Skoda Octavia vRS..... would you?

[Polyal]

Thats because that one is an 08 model (yellow)..so it should look "dated". If I am not mistaken its basically a VW Passat.

You get alot of kit for the $$

[Danny]

They're a very good car. Love them in the sportwagon.

[calais]

Well done on the purchase mate!

I still have mine. 76,000km and never once failed to proceed.

That said, I am looking at jumping ship in the next few months, and sadly there isnt much out there can really compete with what the Skoda has been able to deliver as a complete package (Golf GTI aside).

Until the XR5 Mondeo is updated mechanically, doesn't look as though a real competitor will be around from Ford in the near future.

[drew`SEVNT5]

I would have one for the wife to park next to the 370z

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Thats because that one is an 08 model (yellow)..so it should look "dated". If I am not mistaken its basically a VW Passat.

You get alot of kit for the $$

It's on a Jetta platform. The Superb is the relative of the Passat.

I'm so used to seeing the Octavia as a wagon or hatch I didn't recognise the photos!

ZD, what will be of great interest is the operating cost of the car. The service and parts costs will probably be the same as VW (i.e. much more expensive than Ford) but the trick will be whether Skoda's quality means that the likelihood of something going badly and expensively wrong will be less than for a VW (which isn't exactly at the top of the reliability charts).

It's funny that so many people mention how you get VW (by implication German) input to a Skoda but really the quality and reliability comes from its Czech manufacture. Many VW components and engines (and even the whole Touareg) are actually manufactured in Czech republic or Slovakia, not Germany. Skoda is a quandary for VAG. After its acquisition it was promoted as VAG's bargain brand, now it's VAG's quality brand and I don't think VAG is quite sure which direction to take on that at the moment!

[Zetec Dave]

Originally Posted by new2ford

It's on a Jetta platform. The Superb is the relative of the Passat.

I'm so used to seeing the Octavia as a wagon or hatch I didn't recognise the photos!

ZD, what will be of great interest is the operating cost of the car. The service and parts costs will probably be the same as VW (i.e. much more expensive than Ford) but the trick will be whether Skoda's quality means that the likelihood of something going badly and expensively wrong will be less than for a VW (which isn't exactly at the top of the reliability charts).

It's funny that so many people mention how you get VW (by implication German) input to a Skoda but really the quality and reliability comes from its Czech manufacture. Many VW components and engines (and even the whole Touareg) are actually manufactured in Czech republic or Slovakia, not Germany. Skoda is a quandary for VAG. After its acquisition it was promoted as VAG's bargain brand, now it's VAG's quality brand and I don't think VAG is quite sure which direction to take on that at the moment!

Yes you're correct, however surprisingly, even though Skoda uses the same components as VW and the Octavia is built on the same platform as the Golf, European reviews, Skoda owners surveys etc seem to show a higher reliability than that of VW itself. As ironic as it may sound, especially Skoda supposedly being the bargain brand of VW, my personal experience and those of other SKoda owners I know all confirm this. Its never missed a beat and honestly I've had much less troubles with it than I had with my VW Polo Gti. I would gladly buy another one. I'm thinking a superb next time

In regards to maintanence and running costs, its more or less the same as the standard VW running cost. he main difference is in the lower purchase price where you get more for money. Provided you can overlook the badge and at times its look and willing to give it a go, I guarantee you'll be a happy camper in the long run. I too was stuck with that dilemma until I had a good look and realised all the parts are the same as the higher end VW models (except for body panels and some interior bits).

In regards to direction for Skoda here in Australia, it is under the control of VW group Australia and that unfortunately has meant that at times, the price competitiveness is confusing especially for the newer base model vehicles such as the new Fabia when compared to the VW Polo. Other than that, the only other negative is the fact that rattling is not covered under warranty after 1000km's which I believe is VW group Australia's doing. Bloody annoying i say. Thankfully, mine hasn't had any major rattling dramas. VW's of late on the other hand are known to come with the annoying rattles as a an added bonus of new car purchase.

I guess every car will have its pro's and cons and at times can also be a pick of the draw thing. Some owners may have a perfectly running car whereas others may have issue and after issue from day one (I've heard of cases from VW especially with their DSG gearbox).

[new2ford]

Yes, I must say I'm disappointed by the Australian pricing of Skodas where the "bargain" gap seems to have closed, which leaves quality as the decider.

