Why a Cheap Diesel Skoda Octavia is Better than any Ferrari

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  • Опубліковано 28 січ 2023
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,5 тис.

  • @JayEmmOnCars
    @JayEmmOnCars  Рік тому +34

    CarVertical: The History Checking Service
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    • @michaelmazani
      @michaelmazani Рік тому +2

      Normie cars = great content!!!

    • @tassos2011
      @tassos2011 Рік тому +1

      Haha, I enjoy driving my Ferrari as much as any of my Peugeots.
      If you think this is a great car, check also other cars on the same price range

    • @IkenOuse
      @IkenOuse Рік тому

      I have another cheap car for you to try. It is also a 2004 Skoda mk1 Octavia Combi Elegance but this one is a 1.8 turbo 20v 4x4. Skoda made 3600 worldwide and the saloon has FIA papers and was used as the base of the WRC car. I am having rust repairs and the suspension refresh currently when it is done you can have a go. It drives very well. Paid £1400 last year and will put about £2000 into it.

    • @michalviktorin6758
      @michalviktorin6758 Рік тому

      My first car costed me 300 £. It was Skoda 120 M with favorit engine and LPG. On LPG 100 km costed me about 4-5 £. I was not reliable nor safe, but I had ecotires on it and it drifted everywhere, so it was superfun for cheap. It is also very small car so you have enough space everywhere to play with it. Those cars were what previous generations of Czech people were learning on, so I got to experience that, same way I bought super cub, and Im experiencing way of asia these days. 😀

  • @mwalmsley72
    @mwalmsley72 Рік тому +762

    My father always used to say “2nd class driving is always better than 1st class walking”. So true.

    • @mcspikesky
      @mcspikesky Рік тому

      He was probably fat

    • @dragospahontu
      @dragospahontu Рік тому +4

      But the 1st gen Octavia is still the best

    • @dragospahontu
      @dragospahontu Рік тому

      @Hold Fast just buy a first gen Octavia

    • @dragospahontu
      @dragospahontu Рік тому +4

      @Hold Fast the Octavia isn't a cheap car by any standard. Maybe the Logan is.

    • @dragospahontu
      @dragospahontu Рік тому +1

      @Hold Fast how can you say that the Octavia is cheap? Wake up to the real world.

  • @user-sk7cj4oc3j
    @user-sk7cj4oc3j Рік тому +532

    Former development engineer for the BMW Group here, who’s lucky enough to have driven and developed everything from MINIs to the RR Phantom on test tracks and public roads. After experiencing it all, the feeling of coming back to my 20 year old, battered Audi A4 (first car from my childhood) was never matched. I actually grew more fond of it actually after experiencing the crazy exotica! Finding the areas where despite its age and wear, it was even better than those modern counterparts (B6 Audi A4 has outrageously good NVH) , just makes the connection to the old thing just that more special! I never comment , but this video really resonates ! I’m at the heartbreaking point where the impending London ULEZ expansion might force me to pull the plug on my A4 though 😢

    • @bergeracvandamme
      @bergeracvandamme Рік тому

      Yet another victim of the insane climate fascism being forced upon us all 😞

    • @strangermaniacos686
      @strangermaniacos686 Рік тому +35

      Do not comply !!!

    • @joelrolo1915
      @joelrolo1915 Рік тому +7

      What’s NVH ?

    • @chrisdowns1987
      @chrisdowns1987 Рік тому +34

      @Joel Rolo Noise, Vibration and Harshness. Kind of brings together stuff like cabin noise, engine noise, suspension impacts transmitted to the cabin, Rattles, etc. Well-built, luxury cars tend to have better NVH than cheap badly built stuff

    • @chrisdowns1987
      @chrisdowns1987 Рік тому +12

      I have a Seat Exeo, based on the b7 A4, having driven quite a few more modern cars (especially lots of Mercedes, thanks to work) getting back into my Exeo is like getting back in my favourite armchair, especially with the uprated stereo 😋 I love it, maintain it myself to the highest standard and will be keeping it for as long as possible!

  • @anthonyfmoss
    @anthonyfmoss Рік тому +263

    I was one of those people that had these as company cars for the reasons you stated. I had at least 3 in a row. Excellent philosophy. I’m not now in paid employment and have a Skoda Superb 2l diesel that has done 174k miles and counting. It’s worth it’s weight in gold to me. The mighty war horse has taken its share of punishment carrying this old road warrior, but does it care? No. Do I care? No. The road goes for ever on. Congrats on the 250k subs

    • @paarker
      @paarker Рік тому +15

      It’s things like this that really annoy me about this ULEZ extra tax nonsense. These cars are why some people have livelihoods. They are vital to people flourishing and enjoying their lives. The powers that be want to take it away.

    • @cannaroe1213
      @cannaroe1213 Рік тому

      @@paarker Particularly this generation of diesel. The catalytic converters work great. They produce almost half the CO2. A little more particulates in the exhaust? Maybe, depends on the condition of the cat, but modern diesels have exhaust emissions with LOWER ppm than intake air - they scrub the air clean. Allowed in the ULEZ? No way mate..

  • @franco992
    @franco992 Рік тому +192

    Agree, but a trap I’ve fallen into is that I become quite attached to them and start spending money where I shouldn’t. Next thing I know I’m getting paint done, wheel refurb, decent tyres etc. Next thing I know I’m driving a really nice modern classic and looking out for horse boxes coming the other way.

    • @Gnasherism
      @Gnasherism Рік тому +23

      Ah, another sucker for character and charm, I see

    • @mcspooney
      @mcspooney Рік тому +11

      yup did that with a Hyundai f2 evolution i fell in love with in my early twenties. bought it as a cheap banger sporty car. then the love come true and the work began. i cut out all the rusty rear arches, made new ones from old Impreza and fiesta wings. replaced the front ones.... then a respray...... then spent allot on returning everything to near mint condition, suspension, brakes and all the interior. i literally replaced every part on the suspension all at once to have it drive like it should. subframes and all. if i could not do most the work myself the bill would be over 8k easy but i kept it to about 4-5k all in for a car that if i advertised it for sale was worth about 10 pence and i only paid 900 quid for lol........ kept the thing for 7 years..... still though i wish i had it back.

    • @hottuber2688
      @hottuber2688 9 місяців тому +2

      Totally agree I have been slowly rebuilding a VW Bora

  • @abdulhaffezghafoor
    @abdulhaffezghafoor Рік тому +361

    I ran a £600 2009 picanto for 15 months whilst awaiting my gr Yaris. It was great never let me down for me to work and back and did 450 mile round trips no problem. Changed my drive style due to the small size and lack of power and just accepted it. It was the perfect little cheap car

    • @Ayerighr
      @Ayerighr Рік тому +15

      I had a 2009 Citroën C1 and it was the best fun on four wheels I've ever had. 68 bhp of pure fun. The Toyota Yaris GR is a stunning little car. It's the best looking car on the road by light years. Who ever designed its aesthetics deserves high praises, it's a thing of beauty.

    • @tehclam
      @tehclam Рік тому +9

      The Picanto doesn’t get enough credit, it’s a near-perfect car for what it is

    • @lastwalkaroundmirrorlake
      @lastwalkaroundmirrorlake Рік тому +5

      I got a Picanto as a courtesy car about 10 years ago and the road noise was unbearable it was like it had a hole in the floor, went back quickly

    • @abdulhaffezghafoor
      @abdulhaffezghafoor Рік тому +5

      @@lastwalkaroundmirrorlake haha mine was the same so I bought £30 sound deadening made quite a difference

    • @julianevans9548
      @julianevans9548 Рік тому

      This was my car for three years. £550 and it did over 20,000 miles.
      James reviewed it towards the end of its life:
      ua-cam.com/video/DH7i5Ccz1s8/v-deo.html

  • @markfrank8057
    @markfrank8057 Рік тому +118

    ‘What am I, Top Gear!’ had me laughing…after years of being distraught how they damaged so many decent cars. Glad I’m not alone!

    • @benpenagonzales6014
      @benpenagonzales6014 Рік тому +5

      The mk1 focus RS. Noooooo!

    • @carfleet6703
      @carfleet6703 Рік тому +21

      Well said. It's the one thing TG should have been taken apart for. Even those cars I didn't personally like, and wouldn't want, it's the unnecessary destruction of something useful, or that someone else would enjoy, that I found distasteful. Particularly those cars for which there are now very few left, and will never be any more. They shouldn't be wantonly wrecked.

