Skoda Octavia hatchback or Renault Megane saloon/ touring

Green farmer · 08-05-2021 08:41PM #1

Budget of around 16k. Looks like that would buy me a 2018, either of the above cars. Basic spec 1.5 to 1.6 diesels with 110-115 bhp. Mileage up around 85,000 kms. Do abit of medium duty towing and part time farming, so not interested in petrols or higher spec cars. Something comfortable and reliability would be high on my list. Just want some trouble free motoring.

colm_mcm · 08-05-2021 09:53PM

Octavia but with the 2.0 engine. Better for towing and just nicer.
Harder to find than the 1.6 though.

Green farmer · 09-05-2021 07:03PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Octavia but with the 2.0 engine. Better for towing and just nicer.
Harder to find than the 1.6 though.

Ya, getting a 2.0 diesal version would limit things significantly. Maybe I'm better looking elsewhere , like a slightly older superb or similiar . Anything else you could recommend, traditional saloon type cars ? Anything suv seems to be fashionable and priced higher.

colm_mcm · 09-05-2021 07:25PM

A Jetta is what you want really.
Octavia is more modern and practical, but farmers love Jetta’s and they’re nearly all 2.0.

Green farmer · 09-05-2021 08:02PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

A Jetta is what you want really.
Octavia is more modern and practical, but farmers love Jetta’s and they’re nearly all 2.0.

They were a great car down the years, but I think i read the 2011 model onwards are made in Mexico and have mixed reliability.

colm_mcm · 09-05-2021 08:06PM

I think the ones we got were built in Mexico since 2006.

Doesn’t make any odds to the reliability, they escaped the dieselgate scandal even.
I think the last generation Jetta is very reliable and simple.
It’s essentially mk5/6 based, so it’s a platform behind the likes of the Octavia. It still has the modern engine etc.

For a 2018 car it’s a bit of a dinosaur. For you this is probably a plus.

Green farmer · 09-05-2021 08:33PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think the ones we got were built in Mexico since 2006.

Doesn’t make any odds to the reliability, they escaped the dieselgate scandal even.
I think the last generation Jetta is very reliable and simple.
It’s essentially mk5/6 based, so it’s a platform behind the likes of the Octavia. It still has the modern engine etc.

For a 2018 car it’s a bit of a dinosaur. For you this is probably a plus.

Thanks Colm, might have a look at one so. would they be put together as good as a skoda ?

bazz26 · 09-05-2021 09:15PM

The Jetta is actually well put together and tend to give very little trouble. They were designed on the Mk5/Mk6 Golf but got some updated tech from the Mk7 Golf midway through it's life but were still a generation behind the latest VW stuff. A 2018 would be last year of them so most of the stuff would have been tried and tested at that stage. The 2.0 TDi engines in them tend to be 110bhp, the same as the 1.6 TDi but they have more torque and refinement over the 1.6 TDi so definitely more suited to towing than the 1.6 TDi. The Jetta boot is actually bigger than the larger Passat except the opening is a bit narrower.

Green farmer · 09-05-2021 09:22PM

bazz26 wrote: »

The 2.0 TDi engines in them tend to be 110bhp, the same as the 1.6 TDi but they have more torque and refinement over the 1.6 TDi so definitely more suited to towing than the 1.6 TDi.

Might suit me. Brand new skodas and volkswagen are all moving away from the 1.6d and opting for 2.0d engines for some reason, so maybe a older 2.0d design engine might be what I need.

bazz26 · 09-05-2021 09:29PM

It's down to EU emission regulations. The 2.0 TDi in the Jetta is a detuned version of the 150bhp/190bhp versions found in the likes of the Passat and Superb so it was easier and cheaper I'd say to just streamline the engine range rather than continuing to develope/build different engine types. Diesels are going to be phased out or at least reduced to very small offerings over time so that probably played a part too. However the Jetta only has a 5 speed gearbox but that probably suits you more for towing rather than being used for motorway use.

rn · 09-05-2021 09:41PM

The problem with saloons, no matter how big the boot actually is, you're always restricted by the boot opening. I'd a passat saloon and an Octavia in the family. The Octavia is infinitely better machine for family & diy life. And will be for farming too. Hold out for a 2.0l one. FYI our style one has bumper precut for a tow bar, which would be of interest for you for adding a towbar. Or go megane estate.

Jettas are fine cars, but to do practical work you will always need to hook up your trailer. That's just a pain IMHO.

Green farmer · 09-05-2021 10:04PM

rn wrote: »

Or go megane estate.

.

I suppose the thing that was attracting me to the megane estates is I like the 1.5 dci engines. Could be wrong, but they seem to be a reliable engine.

PaulRyan97 · 09-05-2021 10:41PM

An Opel/Vauxhall Insignia might be worth a look, preferably the 2014 model onwards. Father has one and it has plenty of torgue down low. A neighbour of mine has used two different ones for towing ~600kg for the last 7 years.

rn · 10-05-2021 08:03AM

Green farmer wrote: »

I suppose the thing that was attracting me to the megane estates is I like the 1.5 dci engines. Could be wrong, but they seem to be a reliable engine.

On reliability I can't testify. The estate will be more practical than the saloon.

Stallingrad · 10-05-2021 10:21AM

Green farmer wrote: »

I suppose the thing that was attracting me to the megane estates is I like the 1.5 dci engines. Could be wrong, but they seem to be a reliable engine.

We've owned two 1.5dci's over the years and they never gave a moments trouble. They are a well proven and reliable unit. Also refined and frugal. Be careful though, there is a common wisdom that post-2008 Renault reliability improved greatly, this may be true but we had our fair share of electrical problems both with a 2006 Mégane and 2011 Scenic. Same deal with a family members 2010 Clio.

