another vote for arm rests
i cannot, repeat cannot buy a car without one now...... theres a really well priced octavia vRS diesel and its been spec'd without an arm rest..... so its a no go. i also need cruise as well, cant live without that.
i have the 1.9TDI in my car too, mines the Pumpe Duse version so its got individual injectors for each cyl and 130bhp, rather than the single pump on the 90/110 models. still, i test drove plenty of octy's with that 110 unit and its plenty fast, lots of grunt too. my only criticism of the engine is that its bloody rough and tractor like, especially when cold. though u can get the injectors to turn off if u coast in gear...its amazing how much noise they add.
for reference.... mines got a FSH and its done 130,000 miles on pretty much original everything (just had the belt done though, and the front breaks before that, but everything else is original)..... so at 43k you got a hella lot of life left in it, its just getting started. no doubt you'll be looking after it so id say you'll have no trouble with it. good choice.... the bora is boring, as is the golf from that generation... the only other vag car i would of considered is the MK1 octy, but the seat looks a lot nicer, and again very good that its got an arm rest.... i found seats with arm rests hard to come by when i was looking, so good find.