    • @AWMJoeyjoejoe
      @AWMJoeyjoejoe Рік тому +10

      The Volvo 850R they destroyed in Africa broke my heart. Those things are beautiful and rarer than rocking horse manure.

    • @pushatsinfrared
      @pushatsinfrared Рік тому +3

      The Boxster and Cayman new top gear have ruined…ouch.

    • @arkhsm
      @arkhsm Рік тому

      Clarkson single-handedly took out 50% of the worlds Morris Marina population....bastard !!

  • @sa122
    @sa122 Рік тому +188

    You raise a very interesting point here regarding cheap vs expensive cars and it's one that has occurred to me too lately. It's getting increasingly difficult to use the capabilities of a performance car in the UK what with speed cameras, congestion, weather conditions, poor roads etc. Now that I own quite an expensive car I find myself anxious about where I leave it and fear the dreaded crowded and cramped supermarket car park. I am also often annoyed at finding extra stone chips and small scratches that I swear weren't there before when washing it. I will grudgingly do skip runs with it because I have a protective boot cover but I really struggle leaving it in a field when attending festivals. When driving my old Citroen C5 diesel none of this mattered and, slow as it was, I probably shaved time off journeys because people seemed more keen to let you out at junctions. It all makes you wonder sometimes if owning a nice car is worth the anxiety and expense. I think the best solution is to have a cheap runabout for everyday duties and a weekend toy if your budget can stretch to it.

    • @PNoblesGarage
      @PNoblesGarage Рік тому +8

      Porsche’s are the best sports or “exotic” car as they are beautiful, well made, fantastically engineered and quite modest/humble. Parts are not extortionate and they aren’t shouty. They are truly timeless machines and give you everything you could want from a car. Nothing seems to be too much for them either…school run, shopping, Continental crossing trips, b road barnstorming, track days, racing and the list goes on and on.
      Absolutely wonderful machines.

    • @Sebb747
      @Sebb747 Рік тому +12

      The problem with having two cars is that you really have to keep at driving the second car. I know quite a few people who will always take the cheap car because parking, tanks empty, cars still on summer tires and what not. Which is a bit of a self-reinforcing loop, because if you know you're only going to drive it this once for a month or more, you'll spend a few hours unpacking it and then a few hours packing it again, which will lower your motivation to take it even more. But I fully understand you, I miss the ease of just parking on the first empty spot and not worrying about getting back in too dirty for the nice seats.

    • @whyyoulidl
      @whyyoulidl Рік тому +2

      ...and that's why I kept my battered 21 year old Vauxhall Combo 1.7 diesel van as 'back up'. In all honesty, it's been more reliable than my ULEX-compliant commuter. The comb's passed MOT's for the last 3 years with no issues.

    • @adamrugen1850
      @adamrugen1850 Рік тому +2

      Honking roads make anything with hard-ish suspension an absolute nightmare. Best part is it's not going to get any better 👍

    • @IdiotRace
      @IdiotRace Рік тому

      @@PNoblesGarage As much as I respect Porsches, they just aren't for me. I'm going to get a GT86 and have fun doing some small mods to improve it on track. I was looking at Caymans as an alternative but they just don't excite me as much as the Japanese stuff does. It feels like stuff like the GT86 is a clean slate and with the aftermarket available you can tailor the car to your liking. I feel like if I did the same with a Cayman people would be looking down at me saying I'd ruined the purity of the Porsche brand or smth lol.

  • @richardgrant9771
    @richardgrant9771 Рік тому +89

    I bought a 3 year old passat highline 1.9tdi in 2008, paid £10k for it at the time, not particularly cheap to buy, but I kept it for 10 years, put over 240k miles on it, and it never cost more than £300 to service/MOT and it was brilliant, it had everything, heated seats, 6 CD changer, had it remapped to 140 bhp , I loved it

  • @grippingyarnsuk
    @grippingyarnsuk Рік тому +162

    I entered euromillions the other day and started fantasising about the stable of cars I would own and discovered that I was already mourning the progression of wonderful cheap cars that I would almost inevitably overlook. I didn’t win and I’m still happily in my 16 year old 159 SW.

    • @michaelyounes29
      @michaelyounes29 Рік тому +5

      I keep looking at these on Autotrader (few left) and just read the owners reviews and get turned off.

    • @grippingyarnsuk
      @grippingyarnsuk Рік тому +6

      I’m not saying I’d recommend one, I just really like mine .

    • @justchillinthe90s
      @justchillinthe90s Рік тому +8

      Best nightmare I’ve ever owned .

    • @michaelyounes29
      @michaelyounes29 Рік тому +2

      @@justchillinthe90s haha!

    • @Ayerighr
      @Ayerighr Рік тому +1

      @@justchillinthe90s 😂😂😂

  • @moka-chan2000
    @moka-chan2000 Рік тому +54

    I agree 100% any car is better then no car all day.

    • @thewizard8134
      @thewizard8134 Рік тому +6

      Almost all of us started out with a beater can, unsexy, slow and not beautiful, but they got us around and allowed us to afford better later.

  • @kwabenakimathi2394
    @kwabenakimathi2394 Рік тому +64

    No shame in it at all mate. I stopped owning a car about 10 years ago because of the expense, but during lockdown needed a car for a new job. A friend of mine had this same car parked up for about 10 months. Just needed a new battery to get it running. It's been so economical and served me and my small family really well driving across the country for several trips, even from South London to Edinburgh and back. Mobility gives the freedom to create memories. I agree 100%. Don't worry about the badge.

  • @neilfoster814
    @neilfoster814 Рік тому +65

    I had a 2006 Octavia 140 PD in the exact same colour. It was a great car, very comfortable to drive too. The 6 speed gearbox was perfectly matched to the 2.0 litre engine, I regularly got 55mpg plus from it.

    • @Fabio_Garzena
      @Fabio_Garzena Рік тому

      I had a 140 PD BKD with DSG, slightly chip tuned, super solid car. Still running perfectly in the hands of a colleague with over 300000km.

    • @The_Touring_Jedi
      @The_Touring_Jedi Рік тому

      @@Fabio_Garzena I have a B8 Passat 2.0tdi at almost 200.000km. Everything original and runs great. I heard these engines reaches 300.000 with ease.

    • @Fabio_Garzena
      @Fabio_Garzena Рік тому

      @@The_Touring_Jedi the 140hp 2.0 TDI 16V (BKD engine code and others) had some problems with the "porous casting" head up to 2006 or 2008 if I'm not mitaken. Part numbers 03G103373A and B had problems, 03G103373C had no issues .
      Another issue was the bold keeping the one of timing belt tensioner (the one toward front) which could be prone to fail. There was the possibility to upgrade the bolt from 8mm to 10mm.
      On Passat and Audi there was the problem of the balancer shaft that could create catastrofic damages. It could be removed with some modification.
      On Golf, all Seat and Skoda there was no problem, since no shaft was installed.
      With proper maintenance and knowing the potential weak point a BKD is a very long lasting engine.

