2002 Skoda Octavia Laurin & Klement Estate 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Economical and comfortable car in which to cover long distances

Faults:

Flat Battery at 5500 miles.

Puncture at 11500 miles.

Poor radio reception from new.

General Comments:

I bought the L & K because it has Cruise Control as standard and the insurance premium is £200 less than the equivalent Elegance model.

Over 13000 miles it has averaged 56mpg.

Over 600 miles on a tank full of diesel

Cruise control plus drivers arm rests mean non stop drives of 7 hours do not cause any discomfort.

Better quality radio and speakers and more leg room in the rear would make the car perfect.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th June, 2003

2002 Skoda Octavia Ambiente 1.9 Tdi 90 bhp

Summary:

Forget the badge people... you don't know what you're missing!!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing at all.

General Comments:

This is an update to a previous review that I posted on August the 28th 2002.

41000 miles, 11 months and 4 services later and this car still drives like new. The car is still used as a taxi and will be for another 2 years when I shall be trading it in for a new Skoda Superb... and I can't wait.

O.K. so most cars nowadays are built well, fair comment, but most people do not associate Skoda with this quality which is why they have to be praised.

If you are thinking about buying a Skoda then what are you waiting for... for goodness sake... it won't smack your bum! If you do take the plunge you shan't be regretting it!

Go for the diesel, you'll be getting around 50 mpg around town no problem. Even if you push it hard a return of 42 mpg is a certainty.

Take it on a long run at 56 mph you can expect around 68 mpg.

When you're out and about you just have a closer look at the taxis bombing around...you'll no doubt see a few Skodas out there and you know how much hammer taxis get yet all us taxi drivers cannot be wrong can we???

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th May, 2003

9th Feb 2011, 18:08

I totally agree with you. I have had my Skoda Octavia for 4 years. I got it second hand. It is the Ambiente diesel 1.9, and it is one of the best cars I have owned, so to anyone out there thinking of getting a Skoda, don't delay, you can't go wrong.

2002 Skoda Octavia Ambiente Estate 1.9 TDi

Summary:

A total bargain!!

Faults:

Nothing as yet, however the hard plastics inside car are easily scratched.

General Comments:

Excellent build quality. having stepped out of a Mk4 Golf 1.6 SE, I am surprised at how little I miss the supposed luxury of the Golf. Obviously the Skoda is not as nice to the touch as the Golf, but at a £4000 saving I'm not complaining. Air con as opposed to fuel wasting Climate Control is fine by me. A 6CD changer in the boot as standard also makes up for the lack of badge - if that is a problem for anyone!

The TDi is only the 90bhp version, but seems no slower than the 1.6 petrol version, and is a lot better for overtaking and long motorway cruises as it has way better gearing and bags of torque. I'm also averaging 48mpg vs the 30 I got in the petrol Golf which is great for my wallet.

My wife says she feels it is very little different to the Golf in most respects.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2003

2002 Skoda Octavia Ambiente 1.9 tdi 90bhp

Summary:

Good value for money

Faults:

Nothing yet, but no doubt something will sooner or later.

General Comments:

Good car, my second Octavia, much better build quality and dealer service than Renault.

Just one minor grumble - the car feels coarse road surfaces which seems to transmit a drumming noise through the car. Anyone else noticed this and more to the point anyone else cured it? I've driven several and they all do it. It ain't so bad that it stops me liking the car - especially the overall abilities that enable it to do everything well without being expensive to buy or run.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2002

14th Jan 2003, 05:46

It could be the tyres.

28th May 2003, 12:07

I just purchased a new Octavia Combi 1.9tdi, it is a beautiful car, but like you say it is very noisy with that drumming sound on rough road surfaces especially concrete roads with that rippled type finish. I find it very annoying and have in fact worn ear plugs where a long journey on rough road surface like this are encountered. it is difficult to hear the radio when on this type of road. I live in Ireland where there are lots of this type of road surface. I was about to bring it back to the garage as I thought something was wrong with it, but now that I see your posting it would appear it is not a fault. My advise to buyers is to road test it on rough roads before buying. It is a great pity this fault exists as the rest of the car is just great.

10th Oct 2003, 10:12

Just like the first comment said, it might just as well be the tires making noise. The importers usually just put on a set of tires without testing them on the different surfaces, so it's recommended to try different sets of tires. I've tried Continental Premium Contact on my old Golf and it was very quiet even in that car...

19th Dec 2003, 13:36

I have just bought one of these extraordinarily good cars (1.8 turbo 20 valve) which goes like a rocket, and I agree very much about the drumming or what seems to be tension in the body shell when traversing slightly rough roads. It may be the tyres are overinflated, but I notice a strange boom when shutting the doors as if something is over tensioned.

I have noticed a marked improvement in this when the tank is full and we have four people in the car.

31st Mar 2004, 14:55

Actually it is a nice and cute car, but the problem that it is tough and not comfortable at all for long distances.