Other cars Octavia or Civic?

[Greedy]

Yes, as everyone says Skoda's are great value for money - a.k.a. you get what you pay for!. Skoda are the cheaper version of the Seat/VW/Audi. This manifests it's self in many ways. The platform used in the skoda model is quite offen that from the smaller or previous VW equiv'. Although many components are 'common' frequently a lower grade of material is used for the Skoda equiv'. This is how they keep the cost down and thus why you are able to consider the next class up of car for the same price as the Civic. Lets face it, if the Octavia was really the equiv of the Passat then only badge jockeys would buy the VW.

But you should also remember that you, of all people, can not afford to have reliability problems and there are greater problems with SKoda (& VW) than Honda. Yes Skoda do well in all the surveys. But they are based on achievement vs expectation. Most Skoda buyer expect less than most Civic buyer and thus are still happy (I know that does not apply to all Skoda owners). Look at the VW resutls for the equiv vehicles. You will see that those owners are not happy as their expectations are generally higher - like a Civic owners - this gives you a better indication of whether you woudl be happy with the Skoda as reliability etc will be similair to the VW.

Don't be put of the appearance of a piece of trim, go with the name you seem to have trusted for some time. Also the computer is no more of a gimick than power windonws or electric seats. It has it's uses for many people, for one it's great to know if one of the brats in the back has undone their seat belt, it's great to be able to understand how different driving styles affect economy especially when we are all tryign to save a few £ where we can. Knowing howmany miles left in the tank is much better that knowing how much fuel is left.

Skoda's are very good car's and so much better than they used to be (i'm not a Skoda basher!) but IMHO the Civic is the better car.

Good luck with your choosing!!

[cnicolini]

I have just had a look at an Octavia, you cant really compare them to a new Civic. They look worlds apart, I would rather have a Civic on my driveway than a Octavia. You cant be seriuos! lol The Hondas name and styling are amazing! This is why I've ordered an CTR GT.

[czechplastik]

It's difficult to do a direct comparison between the Octavia and Civic as they are different cars aimed at different markets!

Greedy sums up the Octavia argument quite nicely though

[Greedy]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

It's difficult to do a direct comparison between the Octavia and Civic as they are different cars aimed at different markets!

Greedy sums up the Octavia argument quite nicely though

Why thankyou CZ

[Wheelchair]

Tested an Octavia today.

When I drove the Octavia I could not believe how well it was screwed together, it makes my Honda Civic feel as if its made of jelly!

The Octavia is a fantastic car to drive, feels like it has been hewn from solid rock, no squeaks or rattles, just a smooth quiet machine.

So its goodbye to Honda for now, shame but I hope Civics are made a bit more solidly in future.

[czechplastik]

Cheerio, hope the Octavia works out for you

[Brodick]

well I hope you don't live to regret it
but only you can decide what is right for you
good luck

[HappyMan]

The Octavia is a good car it just isn't interesting. I hope that you have many hours driving in it and enjoy your time.

And when you come to your senses we will still be here for you!

[Wasser098]

Good luck with the new motor. Had Octavia for 13 months. Enjoyed it.

All the best.

[malett]

what spec/engine are you going for ?

[Wheelchair]

I would be going for an Ambiente 1.6

[babyjoe]

And, it is avaible in Blue! The Blue RS is nice

[malett]

Originally Posted by babyjoe

And, it is avaible in Blue! The Blue RS is nice

That "Race Blue" is a vRS only option - it is nice tho

[robbo51]

Originally Posted by Greedy

............. Most Skoda buyer expect less than most Civic buyer and thus are still happy (I know that does not apply to all Skoda owners). Look at the VW resutls for the equiv vehicles. You will see that those owners are not happy as their expectations are generally higher - like a Civic owners - this gives you a better indication of whether you woudl be happy with the Skoda as reliability etc will be similair to the VW.

Sorry Youre talking rubbish. Expectations are higher from VW owners??
As a former VW AND Skoda owner I can tell you that I have equal expectations from a dealer

[Greedy]

Originally Posted by robbo51

Sorry Youre talking rubbish. Expectations are higher from VW owners??
As a former VW AND Skoda owner I can tell you that I have equal expectations from a dealer

Robbo - I'm not talking rubish. Firstly I'm talking about expectations of the product in general not specifically of the dealer.

However I did qualify my statement by saying that it did not apply to all owners and I know that you hold Skoda in very high regard.

