Skoda Superb 280 Estate: Spotted
The sleeper to end all sleepers can now be had for less than £20,000. Cheap enough to take the plunge...
Regular readers will doubtless remember that we recently spent nine months tooling around in a Skoda Superb. Not very PH-y, you might at first have thought - except this one was furnished with VW's 280hp 2.0-litre turbo; the very same unit you'll find under several of the group's hot hatches. (And if you're still in doubt, it had a giant PH logo down the side in matte black. And frankly, you can't get more PH-y than that.)
That Skoda even makes such thing should be a cause for a ray of sunshine in the heart of even the most cynical PHer, because frankly, it makes no earthly sense. Nor does it to sell one here - as evinced by the catastrophic depreciation they appear to be suffering.
So if you want one - and you should - perhaps buying used is a more sensible option. This one, for example, is only a couple of years old with a smidge more than 20,000 miles on the clock, yet it'll cost you just £19,000. That's an awful lot of car - and power - for the cash.
This one's in SE L Executive trim, rather than the Sportline of our test car. Still, that means it'd have cost you just shy of £33,000 brand new - making this example half-price. Almost. And being biased toward luxury, this version comes with a tonne of toys, including among many others dual-zone climate, heated seats and adaptive cruise. You also get some rather lovely Alcantara seats.
And underpinning everything is that fantastically pokey powerplant. True, the 2.0-litre four doesn't have the character of an old-school V6, but what it does do very well is to whisk. By which we mean, to provide you with effortless power whenever you flex your right ankle, without fuss and in splendid isolation.
Oh, of course you can still go out and bore yourself senseless in a diesel Superb instead, and you'll pay less for the privilege. You'll also pay less to run the thing, too, of course - although actually, the combined fuel economy of 39.2mpg doesn't seem preposterous given the power and all-wheel-drive traction on offer. A big diesel SUV won't cost you much more to run - and we know which we'd rather have.
The elephant in the room, mind you, is that depreciation - and the fact it won't fully have run its course yet. You might prefer to wait a few years before bagging one at sub-£10k. But look at it another way: you could go and dump £19k on a new Octavia, and still suffer a similar loss of value as it negotiates the perils of its first-year slide. And which would you rather be tooling round in while you're throwing your money away?
There we have it, then. Sound consumer advice, as always, from PH. And the sort that'll allow you to justify buying this endlessly useful, endearingly powerful and enticingly luxurious estate. So good, in fact, that some might call it superb. (Sorry.)
SPECIFICATION: SKODA SUPERB SE L EXECUTIVE 280 ESTATE
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@1,700rpm
MPG: 39.2
CO2: 164
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 23,000
Price new: £32,560
Yours for: £19,000
See the full ad here.
But honestly - what is it about Saab people? I get it; they were innovative in some things. But time moves on. Literally no one under 35 even knows what a Saab is. Get over it.
thanks, I feel much better for that.
Firstly, I’m 31 & have owned a turbo Saab 8 years or so back & it was cool.
Secondly, I’m in no way a Saab nut, or a weird beard. Just saying, if you want a car that looks like a bag of turd but goes like the aforementioned off a shovel, they’re not a bad bet.
Thirdly, I hope the coffee has worked, or you wife is gonna be really bruised by now...
...and breathe...
This is actually quite cathartic, thanks for the opportunity.
No of course I don’t think that of classics or anyone who likes classics of any sort, don’t be absurd!
There’s just something about Saab owners that’s wierd. People who are Vegan, do CrossFit, or have ever driven a Saab they’ll bang on about how much better it is than what anyone else does at ANY opportunity. Bore off!!
With you on the vegan thing, I’d rather give up air than bacon...
Not sure i agree with the guy who thought they would be £10k in two years though, depreciation slows notably as a car matures.
Regarding the Saab comments. I have owned a Saab 9-3 tid for the last 18 months and apart from the very comfy ride and exceptional economy when on a run, mine averages 60 mpg at 70 on a motorway run, it is the worst built car i have ever owned. In 18 months and 12k miles mine has needed:
Steering rack
Battery
Starter motor
Gear shift linkage
Idler pulley
Sat nav disc
Air con condensor
That little lot has cost me approx £1600 at my local Saab dealer, who only charge £40 p/hr labour, so not far short of £100 p/mth in repairs. All on a car i bought with fsh and 70k miles.
At present it needs a new air con compressor, the fuel tank is leaking and the sat nav / stereo
display is now failing.
Shocking build quality, i certainly would advise anyone to avoid buying one and really don’t understand why people would be so loyal to a brand that was so flawed.
Also, to break more bad news. If it’s needed an idler pulley, I’m hoping you had the belt done as I believe (from memory) 62-70k belt change is imperative to avoid total destruction.
Seats are comfy mind you! :-)
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