The Dilemma of which One

[JayJayGT]

Hi everyone,

Been reading a lot on these forums and would really appreciate views on which way you would steer with experiences in regards to running costs, comfort, little bit of fun for either a 2016/17 Skoda Octavia VRS petrol (split headlight version 230bhp) and a 2016 Jaguar XE R-Sport or Portfolio petrol 240bhp (25T)

For the last 3yr's been driving 2007 Mazda6 Tumara which has been faultless, it was bought as a run around when I moved jobs as before that I had company cars, BMW's 120D, 320D, Vauxhall Astra van and Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.6D

Looking at options wanting something as a daily drive that’s comfortable, has a bit of power and can be fun with B roads, not talking about taking twisties at speed but more feeling a bit planted- hope that makes sense.
Has sensible running costs, not talking about mpg but more for things like service costs, repairs & reliability, would be looking to hold on to the car for at least 4yrs or longer.

The VRS and Jag XE both look great, some really good examples to be had between £15k to £16k, got a few more months to get finances in order but very much conflicted over which one.

I know the XE can have issues but the petrol's seem to be very reliable, only thing that concerns me is the service costs and how much of it always needs to be done at a main dealer or specialists due to the software updates etc.

The VRS is a great car and I guess is my backup plan as tbh my heart says Jag XE, but I need to be realistic as well.

Hope my mumblings make sense and you made it this far reading my first post lol

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the madhouse!

Given the variety of company cars you've had it probably depends whether you prefer FWD or RWD.

If the former it has to be the Skoda but if the latter the Jaguar, even if I suspect it may cost a bit more to run.

On a much lower budget and with a preference for RWD and a naturally aspirated petrol straight 6 in 2019 I bought a 2005 BMW 330i with 258PS and haven't regretted it at all.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want the extra space that going FWD gives & you want the best FWD in class then go for the Titanium with the XPack:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101077...

Otherwise I'd say go for the XE.

[covmutley]

Test drive a xe s. I loved mine.

[JayJayGT]

Things would be boring without some mad now & again

Thanks for the replies, the Mondeo does come with a lot of kit and well priced but I'm really set on either the XE or VRS, I have been looking for a while at different styles from hot hatches to SUV's taking in to account being able to have a little fun with decent running costs and reliability and whittled it down to a VRS or XE.

Have driven a 2015 VRS 220bhp which was good fun, had a passenger ride in the 200bhp prestige with a work colleague last year, very comfy, loved the cockpit type of design in the front and overall it is a good looking car, would defo want the meridian sound system tho as I do like my music when driving.

XE S 250 would be lovely but they don't come up often and are just out of reach budget wise, the same with petrol VRS's, they don't hang around for long at all, and the racing green look really good, although I don't like the 19" Extreme alloys.

At the end of the day its a gamble with any used car, but the VRS does seem better for on-going running costs and reliability and I'm leaning more towards this.

[Trevor555]

Both nice cars.

All I'll add is that my dealings with Skoda garages has been good.

My dealings with JLR garages hasn't been so good.

So for a daily driver I'd go Skoda.

[ahenners]

I've had a Skoda Octavia VRS 220 pre-facelift for nearly 5 years and chucked 60k on it during that time. It's been faultlessly reliable, cheap to run and handled family duties with 2 young bambinos well. The Jag is probably a more entertaining drive and quicker but less practical and more expensive to run. As you mentioned sound systems in your post try and seek an Octavia with Canton if you go down the VRS route. With a bit of tweaking it's quite decent - 570w/10 channel/boot sub.

How did you end up wanting one particular 5 door hatchback or one particular 4 door saloon? Both are decent cars but there are other good options in their respective classes too. I wouldn't have an XE without looking at a 3 series first. The Octavia VRS is a good quick and practical hatchback (or estate) but there are other good quick and fun fwd hatches too. Focus ST, Golf GTI, Type R?

Edited by ahenners on Saturday 16th January 18:59

[JayJayGT]

For me the VRS & XE are styled nicely, you dont see that many but there are Audi’s, BMW’s & Mercs all over the place, all good cars but I don’t feel any connection when I see them.

The VRS is very practical with good performance, having had BMW’s and an Octavia before I found the Skoda to be a much nicer drive.

The XE for me is just a eye catching car, especially the front sleek bonnet, the cockpit is nice place to be, I would love one but I need to be mindful that I need to be able to afford the running costs as well.

I have had a Clio Williams, EP3 Civic Type-R a long time ago and they were a blast.
For commute I go through town so a lot of start stop and sometimes longer journeys for work or seeing our friends although none of that has happened for nearly a year now, so the auto in the XE would be ideal and for the VRS I would be looking at the DSG

Edited by JayJayGT on Saturday 16th January 19:38

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd be buying the XE admittedly finding one will be harder but they're a nicer car & a very decent steer:

Portfolio 240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012046...

If you don't mind dropping down to an R Sport then you can get a 300:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012207...

240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...