Thinking of changing cars and seriously considering one of these (2.0l Petrol VRS). I have driven the Golf GTi and like the engine - plenty powerful for me and can be chipped for little money. Economy seems OK

Size wise they are great.

So any feedback from owners on them?

Also, another option is a Subaru wagon (had a WRX Saloon 3 years ago)

Any thoughts? I see the following as Pro's & Cons

Both Cost £17k for a newish one
Depreciation similar??
MPG VRS circa 34, wagon 28?
Insurance £350 vrs, wagon £650
Performance would favour the wagon but not by much once rolling I guess
Handling similar?
Performance upgrade - would only ever modify slightly so VRS cheaper to chip (both would go to 260bhp easily) - VRS would lose warranty.
Looks are subjective bu neither beauty queens - interior better in the Vrs
Build quality similar?
Desirability to thieves Similar?

Again, any thoughts or alternatives that I am missing?

 

mate has a 06 VRS in race blue. Lovely machine........

 

I've a 54 reg Mk 1 vRS hatch. Best car I've ever owned. I've test driven a Mk 2 - very nice car - especially with the optional 18" rims. Economy will be much better than a WRX, as will insurance. Not as much of a tealeaf magnet. Performance as standard less than a WRX especially off the line, but the FSi turbo is a torquey beast and has a wide power band. Rapid at motorway speeds - helped by the slippery shape - cd is 0.28 I think.

Easily modded without too much expense.

Go over to BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community for unbiased views Search for posts by Shifty - he has a 280 bhp Mk2 which is indecently rapid

 

Bugger!! beat me to it .... cracking site they have over there.. useful , too
lots of Minters on there , too

 

Shifty

 

cool isnt it....

 

The Skoda badge still has a problem with a lot of people for some reason. I personally couldn't give a **** if it goes well.

 

indeed, this last statement is true, my brother has one and it actually is a really nice car and rapid to boot. If there is anyone who can badge snob this particular car then they don't deserve it anyway imo!

 

Nice car,and easily modded too

 

Very easily modded

 

can these engine not be taken to 300bhp relatively easily?

 

The Octavia is an excellent car. If I was buying one I'd get the estate version in a sober colour, remap it (I'd go for a Bluefin map,it's the best out there currently despite beng from superchips who I normally wouldn't touch with a bargepole) and have one of the best Q cars available.

Even residual values are going to be good on these, maybe not as good as a MKV GTi but still excellent. Plus you won't have to deal with crappy VW customer service.

 

How can people with Subarus ever comment about badge snobbery?

 

250bhp is easily acheivable with a bigger (ko4)turbo,remap,exhaust and intercooler,all of which(bar the remap)can be sourced from other VAG Group models like the LCR and TT,but i think that is about the limit with taking the engine apart..............still a good increase though +70bhp.

 

There are 1.8T Octavias running about with well over 300bhp which haven't required engine dismantling. My vRS is putting out 231bhp/251lbf with a remap, downpipe and exhaust. Original K03s turbo and SMIC.

 

My Jabba IHI'd vRS runs 337bhp on standard internals and standard clutch.

 

Is the new vRS Octy as easily tuned as the old 1.8T version though?

 

And can it be driven in anything damper than four days sunshine on the trot?!

 

Had a mark 1 vRS which was 1 of the best cars i've ever owned. Looked at the mark 2 last jan and actually ordered 1 but ended up cancelling and getting a Focus ST. Silly mistake, will probaly get a mark 2 when i get rid of my STi.

I just think its funny when people make snide comments about Skoda's, half of them haven't even looked at them properly to relise theyr'e a good looking well built car.

 

Al - Can't agree with the "good looking bit" but agree on the other points.

The mk1 vRS I tested was easily the best VAG product with the 1.8T engine.

 

Yes you gain about 40-50 hp and 60-70 ft/lb, although if you have DSG i think most tuners limit torque to @ 245-250 to preserve the box , having said that VAG-Tech's V6 TT makes 400+ with a slightly modded DSG

Having said that according to VAG forum folklore and legend a lot of the later 2.0T make 220 ish,

 

i've just bought a 54 plate octy vrs and i'm very pleased with it, i'm getting around 30-35 mpg out of it ( and i've booted it a few times ) the boot is huge and it goes very well pulls smothly all the way up to the red line with not to much lag ,its a bit of a dog in the wet though as its only fwd ,

 

Of course you can.

 

This car did a couple of laps today at Oulton park.
I must say it appeared one of the quickest on the track. Others included a 2.6 twin turbo Skyline, Evo fq 300, Tvr cerbera, Porsch carrera s amongst others.
Not to be underestimated.

 

I've driven both vRS petrol and the new diesel. Both are very good cars - well built, spacious and nice to drive. The petrol feels more sporty, but the mpg of the diesel makes a compelling case if you do a lot of miles. Neither is the last word in driver involvement - understeer, lack of traction out of roundabouts is the name of the game - but as an all-rounder I think they're hard to beat for the money.

Gary.

 

Extraordinary. Not one person recommended the WRX. Sign of the times?

 

Thanks for all the comments guys.

As an update I have test driven the VRS and decided to buy one...should collect it in a weeks time.

Car is a good compromise of decent performance (quicker than it feels as it delivers the power smoothly), relatively comfy and a decent size.

Was also surprised nobody put forward a 'case' for the wagon.

 

What spec on the Octy?

 

Spec is:-

Black Car
18" alloys
Dual climate air con pack
Factory Sat Nav

Just changed the insurance from my Skoda Superb 2.0tdi and the premium has increased by £30 - now upto £300.

If there was UK STi wagon I would have got one....the WRX does not offer enough increased performace to compensate for the cheaper running costs and better refinement of the Octavia (for me...appreciate everyone has their own take on things)

Now have a Fabia VRs and Octavia VRs on the drive which is a bit wierd!

 

That's like mine, apart from the sat nav. After one week and 800 miles, I'm impressed... good all-round car.

eta - although the rear visibility is diabolical.