I love my Skoda Octavia vRS, but here’s why I’d buy a used one

My Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is one of my favourite daily drivers I’ve ever had. It’s comfy, quick and it looks great in this dark green paint, but there’s one thing missing to make it my perfect runaround.

That would be a third pedal. Skoda removed the option of a manual gearbox from the Octavia vRS a few years ago, and having spent a week driving my Dad’s manual Mk3 vRS I do like to change gears myself.

You’d have to buy a secondhand model to get the six-speed manual gearbox, or a diesel for that matter, but there are other reasons to consider a used Octavia vRS over a brand new one.

Why should you consider a used Skoda Octavia vRS?

The most obvious reason to consider a used car over a new one is the price, because you can pick up a 2023 Skoda Octavia vRS Estate for as little as £25,000 through Carwow, and that’s near enough half the price of my new one.

Sure, the pre-facelift is 20hp down on the latest vRS, but 245hp is still more than enough to have fun with. The car I found is finished in silver paint, which I’d usually say is a bit dull but on the Octavia with contrasting black trim I reckon it looks quite smart.

But the main reason I’d look for a pre-facelift car is so I can get the manual gearbox, even though three-pedal cars are quite hard to come by. I found one manual estate in black, and there were also a handful of hatchbacks for between £25,000 and £30,000.

What’s the Octavia vRS like to live with?

I’ve been living with my Octavia vRS Estate for around a month now, and it’s a great daily driver.

I spend a lot of time slogging up and down the motorway between Winchester and London, and the vRS is brilliant at soaking up the miles. It’s a tad firmer than the standard Octavia, which is to be expected in the sport version, but with the adaptive suspension in its softest setting it’s still relaxing at a cruise.

It’s also hugely practical. The boot is massive, and it’s packed with clever features to make life easier. I make good use of the velcro dividers to stop loose bags rolling around, and I’ve even broken out the umbrella from the driver’s door for the sprint between the car park and my flat in a downpour.

Are there any drawbacks to the Skoda Octavia vRS Estate?

As much as I love it, the Octavia vRS isn’t perfect. If you’re looking for maximum fun on a twisty road, the BMW 3 Series Touring is a better bet. The Skoda is nimble and it corners well, but it feels safe rather than thrilling.

In the damp winter months, I’ve also found that the Octavia can struggle to put its power down at times. You don’t have to be acting like a hooligan to get a healthy amount of wheelspin, which gets old when you’re just trying to nip out at a junction. A Volkswagen Golf R Estate copes better in weather thanks to its all-wheel drive system, or you could go for a used pre-facelift Octavia vRS because they were available with four-wheel drive.

You could also go for a Cupra Leon Estate if you want something which looks more aggressive, but that car isn’t as practical or comfortable as the Skoda. I love my Octavia vRS Estate, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a spacious family car with a sporty edge.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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