Better than an Octavia estate - Contenders! Ready!

When looking for similar I had a list if:
Toyota Corolla
Kia Ceed/Proceed
Hyundai i30
Volvo v something.

Ended up with a Proceed which is lovely but has a bit less space, the standard Kia Ceed estate is much bigger.

Petrol Skoda Superb estate??

I'm thinking of a Passat estate, but the Kia Ceed is an awful lot better value. Have never fiddled with one in the flesh though...

I’m collecting my MG HS Trophy next week as my new motability vehicle, well specced for the price and 7 year warranty, you could buy new rather than second hand

If it still works why not keep it?

I had a Peugeot 308sw & did 90,000 miles in 3 years from new- mechanically it was fine, wouldn’t think it had that mileage.

Likewise my “stop gap” Golf is 16 years old & on 85,000 miles- no issues from it & it doesn’t look it’s age.

I'd get another octavia tbh. Its a sweet spot between quality and price. I don't mind hyundai/kia group (our hyundai is reasonable).I

Shame mondeos got the boot because it was a contender. Liked mine a lot too.

What about a Mazda6 Tourer? That’s my next choice, but the Golf refuses to die!

if you’re getting one with warranty left, keep an eye on the wheels - if they start corroding get them changed under warranty.

As mentioned above, petrol superb is an amazing car. We have a hybrid one and it has been great so far

We had almost exactly the same requirements apart from the age when it came to replacing the wifes A4 avant.

We went with the golf r Estate.

Even though its 4WD, the boot is huge.

It's got better all round visibility than the octavia.

Better looking than the passat.

Goes like poo off a shovel.

Down sides;

My dad, the grumpy sod, says its too low to get into.

Its faster than my mk5 R32.

My earlier reply has vanished, so thanks for the suggestions so far!

We could keep the current one but it's starting to get a bit more prone to needing stuff at the service and things like the Android link and heated screens would be good to have.

Kia Ceed and 308 were looking good contenders already.

MrsMC is not convinced we need to go up to Superb/Passat sizes, and she's probably correct. She had a Superb as a hire car for work a few weeks ago and it started her thinking that another Skoda was maybe a better idea than something else just for "a change".

I'll be replacing my Passat with... another Passat. Been perfect for what I need, and ridiculously reliable. 126K on it now. Hoping to get 226K 😀

Keep the Octavia.

Save money each month towards new car or bills.

How important is the carrying of old people ? Getting into a low slung sporty estate is more difficult as you get older  - it's way easier to get into something a little higher..

I have just kept my fabia 150k miles in, yes it has needed bits at service but that's a lot cheaper than £20k on a new car!

Surely spending at the service to get the age related bits fixed is cheaper than £20k on a new car? Can retro install an android audio unit. Save the cash and keep the current car. From an owner of a 2010 superb with 150k on the clock.

I've a Kia Ceed and it has been a great car...but it doesn't get used for biking duties. Does get used for hillwalking things and is very comfy and a good size. Family of 2 and sometimes 3 - either teenager or old pensioner.

Our current Octavia estate is coming up to 10 years old and 100k miles, which is when we tend to replace our cars.

What a coincidence, that's when I tend to buy my cars.

How the other half live eh?

Getting into a low slung sporty estate is more difficult as you get older – it’s way easier to get into something a little higher..

That's how people convince themselves to fill the roads with those vile SUVs. My mum's 84 and drives a Celica! Getting into cars is the same as it's always been.

We’ve got an Octavia Scout that’s on it’s way out with a similar age and mileage to yours. Rear diff replacement after a long list of bills was the last straw. Also got a 2018 Karoq 1.5 TSI which we’ve had for 3 years and has been brilliant. Boot space is definitely limited compared to the Octavia, but still plenty of room and has been really reliable. Might be an option in your budget.

IME the 22-plate Octavia on-screen controls aren't best. Very few buttons and it regularly asks you to wait for the satnav to spark up.

Otherwise they seem to be as reliable as earlier models and bigger with each iteration. Try the 5-door hatch and see what you think.

Kia IME are disappointing on mpg, Toyota hybrid, maybe?