  • @marcopadovano5540
    @marcopadovano5540 Рік тому +24

    I am a 20yo from Italy and among my friends I am basically the only petrolhead. So when the time came to buy a first car, while my friends were all getting brand new Minis, Audi A1s and other such cars, I bought a cheap Z3 that is now slowly getting fixed…
    In the meantime I had to get something else to drive everyday since in Italy the law forces people to wait at least one year from the day you get your license to be able to drive anything with over 95hp. Buying another car was of course out of the question so after a little while it finally dawned on me: my grandma’s 2005 Fiat Panda.
    The car was first bought by my parents in 2005 when it was brand new and was used semi-regularly as a commuter. Sometime around 2009/2010 my grandmother found herself in need of a car and we decided to leave the small little Panda with her in the tiny village in the southern part of Italy where she lived. She then used it fairly regularly to do extremely short commutes (getting groceries, visiting her friends and taking me and my little brother to the beach in the summertime). During this period in the car was always parked outside and exposed to the elements and generally not looked after very well (one cannot blame my grandmother, since at her age the fact that she could still drive well was incredible by itself)… nevertheless (semi)regular maintenance was done and the car never had an issue. Dead serious. The car never failed to start, never had brake problems, never had electrical problems and never left anyone on the side of the road ever.
    After years of being driven by my grandma in her… “colorful” driving style, the car had numerous dents and chips but only 80.000 km! My grandma unfortunately passed away in 2015 and the car stayed at the house and was used as a “summer beater” by my family when we would go there to spend the hotter months away from the city.
    And so we decided that the Panda would finally get to go back home as my first car to drive. One day my father and I went to my grandma’s house, and with a Bluetooth speaker as a radio, my father in his car behind me I took the Panda on the motorway for the journey back home. After three hours on the highway under the beating sun with no AC, no cruise control and riding on 9 yo tires (not recommended) the car was finally back home. My parents replaced the tires, fixed the AC and the clutch and gave me the keys. I was ecstatic. When I showed it to my friends they were a bit surprised: here was Marco, the guy that absolutely loved cars, in an old blue fiat with a faded roof, dirty hubcaps, dents and scratches all over the bodywork and without a radio. But while they were laughing in their 20k+ cars I couldn’t care less. The car was brilliant: it was small, fun to drive and to zip around town with, cheap to run, extremely reliable and, most importantly, it had a very deep sentimental meaning. That was my beloved grandma’s car. The car that always took me to the beach when I was a little lad!
    As the months passed I used (and abused) the car more than it had ever been used before. And the car took it like a champion, quickly making a reputation as the car who could take it all: potholes, hill starts and tight parking spaces. Everybody started to love that cheap honest blue panda almost as much as I did.
    All the brand new cars that my friends had were no match for my blue little panda because it had something unique: it had a personality. It had character.
    I truly fell in love with that small little honest Panda and I hope to keep it forever!

    • @JPreston1987
      @JPreston1987 Рік тому +2

      This was an awesome post, I love the sentimentality you feel for your car, particularly what you said about it being the car that used to take you to the beach.
      I've had my sister's car and my dad's old car and it brought up the same feelings and both earned their own reputations! Who doesn't want to drive their dad's car?

    • @OrangeUp
      @OrangeUp Рік тому

      Love declaration, so sweet!
      🥰🚙

  • @joeflint2054
    @joeflint2054 Рік тому +62

    Absolutely love older cheap cars, more videos like this please!

    • @sports872
      @sports872 Рік тому +1

      I'd like to see that too

  • @gally9625
    @gally9625 Рік тому +53

    A fantastic car - I had a 2005 version of the same model in blue that I used as my daily driver for several years. Bought for ~£3k with 64k on the clock I was pretty much implementing the same operating model for maintenance you have described. It really was the cheapest form of motoring. Alas, 120k miles later it crossed the rainbow bridge to the scarp yard in the sky and now 3 BMWs later I still think fondly of those happy care free Skoda motoring days.

  • @Sebb747
    @Sebb747 Рік тому +19

    Fully agreed. Especially if you're starting out, a cheaper car is great. It's just so much more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow and you will never get back that ease of just parking your car on the side of a shady road or going full throttle without immediately risking your license.

  • @danwedderburn5550
    @danwedderburn5550 Рік тому +77

    Had a 997 GTS for four years, hardly drove it in fear of racking up too many miles. Sold it in 2021 to capture crazy car market prices. Had a Seat Altea 1.9TDI for the same duration & i still have it, for exactly the same reasons as you have described in this video. Infact ive never been without an Altea tdi for the last 8 years. Cheap cheerful & i dont care if someone rams into it.

    • @alanbuckingham8788
      @alanbuckingham8788 Рік тому +5

      Same experience. 997 turbo to 1.4 tdi Skoda and so much happier.

  • @brianhall1100
    @brianhall1100 Рік тому +97

    I completely agree with you on the point of scrapping cars before their time. I think we should be encouraged to keep them running until they are beyond economical repair. However, it seems that more and more we are being pushed by the government, insurance companies etc to continually upgrade. I have a 95 Lexus LS400 with 120,000 miles on it that I bought for three grand, a car which is well known for being capable of huge mileage. Yet here in Ireland it is getting harder and harder to insure it while the road tax is astronomical. There are no incentives for me to keep this car on the road even though it is reliable and in perfect condition. It really pi$$es me off that in the next few years, I’ll probably have to scrap this car because I won’t get insurance for it. 😡😡

    • @beamboy07
      @beamboy07 Рік тому +10

      you could always sell
      no need to scrap

    • @JW20236
      @JW20236 Рік тому +9

      @@beamboy07 But who will buy it it can not be insured, or is prohibitively costly to do so?

    • @beamboy07
      @beamboy07 Рік тому +5

      Some people would i can assure you

    • @brianhall1100
      @brianhall1100 Рік тому +1

      I guess some people would buy it for the engine so it can be transplanted into something else.

    • @phillipevans9414
      @phillipevans9414 Рік тому +11

      @@JW20236 . Mate, I'm in Australia, and I'm so glad we don't have to deal with that road tax/insurance issue crap here, so it would still be a desirable car here, even if not there (though I suspect, if kept in good condition, prices for LS400's are only going to go up). Our registration fee (equivalent of your road tax/CTP(i) insurance, I suspect), is the same, regardless of the vehicle age/engine size/emissions. In fact, as it's over 25 years old, and if we didn't want to use it as a daily, we could register it as a classic, which is only a fraction of regular registration cost (there are limits on how many days you can drive it per year, on classic rego). So don't worry about selling it, I suspect it will be easier than you think - anyway, just put the word out in the comments section of some car/classic enthusiast you tube channels (like James' here), and there's likely to be a stampede. Cheers!

  • @matthewgodwin3050
    @matthewgodwin3050 Рік тому +26

    Love cars like this. I've run around in a 2003 Nissan Micra Auto for the last 7 years, and I absolutely adore it. I could probably afford a 'better' car, but I enjoy this one so very much, I'll probably never sell it. It's not so much a car, as a family pet, and I just couldn't imagine life without it. It's great fun.

  • @radu120583
    @radu120583 Рік тому +15

    I bought this car (same colour but petrol engine 1.6 mpi 102 hp) back in 2006, brand new for 17k euros..It is still my daily car, I use it mostly in the city..Its got 130k km (about 80k miles)...no problems watsoever in 17 years..no mechanical problems, no electrical problems, no rust issues..replaced cambelt 2 times, 8 years apart , and lambda sensor at 100k km..other than that, oil and filters once a year..I love this car and will keep it forever

    • @chrisbamborough222
      @chrisbamborough222 5 місяців тому

      Agreed mines a 1.9 TDI 17yrs from new just had various suspension bits replaced that's all. I replace my cambelt every 4 yrs as per UK recommend but see it's longer in some EU Countries I may be a bit cautious as it never shows wear when replaced also always a new water pump as that's the same work to get at. I'd appreciate any comments or observations from you as a owner.

    • @radu120583
      @radu120583 5 місяців тому +1

      @@chrisbamborough222 I love this old car because it's very simple, cheap to run and cheap to maintain, and not too many things that can go wrong with it.. I keep it garaged, so no rust issues watsoever . I own another car (a 2016 A5) that I only drive in weekends, but I will keep using my skoda as my daily car for another 10 years

    • @arctic7555
      @arctic7555 19 днів тому

      I am thinking of buying a diesel Octavia and am split between the 1.6tdi and the 2.0tdi, I’m going to be doing 4-500miles a week on the motorway, is the 1.6 nice on the motorway? Because I don’t know if it would be pushing the engine relative to the 2.0

    • @radu120583
      @radu120583 19 днів тому

      @@arctic7555 i would go for the 2.0, especially for the highway

  • @joelpethick3406
    @joelpethick3406 Рік тому +23

    To me Skodas are freedom and memories. My dad has owned two Skoda superbs long term, with so many memories cruising around in that. My mates have had Skoda fabias for their first cars where they got freedom on a budget. And the Octavia is a great all rounder. The brand can provide almost anything on a tight budget

  • @k1ll3rvc
    @k1ll3rvc Рік тому +75

    I've enjoyed every car I've had, from a 1.3 diesel corsa to my current MX5 RF, although they each had their own thing they were good at. Pretty sure I'll continue to do so with all future cars, just enjoy them for what they are.

    • @stuartheydon6323
      @stuartheydon6323 Рік тому +3

      What’s your thoughts on the MX5?

    • @k1ll3rvc
      @k1ll3rvc Рік тому +4

      @@stuartheydon6323 it's great fun even when just pootling around town, plenty fast enough for a bit of spirited driving, and being the 1.5 it still gets 40+ MPG (UK) on a run. Couldn't be happier really!

