here in Australia.

Honestly, I think you will find even the new Octavia a bit of a squeeze width-wise for three across the back for long journeys, and they are not going to get smaller over the next three years.
I think the diesel Mondeo is a wider and still has a big boot otherwise you are looking for a bigger diesel SUV. My friend is very pleased with his 2nd hand Toureg.

[tigger73]

Also one other question is what's the centre rear seat like in the various models/levels of trim? MkII RS looks a little high/raised in centre seat with deep buckets on either side. Plus the air vent on the floor seems to come a long way back and cut into rear legroom. Be interested in any feedback - especially from any centre seat passengers!!!!

[Gerrycan]

Also one other question is what's the centre rear seat like in the various models/levels of trim? MkII RS looks a little high/raised in centre seat with deep buckets on either side. Plus the air vent on the floor seems to come a long way back and cut into rear legroom. Be interested in any feedback - especially from any centre seat passengers!!!!

Common to a lot of other vehicles the centre rear seat back upright also contains the ski port, and the arm-rest / cup-holders for the two normal seats, it must have an affect on long-term comfort.
That is why it is a great car for two and less so for three on a longer journey. for the other 99% of time of urban travel it will probably be fine.
At the end of the day you will just have to take the kids along and plonk them in one to find out.
It is all hypothetical anyway if SWMBO cannot be influenced.