Surely spending at the service to get the age related bits fixed is cheaper than £20k on a new car?

this is where I’m at with the Golf. Would like something newer and less grey (VW poverty spec grey paint, grey wheels, grey interior) but at last weeks service  £700 for oil, air filters & gearbox oil change and an MOT with no advisories means I’ll be keeping it a while longer as it’s cheaper than changing

Save money each month towards new car

We have done. Now we're thinking of spending it.

I've had a 2014 Golf Estate GT 2.0 TDI for the past 2 years and it's been superb. Seriously quick, economical and hasn't missed a beat despite the 120k miles on the clock.  Worth the £8k I paid at the time and I'm confident it will hit 200k miles.

What's the aversion to diesel? If well looked after, the Skoda/VW/Audi 1.9/2.0 diesel engines go on and on.

What’s the aversion to diesel? If well looked after, the Skoda/VW/Audi 1.9/2.0 diesel engines go on and on.

Personally, work (for both of us) is only 7 miles away so A4 tdi wasn't getting up to temp, so not convenient for us to get another diesel.

That’s how people convince themselves to fill the roads with those vile SUVs. My mum’s 84 and drives a Celica! Getting into cars is the same as it’s always been.

Absolute ****ing bollocks, I guess you have no mobility issues?

All SUV drivers have mobility issues??

Grand c max is good for oldies to get into.

That’s how people convince themselves to fill the roads with those vile SUVs. 

My vile SUV weighs very little different to the previous estate and less than most dorsprung panzer wagons that ride close tonthe ground.  Oh, and it puts out about 34% less CO2 than the previous estate too.  And fewer particulates.

I have vile SUV because other than over priced German made  ****ermobiles, there wasn't a viable estate to have.

****ermobiles

I think the correct word is ****panzer 🙂

My vile SUV weighs very little different to the previous estate and less than most dorsprung panzer wagons that ride close tonthe ground.

Just checked, my MG HS weighs the same as a Honda Civic, I thought it would weigh far more

How about something like this to help

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/simply-car-handle-aid-585205.html

Another VW option is the Maxi Life, not a car  estate but .....

Easy to get in and out.

Very useful space inside and various configurations folding seats .

Not that sporty but will that matter in the real world!

But I would keep your current cat if it got no issues.

Skoda Superb estate s look good as well.

7 miles away

Second hand Up or Citigo. Keep the big car and some cash.

Seat Leon estate?

My 2.0 diesel is mega on fuel, quite nippy especially the way I hammer it and only £20 a year road tax👍

It takes two ebikes and all the gubbins in the back.

As a 69 year old, tell pissy pants to be greatfull he is getting a lift 🤣

Can you get a bike (wheels off) in the boot of a Leon without putting the seats down? Say, a 27.5" medium sized frame with a dropper...?

Been through similar recently and ended up with a Passat. Took me a while to actually handover the money in the dealership as it didn't blow me away on the test drive but after owning it for 3 months it's bloody ace, does everything I wanted with no issues. I wouldn't say it's a drivers car though, but it's so relaxing I just waft around everywhere trying to keep the mpg up. Size wise it's the smallest of the large estates though still has ample room in the boot and the rear passenger seats. MPG wise I get around 50 on a mixed run over 10 miles, and high thirties on shorter journeys. Manual, 15.tsi engine, 2019.

My vile SUV weighs

And by happy coincidence it's much more likely to kill any pedestrian you hit.

rickmeisterFull Member

7 miles away
Second hand Up or Citigo. Keep the big car and some cash.

Already have 2 cars, not buying a 3rd.

We went through this recently. Didn't like the new Octavia or the mk8 golf. Ended up with a b9.5 Audi A4 which is a lovely place to spend time. Boot is a bit narrower than an Octavia but you can still get a bike in

There's also a lot less road noise

Wanted a Volvo v60 but it was too compromised in too many ways.

Been a serial car swapper for many years !! Until I bought a mk7 golf Gtd estate. Had it almost 4 years been bulletproof and does everything with aplomb. £30 yearly ved/easily returns 50+mpg and plenty poke when needed.

anagallis_arvensisFull Member
My vile SUV weighs
And by happy coincidence it’s much more likely to kill any pedestrian you hit.