    • @Beer_Dad1975
      @Beer_Dad1975 Рік тому

      I've had some miserable "in between" cars over the years that I have despised - a Truimph 1500, a Toyota Corona, a Honda Civic - really can't imagine this horrific German Diesel shit-box is any better than any of those turd-burgers. I think anyone who has any love for this shit-heap is deluding themselves - it's an utterly unlovable euro-box, spewing genocidal levels of NOX everywhere. Also, Skoda is VW, and VW diesels - well if you don't understand why owning a VW diesel is ethically bankrupt, you haven't been paying attention. There is literally nothing to love here - this car should be recycled before it kills any more people with respiratory problems.

  • @SamFrostDigitalMarketing
    @SamFrostDigitalMarketing Рік тому +23

    Great video, and I fully agree. Even as I've upgraded cars over the years, I still have a hankering for some of the "old bangers" I've had in the past (my favourite being my old Citroen Xantia 2.0, which was purchased as it was the only car I could afford at the time in walking distance that I could buy on a Sunday afternoon, needing wheels for a new job on the Monday). There's something liberating about a car that owes you next to nothing, but which is still diligently giving you service and utility.

  • @PetarVN
    @PetarVN Рік тому +11

    Jay, this is probably one of my favorite videos you've done. Love videos that highlight humble heroes like this Octavia! :)

  • @squeakers27
    @squeakers27 Рік тому +53

    Great video as always James! The ending was a really good message, I am a young petrol head myself, I have crawled the bargin bin of facebook marketplace to find cars really cheap. Although my first car is just a £900 206 diesel, I have spent my time fixing it myself, enjoyed 8,000 miles of ownership in my year of ownership (with it's worn out clutch) and it did it's job for me and hopefully it will do it's job for someone else. I have only recently bought it's replacement, a £1500 R56 Mini Cooper (1.6 120bhp N/A) and that is the next car I will adore and look after. There shouldn't be any judgement in the petrol head world since we appreciate what eachother has and just happy there is another person with an interest in cars.

    • @itzajdmting
      @itzajdmting Рік тому +3

      Nice choice on your second car there, I'm sure it will be a fine replacement. You've hit the ground running by the sounds of things. Enjoy!

    • @MrManBuzz
      @MrManBuzz Рік тому +3

      If you could stretch your budget for your next car to £2-2.5k You'd be able to pick yourself up a half decent R53. For the money there's very little that can compare with it nowadays. Would be a good step up from a non S R56 too. Might surprise you how different the R53 feels.

  • @X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X
    @X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X Рік тому +29

    Daily driving a 60 hp Fabia III, I agree. I love simple, carefree motoring. It being a Skoda rather than a Volkswagen is a plus for me, it is the much more interesting brand. This being said, I love a Jaguar just as much, but in an entirely different way.
    As for the common car of the past, and the common car of the present, this is miles better than any hybrid crossover or SUV.

  • @redemption-leadership
    @redemption-leadership Рік тому +9

    Great review James! I enjoy the upmarket reviews, but this was so refreshing; any car beats walking and can be great fun. My health and business blew up in the epidemic, but I have learned to love my £2,000 2006 3.0 S-Type Jag, and waft around without worry, but with lots of fun.

  • @lordexcellent5610
    @lordexcellent5610 Рік тому +5

    I have the same one, just two years younger and I absolutely love it. It’s cheap to feed and maintain the motorisation is great and the car is reliable, comfortable and doesn’t stick out unnecessarily. Plus you don’t have to worry about taking it anywhere you want, I drive mine everywhere from highways to muddy forest dirt roads and so far it’s managed everything I’ve thrown at it. You can also fit five people with all their belongings for a weekend inside. Great car. Thank you very much for the review, kind regards from Czech Republic.

  • @sotirispolitis4617
    @sotirispolitis4617 Рік тому +18

    Diesel mk1 and mk2 Octavias are still used as taxis here in Greece. Lately, they've been getting replaced and, honestly, I haven't gotten used to it yet...

    • @gg_vard
      @gg_vard Рік тому +1

      Skodάρες!
      Πλέον τα πιο πολλά 3ης και 4ης γενιάς είναι Φυσικού Αερίου

  • @Lewis_Treff97
    @Lewis_Treff97 Рік тому +26

    My dad's had plenty of these over the years that he's bought and sold. He loved them. The last one he used as a banger runabout. Wasn't tidy but had 200k miles and still ran great. Although he decided to sell it a few years ago. I even sold my work colleague one to just use as a cheap runabout while living in Edinburgh where he doesn't need to worry about it getting dented or scratched.

  • @danyo1972
    @danyo1972 Рік тому +10

    Yep, 100% agree. I have a 2012 version with 220k miles on the clock. Cost me very little, drives well. Everything works on mine. Do servicing myself. A proper car that cost me very little to buy and run. Love it.

  • @andymazuk
    @andymazuk Рік тому +6

    This video perfectly sums up my own thoughts on car ownership. My wife has owned a Skoda Roomster and a Yeti, both really good cars. The Octavia you drove seems to offer everything and more. No depreciation. Just a few hundred quid a year for bits and bops as required. Brilliant video - thank you.

  • @Melon623
    @Melon623 Рік тому +20

    How fitting that you’d make a video like this featuring this very car which happens to be my third ever car! I’ve gone from, a 2005 Fiat Punto - delightful little first car, underpowered but still capable (would've probably lived forever had I not rear-ended someone on a rainy day, to a Toyota Corolla - a bit bland and boring but faster and very capable from a pragmatic standpoint (its death taught me the lesson of routine car maintenance) to a Skoda Octavia Elegance estate with a 2.0 engine and my first taste of turbo! You should’ve seen the look on my face the first time that I put my foot down in that car properly and felt the boost! How awesome it was to know that I had the horsepower to do the quick dash across an intersection or deftly overtake that lorry at one of the few spots available. I loved my Skoda. The quality of the car structurally, the creak-free interior, clever features like automatic rain sensor, reverse sensors, massive boot space, it was like a poor man’s BMW or Audi to me. And verily it did take me all the way to Isle of Skye (well beyond just Scotland) and back in ultimate comfort and efficiency! I car camped with ease, I burned up the highway miles effortlessly! Ah what a car! I’m currently away from home for about a year now and I truly miss my Skoda which is currently sat in my drive. I’m tempted to bring it overseas as I don’t think my time with her is quite over as yet! Awesome video Jay!

  • @kevinbenny1196
    @kevinbenny1196 Рік тому +9

    This car for me is like a legend, like a fine wine that has aged really well. I'm from India and we call it the Skoda Laura because the older Octavia was still being sold along with this car. I still have this car, it's an l&k variant in white, 1.9 TDI, 6 speed manual and it's the most amazing car I have ever driven. I in fact learned to drive in it. I know the electronics are messed up and one can say the electronics get unreliable as it ages but the engine is a gem and the driving experience of it is just awesome! There have been talks in my family about selling it (especially after all the electronics stuff being shot due to a rain damage last year because someone left the sunroof open) but we end up not letting it go because of how good and practical it is. In fact, two years ago, my dad drove this car from the city of Mumbai to Bhutan and back without having broken down even once.
    I believe in India this car will definitely be a modern classic soon and it might appreciate in value in the used market and if you try to look for a really mint condition model, it would be expensive. And I could also confidently say that this car still looks great and is still definitely a head turner when you drive it in India. It's one hell of an amazing machine!

    • @CountingStars333
      @CountingStars333 Рік тому

      Skoda Laura, the car we made fun of the name. Don't see even one nowadays..probably a good car but no parts etc.

    • @truckerpaja
      @truckerpaja Рік тому

      Velmi hezky napsané. Přeji vám ještě mnoho šťastných kilometrů a zdravím z České Republiky.

