[Closed] Skoda Octavia Scout - Anyone got one?

My folks were looking at one of these recently to replace their 5 series that's always stuck in winter. In the end as a cheap way of finding out what they're like I found them a 57 plate, 100k 2.0 petrol standard 4x4 octavia for under £4k. They'll keep it a year and get a newer one if they like it.

If you're set on a scout though be aware that they are rare and desirable and sell very fast unless they're silly money. Ex demo/dealer ones are more than brand new due to waiting lists.

Check out www.briskoda.net and the Octavia II forum

My dad has had them as demos as he works for Skoda. They're great, he had 140bhp TDI version, IMO the best of the tdi engines. They are very versatile, and considering it's Demi 4x4 nature handle suprisingly well with good ride quality.

After a (very positive) test-drive, my new Scout should be arriving in 4 weeks! 😀

After reading a whole raft of long-term tests, I could find a single one with a negative review.
As unsponsored says, get yourself over to briskoda 😉

Thanks folks. Pretty much confirmed what I thought.

steveh - yeah, they do seem to be like rocking horse teeth, but I guess that's got to be good for resale values. Our local dealer has one which is 6 months old with 5K on the clock for for about 3K under the original list price. I have also been looking at the standard 4x4 estate.

niknak - I think we've been reading the same tests! At least a couple of them had the reviewer considering putting in an order themselves.

To be honest, they are a bit (lot) more than we originally intended to pay for a new car, but it seems to genuinely tick all the boxes for us.

Will check out the forum as advised.

our local paramedic responders use them - so i guess that's a fair old vote of confidence!

(in resale values if nothing else...!)

'Ex demo/dealer ones are more than brand new due to waiting lists'

Don't be ridiculous, it's still a Skoda, no ones going to pay over list price.

I ran one for 12 months in my previous job. Loved it and it didn't miss a beat the whole time I had it. The only minor thing I noticed (and a colleague who had it before me) was when driving over speed bumps you get a very noticeable clunk from beneath the car (no it wasn't me scraping the thing on the speedbump). When I asked our Skoda fleet rep he did waffle on for a bit about the rear diff and the non permanent 4 x 4 system.
Still a great car and solid as a rock in terms of build quality etc.
All IMO of course.

Just as an aside (though it seems you've already decided), Yorkshire Ambulance Service use these as fast response verhicles. Great in the snow, reliable (and we abuse vehicles), comfy to drive and nice and quick too. Gets my vote.

Those Skodas look good, not noticed them before.

Forester - very thirsty!

angeldust - Member
'Ex demo/dealer ones are more than brand new due to waiting lists'

Don't be ridiculous, it's still a Skoda, no ones going to pay over list price.

Not sure if you're serious or making a skoda joke but believe me they're doing it. 2 dealers last week one would've given a brand new scout for less than the others 3 month old 2k demo. Waiting lists are long and some people will pay.

we often get iced in during the winter and the in laws live on a farm

So did everyone! I'd open up your search to include any car and just budget for a set of the best winter tyres to put on. No matter how good the car/drive. If you run normal tyres up a icey-road your not going anywhere.

BTW I own a 4WD for the safety of handling etc- its too low to be 'good' in the snow.

Hora - Safety and handling are also a consideration, as is space, economy, reliability, etc, and this still does come to the top of the list.

The Scout has a fair bit of extra ground clearance over the standard estate or something like a Quattro so would expect it to be better in the snow. Comments above and reviews I've read seem to support this.

Good point regarding tyres though - will bear that in mind.

Hora is correct about tyres. LSDs can make a big difference too.

BTW I own a 4WD for the safety of handling etc- its too low to be 'good' in the snow.

-Not really justification for 4wd given the context of living in a flat, low-land city and driving to mtb venues. 2wd is fine for most people, even [i]exuberant[/i] driviers. Welsh farmers used to manage well with (2wd + LSD) Peugeot pickups like this:
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before the Subaru pickup turned up.

Bought a 1.8tsi 4x4 a year ago and it came through winter in rural North Yorks with no problems. Didn't go for the Scout as couldn't justify the extra clearance and price but the 4x4 has a slightly higher clearance than the standard estate anyway. Compares favourably with the Subaru Legacy it replaced.

Aristotle - was the FWD or RWD? Bet they just loaded up the rear to get extra grip! 😆

Tyres make a massive difference in winter:

I regularly drove a MX5 over the tops etc to Outlane in West Yorkshire in snow. Same with an Aygo I drove through Europe to Germany on NYs eve once. Tyres sorted.

No matter how wheels are driven- its the input you put into the steering wheel and how smooth you are with the pedals that really counts. Not once last year did I have to use the lower ratio or start off in 2nd gear etc.

I must say the Forester was a serious driving-talent-compensator though. No matter what other drivers did. I went out....over the tops of Calderdale there was a road closed off due to snow-covered... I just went round the bollards and through. 😀

The Octavia is a lovely car- and would be quieter, smoother and better for 350 days of the year that you DONT need 4x4 however it doesn't come close to this scally wag for fun..

..Heres Rivington Pike on Christmas day morning for a cheeky quick-ride before Christmas dinner..
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