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You know, there is always a heated discussion about used cars versus new cars. We always hear about the classic brand new Dacia Logan from 2022 or a BMW 525d from 2010 with a complementary CD with russian techno music, or an Audi A8 4.0 TDI from 2006 with right-hand drive, registered in Bulgaria and fake insurance.

But what about those cars that most europeans can afford brand new? Can we find good cars worth buying brand new, even at the cost of 72 months of our lives?

Well guess what, VW thought about this and in 2005 the Skoda Octavia received a complete overhaul. Essentially a cheaper and more spacious Golf V, the Skoda Octavia II is one of the most popular cars on the roads of Europe. Even if for me Skoda Octavia II represents the quintessence of the expression “I am 40 years old, 2 children, a good job and I gave up my dreams”, this car must necessarily go through the annals (haha, anal) of Almost Car Reviews. However, due to the popularity of this model, in today’s article we only talk about the first edition, Skoda Octavia II receiving another major facelift in 2009, worthy of its own article.

In 1996 VW launched the first generation Octavia,which was basically an discount Golf IV, with abit more space, saloon only, and a lower quality of materials. A model that is popular (too popular) even today, it is replaced in 2005 by Skoda Octavia II, which follows the same format, only that it uses the Golf V platform. At an affordable price, europeans (eastern europeans especially) who wanted a new car assaulted the Skoda dealership and made this model the go-to car for the sales agents, fleet cars, and the middle management people in the corporations.

Skoda Octavia II Engines

Petrol

• 1.4 MPI of 75 or 80 horsepower – Good enough for the city, but that’s about it. As is the case of the Golf V, this engine is simply too anemic, with about as much punch as Betty White.


• 1.4 TFSI of 122 horsepower – Due to it’s timing chain issues, I would say that this engine is a no-touchy.


• 1.6 MPI of 102 horsepower (8v) and 105 horsepower (16v) – The base petrol engine, an extremely reliable unit, with average fuel consumption (10L/100k urban) and decent performance. Sensitive to coil packs that fall every 80,000km and all 4 need to be replaced at the same time.


• 1.6 FSI of 116 horsepower – The FSI version of the 1.6 MPI, the coil packs do not fail as much but it is sensitive to petrol (it must run on petrol of at least 98 as often as possible), has more electrical gremlins and the timing chain is more difficult and expensive to replace.


• 1.8 TSI of 160 horsepower – This engine is abit of a unicorn in the world of Skoda Octavia II, this is a thrilling engine indeed. Very rare instead. Notorious for oil consumption.


• 2.0 FSI of 150 horsepower – Abit more common than the 1.8 TSI, this is the FSI version of the old 136 horsepower 2.0 MPI unit. Sensitive to petrol quality, and the other issues of the 1.6 FSI.


• 2.0 TFSI vRS of 200 horsepower – An engine that needs no introduction, the Golf V GTI engine can also be found on the Skoda Octavia II. It chuggs down more oil than petrol, but the upside is that you have a 200 horsepower Octavia. Let me see now the one with his 525d from 2007 and the steering wheel on the wrong side how will keep up with you.

Diesel

• 1.9 TDI of 105 horsepower – The classic 105 horsepower BXE, an engine that made not only the VW group famous, but the entire diesel engine as a concept. Reliable, with low consumption, this engine compensates for the lack of power through the economy it brings to both fuel and parts. Otherwise, the same noise  that mimmicks the gravel falling from the wheelbarrow. Sometimes the camshaft wears out prematurely, like the distinguished ladies from the distinguished fitness clubs in Romania.


• 2.0 TDI of 140 and 170 horsepower – Many people look at the 2.0 TDI the same way they look at Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine pills in the sense of whether should they buy it or not. The 2.0 TDI engines on the Skoda Octavia II are trouble-free, with fun ones being on the VW Passat, VW Touran, Audi A4 and A6. Note that some engines have a particulate filter, others do not. It is preferable to avoid engines with particulate filter.

Skoda Octavia II General Issues

• A relatively common problem is with the leaky radiator. The problem is solved by installing modern radiators, even aftermarket units are good enough. On the same thread, there may be problems with the climate control unit altogether.


• Rear wheel calipers can and will lock. A common issue with the Passat B6, the Skoda Octavia II is a relatively rare but well-docummented issue.


• Not necessarily a issue, but the DSG 6 speed automatic transmission is sensitive to oil and requires proper maintenance, with changes made every 60,000km. If there are jerking while you test drive, it is clear sign that there is a issue or 2 with the DSG box. You do not want to see the repair bill on a DSG 6.


• The interior is old-school Skoda quality, so there may be problems with the interior elements that will start to fall off or make noise.


• Rust. Rust everywhere.


• The suspension is notoriously weak on the Skoda Octavia II and will be replaced often.

Skoda Octavia II Verdict

Skoda Octavia II is not my favorite car. It’s like a potato soup – good, cheap, nutritious, but boring. If you are 40 years old, this car makes a lot of sense as it is a car bought with the mind, not the heart. And if you buy it with the heavy duty suspension pack, you have a car that can cope with the chaos of our roads, without leaving your wallet nor your butt sore. A very, very rational choice. A car that says about you that you like cars, but you don’t like them so much that you ruin yourself financially for your dream with 4 wheels.