Octavia VRS Manual : What to replace this with

[911hope]

Time to change car from my 2019 Skoda Octavia VRS Manual (a rarity)
I have a look around and find the world is full of SUVs and crossovers, which I don't get.

It seems the only realistic option is another Octavia VRS, unless I abandon at least one of these key factors. (performance, good value , practicality)
It seems to be in a class of its own. ..or am I missing something?

[Truckosaurus]

Nearest competitor would be its sister cars the SEAT Leon Cupra or Golf GTi/R.

There's a Focus ST estate which is probably the only other practical 'hot hatch' style car.

Otherwise something more hardcore like the Pug 308 GTi, Megane RS or i30N (perhaps in the Fastback version which has a bigger boot - and looks less 'hatchy').

[mmm-five]

If there's nothing wrong with what you've currently got, why do you want to change it?

Is it just the wish for a newer car, or do you fancy trying something from another marque?

Are you after a brand new car or something 1-3 years old?

Does it have to be a manual? Is it saloon or estate you want? What's your budget? Are you happy to look at hybrids?

[ZX10R NIN]

What are your must haves?

Usage?

Performance requirements?

Body type?

[Hub]

Are you looking for a brand new car? If you have to have manual the options are very limited these days - Ford Focus production has recently ended but there are probably a few pre reg Focus ST estates around. Auto could open up more options but don't know your budget/any other requirements.

[911hope]

clarifying needs.

Does not need to be a manual (actually I would prefer not, having done 5 years manual after 5 years DSG, for me manual has no advantages except being conscious of the gear being used,)


1 year old or less.
original list price less than the £40k tax threshold.
Good load carrying capability. (Skoda has 600l boot with seats up)
Reasonable rear seat room (good for people but also translates to load capacity with seats down) Skoda is excellent.
Performance around 0-60 in 6 seconds OK. Meaningless metric of course, so better to say torque >350Nm
self charging hybrid could be considered, but need to beware of loss of boot space.
car length up to 4.7m

Many of the commonly stated competitors are just so much smaller internally.

Downsides of a new Octavia VRS.. hard to find a used one with a rear wiper (hatch).
Ride may be a bit firmer than my Mk3, so DCC could be useful. Used ones so equipped usually have other options pushing above the £40k threshold.

Also an annoyance..
There is a reliability issue with the EA888 engine, in the water pump is unreliable (both cars that I have owned needed a replacement). Would be interested to know if VW group have fixed this issue, since my last car was built in 2019.

Edited by 911hope on Sunday 4th January 19:55

[ZX10R NIN]

Peugeot Sport 508 SW, 70 litres less boot space due to being a hybrid but more internal legroom:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512018...

530e:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512308...

XF 250i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512158...

2.0T A6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510277...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

[Ecosseven]

I think you will struggle to find anything up to a year old with decent performance and also good practicality that had an original list price of below £40k. I've been looking at similar cars to you. You might find a recent octavia VRS hatch that was below £40k but I can't think of anything else to be honest.

[911hope]

Ecosseven said:

I think you will struggle to find anything up to a year old with decent performance and also good practicality that had an original list price of below £40k. I've been looking at similar cars to you. You might find a recent octavia VRS hatch that was below £40k but I can't think of anything else to be honest.

I think you are correct. So

[rfn]

I must say that the currently Octavia vRS is excellent, though I agree it will be a challenge to get one that was under £40k initially. My current (Hyper Green, hatchback) company steed has racked up 10k miles in ~4.5 months and I'm still surprised at how spacious it is (both back seats and boot) - there can't be much that comes close for the price.

[Ecosseven]

911hope said:

Ecosseven said:

I think you will struggle to find anything up to a year old with decent performance and also good practicality that had an original list price of below £40k. I've been looking at similar cars to you. You might find a recent octavia VRS hatch that was below £40k but I can't think of anything else to be honest.

I think you are correct. So

I've been going through the same thought process and have come to the conclusion that I may just go for a car one year older than I was going to buy and ring fence the savings for the extra VED every year.

Current 'luxury' car tax premium is £425 / year so if I buy a 2 year old car then I need to ring fence 5 x £425. Yes, it stings and I'm disappointed that the government has not raised the £40k threshold since 2017 but if I want something with decent poke and practicality then I may just have to accept it. Cars on my shortlist were an Octavia VRS Estate, Cupra Leon Estate, Mercedes C Class Estate C300h.