Green farmer · 10-05-2021 10:41AM

Stallingrad wrote: »

We've owned two 1.5dci's over the years and they never gave a moments trouble. They are a well proven and reliable unit. Also refined and frugal. Be careful though, there is a common wisdom that post-2008 Renault reliability improved greatly, this may be true but we had our fair share of electrical problems both with a 2006 Mégane and 2011 Scenic. Same deal with a family members 2010 Clio.

From someone who's had injector, dpf etc problems in German cars and electric problems in french cars , Pity I couldnt have a renault dci engine in a skoda car. :-)

pairofpears · 10-05-2021 10:43AM

I have a 131 VW Jetta 1.6D for sale if you want me to PM you a link for it.

Green farmer · 12-05-2021 01:39PM

bazz26 wrote: »

The 2.0 TDi engines in them tend to be 110bhp, the same as the 1.6 TDi but they have more torque and refinement over the 1.6 TDi so definitely more suited to towing than the 1.6 TDi.

Just been doing more research and appears like the 2.0 tdi jetta has the same torque as the 1.6d octavia. Both have 250Nm, which surprised me. My current car has 350Nm and pulls really cleanly, so might try something up around that range. Think the 2.0d superb is 340Nm might be ideal, but my budget doesnt do as far.

colm_mcm · 12-05-2021 02:17PM

Back to the Octavia 2.0 then.

punisher5112 · 12-05-2021 02:18PM

Definitely go with Octavia

Green farmer · 12-05-2021 02:24PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Back to the Octavia 2.0 then.

Ya, I'll keep an eye out for one. Just checked and they have 340Nm , so same as the superb.

bazz26 · 12-05-2021 02:32PM

A bit of a left field option - Vauxhall Insignia Touring 2.0:

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe914059de23da3843b64a3a4ac6ccbdc86.jpg

https://www.carsireland.ie/2545282

Huge boot, 170bhp and still a current model.

Green farmer · 12-05-2021 02:43PM

bazz26 wrote: »

A bit of a left field option - Vauxhall Insignia Touring 2.0:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2545282

Huge boot, 170bhp and still a current model.

Thanks, looks that and the previous model can be bought for reasonable money. Was never really a opel fan, but I'm open minded, so no harm in having a look. How are the older and current models for reliability ? Seem like a solid car.

bazz26 · 12-05-2021 02:51PM

They were best avoided from 2009 to 2013. They got a facelift in 2014 which seems to have improved reliability. I think the 2.0 diesel was carried over to the new model but it's not as big a seller here anymore. The old model is rather cramped inside comparison to the new one. I've no idea how reliable the new model is but I'd have an Octavia over the old Insignia model for sure as it's a much better car.

punisher5112 · 12-05-2021 03:00PM

Have to say I did like the styling on the Vectra vxr/OPC but standard they were rotten, the insignias were actually a good looking motor and a shame something so small and cheap would lead to catastrophic failure....

Green farmer · 12-05-2021 04:18PM

One other car I thought about was a toyota avensis, maybe even an older one, 2 litre or 2.2d . Did the reliability go out of them at any stage or did they start outsourcing the engines or something ?

punisher5112 · 12-05-2021 05:34PM

Green farmer wrote: »

One other car I thought about was a toyota avensis, maybe even an older one, 2 litre or 2.2d . Did the reliability go out of them at any stage or did they start outsourcing the engines or something ?

Stay clear of 2.2 same as Lexus is 220d
Dirt.

BMW diesel engines in the others if not mistaken, d4d scarce enough now.

colm_mcm · 12-05-2021 05:55PM

Green farmer wrote: »

One other car I thought about was a toyota avensis, maybe even an older one, 2 litre or 2.2d . Did the reliability go out of them at any stage or did they start outsourcing the engines or something ?

Around 2000 tbh.

bazz26 · 12-05-2021 10:22PM

Another one to consider, the Peugeot 508:

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe96ac99af4843d5ce5df8d0a6c54634143.jpg

https://www.carsireland.ie/2639719

punisher5112 · 12-05-2021 11:17PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Another one to consider, the Peugeot 508:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2639719

Now it could be my eyes playing but is drivers side dull and off colour....

Stallingrad · 13-05-2021 07:59AM

Another one to consider, should be reliable and a proper workhorse.

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe9e5522d63c42caae3e807926d045dabed.jpg

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe9e5522d63c42caae3e807926d045dabed.jpg

https://www.carsireland.ie/2792054

colm_mcm · 13-05-2021 11:24AM

We ran a few of those and in my opinion they’re not that suitable for towing anything.
They can barely get themselves from a standing start unladen such is the lack of power below 2000rpm.
They’re a good 350kg heavier than an Octavia for example.

They’re fine once up to speed and the cabin is very quiet but you’d want the 2.0 TDCI 150 as a minimum.
Happily quite a lot of Mondeos sold new in Ireland were 2.0.

Green farmer · 13-05-2021 08:35PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Another one to consider, the Peugeot 508:

Anyone know much about the 508 ? We've had psa mpv's cars in the past which I really liked, but weren't great as they aged. Heard the e 2.0d is meant to be reliable though?

conorlyons122 · 15-02-2025 12:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117155830#Comment_117155830

This comment was 4 years ago but I was wondering what car did you go for after.

User1998 · 16-02-2025 10:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123173734#Comment_123173734

They haven’t logged in for 3 years

conorlyons122 · 16-02-2025 10:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123176373#Comment_123176373

Oh yeah that's true. Thanks 👍

Skoda Octavia hatchback or Renault Megane saloon/ touring

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