Octavia vRS - spookedmoose
I have been offered an ex fleet Octavia vRs for ~£5000. It's on an 03 plate with 42,000miles and a full history. It was on lease to my company, but has come to the end of the tenure, so the lease company has offered for sale for this price.

The engine sounds a little 'diesely' (for want of an better description) at tick over, but has been serviced religiously. Is this common with the VAG 1.8T 20v engines? Is this a good price, and worth pursuing?
Octavia vRS - richy
buy it. Fantastic car and a good price, the only ones I've ever seen near £5k are coming on for 100k miles and a year or 2 older. All the kit, space, power and handling you could wish for. Agree about the noise (especially from cold) but then you could always get a nice stainless exhaust when the time comes for replacement.
Octavia vRS - acrabat
Yes this is a very good price and is well worth pursuing.
All vw 1.8t 20v engines sound like tractors, even when brand new. But they are proven strong units.
I own an octy vrs 53 plate with 20000 on it and if I where trading in or selling privately I would be looking for 7000/7500 respectively. The example you are lookin at has slightly higher mileage but still is good value for what you get. Make sure you check all the electrics including central locking on all doors, leccy windows on all settings, heated door mirrors etc.
Octavia vRS - spookedmoose
All the electrics work. Standard kit, I guesss. 4x e/windows, e/door mirrors, central locking. Only extra is reversing sensors. Given the obstruction that the rear spoiler is giving, that's probably not a bad thing.

I'm going to see if they will give it a full service and MOT inclusive for the price today. Also push for a new cambelt. Am I really going to get a quote for £500 for this? Wow!

Also, has the car got variable or fixed service intervals? Is it worth changing the oil every 5,000 miles or so? Synthetic or semi? And was the coil concern resolved by this point?

So many questions, thanks...
Octavia vRS - spookedmoose
(Dating myself here) I remember that you used to be able to buy 'Turbo Timers' to idle the turbo after running the car. I only remember seeing these available from Courtney (GM specialists). A) Can you still get them, and B) Are they worth it?