I think buying a Superb at the moment would be a good thing to do because VW has been rattled by its success knocking off the Passat and there is a danger of the Superb being dumbed down so it doesn't show the Passat in such a bad light. But then again they'd be stupid to do that - what makes a profit for VAG as a whole should be allowed to do so and Skoda is contributing much to group profits. Superbs and Octavias are becoming very popular with taxi fleets in Europe which is a strong sign of their quality and reliability.

I wouldn't worry about badge snobbery. Skoda is a much older brand than VW with a distinguished history. Anyway the VW Beetle was only a stolen Czech design (Tatra), encouraged by Hitler but subject to long post-war legal proceedings with VW finally compensating Tatra in the 1960s. VW is a successful business with several brands on base platforms. Skoda does the best quality job on those platforms, Seat the least and VW and Audi in between.

What people don't appreciate is that the Czechs have a couple of centuries as one of Europe's leading industrial nations with a highly educated and skilled workforce and turn out quality engineers from their universities like chaff. Industrial quality has been their hallmark. Their cars are made by this skilled native workforce, whereas the Germans have relied a lot on an unskilled immigrant workforce. The native Germans themselves have a tradition of quality but the implementation of that quality at all levels has been difficult in recent decades.

[new2ford]

^^
Late afterthought - I've also heard that the suspension tuning for Skodas is more attuned to Australian conditions because many Czech roads (off the motorways) are similar in condition to Australian roads. The Germans on the other hand tend to have perfect roads and tune the cars accordingly. That observation has come up in road tests several times over the years but I can't say whether it's still the case for German cars now.

I work in another transportation field where we are comparing Czech and German products and it is certainly the case that the Czechs are more adept at designing for less-than-perfect conditions and long-term durability. The Germans too like perfection but if the operating environment isn't perfect, well ...!

[Zetec Dave]

I heard that skoda is one of the largest employers in the czech republic. So if that is indeed the case, then the employees must be making sure they are doing a bloody good job of assembling the cars together to keep their long term job prospects and security healthy and worry free. And yes its true that the employees are natives and not imports themselves. Lol.

[new2ford]

Zetec Dave I noticed on that Watercooled forum that Skoda Australian sales have moved into the top 20 for 2011, leaving behind the likes of Renault, Peugeot, Volvo, Land Rover etc. If the brand is becoming so desirable it can only be good for your resales. However the VAG service costs mentioned make me glad I have my Territory! The insurance quote I got for a Superb was also higher than the Territory. However, if the Skodas are trouble-free that should hopefully contain the operating cost aspect, at least compared to other Euros.

[Bossxr8]

I think Skodas biggest problem is their terrible styling. Just look at the new Fabia compared to its cousin the Polo. The Fabia is hiddeous but the Polo looks ok. Its the same across the whole range, the VW's look better.

Especially the grilles, Skodas look terrible. And for some reason VW have a prestige, high quality image, which makes no sense as they are the peoples car, with pretty average quality.

[Krytox]

Love em' now and I'd buy it.

We bought a late 08' Jetta, We were after a diesel with sat nave leather and sunroof, we just couldn't find one.
Ended up with a 2.0lt 147kw Turbo. ... bloody glad we did too, the DSG is an awesome box and the motor is very well refined.

I tell ya now, we were looking at Focus, Mazda's hell Mitsubishi's and even tried on a A3 Audi (ended up too small)

I'm pretty certain I wont be buying an non euro car in the future, these cars have more easter eggs in them than our local cars!

And with Skoda, it'll be on my test list at next purchase.

[calais]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I think Skodas biggest problem is their terrible styling. Just look at the new Fabia compared to its cousin the Polo. The Fabia is hiddeous but the Polo looks ok. Its the same across the whole range, the VW's look better.

Especially the grilles, Skodas look terrible. And for some reason VW have a prestige, high quality image, which makes no sense as they are the peoples car, with pretty average quality.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which I quite like. And in the case of the skoda range, they aren't styled as derivatively as the current VW range. A point of differentiation perhaps?

[Zetec Dave]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I think Skodas biggest problem is their terrible styling. Just look at the new Fabia compared to its cousin the Polo. The Fabia is hiddeous but the Polo looks ok. Its the same across the whole range, the VW's look better.

Especially the grilles, Skodas look terrible. And for some reason VW have a prestige, high quality image, which makes no sense as they are the peoples car, with pretty average quality.

