john banks

As above for a 25000 miles per year company car for the wife? Somehow the vRS is allowed in a list of fairly boring alternatives (presumably they are trying to flog them before the new vRS?), other quickish one is the Civic Type S, all the bigger stuff is relatively poverty spec and dull as dishwater.

We tried the Golf today and in the wet it was reasonably torquey, but not much power, ride/handling compromise quite good, but little in the way of feel or acceleration compared with a wrung out Puma she will be selling, however she doesn't really rev it so I think she would go quicker in the TDI and liked the torque. Test car had optional 17s, we both felt that this was only just firm enough despite this model already having "sport" suspension. Do the 16s make it considerably softer - 205/55R16 vs 225/45R17?

Trying to talk her at least into trying the vRS... the bigger boot would be good also as it is a sales job.

ECU remapping is not officially allowed.

logiclee

Massive difference in price between the two, list price on an Octavia vRS is only £13990 now, the Golf is £18500.

If she enjoys driving then the vRS is far more fun than the Golf even the new one. The GTTD140 follows the output of nearly all the PD engines, you get loads of bottom end torque but it tails off quickly. My Cousin is a Service manager for a VW dealership, I have driven nearly all the new Golfs except for the GTi.

The vRS will suit her driving style as well, maximum torque is available from only 1900rpm but you have the option of holding the gear should you want the power.

If I was doing 25000miles a year I would take the Golf if I was paying the fuel bills but the Octavia if I wasn't.

Cheers
Lee

brickboy

Worth checking the emissions as the new motor in the Golf qualifies for EEC IV which means low benefit in kind = low tax, and it wll stay low because the engine meets the new emissions guidelines.

IIRC the 180bhp petrol turbo in the Skoda is quite high CO2 output which would push up tax.

That's why I swapped my company Volvo T4 for a Passat PD130 18 months ago, with the change to the new rules I am now saving £1000 per year in tax plus £600 - £700 per year in fuel costs.

There's a very handy car tax calculator at http://www.fleetnewsnet.co.uk/tax_ca...tax_calculator which shows how the BIK works out over the next two years .... just punch in the figures and it dos it for you.

logiclee

Tax wise you will charged at 22% of list price for the Octavia and 16% for the Golf.

Becareful when checking on tax calculator sites as many don't have the Octavia's new lower list price. The Octavia vRS's basic list price before VAT is only £11418.72

Cheers
Lee

MattW

I've got a Golf GTTDi 140 and very impressed. Needed something to use for work that I would really want to drive, otherwise waste of money and I'd end up using the EVO.

Agree with Lee, massive amounts of torque but you need to flash through the gears to make VERY quick progress, however it is more than adequate to overtake on A roads.

Returns 50 to the gallon all day without any problems, comfy and roomy. We looked at the Fabia but the white seats of the vRS were a big no no with kids.

Paid £17085 for a 5 door Golf with metallic, but let the wife's scenic go on px for £500 behind book (that was the dealer's profit).

Hoping the Golf will return 10k after 3 years and 45k miles, shouldn't be a problem.

john banks

We drove the vRS today and we were both very impressed by how well it drives, equipment and interior, if she doesn't get one I'd be tempted by a used one as a daily hack, economy is quite good compared with a Scooby LOL, hmmm, remap She's struggling to decide between the two, tax works out quite similar given the lower list on the vRS, company paying the fuel.

Brakes were very progressive and strong on the vRS, handling was far crisper. Golf a nice all rounder as well though.

Civic Type S was a piece of pi$$. Firm ride, rolly polly, unimpressive acceleration, naff interior.

CraigH

what about an Ibiza Cupra TDi? too small?

john banks

Bit small, also not on the list.

Nathan L

I drive an Octavia all day every day at work. It's one of only a few cars I've driven that I can stay comfortable all day in. Although it feels a big car it's actually fairly small, although boot space is excellent. We've done 70k miles in a year and the only two things to have broken so far are the glove box handle and the switch for the interior boot lights, which now stay on all the time.

A good car and we're looking to buy one as a second fast saloon for more relaxed driving long distance than the Scoob.

john banks

Thanks Nathan. vRS ordered

Nathan L

Excellent

What colour?

Yellow?

maxim

Yellow ? Thought they only come in black? Well it is the best colour! www.markboyce.co.uk/pics/vrs - looks better now after having the grill sprayed black

john banks

Silver or black. Yellow or red didn't appeal

Nathan L

Ours are all silver with funny graphics except the driver training ones, which we take what we can get easily.

We call the yellow one the flying banana

TaviaRS

Good choice John

Fairly easy to live with and I gather they go fairly well.

john banks

You gather Makes you seriously question the relevance of a near standard Scooby, but you knew that anyway