Second Hand Sense:ANYONE LOOKING for a smart estate car would probably head first to their nearest Subaru dealership. Subarus are smart and practical cars but they are also expensive, if all you need is extra rear accommodation for dogs or kitchen sinks, and have no real requirement for four-wheel-drive capability. There are plenty of good alternatives around and one of the best in this category - in terms of value and reliability - is the Skoda Octavia estate.
Perhaps the greatest drawback of the car - particularly the estate version - is the blandness of design. It will take five adults in some comfort, four in real comfort, and the boot will take anything you can load into it.
The engineering reputation for Skoda is now firmly established within the Volkswagen family, and the Octavia shares many components with cars like the Audi A3, the VW Golf and even the Audi TT roadster. The optimum engine options are the 1.6-litre petrol and the 1.9-litre TDi diesel units, both of which have been well-tried and tested. There is even a four-wheel-drive version available with the diesel engine, but its appeal is extremely limited.
The 1.6-litre petrol is very adequate for everyday use and the diesel is a good bet for those with high mileage requirements. The finish is good although there is a good deal of plastic throughout. Instrumentation is clear and easy to read.
The Octavia has a good reliability record and there have only been recalls of a small number of cars for problems with fuel pumps and flywheels in recent years. The car has a four-star crash rating in the EuroNCAP programme, but the maximum five stars is now becoming the norm.
A 2005 1.6-litre petrol model with multiple airbags, electrics and an electronic stability programme, and 9,000km is on offer for €16,950. A 2006 four-wheel-drive model with the diesel engine and 36,000km is on offer for €20,950.