Why is a Suv more likely to kill someone?

Compared to what?

Been a serial car swapper for many years !! Until I bought a mk7 golf Gtd estate. Had it almost 4 years been bulletproof and does everything with aplomb. £30 yearly ved/easily returns 50+mpg and plenty poke when needed.

Can you lie a road bike in it seats down without taking the wheels out? Fancy swapping my manual Passat for an auto golf estate but not sure if it's quite big enough for my lazy bike transportation.

Why is a Suv more likely to kill someone?

Compared to what?

Higher front end isn’t good for hitting pedestrians.

Compared to a normal car

"Can you lie a road bike in it seats down without taking the wheels out? Fancy swapping my manual Passat for an auto golf estate but not sure if it’s quite big enough for my lazy bike transportation."

Don't do it. As a Superb owner - The Skoda version of the Passat - anything smaller would be a compromise too  far. It is a bugger to park in tight spaces because of the size but I can't think of any other reason to go smaller.  Luckily Mrs IRC has a Suzuki Ignis so we have a small car when requred.  And home and work have ample parking.

Other than bikes  in the last year I have moved a few bits of furniture which only fitted in the back by a cm or two.  Obviously van based cars have even greater carrying capacity but they lose a bit in driveability over big comfy estates.

mashrFree Member
Why is a Suv more likely to kill someone?

Compared to what?
Higher front end isn’t good for hitting pedestrians.

Yeah there is that argument but if you’re driving at sensible (under legal limit) speeds in town then perhaps the safety systems as fitted to modern SUV’s may detect the possible impact and apply the brakes before collision. My 2019 VW Tiguan has detection systems and when something as small as a pheasant runs out in front of my car it can slam the brakes on quicker than I can react, loads of pheasants around my area (kirkcudbright, Galloway) and in town where I can count dozen’s of the dozy ****ers splatted on the roads. Personally I drive under 25mph/20mph in town, it’s just a shame that there’s folk who think the speed limit is the speed they should be doing at all times.

Yeah there is that argument but if you’re driving at sensible (under legal limit) speeds in town then perhaps the safety systems as fitted to modern SUV’s may detect the possible impact and apply the brakes before collision

Are these better than a car? And they are still much more likely to kill a ped than a car if they hit one

I had a golf estate and could fit a road bike in the boot wheels on, seats down. Now have an Octavia estate and it's noticeably bigger in the boot and back, very happy with it and prefer it to the golf. Not keen on the new model as it has no buttons for the heating etc.

I haven't hit a pedestrian with either so can't respond to those questions. The Octavia has headlight washers though which I imagine is practical for washing the blood off if running people over is your main consideration when buying a car.

Had a 56 plate Octavia before switching to vans. I’ve driven the more up to date Octavia’s at work and I still really like them. I wouldn’t hesitate to go for one

I've had all sorts of car similar to what the OP is considering, and currently have a 2023 Petrol vRS hatch.

I'd thoroughly recommend one based on requirements. It's not as fast as the Golf R, but real world performance is still plenty good enough, and it isn't the thief magnet an R is.

A few quirks that can be ironed out with OBD programming.

I've done a mixture of driving and in 9000 miles to date it has average 36mpg.

Does 42+ on a motorway run keeping it sensible, but around town it does suffer, down to 25mpg in stop start rush hour f0r 45 minutes.

The only other car I've had that I would consider is a 2016 Focus ST estate. That was terrific to drive but probably everything else is behind the Skoda - not sure what later ones are like, if even available.

I accept that everybody is different, but I borrowed a MG HS hybrid for a few days and it was awful to drive. Nice and comfy with a lot of toys, but no dynamics and very boaty. 4 people at work also have the same thought and it is now a pool car as nobody wants it.

Another argument against white cars I suppose. Bloodstains are hell to shift off the  paintwork.

126K on it now. Hoping to get 226K

Tread carefully; I said similar with my last two cars and within a few months both were written off in non-fault accidents...

(Can you lie a road bike in it seats down without taking the wheels out? Fancy swapping my manual Passat for an auto golf estate but not sure if it’s quite big enough for my lazy bike transportation.)

