Team-BHP - A close look: The 2017 Skoda Octavia Facelift with hands-free parking

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Originally Posted by pickdj (Post 4241034)

What? Which city and which dealer? Can you please confirm? This is the new FL right? I just spoke to my dealer and he had no idea! Asked him to get me the blue color whatever happens. I am willing to wait. That's the one I originally wanted as well.

I am in Bangalore, dealer is Tafe Access. Yes, it is the new face lifted model. The dealer said that there were only a few cars in those colors and that only certain dealerships had them. It sounded really fishy to me so I only paid the booking amount and asked to inspect the car once it was allotted and delivered to the stock yard before I made the full payment. Turned out to be the FL car itself thankfully.

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Originally Posted by sameerg (Post 4239716)

Hi Guys,

Long and confused post disclaimer

I currently own a sx4 and have been looking to upgrade for past 18-20 months now. Have been in love with octavia even before I knew how to drive. So have been saving ( I, for some reason, am averse to loans) for octavia for quite some time now.

People who know me, know that I have been confused about what car to buy for past 18-20 months. Have posted multiple queries on tbhp also. Around that time I had enough money saved to buy the car and started reading about octavia on tbhp. Read a lot of horror stories about octavia ASS and how Jetta is better, So decided to instead book Jetta. Now as luck would have it, some other needs arose and funds got diverted.

So unable to get Jetta, I decided to book Vento but cancelled the booking after a week, since I just didn't feel like buying it. Have been saving again since then and now finally can afford one.

The problem is that now there is no Jetta. So back to Octavia. Heart says buy octavia 1.8, it's the only car you hv ever wanted. Mind says vento 1.2 is all the car you need.

My needs are frankly not much. Usage is 800-1000 kms per month with 50-50 city highway split, so I guess petrol should be okay. I don't drive very fast so 1.2 tsi should have enough power for me. 90% of the time it is going to be 2 adults and 1 kid so again vento is good enough. Boot in vento is enough for our needs. I need an automatic with very good low end torque where also vento is decent. So basically vento seems to be perfect for my needs.

Except that whenever I see octavia my heart starts to sing, eyes twinkle and there is a sheepish smile on my face. Good car/bad car, I just love the way it looks. Have loved it since the first version of it was launched.

Any idea what should I do???

PS: SX4 had an accident last week. Everyone is safe and car just had some body damage, but dad for some strange reason has restricted it's use to city limits now. So need to get another car soon.

Of course Octavia is a better car, there is no dispute there. You will enjoy driving the Octavia for a week, maybe a month. After that you will get used to it and the wow factor will decrease. You shall look at the Ventos and think - "how bad can it be?" and "I could have saved 7-8 lacs." If you buy the Vento, you will always wonder that you would have really enjoyed driving the Octavia. So, the grass will always be greener on the other side. It is human nature. I'd advise on saving the 8 lac and envying the greenery rather than the other way around. Of course, if money is a non-issue by all means, just splurge and acquire the Octavia.

This might be a little tangential, but assuming budget is not a constraint, what does a C250d or 320d M-Sport offer over the 1.8 TSI Style-Plus.

Yes there are the following pros with the Mercedes and BMW,

Brand recognition
Better torque due to the diesel engine
Rear wheel drive

We can debate fit and finish being better in MB and BMW. All three cars are comparatively unreliable as compared to their Japanese counterparts.

From an enthusiasts (not caring about the brand) point of view, does it make sense to pick a C250d or 320d M-Sport over the 1.8 TSI? Or, save the 20+ lacs and spend on upgrades, etc.

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Originally Posted by Hells_Fury (Post 4241067)

Do share pictures if possible. Any clue if these other colours came in the style model. Tried to get a look at the style model (not style +) and they didnt have any at Tafe Access.
Thinking of getting the 1.8TSi Style, in spite of the scary gearbox.
Do let me know if you could manage some discounts at all.
Thanks

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Originally Posted by A_v_i (Post 4241465)

Brand recognition
Better torque due to the diesel engine
Rear wheel drive

BMW 330i may be a great option. Great driver's car with 250+ HP and I believe there are very good discounts available. Not sure I would invest in a high end diesel at this time when Diesels are falling out of favor across the world due to the deception and eyewash actions by the German car majors as they promoted them aggressively over the last 15 years with no regard for NOX pollution.

I drove the car yesterday, I honestly thought the drive would blow my mind. It didn't. People keep raving about the 1.8 dsg. Didn't feel so much different than my vento TSI. But then I test drove very sedately. What I loved was the sunroof. And the fact that they are giving 4 year warranty. Also the new headlamp look waaaaay better in real than pics and videos online.

Was initially looking at the petrol auto style about 22 lacs on road mumbai. But then my 3 year old daughter just loved the stupid ambient lighting on the door handles inside the car. And the sunroof. That settles it. I have to now pay 3 lacs more for some light and a hole in the roof of the car and get the style Plus. So that's 25 lacs on road. The figures are for guys wanting to buy and want to know prices.

No discounts as it a new car says the fellow from JMD Andheri East.

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Originally Posted by derek (Post 4242024)

With the higher power, you'll see the difference on the highways. Sedate driving would not give you any indication of this car's "fun" quotient. I was recently a passenger in one and boy, that car can fly on the highways.

Love the quip about the kid, glad you got the roof hole and the light for 3L. That's the cost of a peaceful road trip. It is definitely worth it. :)

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Originally Posted by derek (Post 4242080)

I also requested them to turn the park assist off. I'm already getting sleepless nights imagining my wife trying to use that bit of technology to squeeze into a lil parking space in a crowded mall parking lot.

I tried that when I took a TD and it just refused to work! Many back and forths later I finally gave up and parked manually.
Congrats on the buy! It's a great one and will keep the kids happy for some time at least. That's my plan as well. I wish they had provided a small stool for the young 'uns to stand. :D

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Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 4241258)

Once the Race Blue and Rio Red stocks build up, they will spring a official festive surprise in a couple of months :-)

According to the dealer those two colors are being saved for the vRS models which will be launched later this year. Take that with a pinch of salt though.

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Originally Posted by a_nan (Post 4241867)

Sure thing, will post pics once I get the car. I did not ask about the availability of the colors in other trims, sorry. I could not get any discounts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_v_i (Post 4241465)

From an enthusiasts (not caring about the brand) point of view, does it make sense to pick a C250d or 320d M-Sport over the 1.8 TSI? Or, save the 20+ lacs and spend on upgrades, etc.

I have a C250d and test drove both 1.8TSI and 320d (Sportline and not M Sport)

There is nothing to compare the 500 NM torque rush from a 250d. Post 10K kms, the engine has become butter smooth and gives a rush whenever the accelerator is even slightly pushed. The interiors are super premium. Feels totally worthy of the extra money paid.

That said, it is not a corner carver for which 320d does a better job. 1.8TSI is really good, but it cannot be compared to either of these two cars.