khutula Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I currently have a Mark IV .:R32 which I love to bits. I also have a 1997 2.0 Vectra as a run around. This car I hate with a passion, it has no power, has no driver involvement at all. In fact I loathe it that much that I hardly ever drive it, which means I am putting more miles than necessary on the .:R32. I aslo need a fairly large hatchback as my folks live 150 miles away and I have an eighteen month old son and all his stuff to lug about. I want to replace the Vectra, so yesterday I went a test drove an Octavia vRS mark I. Now I really liked it a lot and when I find the right one I think I will purchase one. However, I have come into work today and mentioned what my intentions are and everybody has been taking the p155 out of me. Now admittedly I wouldn't have considered buying one a few years ago, but now I don't have an issue with them. I think they are robust, well built and a good alternative to 'mainstream' cars, in the vRS form its a good drivers' car. What do people think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Only stupid people still think they're worth the Skoda jokes. They're good cars now and people know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 By the way, why do Skodas have heated rear screens? To keep your hands warm whilst you're pushing it. Sorry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Taxi drivers, police officers, coastguard, ambulance rapid response cars - all of those use Skodas. In the words of our friends in America - go figuuure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vagabond Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 The VRS is a fantastic car (lovely in blue) Far better than vauxhall IMO. I wouldn't even think twice about buying one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 The joke's on those taking the mickey out of Skoda's now. You a have VW in drag effectively, normally with a better spec. The Superb has an awful lot in common with the previous A6, including the running gear and engines - 2.8 petrol and 2.5V6 TDi. The new Octavia VRS has the same engine as a Golf GTI and the diesel version has the new Audi 2.0TDi 170. The only thing they're lacking is Quattro as an option and badge kudos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] By the way, why do Skodas have heated rear screens? To keep your hands warm whilst you're pushing it. Sorry... [/ QUOTE ] I'll have to remember that one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Only stupid people still think they're worth the Skoda jokes. They're good cars now and people know it. [/ QUOTE ] I'm with Ari. Those making the jokes only show they know nothing about cars, I like the image myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The VRS is a fantastic car (lovely in blue) Far better than vauxhall IMO. I wouldn't even think twice about buying one [/ QUOTE ] I'm not bothered what they think to be honest, it will be a Mark I though, so I don't think they do it in blue. I just need to find the right one. I have about £10K to spend, but around the £8.5 would be better. I test drove an 05 one yesterday with 12 thousand on the clock at Fords of Winsford on sale for £10,399, really liked it. This is really more than I wanted to pay for a second car so I think I will keep looking for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemod Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 My mate has a new VRS estate chipped to 250BHP. Nice car. He's the only one laughing......at the other "Premium" brands trying to keep up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I wouldn't think twice about having one, although I now have the quattro bug, so going back to a hot FWD car would be a difficult step for me. Excellent cars and obviously VW group engines and engineering make them reliable. I actually like the marketing too. Chip it up and watch most things disappear in the mirror.. the only thing is you might end up wanting to sell the R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The Superb has an awful lot in common with the previous A6, including the running gear and engines - 2.8 petrol and 2.5V6 TDi. [/ QUOTE ] Indeed. I hear they're, err, superb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] the only thing is you might end up wanting to sell the R [/ QUOTE ] I couldn't! I had thought of chopping them both in an getting an S4 Avant and a Fiesta or something, but I love the .:R and have spent a fair bit modifying it. Superchips quote almost 40 bhp increase on a simple map. Think I will definiitely get one, never owned a turbo car before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 According to the lastest reliability surveys they are only just a bit better then they used to be!! I think Seats offer more power for less or the same cash?? Less jokes, more speed and better looks. Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson_R32 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 The problem is the image problem has shifted from the Cars to the Owners... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 At my place of work, Skoda and Volvo are the cars to avoid, when you ask most people. Odd, as neither are bad cars. I'd only have a Skoda if it was a vRS model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Taxi drivers, police officers, coastguard, ambulance rapid response cars - all of those use Skodas. In the words of our friends in America - go figuuure. [/ QUOTE ] Exactly, these industries buy them because they are good, Ive just dropped my Superb off for service, its now done 83,000 miles and hasnt missed a beat except for when it had bad fuel but thats hardly Skoda's fault. With the variable service intervals its just done 30,000 between services and returns 50mpg. The customers think its great and often comment on the level of comfort. There is still a stigma, the customers perhaps wouldnt comment if it was an Audi but they are always impressed and Skoda can do no more than that I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee_ Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I still suffer with the jokes, (19 and driving a skoda) but they're left stumped when it'll pull over 50mpg and still embarass other cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 As a car enthusiast I have no problem with Skodas at all. My wife had an Octavia for a short while. However, as is said above, if you ask a non-car enthusiast, or about 90% of the population....they're still ridiculed through a lack of knowledge, understanding, common sense and general lack of caring. I'm not so sure about the Volvo mention though. I do think they've seen a much more prevalent recovery and new image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] At my place of work, Skoda and Volvo are the cars to avoid, when you ask most people. Odd, as neither are bad cars. I'd only have a Skoda if it was a vRS model. [/ QUOTE ] Its the vRS that I would get - I don't think I would get anything else in the range - although to be fair I haven't given them a proper look. It fits my requirements, a good driver's car, a bit nippy and has a large boot with a hatch. No much else about that satifies that criteria for the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I think the interior lets them down a little, but they drive very well I almost bought a VRS fabia when i got the A2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winrya Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 i think they are well made cars but i wouldnt buy one because there is still a stigma attached. I often suggest them as a possibility for people but i'm left with a, "are you taking the piss" look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I guess it just depends how bothered you are by what other people think. I'm sure that everyone will yawn as I trot out my habitual line about the fact that I moved from RS6 to Fabia vRS and was staggered by how little pain I felt (of course, there was some pain but the Fabia cost less than what I lost in depreciation on the Audi). Skoda seem to make very good cars these days,and that goes beyond good value for money, as so many people seem to equate value for money with "cheap but ok" - they are just good cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 YOu see in your position havign driven the skoda (brother is works for Skoda UK so we get to see a few) and owned several Vauxhalls - with your kind of mileage I'd be buying myself another Vectra........ Sorry to say it but we have had a few of the newer Oilburners and they have been pretty good, and I must confess on most of my longer journeys, I just look for good comfort levels and arent too fussed about driver involvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I had an A4 (and now have another one) but went to look at a Skoda Octavia VRS mk1 for my wife. It had done about 87K but drove really nicely, lovely and quiet, and pulled well through the rev range. I think I would be quite happy to drive one if, say, it belonged to the wife, but I wouldn't actually want to own one myself even though I know they are good cars. Sure, the quality isn't quite as good as VW or Audi despite what many Skoda owners will tell you, but they are bloody good value. Fundamentally, though, I would still have a problem with owning a Skoda and having to tell people that is what I drove. Or rather, I don't have a problem with it, but I do have a problem with their reaction to Skodas. Odd really, I suppose I do care what people think, hence I am sticking with the Audi range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now