Skoda Octavia 1.9 Tdi Hatchback

Octavia Elegance TDI 110 BHP, hatch - bought new Nov/2001. This is my FOURTH Octavia in 4 years. I get a car allowance from my employer so I can swap whenever I like, subject to good sense on the money. The great thing about the tax system (now changed) over the last few years has been that you could offset the total cost of the depreciation against tax each year (if you buy and sell), after a deduction for private use. So being a "homeworker" with very little personal mileage it to worked for me.
My first Octavia was a TDI 110 bhp SLX. What a revelation that was. I'd spent months checking reports, test driving, doing all the sums etc, and then the Octavia came on the scene. Never ever thought I'd buy a Skoda. Even back then the TV adverts were hopeless. I wanted a hatchback and the TV ads just did not bother to tell you that it was a hatch. The design is such that to look at you can't tell.Having gone to my local dealer (4 years ago)just for a look, I was hooked after he offered me a test drive in a showroom model, just in, for as long as I liked. I went off for a good ride (he gave me £10 for fuel, then took it home for the wife to give an opinion (I was already sold). Needless to say she thought it was great EXCEPT, it's a Skoda. Back then of course there weren't many about (there everywhere now though).
Anyway I had that one for a year (free servicing etc, did) 22,000 miles and swapped for the 150 bhp turbo petrol, what a goer that was. Only cost me £3000 to swap, what a deal after 11 months. Then swapped that for another TDI 110bhp SLX(updated spec) but still same basic engine etc). Had done 19,000 miles in the year and only cost me £2800 to swap. By now I'd heard about the "chipping" thing and had it "superchipped" to make it about 130bhp. Boy did that go well.
Then after another year of trouble free montoring, and 20,000 miles of motoring I swapped to my current car the 110BHP TDI Elegance, for a mere £3500 to swap (there was some body damage that cost me £400 on the tradein).
The basic price had come down by about £2000, but NO free servicing, still 3 year warranty, 3 years free AA cover, spec improved considerably. Overall a GREAT deal. Having also had this one "chipped" (cost £400) I'm going to keep this one a bit longer than the last three (tax system now different). So far the only minor nuisance things, bit of a creaking somewhere in the back, the remote key is a bit too sensitive, rear washer froze up in really cold weather and the pipe came off.
It's a VW at a rediculously low price, but far better. Look inside a Golf and an Octavia to see the same bits, everywhere.
Having done my extensive research and test drives each year I still decided that this was the BEST car for me.

Car basics:
Bigger overall than a Golf, but a bit smaller than a Mondeo (to look at that is). Can seat 5 but a bit of a squeeze in the back for 3 adults, bit firm in the middle of the back seat. Just fit a child seat in the middle plus 2 adults.
Biggest boot in this class.
Great engine (even without chipping) - the next version with the 130BHP "PD" will be magic
Seat height, back support, reach etc on BOTH driver and passenger seats.
Steering wheel, in and out, plus up & down.
Driving position is straight with a foot rest(unlike those expensive BMW 3 series things).
Climate control (which to be fair is a little awkward to reach - but that's no issue once set to "auto").
Multi-changer CD (in the boot) AND a cassette / radio.
Good set of "computer display" stuff , distance, journey time, MPG current, journey so far etc
Outside Temp gauge (two of) shows on main display when it's potentially icy instead of the MPG (nice idea).
Remote central locking.
Electric windows all round auto down safety feature if obstructed.
ABS / Traction control (slow speed only)
Driver & passenger front and side airbags
Multi speed front wipers
Headlight adjustment / variable light level on dials etc / Tinted area at top of windscreen.

Split folding rear seats, (seat base can also be fully removed) massive boot (with a big extra space underneath next to the spare wheel (steel). 16" Alloy wheel with wide tryes. With the back seats down it's got more space than most Estate cars in this class. Luggage net, 3 rear head rest, 3 full rear seat belts, rear wiper. Integrated front fog lights, Only one rear fog light, built-in front light washers, good amount of "oddment" space in the doors and behind front seats, decent space in the back (rear seats a bit firm and upright for some people).
internal lights in the back, three in the front. Nice little extra sun visor in the middle above the rear view mirror (wht don't all cars have that.
Uses long life oil (at £40 extra for a service fill up) but it lasts for 20,000 miles. One service so far for £170 at 20,000 miles.
Heated door mirrors, powered sun roof, superb gear change, easy to use clutch, great overall driving comfort.
Driven hard, and at high speed on the motorway I still get about 45 mpg, on an economy run (not very often) I managed 60 mpg.
(converted my son-in-laws father from a Vauxhall just 3 week ago).

Can't say enough about it. I'm now a VERY proud SKODA owner and I can only offer sympathy to those fools out there that still feel that having Skoda has any drawbacks. Oh by the way I've been driving for over 30 years, in many different cars, so I know a good thing when I drive it for long periods in my job.

Go get one soon before Skoda realise that the stupid adverts are holding back sales and they put the price up.