Used 159 buying tips

[crog100]

Hi everyone,

I need to buy a second car and after looking at quite a few, I had settled on a new Skoda. I recently spotted a 159 and now I've found a car I'm actually keen to get. The budget started around the $15k-20K mark and has slowly crept up to $20-25k.

Looking at a used 159 and after reading around various forums/reviews they seem widely different and sometimes contradictory. I'm aiming at getting out for some test drives next week.

I've never had a diesel car before and I don't do enough kms (5k-10k per year) to justify the fuel savings. Mainly short trips, city style driving, once/twice a fortnight it would get out on the freeway for an hour drive each way.

It has to be an auto to be wife compatible, have been looking at 2007-2010 models at varying prices from $17k-$25k, is there any major difference between the years other than the obvious age/kms? 2009 seems about the sweet spot for age/price ratio.

There doesn't appear to be much difference price wise with the JTS/JTD, my initial thoughts is I should be targeting a 2.4 JTD. I saw a 3.2 JTS Q4 in my range, is that a better option?

Any thoughts/recommendations would be appreciated. Also any recommendations on a specialist for pre-purchase inspections?

Cheers

[massiveluvbuddy67]

Depending on where you live I would recommend having a chat with one of our club sponsors:
Hugh at Monza Motors - Bayswater
Giancarlo or Bruno at Maranello Pursang - Brunswick
Mauceri Motors - Clayton
Damon at Lance Dixon - Doncaster
Augusto at Zagames -Richmond

[Spiderwest]

I have a 2006 159 Q4 6sp Manual and have owned it since about 30,000km. Its now done 115,000km. Fantastic car that has served me well. Recently i replaced the front steering rack, as I understand the Q4's are hard on racks. Aside from that there are some electrical problems (i also have 2006 Q4 Spider 6sp Manual) and the common problem between them both is the cruise control can work when it wants to ie. sometimes it will not work. And really thats about it. The 3.2 V6 is really a better engine in my opinion than the 4 cylinders. The 159 looks great and drives exceptionally well. If this sounds like a recommendation, you're right. 

[Evan Bottcher]

...the common problem between them both is the cruise control can work when it wants to ie. sometimes it will not work.

A common cause of cruise control not working is the brake pedal switch, costs only a few $$ to replace.

[Spiderwest]

Thank you. Easy solution by the sound of it!

[oz3litre]

We have a 2008 159 ti 2.4 JTDM Sportwagon with the six speed auto and it is a fabulous car. I never thought I would like diesels, but this engine is lovely. It has tons of grunt and gets away from the lights very quickly. It even sounds good when you wind it out. It is much more economical than the petrol engines. The auto is fantastic and is always in the right gear, even in the twisty bits. It can be driven in sport mode in auto or manual, using the the stick or paddles, which are very fast. We have owned it since December 2012 and knocked up 15- 20,000 km with no problems, (touch wood), except that the glow plugs seem to be on the way out currently. The car is a joy to drive in all conditions and feels very nimble and responsive. It is a feast for the eyes into the bargain. My wife drives it daily on her 30 km commute and absolutely loves it.

[Craig_m67]

Couple of observations i've noticed about the JTD Sportwagons specific to Australia (not interested in the petrol version, once you get used to the torque in a diesel its really hard to go back). 
I've been watching these for a while as I'd planned to replace our '03 156 JTD Sportwagon with one. 
I didn't live in Australia when they came out so there will be others who are better aquainted with the trim levels that were offered here

There seem to be two significant builds.  The original (Series 1) from 2006 and then a revision (Series 2) in late 2007/08 where some weight (50kg?) was stripped from the body and the padding on rear seat was shortened to allow (visually) more leg room. 

Series 1 cars seem to have been imported with a higher trim specification out of the box, they're also the only cars I've seen with red leather.
Series 2 cars seem to have started with a lower trim and therefore have more variable options added; roof rails, alloys, rear climate control, heated electric seats, sunroof

The Turismo International (TI) is the high spec car, it has (amongst other things) specific seats (nicer), painted red calipers, different alloys, shiny bits.  All TI sportwagons are auto, engine power outputs are the same as the std cars however the suspension looks lower (can anybody confirm it's actually different?).  Ateco in their wisdom only allowed TI's in Black, Red, Grigio and very few White ones (only seen from '10 onwards), ie. no Blue TIs in Australia.. which is what i wanted.

Two JTDm diesel engines choices; The 1.9 or 2.4. Both are 4valve multijets.  The 1.9 is lighter and more fuel efficient, it can be 'tuned' or remapped close to the 2.4 outputs.  On the other hand, out of the box the 2.4 could pull a 747 down the street and can be re-mapped to scare the bejesus out of a GTA. 

The 2.4 gets bigger front brakes than the 1.9, the calipers are painted red on the TI.
The 2.4 gets flappy paddles on the steering wheel for the gearbox, the 1.9 uses the same autobox, so the paddles are likely retrofittable.
I have only ever seen one manual 1.9JTD Sportwagon (it was blue, and I regret not buying it).

There are no Q4 JTDs in Australia, although again the Q4 g'box and driveline out of the V6 will fit the 2.4JTDm.. Project for when there's enought of them at the wreckers.

I think the sweetspot is an early 2008 series two car.  They're really no different from any of the cars built from then on, just older so buy on condition.
I'd prefer a TI but they seem to command a real premium (as much as $8K) for what are essentially options.

If i was going to by a petrol it would be the Q4 V6.

[oz3litre]

The ti wheels are 19" and the suspension is lower and firmer than the standard cars. It feels tight, nimble and responsive, just the way I like a car to be. Ours is Stromboli Grigio which shows off the beautiful lines of the Sportwagon particulary well I think.