What do we think about the Skoda Octavia mk1 1.8T 20V 2004? I want it as my first car but I'm unsure (read body) (pic for refference, with an added WRX wing (pretty sure it's an WRX wing, feel free to correct that))
Posted by max_7th67@reddit | Autos | View on Reddit | 36 comments
Sooo, my stepfather told me to not get an Octavia 1.8T, even if it's the same engine as an Audi A3, TT, and VW Golf4. But he said it's just the block, and basically everything else is just cheap parts from other manufacturers that just gonna break down. He also told me about an old friend oh his that had that exact Skoda (maybe not year model, but still mk1) and it broke down almost immedietly, but he also told me it was starting to leak oil and THEN the camshaft broke down. So I guess he didn't do an oil change cus it kinda sounds like it?
Anyways, tell me what y'all think, because I'm unsure if I want the car anymore, even though I really really want it! Thanks!
vanmutt@reddit
They're essentially a mk4 golf gti the 1.8t not the shitty 2.0. Weren't the fastest but were decent for the time. No spoiler for me.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thanks! So, not many issues with it?
vanmutt@reddit
Never heard anything bad about them. The mk4 and 1.8t BAM were as bulletproof as they get. Rust will be the enemy your neck of the woods.
HiThereImF@reddit
BAM was Audi S3/TT only right?
micifaramustar@reddit
And LCR.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! And I think I can handle some rust, my old car (EPA in Sweden, not a "real" car) had lots of rust lol, didn't even pass inspection because of it
shlerm@reddit
I bought a 2005 model in 2019 and ran it for 5 years before changing. I sold it to a friend who ran it for another 3 or 4 years and now someone else has it.
It was fairly reliable for me, seemed to split CV boots all the time but that might be down to the roads I live near.
By now, it might be hard to find one in good condition and corrosion free. It was the first car VW built with Skoda after they bought them and it's basically a VW golf/Jetta. Most parts inside where stamped VW/Audi.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! And yeah, they are pretty hard to find in good condition. Found one for a fairly good price that was in pretty good condition too, just some rust around the wheelhouses and on the sill, but otherwise it looked okay
stetienne@reddit
I've had 2003 Superb 1.8T (150hp), don't know if it was this same engine, but I remember it was quite reliable. Took it from 180 000km to 225 000km without engine issues before selling.
No_Win7658@reddit
As long as you get one only driven by an old lady.. oh wait
OG55OC@reddit
That's not a WRX or STI wing.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Oh, thank you! I'm not that good with spoilers/wings and which cars usually have them, I'm better with car brands/models themselves.
EDCxTINMAN@reddit
Looks like an Evo wing
NekulturneHovado@reddit
Depending on your drive style, it's gonna eat a LOT of gas (driving as it's supposed to be driven, 15l/100km easily, from what I've heard)
And also, it's a 1.9tdi but in gas, they are basically indestructible and last forever. Just change oil regularly and pump gas.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Yeah I found one for a good price, it had some rust on it but nothing crazy, an easy fix!
Everyday_driver@reddit
Had a 2001 1.8t AUM 150 hp. Great and fun car, bought with 125k km on the clock and drove it over 100.000 kms. Very reliable , only major breakdown was the gearbox at 199.000 km. But mine had software and other bolt ons, but the stock K03s turbo. Pushed 208 hp ( pretty much the max with the small, stock turbo ) at the crank and was a blast to drive.
The wing is probably a replica of the Octavia WRC Rallycar wing. These replica wings were cheap in the early 2000s and are still available.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for the info! Really appreciate it! I'll probably end up with one now
KY34TR@reddit
Looks like a Lancer wing too.
i_Praseru@reddit
Or a bmw wing from the e36
KamakaziDemiGod@reddit
That's what I was thinking, it's probably a repo of the E36 or late E30 M3 spoiler. It's not tall enough to be a later Evo wing, and it doesn't have the centre support to be an early one
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Oh, thank you! I'm not that good with spoilers/wings and which cars usually have them, I'm better with car brands/models themselves.
pinezatos@reddit
Great car with great tunability
Meister1888@reddit
Those Skodas were popular taxis across europe. Every taxi driver I spoke with said they were solid cars.
Skoda was a low-end brand of VW. But we thought they were nicely made, nicely finished, and good values.
Gorgrocco@reddit
PENTAVALVEOLE RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
daver456@reddit
German cars are a pain to work on and maintenance is more expensive. Old German cars are even worse.
If you want something fun and reliable for your first car get a Honda.
GrahamD89@reddit
As a rule, German cars are more complicated than Japanese, yes. But those 1.8t engines are reliable, and the MK1 Octavia has far simpler front suspension than any equivalent VAG car of the era, plus parts are cheap and still readily available in Europe. It's what I'd buy if I didn't want something TDI-powered as my first car in this part of the world.
Particular_Spare_176@reddit
I can attest to this. If you can, test drive a Mk7 Accord or Mk8 Civic (both Euro). With the accord I would opt for the 2.4 vtech and for the Civic the 1.8 vtech. Glorious, bulletproof engines (if well maintained with frequent oil changes), and great cars to drive. Both with timing chains instead of belts, so they don’t need to be replaced.
Also cheap, anything below 200k km with a proper maintenance history will be fine. These cars can run 300-350k km easily.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Yeah, thing is it's not that expensive in Sweden, and it got the engine I want. But I get your point. I was looking at VW Golf 4 or Polo as well, since they're cheap to maintain and use overall.
Of course I've been looking for some Hondas as well, but most of them are out of my budget
Thanks thogh!
Oberst_Reziik@reddit
1.8T is a propper motor, Skoda was already the best brands of the VW group at the time.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Are you familiar with the Skoda Octavia 1.8T personally? If so, have you had any major problems with it? Sorry for asking, I just don't want to spend my savings and then end up not being able to drive it because the repairs will cost too much lol
Kiddierose@reddit
I had a 2003 GTI 1.8t which I believe is the same motor. I drove it from 50k to 180k and only needed to do oil changes and change the timing belt/water pump every 60-80k. Wonderful motor.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much, really! And yes, it's the same motor.
I'm pretty confident I'll get the Octavia now given how many have only said good things about it lol.
julianbell06@reddit
1.8t e en prima motor, aldrig hört talas om att Skoda skulle använda sämre delar. Problemet med typ alla gamla bilar i Sverige är att dom rostar och gamla VAG har rätt uselt rostskydd tyvärr.
Är bränsleekonomi inte jätteviktigt hade jag satsat på en S60 med turbo. Gärna lågmilad. Hyfsat pålitlig, billiga delar och bra rostskydd
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Tack!
Har tänkt på Volvo S60 eller S70 också, men är lite dyrt för min budget och har inte jättehög inkomst, så letar efter billigare bilar överlag. Har även kollat på Golf4 och Polo eftersom de är billiga(re) att äga.
Men tack igen! Blir högst troligt Skoda, den riktigt fin också!
Sluushy@reddit
Not knowing this car well personally - I typically don’t listen to anecdotal evidence related to cars.
Do some research, watch videos, and search forums specific to the car/ gen you’re looking at.
max_7th67@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I have watched some videos and done some reseach, and they make the car look great and say it's basically 99% the same as the GTI, but my stepfather knows a LOT about cars, so of course I would listen to him and trust him.
I deffinetly will look at forums more specific to the car/ gen though, thanks!