Which Czech estate (or alternative)?

[bobsavage789]

Mrs S is hoping to chop in her Mini hatch for a more sensible/bigger family car. So far, the favourite has been a previous-gen Octavia vRS, but the car we test drove was in a sorry state, and the only one that met her (fairly exacting) criteria anywhere nearby is being sold by a dealer with seemingly no interest in actually selling it to her.

She also likes the look of the Superb estate (in L&K) spec, but that would involve quite the haggle to get in budget.

Is the Superb worth pursuing over the Octavia? She’s not hugely interested in driving dynamics, but wants to win a few Traffic Light Grands Prix. Is there anything else she should be considering?

Budget is £20k max.

Criteria:
- <8 seconds 0-60
- 5+ seats
- enough space for baby/children paraphernalia and 2 adults over longish distances
- Apple CarPlay
- cruise control
- no older than 67 plate

Desired (but not crucial):
- automatic
- leather seats
- fancy interior lighting thingamajig

I came up with some Leon Cupras, but they were received only lukewarmly...

Thanks in advance.

Summary: £20k budget; fastish, newish family car required.

[Mammasaid]

20k will get you a V90, the epitome of safe for the little ones!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

[bobsavage789]

Sorry: should have added “max. 35k miles” to the criteria...

I’ll investigate the V90 further.

[drgoatboy]

Superb is a massive step up in terms of interior space and particularly in L&k spec is a nicer place to be with more toys (although saying that a lot of the switchgear and the like is used across models)
Octavia is however plenty big enough to meet the family requirements.
When I was looking I considered a 5 series and e class but the Skoda was by far the best value for money.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but for me the Mondeo in Vignale spec was the pick, great fit & finish with all the spec you require:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106053...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103290...

Also keep an eye out for these in Estate form as they do turn up every now & then, as a package they're very hard to beat (especially if you're not after the best steer) 260bhp AWD with great spec & sensible running costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105222...

[ahenners]

We've owned an Octavia VRS for the past 5 years and more recently been looking at Superbs to replace it with. I think both would fit your needs perfectly. Whichever suits you better depends on what your priorities are. Octavia VRS is slightly more entertaining to drive but less refined and a harder ride (unless you find a rare one with DCC). Octavia is plenty big enough for most, but the Superb is there if you want more. Superb has better build quality and refinement, though most of the switchgear and interior items are available in both and are the same (model year dependant - Octavia got some of the updated interior bits later than Superb I think).

So for me it comes down to if a sportier drive is preferred (Octavia VRS) or if more space/refinement is preferred (Superb). L and K ones are very well specced and have virtually everything you could want and more. Both are great choices and you should be able to find a good one with that budget.

[Dashnine]

Discovery and Defender are Czech made if you want further options from that particular nation.

[bobsavage789]

Thanks for the replies so far: I suspect the Superb might be the one to go for based on the comfort vs performance feedback.

Unfortunately, they seem to be relatively few and far between within budget, and the one I have found is “the wrong colour”! Women eh...

[J.R.B.]

Jag XF Sportbrake?

[amateurdad]

I can recommend a Superb Estate. I went from a Golf GTE that the pram could barely fit in to having bags of space. I found a Sportline 280 4x4 too and it was about 21k on a 68 plate, so slightly over your 20k budget but they might be out there!

Certainly one of the 190 or 220bhp ones should be attainable and.

[bobsavage789]

J.R.B. said:

Jag XF Sportbrake?

I do like the look of these, and had the old style XF-S, which I adored.

Unfortunately there seem to be none in budget near to us... will keep an eye out though.

[bobsavage789]

amateurdad said:

I can recommend a Superb Estate. I went from a Golf GTE that the pram could barely fit in to having bags of space. I found a Sportline 280 4x4 too and it was about 21k on a 68 plate, so slightly over your 20k budget but they might be out there!

Certainly one of the 190 or 220bhp ones should be attainable and.

I would bloody love her to get the 280, but suspect we may just have to wait until something suitable comes up: only one Superb estate within budget and 90 miles!

[ZX10R NIN]

bobsavage789 said:

I would bloody love her to get the 280, but suspect we may just have to wait until something suitable comes up: only one Superb estate within budget and 90 miles!

I may sound like a broken record but test drive the Mondeo.

[Volvolover]

Should be able to fine an L&K 4x4 280 Superb for that price

A better steer than the mondingo and V90 for driving dynamics but the Volvo has a much comfier approach to life and in the right spec is for my money the best looking estate going

[bobsavage789]

ZX10R NIN said:

I may sound like a broken record but test drive the Mondeo.

ZX, you are one my favourite forum members, so have my permission and blessing to repeat yourself ad nauseam.

Sadly “‘er indoors” “doesn’t like” the infotainment system in Ford’s…

[bobsavage789]

I’ve found a relatively nearby Superb Sportline with the 220 PS petrol engine.

Watch this space…

[amateurdad]

Nice!

[ahenners]

bobsavage789 said:

I’ve found a relatively nearby Superb Sportline with the 220 PS petrol engine.

Watch this space…

Good choice! Nearly went to view one of these a couple of weeks ago with approx 7k of options. Be warned, tyre costs are quite steep on these for what they are, a full set of PS4 or F1A5 will set you back over £700.

[MC Bodge]

bobsavage789 said:

ZX, you are one my favourite forum members, so have my permission and blessing to repeat yourself ad nauseam.

Sadly “‘er indoors” “doesn’t like” the infotainment system in Ford’s…

What's wrong with it? I have the Sync 3 and it works very well. Far better than my 2016 Octavia's was.

[MC Bodge]

Superb or Mondeo. The (non-vRS) Octavia estate is overrated in my experience.