  • @antoineboutier8837
    @antoineboutier8837 Рік тому +7

    I have a really similar story. I was given an Octavia MK2 estate (4x4-1.9tdi) after completing some work for a friend on his farm. I was a French assistant in two schools at the time. The octavia had well over 200.000 miles but it was such a great car. Drove every day to work, took it from Leeds up to Scotland with a couple of friends for a weekend. It was also an awesome parts getter, as I put a new engine for my MK1 Mx5 in the back of it. Fuel economy was amazing, it was great in snow too. The only thing I've done to it was upgrading the wheels from 15in to 16in with some 6 spokes OEM Octavia wheels and 4 new tyres. I've changed some trim bits that were in bad condition, got all the parts from a pick and pull for £9!!! Now that's cheap motoring. Ended up selling it to a friend for £1000 before heading back to France.
    I miss the practicality of this car, the MX5 is a bit tight in comparison 😂

  • @Affalterbach1967
    @Affalterbach1967 Рік тому +7

    Love the detailed photography capturing the wear and lint in the gear knob and indicator stalks, but then the seat leather looks good from a distance at 6:46. 🚙

  • @TK42138
    @TK42138 Рік тому +5

    You've hit the proverbial nail on the head again. Absolutely spot on. I've owned one brand new car in 36 years of driving. Predictably it was an expensive mistake and went back to running used older cars that were more fun to drive and darn sight easier to work on.
    Would I want my first car back? Hmm...yes a ratty Vauxhall Chevette which was driven everywhere on some quite memorable road trips. Great memories.

  • @florindumitrean1166
    @florindumitrean1166 Рік тому +5

    I have the same car only estate model, manufactured in 2006, bought it at around 137.000km in 2011. Now 12 years later it still runs great and I am still very impressed on how well it drives, how comfortable and reliable is. It is also a good looking car to me, a 47 years old bloke now.

    • @wocket42
      @wocket42 Рік тому +1

      You are absolutely right! Another 47 year old bloke with a 2006 Octavia Estate/Combi.

  • @MarkVinewood
    @MarkVinewood Рік тому +15

    My grandpa has one, though with the 77 kW 1.9 TDI and 5-speed manual but it is still quite a brilliant car. The space it offers in the back seat and in the boot is absolutely crazy. In this sedan form it can fit 8 standard cardboard banana boxes in there. I know exactly as my grandpa discovered they are just the right size to haul firewood.

  • @BlackLines
    @BlackLines Рік тому +4

    Fantastic video, I agree 100%. I remember when my car was off the road and I borrowed a little Renault Clio (1st gen) off my dad to get me home - I ended up buying it off him because I loved it so much. I trusted it 100% to get me to work and back and didn't care at all if it got dinged in the car park. Plus it made me into a slower driver which I found more relaxing.

  • @milescrosby4765
    @milescrosby4765 Рік тому +3

    My first car was an ‘08 Ford Fiesta diesel - the ‘granny-mobile’. Brought for £1k from my boss, it was had done over 105k miles, wasn’t very cool, and with only 50ish horsepower was hilariously slow. And I absolutely loved that car! Took it all over the country, went to see friends in it, took it off road, everything. It gave me freedom, and it loved it as a result - also, great steering, better than any modern car! It still lives; fixed it up last year and leant it to my brother so he could commute to a job. Thank you little Ford!

    • @shanepatrick641
      @shanepatrick641 Рік тому +1

      Ahhh, the 1.4 TDCI. I sold my 04 Ford Fiesta to my stepdad.
      Great little car, silver and in the Ghia spec as well. Heated windscreen, heated door mirrors, electric windows, the wing mirrors were electrically adjustable to.
      Drove around in that thing but one day it let me down and I knew I had to cut my emotional ties. I didn't want to scrap it so I sold it to my stepdad for cheap.
      I've completed my goal, keep the old cars going!

  • @gauravkamble3811
    @gauravkamble3811 Рік тому +4

    Hi...Cheers from India and I currently own the same car...Skoda Laura 1.9 TDI Manual and it is an absolute joy own and drive one of these cars....I can relate to everything you have said in that film and they are built likes tanks...they just keep going if regularly maintained. I love my car and also the design adds such character to the car....

  • @lorddoosworth8175
    @lorddoosworth8175 Рік тому +5

    Not caring about what others think and walking your own path is much more liberating than feeling like you need to 'Keep up with the Joneses' and have the latest thing 😎

    • @barry5138
      @barry5138 Рік тому

      But can you live without the "green" number plate?

    • @lorddoosworth8175
      @lorddoosworth8175 Рік тому

      @@barry5138 is that some sort of cryptic message? 😆

    • @barry5138
      @barry5138 Рік тому

      @@lorddoosworth8175 😆 just round here the green tag on left of number plate to show ev vehicle is a "must have" amongst the Joneses. Like a rab coat and latest iPhone

    • @lorddoosworth8175
      @lorddoosworth8175 Рік тому +1

      @@barry5138 it will be a cold day in hell the day I endorse EVs 🤣🤣

  • @ferrisbuellersdayoff
    @ferrisbuellersdayoff Рік тому +3

    88 -944 Turbo was my fav cheapie (when they were cheap in mid 90's)
    ****JayEmm has become one of my favorite regular YT channels.. Absolutely brilliant! This guy could read the phone book and it would be a pleasure to tune into.. He is by far one of the best writers / presenters on YT (not just in auto,,,-all of it.) He could expand out to all kinds of subjects/genres/documentaries etc and would be a huge success.****

  • @johntaylor9899
    @johntaylor9899 Рік тому +5

    I have had my Octavia since brand new (15 years). Still drives great and ultra reliable

    • @chrisbamborough222
      @chrisbamborough222 5 місяців тому

      Yes mine 17 yrs the same and drives really well .

  • @TheJustaviewman
    @TheJustaviewman Рік тому +2

    I use a 2008 Skoda Octavia 2.0 litre diesel estate sometimes ; a family car. I can say it's been brilliant. Never broken down, good performance, comfortable and with loads of room. A great work horse for lugging stuff around or for holidays.

  • @rdfbitoffunyoutub100
    @rdfbitoffunyoutub100 Рік тому +7

    One of my best cars was a blue Peugeot 107, a tiny city car based on the Aygo and rebadged by loads of other car companies. I loved that thing because it took me all over the UK and introduced me to new places & experiences that I'd never had before. Some of the greatest motoring challenges I've faced were in that car during the 'Beast from the East' when everyone decided not to go out so I basically had the roads to myself. The little 107 was never affected by weather and just rode straight over the top of all the snow and ice like it was nothing. Amazing what a 998CC engine can do!

    • @tehwabbbit
      @tehwabbbit Рік тому +2

      Some of the most "fun" driving I have had was a snowday in a Mk1 Clio I paid £200 for. Much like your 107 it was shockingly good in the snow as it weighed almost nothing, in fact I did better than a friends AWD barge at the time!
      Only a little 1.2 and I think 60 took a long time to get to, but I (and friends) still refer back to that car even when we all drive much nicer things now!

    • @OrangeUp
      @OrangeUp Рік тому +1

      Which shows that 1 liter cars are enough without turbo chargers. My experience also when I was in Brasil where 1 liter cars get a tax break. They were all perfectly fine and fast. Nobody needs more IMHO.

  • @UtaHagawi
    @UtaHagawi Рік тому +33

    Awesome video. I'm 23, and I've had my £550 Yaris T Sport through uni, and now its with me in London while I work.
    There's nothing more freeing than having a car that is reliable, economical, and that you can leave anywhere. I don't worry about it, I don't think about what's next or if I can afford it, I just drive it. It's on 176k miles now, and it hasn't missed a single beat. Yes it binge drinks oil and has fogged headlights, but its a fun little car and it just doesn't stop
    My mates have Audi S lines on PCP deals, and my girlfriend is paying for an A class, but that just doesn't appeal to me. I'd much, much rather drive a banger at this stage!
    JayEmm, you're right on the money with this one

    • @jarokenny
      @jarokenny Рік тому

      which gen.?

    • @UtaHagawi
      @UtaHagawi Рік тому +2

      @@jarokenny ph1🙏

    • @philipmulville8218
      @philipmulville8218 Рік тому +1

      Well said, Uta.

    • @lptomtom
      @lptomtom Рік тому +1

      My gen1 Yaris T-Sport will never die, it's perfect for everything (except maybe long motorway trips)

    • @UtaHagawi
      @UtaHagawi Рік тому +1

      @@lptomtom hahah love that & agreed, it could definitely do with a 6th gear!

  • @ckm-mkc
    @ckm-mkc Рік тому +17

    Yup, totally agree. I've had number of expensive cars I was terrified to drive, including my current long distance car, but I generally prefer a cheaper car. For some reason, used cars are so cheap in the UK, I'm jealous. Probably a good thing I don't live there, I'd have a fleet.
    Edit: I financed my latest car because the bank offered a rate significantly lower than what I earn on investments.... Sometimes it's actually better to finance or lease, depending on your situation.