Easily yes. I also take my road bike with me on summer hols every year. 3 dogs in crate and all luggage etc with room to spare. Ok I take both wheels off for this 🙂

MrsMC now considering a Superb....

Another VW option is the Maxi Life, not a car estate but …..

Easy to get in and out.

Very useful space inside and various configurations folding seats .

Not that sporty but will that matter in the real world!

I'm quite tempted to sacrifice the nice drive for one of those, or a Tourneo Connect, assuming they'll take a bike upright?

Fwiw, an Octavia estate comfortably takes a road bike on it's side. Need a wheel off for my medium sized Soul.

Mind you, I've had a medium road bike in the back of a Fabia hatch with the seats down.

My friend removes his front wheel to get his Kenevo in his Tourneo connect

Subaru is what you are looking for.

Dad picked up a very recent one for not a lot...All the toys big boot. Nice to drive.

Got a 65 plate VW Passat, 2ltr diesel (8.5 years old), done 107k miles, and servicing hasn't been anything else other than consumables.
Comfy enough for 3 week road trip round Europe. Does >50mpg. Fast enough and has a helpful sport mode.
Big enough for road bike in the back without taking wheels off.
Recommend. Better than the A4 Avant that it replaced.

I'm another person who rates the Superb very highly; I would happily have another.

Does everything well. Call me if you want to ask anything specific.

If you're going Superb then the Sportline 4x4 DSG estate is very good. I haven't driven the hatchback version, but the estate is sooo comfortable and isn't likely to be an ex-taxi. Budget will be a problem but just test drive one 🙂

Has anyone compared the legroom (front and back) between Passat estate and Superb estate? I’m looking at both and wondering if there is all that much in it. Rear legroom wise it would be for lugging kids under 12 around.
I’m 6’5” and had a saloon Passat (2013version) before and didn’t have the seat all the way back.

@albanach - The Superb is palatial in comparison to the Passat.   A mate has a Passat, father-in-law has the Superb, both estates.  The back of the Superb has ridiculous legroom - I'm 6ft 1.5 with 34" inside leg and found it to be huge in terms of legroom even sat behind my 6ft F-in-L.

Shame Dacia Joggers only come with a 3 pot 1.0 or a 1.8 hybrid, two drivetrains I wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Otherwise it's a cheap practical load lugger you can buy new for less than second hand Passat prices.

Last long drive I had to relieve the boredom I played that game where I had to decide if I'd want to own that car going in the other direction and I was a bit shocked to discover these days I'm only attracted to practical MPV type cars like berlingos or VW caddy mpvs. Seems you can only get the caddy as a diesel, unless it's a £30k new one though?

I came here to mention the Dacia Jogger. This is probably going to be my next car, although I'll lease due to less hassle, being used for work and known cost every month.

As they're Renault engines, they are meant to be very reliable, even the hybrid.

My pal has a Citroen C4 Grand Space Tourer, which he rates. They're a bit of a tardis too.

I personally don't like SUV styled cars as they seem to manage to be big on the outside but small on the inside, yet normal hatchbacks manage to do the opposite (I'm looking at you Honda Jazz)

I went from
Golf GTi
Octavia vrs 60,000 miles. 59k- 120k
Civic estate 60,000 miles 0-60k
BMW 3 estate had for 50,000 miles 90-140k

So I'd suggest any of them.

Currently the only reason for me to swap out of the 3 series is to get more rear leg room behind me.

I'm in the market for a new motor after writing off my Leon estate last Friday.

Thinking of a cupra formentor but never been in one to see if a bike will fit ok.

Currently got an MG SUV as a hire car. It takes a bike easily, but that's the only good thing about it as it's totally awful to drive on country roads. Infact it's embarrassing having it on the drive 😱

The VW Maxi Life didn't have very good air conditioning when I had a shot in one. It seemed underpowered. If you live in the south of the UK this may matter more than if you live in Oban.

It's a good job modern MGs have a 7 year warranty. They use significantly smaller proportion of galvanised steel than more reputable brands so they'll be rusting to bits by then