Which car would be a better buy?

Contessa

The local Skoda dealer's website lists 2 cars I might be interested in. I'd appreciate opinions on which would be a better buy. Both are listed at 6K. Fabia Comfort estate 1.4 diesel. Dec. 05, 55 plate, 15, 400miles. The other is an Octavia Elegance estate 1.9 diesel. Sept 06, 54 plate, 55,000 miles. Thanks.

neilmcl

The Fabia is just a small car, with an estate attached whereas the Octavia is a proper estate with a better engine. However, how can that be a 54 plater registered in Sept 06. Is that a typo?

pitkin2020

Go for the 1.9, the 1.4 with an estate will be like driving a 1.2 petrol estate. You'll be lucky to get it off the drive lol. I wouldn't be surprised if the 1.9 has better fuel economy aswell.

goldspanners

the 1.4 tdi engines are ok power wise, not as bad as you would expect. thats if it is a tdi anyway. do they still do the sdi?

Contessa

Neilmcl, yes, it was a typo. Should be Sept 04!

dannymccann

Depends what you want to use it for?

If you are 90 and want it to go to Morrisons and back every Sunday, the 1.4 will suffice.

If you use the 'right' pedal at all, I would definetly recommend the Octavia, not to mention the space available in this one.

Plus if its the PD engines (think PD130 is the best) you can spend another £200 odd for a remap / tuning box and up the power and torque considerably, if thats your thing :T

neilmcl

Contessa wrote: »

Neilmcl, yes, it was a typo. Should be Sept 04!

In that case that's pretty good mileage for a 5 year old diesel estate.

intranix

Why not just take both out for a drive and make your decision based on which YOU prefer ?

Cool_Username

The local Skoda dealer's website lists 2 cars I might be interested in. I'd appreciate opinions on which would be a better buy. Both are listed at 6K. Fabia Comfort estate 1.4 diesel. Dec. 05, 55 plate, 15, 400miles. The other is an Octavia Elegance estate 1.9 diesel. Sept 06, 54 plate, 55,000 miles. Thanks.

I suppose it depends on what you're gonna use the car for really.

An Octavia is a big car so do you really need something that big? Higher on insurance, tax and less economical than the smaller Fabia. But better ride and more comfortable since it's a bigger car.

Personally I'd plump for the Fabia, it's newer and the milage is phenomenally low. Cheaper on insurance and tax, and the 1400 turbo diesel engine - Volkswagen just like the car itself - will be very economical. I have a 1.3CDTI Corsa and it's great on fuel, the performance is great considering the size of the engine so I'd imagine the 1.4 unit in the Fabia is a touch better.

The Fabia is just a VW Polo underneath and the reviews are very good with regard to reliability and build-quality - take a look on Parkers.co.uk.

Have a test drive of one and see what you think!

But don't pay the £6000 - offer the salesman £4000 if you're paying cash and be prepared to be a bit cheeky and haggle!

ukjoel

To be fair both prices are fairly on the money. The 1.4 is a decent engine and isnt any way underpowered in the the Fabia.

Both cars are fairly bulletproof and built to last and the milage on both is fairly low and specs are high. Previous owners probably men in the 50/60/70s.

Personally I would go Octavia as the drive is fantastic and it feels a much more solid vehicle.

Residual values on these are strong so 6k on a 5 year old car with that milage isnt that far off as its top spec and they retail for 3 times that new. I saw one go at auction a few months ago for £5700 which was a similar age and 70k on the clock although that may have been an auto.


As previous poster says its which suits you best.
If you dont need the size then a Fabia will be cheaper to run.

Cool_Username

ukjoel wrote: »

To be fair both prices are fairly on the money. The 1.4 is a decent engine and isnt any way underpowered in the the Fabia.

I agree with all the points ukjoel although I wonder how many people/equipment the original poster is transporting on a regular basis? Just occured to me that if the car has five people and a full boot often then perhaps he/she could start feeling that the 1400 engine is underpowered for the job at hand.