  • @Cloud007.
    @Cloud007. Рік тому +2

    Great video idea!
    I've always bought cheap cars and loved them all (apart from the Saab which I both loved and hated due to its nasty reliability). Since my first car in 2012 I've bought:
    - 2002 Volvo S40 1.9D - 900euro.
    - 2005 Saab 9-3 1.9D - 1,200euro.
    - 2005 Toyota Rav4 2.0D - 2,100euro
    - 2006 Toyota Corolla 1.4D - 1,400euro
    - 2008 Volvo V50 1.6D - 1,450euro.
    All great cars in their own way. Have had the Volvo V50 now for over 2 years with 185K Miles and it's been utterly reliable and a superb car.

  • @mohammedauibali3419
    @mohammedauibali3419 Рік тому +8

    1998 Mk 4 Golf 1.9 TDI. Bought for £400 back in 2013 with just over 200k on the clock … had the car for 5 years.. wish I kept the car

  • @3asoni
    @3asoni Рік тому +28

    I love your tone in this video, very inspiring and gets a great message across. As a BMW guy myself I love Skodas as they provide essential motoring, size efficiency and some clever features in a nice, budget-friendly package with some great powerplants too.

    • @3asoni
      @3asoni Рік тому +9

      They're also very largely popular as taxis and older police cars here in Greece. Some of the latter in fact house a 1.8/2.0 TSI that has been remapped, making them real sleepers!

    • @Mr.Marbles
      @Mr.Marbles Рік тому +13

      And imo they often look better than the vw vounterparts. Especially in the current generations.

    • @ldarm
      @ldarm Рік тому +1

      @@3asoni That's saucy 👌

  • @michaelherrmann3423
    @michaelherrmann3423 Рік тому +2

    I have an Audi A3 8L here in Germany 1,9 TDI 110 HP Automatic with 700.000 km and 4,0 l to 6 l Diesel per 100 km, (hand driven and tax free). Real 213 km/h.😀 Since 1998. With CD and Cassette. And a big Stereo set. Everything repaired and really good.

  • @paulwarhurst9935
    @paulwarhurst9935 Рік тому +1

    I had a G reg Rover 213 for my first car, as good as it was to get my first wheels it really wasn’t me, couldn’t wait to get rid of it. But I’d do anything to get behind the wheel of that car again now.
    Nail on the head James 👍🏻
    Congratulations on the subscriber milestone

  • @matyasm
    @matyasm Рік тому +3

    Nice take on Octavia. Am Czech myself and that means I live in Octavialand. It's the most aspirational car here really. Myself I had all of the first 3 generations over the time. Always loved it. Since I moved up to VW ;o)

  • @chrissybee18
    @chrissybee18 Рік тому +5

    I bought a Skoda Scala for the wife when we replaced her Astra, it's an amazing car. The only reason I got it was she wanted a manual handbrake, but I was so impressed with it.

  • @andrewlucas6214
    @andrewlucas6214 Рік тому +1

    Excellent revue…I had a 2002 elegance and got mercilessly ripped for but, loved every minute of ownership. Now running 07 golf with pd engine. It survived me running it on petrol to the point of standstill and ran perfectly after. Honorable mention for the first gen vrs.. the thinking man’s gti

  • @mikeroper3437
    @mikeroper3437 Рік тому +1

    Love this kind of content. I’ve had some cheap cars and one free one and enjoyed them all. There’s something exciting about getting to your destination without incident.

  • @ManxAndy
    @ManxAndy Рік тому +5

    With you 100%, older diesel manual cars are great…..my daily is a 1.6 tdi VW caddy 2011 5 speed manual mapped to 145 bhp…..still gets great mpg and goes really well for a small van…..and it’s practical 👍🇮🇲

  • @SilentWrath123
    @SilentWrath123 Рік тому +6

    I had an used 2005 Octavia with exactly the same color but 1.6L gasoline engine for 8 years. Was my first car and I have a lot of good memories, it was also pretty reliable.

    • @christineayres7094
      @christineayres7094 Рік тому

      I had a 2 litre petrol version from 2002 the one with the GTI engine in it , it easily got to 125 no problems and drove like a Bentley it was so comfy sadly sold that as cost me £20 a day in petrol 😂

  • @mwahahaha
    @mwahahaha Рік тому +6

    Great video James! We really need to get over our British thing about any car over 10 years old being destined for the scrap-heap, it’s just bizarre. Currently looking for ideas for cheaper motoring myself as I can’t leave my Land Rover Defender in too many places or it’ll get pinched, stripped or just generally messed about with. Something like this would be ideal, however the diesel part puts me off with ULEZ & Clean air zones becoming ever more prevalent in today’s society. Then I look at some of the older Toyota hybrids, but you’ll end up losing a catalytic converter each week.. which just sounds like more hassle than it’s worth. What a weird old world the car market has become eh.. thank you for a great video - awesome car and you’re 100% right, having a car you aren’t overly concerned by, is a liberating thing. Look forward to the next video!

  • @drpitchforrescue8214
    @drpitchforrescue8214 Рік тому +1

    My family has owned this car for nearly 12 years. Still works like a dream. I always tend to find an opportunity to drive it even today. Thanks for the detailed review 👍

  • @howardlake6178
    @howardlake6178 Рік тому +5

    £800 Seicento Sporting, bought for 1 winter to save my 70s Alfa, is still here years later. At 19k, it has arguably, doubled in value. Which is good, clutch cable 4 is weapons grade, might cure the only weakness, and I fitted it. It is epic. In the wet 53.6bhp and tiny, equals a dancing car that will have anything. Steel Grey, I LOVE it. As much as my Alfa!

    • @christineayres7094
      @christineayres7094 Рік тому

      I used to have a 98 Punto 1.1 so much fun like a mini Ferrari 😂

  • @nostalgiachannel318
    @nostalgiachannel318 Рік тому +10

    I've had this conversation often with friends and although I can't afford Ferraris I do have more disposable income to spend on cars around the 30k mark yet I still hark back to the days we used to look in the bargain car section on Thursdays in the Autotrader and looking back nothing has given me as much joy as buying those cars in my early days even when I'd put stupid accessories on (Knight rider light being the worst). Even now I still love trawling through cheap car sections thinking about buying a sub 1k car and not having to worry and just run it into the ground.

  • @ProjectNigel
    @ProjectNigel Рік тому +2

    That ashtray closing moment was brilliant! 😆

  • @m.p.509
    @m.p.509 Рік тому

    James, another great video. So glad I found this channel over a year ago. In answer to the request, my favorite car is still my 2000 VW TDI. It was the base model and won my heart immediately. 20 years later, many fun and very nice cars from ‘other’ German brands….it’s still my favorite for all the reasons you stated. This year I have been looking at Boxsters and….coincidentally….the Cayenne. As I considered these cars, drove these cars and thought about what I am really looking for….I find my self back at the VW garage looking at a few year old GTI….manual. So, this video truly spoke to me where I am presently. Thank you, again, James.

  • @simonleach6632
    @simonleach6632 Рік тому +4

    My first car was a blue MK 1 Skoda Octavia 1.9 diesel estate, and I still miss it, it was brilliant! Absolutely bulletproof, I bought it from my dad who had it from new in 2004, over the 17 ish years we had it between us it never skipped a beat, that car was absolutely reliable, never let us down once, it was brilliant on fuel, decently comfortable, not bad to drive although a bit of a slug off the mark and just about the most practical thing on 4 wheels. When it was eventually written off by a drink driver while parked outside my flat I was absolutely devastated. Could have bought something newer/fancier long before I was forced to start looking but that car never made me feel like I needed to, it was always there, always ready to go. Needless to say it convinced me that Skoda was the way to go for a daily driver, so my current car is also a blue Octavia estate, this one is a 16 plate vRS, but I would have that old MK1 back in a heartbeat if I could!

  • @richardgray5471
    @richardgray5471 Рік тому +5

    My first car (a long time ago) was (I think it was £40) a Toyota Corolla estate. Three tone, white rust and filler. I still prefer cheap cars, if you think £3k is cheap. I'm currently drive a 2005 x type v6 3.0 that was £3k. Heated seats, wonderful growly and really comfortable.

  • @GTofan
    @GTofan Рік тому

    I really appreciate this video and your whole channel! I'm looking for advice for my first car and while everyone seems to point to the most flashy options, you seem to be the only one i found to have the same point of view as me and encourage it. You have my dearest like and subscribe!

