Nothing so far - just got it.
I’ve just traded in my Nissan Almera GTi for a one owner 2 year old Octavia vRS, and boy, am I happy!
This car has exceeded my expectations in just about every area.
Great refinement – the engine is quiet, build quality is very good and the ride is firm, but not harsh.
I’d have preferred less of the light grey carpet, but the cabin is a very nice place to be in for my daily commute.
Looks like I’m going to get an average 35mpg on the motorway.
Performance is very good, more than adequate for all, but real racers. There’s a little bit of turbo lag below 2,500 rpm, but otherwise the pick-up is quick and strong.
The steering could do with more feel, and the car just doesn’t have the nimbleness of my Almera nor my wife’s 1997 Primera Si. For me though, it’s perfectly adequate given the nature of most of my driving.
All in all, I think these cars are a bargain at today’s prices (Jan 2007). Go and try one.
Well it's a couple of years on and the car has now done 86000 miles.
I've had two problems in that time. The first one was trivial - the rear wash wipe stopped working because a hose in the boot came loose - fixed that one myself. The second one was a faulty thermostat - cost me £150. Otherwise trouble free. Have just been told some of the front suspension components need replacing (bushings and roll bar) - I believe this is fairly common for these cars. I'm still on the original exhaust. I've got 30000+ miles out of the tyres (Continental).
I'm still very happy with it, although I hanker after some better handling when I get off the motorway - thinking of giving this car to my wife and buying a BMW coupe for myself.
BTW - I should have put a smiley on my original review - I must have missed the option to specify.
That's a pretty good run. I routinely replace my thermostat when I drain and replenish the coolant of any car I have every 40,000 km/2-3 years. Thermostats are cheap enough, and modern cars do not take very well to overheating for any reason. I replace my water pumps routinely at 80,000 km/4-5 years plus the thermostat while draining the coolant.
Glad to hear the car has been good to you.
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