Why I bought a Skoda Octavia, despite booking the MG ZS EV first

For a Rs 26 lakh budget, it was either the Skoda Octavia, MG ZS EV or the Jeep Compass.

BHPian binoym recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Gandalf The White

To begin with, Team-BHP remains a portal very, very close to my heart. It’s also driven by GTO’s enthusiasm and excitement for all things ICE (and now even electric). GTO is my brother and my earliest mentor. He went out of his way to make this happen and I’m happy that I am able to write this review. So let's go!

The current cars owned by the family include a Baleno CVT (Wife+Me), Ignis AMT (Dad) and a Zen Estilo Manual (Mom). With my son growing up and having his own routine, we decided to add a fourth car. We could have waited for at least a year longer BUT, the GNCAP rating for the Baleno was released and its crash test rating was ZERO. This to me was unacceptable and I felt cheated by a brand my family has trusted for decades. We’ve owned over fifteen Suzuki cars over the years.

Now, we had to add a car that serves the following purpose:

• Needs to be a safe car.
• The budget was in the Rs 25 lakh ballpark.
• Needs to satisfy the enthusiast in me.
• Need to keep it long term.

The test drives began and the finalists were: Jeep Compass Petrol, MG ZS EV and the Skoda Octavia.

In November 2021, Skoda wasn’t budging on the price point and MG ZS EV fully loaded was Rs 26 lakh OTR. I was convinced. They let me keep the car for two days straight. I absolutely loved the ride, the speed, the idea to go electric and I booked it.

The months and wait unfolded. News broke that there is a facelift launching and I should wait for the update. I agree. As I am waiting, my eyes keep catching Octavias on the road and how much I liked the car. The drive, the power, the quality - it was unmatched IMO. But the price wasn't right. I am a sucker for a good deal. This did not make sense to me.

But, in late February I got a call from a Skoda dealer offering a corporate discount. I was interested, very interested. Next thing, I called GTO to discuss my dilemma. Moments later I am on a call with JMD Skoda, Kandivali - Mumbai. Given the highly positive experience GTO had with the Superb purchase, this seemed to be extremely comfortable from the get-go. They offered me a sweet discount and now the difference between the Octavia Style and the facelift ZSEV was under 1 Lac given the two price hikes the ZSEV received since my booking.

As of March 01st, I was holding a booking with both Skoda as well as MG. I decided to withdraw my booking from MG and proceed with my paperwork and transaction with JMD Skoda. Special thanks to Mr Sandeep and Ms Niyati at JMD Skoda - They’re very prompt.

GTO and I went to check out the car (The exact VIN) in the flesh before we could move into the registration process. GTO spent quality time looking at the beauty and he approved! Next, we signed off the final paperwork and boom - Octavia BABY.. I opted for the Extended Warranty because I should I guess? Looking forward to many, many miles with this beast.

Next, it's time to slap on some Team-BHP merchandise!

GTO doing GTO things!

GTO approves. We move forward.

That's me with Gandalf. We have a thing of naming our cars. We've had Batmobile, Alfred and even Chamko (A Golden Honda Accord back at university)

Documents signed!

Delivery Day Joy:

The past three days have been an absolute joy. (I told GTO how I'm almost living in my car) We've already driven to Khandala and back. Dad and I had a thing for long drives, food and conversation. Over the years, our individual routines took over and It's just not happened in so long. Apart from how amazing this is to drive and its sheer "That's all you got" attitude, my biggest takeaway is that early morning drive with my father. I think we're going to do many, many more of these!

Oh about Fuel economy, I don't want to see it. I've changed the setting to not want to see this information. That's not why I got this car. My daily commute is under 5 km between work and home. This one is purely for the heart.

More pictures coming soon!

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