  • @GuitarIv69
    @GuitarIv69 Рік тому +1

    My first car is our family car. A 22 year old VW Passat 1.9 TDI Variant Highline. My father always took good care of it, it has 500.000 kilometers on the odometer, i had 2 accidents with it so far (got my license 2 years ago) and paid for the repairs myself. The car is reliable, comfortable, fun to drive and gets great fuel economy.
    I drove my best friends MINI a few times and whilst that car is a rocket, there's something about my old and reliable daily driver no car will ever match. I love that Passat, it has become a family member by now. Great first car to have!
    Good video mate :)

  • @trevorbartram5473
    @trevorbartram5473 Рік тому +6

    Great vid & views of the English countryside. Here in the US, diesel is $2/gal (60%) more expensive than gas, a real disincentive. In 2015 we rented a Skoda wagon (estate) in southern Spain and did over 800km on one tank of diesel, with four adults, up & down the Sierra Nevadas. We were amazed at the gas mileage and a nice car to drive too. I presently drive a 2016 Golf TSI 1.8T manual hatchback, purchased second hand at six months old, the previous owner bought a GTI. Biggest surprize was >40mpg/USgal on the highway. Cheers!

    • @louissanderson719
      @louissanderson719 Рік тому

      2 bucks a gallon is soooo cheap compared to here in uk 😂😅

    • @AntonovP
      @AntonovP 10 місяців тому

      You people in USA are really not aware how expensive is to have a car in Europe. You literally wrote that 0.48 euro for 1 liter of diesel fuel is expensive. Well, consider the fact that average price of diesel fuel in Europe is between 1.5 and 2 euros for 1 (!!!) liter of diesel fuel. That is, 3 to 4 times more expensive than in USA.

    • @trevorbartram5473
      @trevorbartram5473 10 місяців тому

      Agreed, in general, we drive far more miles. It is not unusual for better used cars (Toyota/Lexus) to have 100-300k miles on the odometer. That $2 gas/diesel differential has reduced to zero recently but there is still no appetite for diesel cars.

  • @richardharrold9736
    @richardharrold9736 Рік тому +5

    First! Bold title from the owner of three Ferraris... best cheap car I've had would be the 1997 E39 535i I bought unseen off eBay in 2014 for £600, a whisker under 100,000 miles. Still my daily now, about 150k on it. Well, apart from it currently being a 1.7 tonne paperweight due to it having drained its battery overnight...

  • @markopetrunic7598
    @markopetrunic7598 Рік тому +1

    I bought an old Renault Grand Scenic as a third beater car, to use it while i restore my house. It is the best car i ever owned. The things i carried in it or on it you cant imagine. And still everything works. Comfortable and a big boot was all i needed, and something to not care about. Turns put it's such a blessing to drive something like that.

  • @just1boronut
    @just1boronut 2 місяці тому +1

    Loved the pure pleasure and honesty in this video.
    Probably the best I've watched of yours, and I've watched a lot.
    The joy of running a banger, it's a tough sell, but I know from experience, how good it can be.
    Cheers and keep up the good work.

  • @mrflippant
    @mrflippant Рік тому +5

    JayEmm: "I'm not the sort to break a car just to prove a point - what am I, Top Gear?"
    Also JayEmm: *mashing accelerator* "POWERR!"

  • @laskos02
    @laskos02 Рік тому +3

    My favourite car was a 1,7 Puma tuned by Yamaha with a changed intake, went really fast and sounded awesome. I overtook Beemers on the motorway going 125 MPH, paid for it £350 in Poland. My first car was a Honda Integra G1 1986 with a 3 speed and my first fully drivable car was a Mazda 323 BG 1.6 16V

    • @christineayres7094
      @christineayres7094 Рік тому +1

      That’s cute 😂 my 1.1 Colt hit 130mph on the M40 at high Wycombe I did cheat though firstly removed rear seats spare tyre 🛞 etc then changed gear ratio so for example it does 105 in 4th gear and also it hit the magic 130 on a downhill stretch with Storm Eunice blowing at its back 😂 but not bad for a tiny engine and it didn’t explode

  • @ba2724
    @ba2724 Рік тому +2

    What a refreshing vid! It’s incredible to thank you can buy a cat like this for next to nothing and still accomplish all the daily tasks. The more I climb the social ladder, the more I recognize the brilliance of this type of car. Thanks!

  • @MrKafebronz
    @MrKafebronz Рік тому +1

    I got one last year for around 2K, 4x4, 1.9, combi, with a new engine and the previous owner had a kind of sleeping platform fitted in, so when I fold the back seats I have a bed inside. Have to try it one day. Great car for moving large items to and from the weekend house. It is 15 years old and after the technical checkup pretty much the only thing they found is slight damage to the license plate and some scratches.

  • @renesaxer5828
    @renesaxer5828 Рік тому +5

    I have to say, my first car (which is my current car) was not as dirt cheap as like a used Octavia and my grandparents bought it for me as a gift. It's a now about 30 year old BMW 518i (E34), which was the uncommon entry level 4-cylinder engine and it's got the 4-speed automatic as well. I didn't ever think it would fall for it like I did. In the few months that I've owned it, it brought more joy to me than any fancy new Mercedes, Ferrari, Lexus, etc. ever could have. It's not about the speed or features or anything... Neither is it economical or very environment friendly and not as safe either. But you know what? Older cars were different and that's alright. Everyone needs to find the car they like. There are a few cars I don't understand, but who even cares? If the only car that fits your requirements is a 20 year old Ford Fiesta, go for it! It won't be perfect, but at least it's yours. It's your own car and you can take some pride in driving it, no matter where you go!

  • @stuchly1
    @stuchly1 Рік тому +9

    I am here to sing praises to this car in particular and its contemporaries and even predecessors. Dad had a company runabout 2nd gen Octavia in the station wagon variety and it was everything a regular person could hope for in a car.

  • @TheJmebe
    @TheJmebe Рік тому +1

    We ran a Superb 1.4 TSI DSG into the ground. That engine was so smooth, it produced zero noise or vibration. When I used to stop at junctions etc. I always thought the engine had stopped running. Very comfortable seats, suspension and quiet cabin. Huge boot. Handling was very 'safe'!

  • @MattJBaugh
    @MattJBaugh Рік тому +2

    Had a £200 Polo saloon 1.9 TDI for 6 months... It was a hoot to drive! Evry mod remap for £1 so it could roll coal on a switch, and was surprisingly quick for what it was with the switch on. Lowered it on 3 spokes and the paint was rough so could park it anywhere, down any lane no worries... I miss the worry free motoring!

  • @dimsoneill
    @dimsoneill Рік тому +4

    Yes Jay, nailed this one. Some of my best times have been in cheap cars. My first car was a 1967 Isuzu Bellet and it was crap but brilliant at the same time. So many awesome adventures in that car. And that’s what cheap cars are, a gateway to adventures with your mates.
    And I’m driving a 2020 Skoda Octavia RS wagon now and I love it too.

  • @Sum_Ting_Wong
    @Sum_Ting_Wong Рік тому +9

    Not going to lie. I enjoyed driving around in my 1999 B5 Passat 1.9 Tdi more than the BMW M6 V10 I had at the same time.
    There's something about cheap motoring that puts a smile on your face.

    • @MarkGelderland
      @MarkGelderland Рік тому

      If cheap motoring is so important to you why did you buy an M6 in the first place?

    • @Sum_Ting_Wong
      @Sum_Ting_Wong Рік тому

      @@MarkGelderland Because I wanted it. Someone can appreciate both ends of the spectrum and still have preferences.

  • @sqarefox3928
    @sqarefox3928 Рік тому +14

    I used to have the VRS one with 2.0 petrol. Blue metallic and 18 inch wheels - what a looker. Also was fun to drive. I traded it for 3.0 tdi A5 which is a great car but I still miss my vrs. I also took great care of it - changed oil at 10k kilometers and always took the 98 octane. I just hope the new owner does the same...

    • @bryansean6465
      @bryansean6465 Рік тому +2

      I have a race blue 2010 one. Newest car ive ever had😂 its still like new

    • @sqarefox3928
      @sqarefox3928 Рік тому +2

      @@bryansean6465 Enjoy it! Mine was from 2006. I gotta say blue is the best looking one for this car. I also liked the exlusivity of the color (back then only the vrs could get this unlike nowadays).

