Car question - probably one for the mechanical minded men!

[ItsMeHoney]

Hi,
Not sure this is the right board but Im
looking for some advice on a car. I’ve had Škoda Octavia’s and a Škoda Karoq in the past. The diesel Octavia was amazing and I only got rid of it because it was looking old after 200k miles. Always a strong, reliable and economical car.

I recently bought a Ford Ecosport and I am regretting getting it as it’s a bit small to what I want and has already cost me money. I regret leaving Škoda! It has devalued more than the Skodas would’ve too. Garage (who I have ised
for years) said I’ve made a mistake getting rid of the Škoda.

So, thinking of changing back to a Škoda Octavia again or the SE L Karoq. Petrol and diesel give similar MPG but I know diesels are better for people who do motorway driving, like me. I drive about 300-400 miles per week cross country so often on the A66 and M6.

I know diesel cars are being phased out.

What would be the best option? A petrol
or diesel? Im not going for a brand new car but one less than 3 years old.

Are only men mechanically minded then?

Why do you assume only men know about cars?

@Cursory You beat me to it.

What’s the problem with mechanically minded women 🤷🏼‍♀️

Looking at the Karoq SE L as the back seats are removable. The Octavia has a big boot anyway. Thinking of car camping one night at work!

As a woman I obviously can't help. Just make sure you buy one in a pretty colour.

Ha ha! Well, if there are any out there pleas chip
in! I’m not!

With that mileage, would electric be worth considering, assuming you can charge it at home that is - out on the road it can be more expensive than petrol, so only in dire emergencies.

But assuming you're doing a few medium sized trips a week, rather than all in one go, if you're looking at nearly new, it might be worth the extra upfront cost.

What's with the sexism?

🤔

Ok, men and women then!

Shouldn't your husband be making all the decisions about car buying?

I'm mechanically minded and a woman. Will I do?
I'd go for the diesel Skoda Octavia. Diesel engines go on forever. Your 200k Octavia was only just run in tbh 🤣 it'll easily do double that and more.

Diesel cars are being phased out- along with petrol ones too, from 2030 no new ones will be sold in the uk.

But existing ones will still be around for years. With a lot of motor way driving to do, I would stick with a diesel as long as you can.
Electric cars still take a long time to charge, and as they age and the batteries are less efficient their resale value will plummet.
Eventually manufacturers will sort this out, but until then?
Stick with what you know.

Toyota rav 4 hybrid, I get 47 mpg ,goes well too

OP, you’ll find that about 2% of the answers will be actually useful to you. Everyone is going to jump on the “mechanically minded men” thing.

For good reason!

If you have an ecosport with an ecoboom 1.0l engine thats pre 2019 i would get shot asap. Can't help with new car considerations - sorry.

I'm a mechanically minded woman with much experience and opinion of Skodas, but clearly this info isn't wanted here.

With that kind of driving I'd go for the diesel every time, and I'd go for the Octavia over the Karoq.

On paper the fuel economy figures might look similar for petrol and diesel, but in the real world diesel always wins. If you do nothing but short journeys there's an argument for the petrol because you need regular high-speed use to clear the particulate filters on a modern diesel, but you'll be fine.

Octavia over the Karoq because it has far better aerodynamics for motorways, and you won't attract anti-SUV activists putting lentils in your tyre valves and so on.

Depending on budget, I'd also have a look at the diesel Superb. Plenty more space, not much difference in the fuel economy compared to the Octavia, but the dashboard ergonomics, refinement, and interior quality are in a different league. I drive 1,000km in a day in one several times a year in a nearly nine year old one and would chose it over any other car under £75k.