I have been involved in Auto Industry Customer IQS and it is a FACT that where there are differing brandings within a group that when suveys are taken on a basis of value for money (and this is the basis of all the main independant surveys - JD Power etc) then those who buy the premium brands have higher expectations than those who buy the lower spec brands. Happens in the Audi/VW/Seat/Skoda lineup in exactly the same way as any other group. Lexus owners expect more that Toyota owners, or closer to our mark, in the US the Accura TL owners expect more than Honda Accord owners but it's the same car with only cosmetic differences. When you pay more for the premium brand you expect a higher standard of product. And I think even you will agree that SKoda is not the Premium brand within the VAG lineup.

However as Wheelchair has made the choice then I guess this thread has come to an end.

[cb550]

Originally Posted by Wheelchair

Tested an Octavia today.

When I drove the Octavia I could not believe how well it was screwed together, it makes my Honda Civic feel as if its made of jelly!

The Octavia is a fantastic car to drive, feels like it has been hewn from solid rock, no squeaks or rattles, just a smooth quiet machine.

So its goodbye to Honda for now, shame but I hope Civics are made a bit more solidly in future.

You made your're choice on how you found the cars you tested-Fair play for that!

Skoda are top of the 2007 jd power survey with the Octavia 5th,so they must be doing something right(low ownership costs and car reliability up with all other makes)

The previous gen. type S Civic I owned,although with firm suspension, had no cabin squeaks and an 'insulated' ride around town.I wish my 2.2 ES were as good in those departments.

I'm sure you'l be a happy man! Perhaps next time round the Civic will make no 1 for you

[malett]

[quote=Greedy;105721]Robbo - I'm not talking rubish. Firstly I'm talking about expectations of the product in general not specifically of the dealer.quote]

I understand what you are saying here - in one might expect more from a €70,000 BMW than a €15,000 Fiat. However, I expect the same of any new product - to be fault and rattle free, and from the cars I have bought I can say that Skoda come closer to what I expect than Honda do in this regard. I have never needed to take a Skoda back to a dealer after 2 days of ownership like I did the Honda.

[Salem]

Originally Posted by Wheelchair

Tested an Octavia today.

When I drove the Octavia I could not believe how well it was screwed together, it makes my Honda Civic feel as if its made of jelly!

The Octavia is a fantastic car to drive, feels like it has been hewn from solid rock, no squeaks or rattles, just a smooth quiet machine.

So its goodbye to Honda for now, shame but I hope Civics are made a bit more solidly in future.

I know there has been much talk on this subject and only you can decide which car you like best.

Some of the talk about the Honda being better on reliability is a load of tosh IMO.. most of this is badge snob talk simple as that really.. Skoda have and still are working very hard to get Skoda a good name so therefore they are making very very good cars for the money.. Honda and other dealers already have that good name and a good customer base so dont have to work as hard to produce a good car.

If the Skoda Octavia wasnt so good then taxi companies wouldnt use them as they would be loosing money if a car is off the road. The Police use the Octavia VRs in a number of different forces as a traffic car, and they dont want cars off the road either.

I'm sure whatever car you get you can still post on here..

[Greedy]

[quote=malett;105852]

Originally Posted by Greedy

Robbo - I'm not talking rubish. Firstly I'm talking about expectations of the product in general not specifically of the dealer.quote]

I understand what you are saying here - in one might expect more from a €70,000 BMW than a €15,000 Fiat. However, I expect the same of any new product - to be fault and rattle free, and from the cars I have bought I can say that Skoda come closer to what I expect than Honda do in this regard. I have never needed to take a Skoda back to a dealer after 2 days of ownership like I did the Honda.

Malett, couldn't agree with you more in many ways, Skoda's are great cars and as an earlier post 'I'm not knocking' them. Just providing my actual experience of industry Customer Satisfaction Index Surveys for general consumption and trying to explain actual differences based on my industry knoledge.
However I can't help being a little biased I, my wife & mother have owned 14 Honda's since 1990, new & used, Company & private, Civic's, CRV's Jazz, HRV & Accords. (As well as 2 Vauxhals, a Daewoo & a Ford) The only problems we have collectively had were a recall to the tailgate motor on my Japanese Accord Tourer (done at service) and a water leak on wifes Japanese Jazz which the dealer noticed at service (we never noticed it as it was under the boot floor). So I think it's as much luck of the draw as anything.

Oh yes, there was the 1.3 Auto Maestro Cludman as well but I geuss that didn't stand a chance.

[shieldy2k7]

Originally Posted by Wheelchair

Resale values are not important as I lease my cars on the motability scheme. This also pays for all repairs, servicing, insurance, road tax, tyres, glass.

Still finding it difficult to decide though.

Resale value does matter - if a car holds its value as a motability customer you pay less deposit, Civic 1.8 ishift sport cash price about £16.800? - 44% loss over three year resale value £7348 -

Motability £2099 down payment
£45 per week @ 52 weeks over three year £7020
Total £9119:
+ Resale Value - 7348:
£16,467