    • @Incommensurabilities
      @Incommensurabilities Рік тому +2

      I have the same VRS you had, and it's so great! I'm enjoying looking after it even if there are a few issues cropping up here and there

  • @jamesroseby3823
    @jamesroseby3823 Рік тому

    Yes James, I still own the car I learned to drive in, a 74 Alfasud. Sure I own a couple of modern ones but there are so many memories attached to the Sud it’ll stay in my possession until end of days. She’s still a great drive too. You speak the truth.

  • @jasonevans8183
    @jasonevans8183 Рік тому +2

    I am blessed with the ability to find cars for next to nothing that turn out to be gems, for instance my daily driver up until recently was a 2007 high spec 1.8 diesel Mondeo, bought it for peanuts four and a half years ago with a few battle scars, 4 bald tyres and a patched up exhaust... Did the bodywork (it's what I do) found a set of alloys with nearly new tyres for £120, a new exhaust cat back was less than £90, gave it a good clean and a service, flew through it's MOT and that car carried my family around for almost 20k miles in fabulous comfort with 100% reliability. And I sold it on to someone who will love the car just as I did, I have other cars of all makes and sizes, no brand affiliation and a true petrol head, there's so much enjoyment to be had whether your spending £250 or £2.5 million 👌

  • @aaronbiggin1103
    @aaronbiggin1103 Рік тому +3

    I couldn't agree more. I've had more cars than I can remember and my favourite ones are the ones that cost pennies to buy and run. I've got more fond memories of my metro and rover coupe than I do the mk4 supra I had and when I tell people the metro was better than the supra they all think I'm crazy.

    • @stuartrhodes7352
      @stuartrhodes7352 Рік тому

      Ahah, just thinking exactly the same, 1986 mg metro turbo my first car, loved it, would love another for bit of fun but none left😬👍

  • @Digitalpiracy
    @Digitalpiracy Рік тому +18

    Nice review. 3 months ago my wife and I bought a 2006 Saab 9-3 1.9TiD-150 estate and a lot of the same logic applies.. its smooth, fun to drive, reliable, efficient and comfortable and because nobody wanted it (unpopular engine type and defunct manufacturer), it was stupidly cheap. Even with the high road tax it'll be a cheap way of travelling for a good few years until it's worn out

    • @dimsoneill
      @dimsoneill Рік тому

      With a 2006 9-3 Saab, lets see how long that stays reliable……🤔

    • @6770connor
      @6770connor Рік тому +5

      @@dimsoneill I’ve had a couple of 9-3s and they’ve been brilliant and reliable.

    • @DannielGamingVideosandAviation
      @DannielGamingVideosandAviation Рік тому +5

      @@dimsoneill saab 1.9tid is the opel 1.9cdti engine, it is reliable to a T, defined the word bulletproof when they made the engine

    • @Mr330d
      @Mr330d Рік тому +2

      @@DannielGamingVideosandAviation Opel ? It’s Fiat engine 😂

    • @peterhurst
      @peterhurst Рік тому +1

      @@Mr330d yep, my daughter had one, lovely car and quick. Needed Dual Mass Flywheel though

  • @mr.carguy654
    @mr.carguy654 Рік тому +2

    A few years ago we bought a 3 door, metallic purple, 1.6, '97 Corolla. In a few years we put over 20,000 miles in it. One of the best built most solid cars I've ever been in. The interior quality was mind-blowing and the doors weighed about 40kg each. Such a great car! It didn't have any trickery in the engine but it would just rev and rev forever!

  • @philipjames250
    @philipjames250 2 місяці тому +1

    Great review. I have a 2005 2.0 DSG Octavia Elegance which I bought last year from the original owner (a friend’s dad). He was crying because ULEZ forced him to sell up.
    Sailed through the MOT without a single advisory. Drives perfectly and is quick enough when needed. The surefooted handling makes me smile every time. Fantastic spec.
    I have the offer of a Tesla M3 lease car through work, at hardly any cost, but I am so reluctant to sell the Skoda, it’s such a gem of a car

  • @Hostileducc
    @Hostileducc Рік тому +5

    my first car was an 05 base model almera, had 150k miles before i traded it in for a 2017 top spec mazda 3
    had absolutley no features and had the ocasional suspension issue, but it was reliable, reasonable comfortable, and with 105HP in a lightweight 3 door, faster than you'd think. also had no body roll
    this video reminded me of it. i miss it

  • @Svendrys
    @Svendrys Рік тому +4

    I'm the owner of £800 Toyota Avensis liftback for the last 4 years.. bought with 115k miles, now it has 170k.. In this time I was servicing it myself (£20 for 4l Castrol oil from ASDA or Halfords when its on sale, £6 for a quality MANN oil filter, £12 Denso/NGK spark plugs, £12 bosch/mann air filter, another £10 for carbon cabin filter)- that's a £60 quid for a good quality parts, and a nice Saturday morning under the car), done brakes, changed tyres.. That's it. Its a ugly car and I could spend a £10k on a newer car but then I start thinking do I really want to spend 3 times more on R19 tyres, pay £250 for servicing with questionable parts and a oil from unknown barrel from the back of the garage... Paying thousands to fix some major things like high pressure fuel pump, DSG gearbox, turbo compressor , catalytic converter, DPF filter, swirl flaps, injectors, clean carbon from the valves because of direct injection, timing belts, or 2.0d BMW chains.. And if something like that brakes you will pay to fix it because you already £10k in that car.. You will not sell it to the WEBUYANYCARFORCHEAP for a £70.. If my Toyota will brake I will buy another for £800 instead..

  • @jonathanfletcher9533
    @jonathanfletcher9533 Рік тому +2

    Back in the 90s a friend who emigrated to Aus very kindly donated his 1.8 Cavalier. Posted the keys, logbook (and minidisc head unit!) through the letterbox the day he left. I had to sort a water leak into the cabin and give her a thorough polish - returning pink paintwork to red. Fab 3 years of worry-free, grin inducing motoring. Didn't give s**t where I left it and who dinged it. Also it was the most comfortable, relaxing car to drive. Sold it for £250. Saw the car knocking about for another 3 years.

  • @blazbohinc4964
    @blazbohinc4964 Рік тому +1

    I have the 2019 skoda octavia 1.5 TSI. Pretty well equipped. It’s such a pleasure to drive. Light, plenty fast enough with the remap I’ve done, quiet..
    It’ll do 50mpg, I’ve even done a trip with 55mpg, but it’s more of a 40-45 mpg car with normal driving.
    It doesn’t make you tired. And a car that can manage that wins in my books

  • @bobbiejoe123
    @bobbiejoe123 Рік тому +4

    I totally agree with a lot of the points made here. I had a 1.9 diesel mk5 golf that I bought for 3 grand in 2014 and had it for 7 years taking it to 160k. I only moved it on as rust had taken over and it needed quite a lot of work. Still my favourite car I have owned. I've now got a 2011 A1 1.6 diesel with nearly 130k but still to bond with it.

  • @alanmeals
    @alanmeals Рік тому +7

    Really good video as always. I have had a MK8 Fiesta ST for nearly 3 years now. Done about 21k in it since ownership. The other day I found myself looking at Golf R's as I have the money to get one if I want it. I had a moment where I thought...Why? My car has been reliable, a lot of fun, I have looked after it since I bought it, its been economical put it through its services and 2 MOT's now without much hassle and its more than quick enough for the UK roads. I don't get why I am finding myself looking for quicker and better all the time. I'm going to run the fiesta until it meets its graveyard. I've made the decision, I know I'd miss it.

    • @MidLoafCrisis
      @MidLoafCrisis Рік тому

      Perfectly put. Enjoy what you have, desiring other things all the time robs oneself of the joy you already have

  • @lunabouch
    @lunabouch Рік тому

    Excellent commentary and having a 2000 PORSCHE Boxster which is to me “I finally have made it” at 70 years old is noteworthy. My first vehicle I bought was a 1960 VW Beetle for $100.00. Driving the Boxster with its flat 6 is somewhat nostalgic at times. I would definitely like to purchase my first car but I think it would cost more than my used Boxster that I purchased 2 years ago. Happy Motoring

  • @stevenmann9769
    @stevenmann9769 Рік тому +1

    I'm running a '06 Octavia 2 litre petrol estate and love it! I still love it's looks too. Been reliable and everything still works fine 😀