Yeah most would agree that the only iasue is the initial image. I too was like um arr...errr. yellow with a boring front end. But once you get over the looks and apprrciate them for what they are, the looks will eventually grow on you. Well except for that hideous roomster. I would love to get myself a white superb wagon and a yeti.

[In Focus]

I think I might be testing the upcoming Fabia RS, which is the Skoda variation on the Polo GTI, only hopefully without a waiting list...

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I think Skodas biggest problem is their terrible styling. Just look at the new Fabia compared to its cousin the Polo. The Fabia is hiddeous but the Polo looks ok. Its the same across the whole range, the VW's look better.

Especially the grilles, Skodas look terrible. And for some reason VW have a prestige, high quality image, which makes no sense as they are the peoples car, with pretty average quality.

Mate jihad much?

The Fabia Monte Carlo is a cool little car.

[jjw]

^^^ ha LOL

[calais]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Mate jihad much?

The Fabia Monte Carlo is a cool little car.

I'll vouch for the Fabia Monte Carlo personally.

I had one whilst my Octavia was in for service and for what it was, it went really really well. Smooth 5 speed transmission, great suspension and really quite superb handling made for a seriously enjoyable small car experience. All with 5.5L/100km economy when I wasn't sparing the whip!

I wouldn't kick one out of the shed by any means.

[Zetec Dave]

Originally Posted by calais

I'll vouch for the Fabia Monte Carlo personally.

I had one whilst my Octavia was in for service and for what it was, it went really really well. Smooth 5 speed transmission, great suspension and really quite superb handling made for a seriously enjoyable small car experience. All with 5.5L/100km economy when I wasn't sparing the whip!

I wouldn't kick one out of the shed by any means.

Hmm...maybe I should pop by the dealer and test drive one. Never know...might end up getting another Skoda earlier than expected

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I think Skodas biggest problem is their terrible styling.

If styling is an issue in the marketplace 2/3 of the current offerings wouldn't sell! There are some hideous cars out there, I don't think most people care. I'm sure I've seen a near-replica of Skoda's grille on a couple of Toyotas and Holdens.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Mate jihad much?

The Fabia Monte Carlo is a cool little car.

Can you seriously say with a straight face the Fabia is a good looking car.

[new2ford]

^^^
What's wrong with it?

Maybe you're applying your personal aesthetic judgement Bossxr8. Here's a couple of hideous looking cars in my view but no doubt others would think they're objects of beauty!

http://audia7.info/wp-content/upload...12/audi-a7.jpg
http://www.privatefleet.com.au/image...yota-prado.jpg

There are more important criteria for buying a car than looks.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

image

Can you seriously say with a straight face the Fabia is a good looking car.

Its a cheerful looking car!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

image

Can you seriously say with a straight face the Fabia is a good looking car.

Its a very nuteral looking car IMO...but you did pick a base looking version, I could pull up a pic of the XT.



Thats a bit better no?

[Bossxr8]

That actually looks worse. Whats with the black roof and grille.

It looks like a noddy car.

[calais]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

That actually looks worse. Whats with the black roof and grille.

It looks like a noddy car.

If you don't like it, fair enough. But i'm a fan regardless.

I think enough has been said about the looks of the Skoda Fabia.

Back on topic perhaps?

[blueoval]

I like the thought of these cars sharing VW componentry. But that grille is something that I would have to get used to. Reminds me a little of the AU series 1 forte grille when it first came out. Harsh it may seem but that to me is something I would want to change if I bought one.

[Zetec Dave]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I like the thought of these cars sharing VW componentry. But that grille is something that I would have to get used to. Reminds me a little of the AU series 1 forte grille when it first came out. Harsh it may seem but that to me is something I would want to change if I bought one.

LOL...hence I've changed both my upper and lower grills to the honeycomb ones to give it a more sporting look that it deserves. Oh and also for some more individuality.

FYI, I wouldn't mind the Fabia RS cause prior to the Octavia RS, I had the previous gen Polo Gti and after some mods, it was the best handling and enjoyable car I've ever had. Not to mention fast too (and that was coming down from an E46 BMW 325Ci M-sport with individual package).

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by calais

If you don't like it, fair enough. But i'm a fan regardless.

I think enough has been said about the looks of the Skoda Fabia.

Back on topic perhaps?

Each to their own I guess, one mans (euro) trash is another mans treasure.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

image

Can you seriously say with a straight face the Fabia is a good looking car.

Some people like quirky looking cars.
French brands sell, personally they look horrid to me.