:lol:

Perhaps it's just the pessimist in me, I came within a hairs width of buying a Jetta last year (when I had been looking at Octys) but the dealer bluntly stated he simply wasn't interested in it and would only give me £450 so I walked away and saved the cash instead!

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I don't know what it is about the Volkswagen marque itself, but everything about it to me screams middle class. Such being, I am completely and utterly averse to the brand. I find them boring, I find them characterless, clinical almost, and this lack of character has indefinitely somewhat rubbed off in other VAG marques (Skoda included).

Also, the stigma surrounding VWs in that everything about them being bulletproof and reliable is somewhat unfounded in my opinion.

Point being, shy away from the VW dealers and see what your local Skoda think about a P/X. I found everyone at my local delership to be pleasant, helpful and accomodating

- and not just because they want my money, I can spot that kind of a mile away.

Also, the Jetta is, in my personal opinion, THE most boring car ever produced along with the VW fox and the Bora. Utterly, utterly dreary, hopeless, drab, uninspiring drivel. I genuinely cannot name a more boring car.

So I'm guessing you're not a Jetta fan? ;-)

This wasn't a VW dealer to be fair, was a dealer off Manchester road in Warrington next to the main Citroen dealer.

I'll have to pop in to Lightcliffe's again and see if I can strike up a serious convo with a sales rep .

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Also, it should be noted: I currently drive what is in essence a mk1 Fabia classic but with a nicer steering wheel and gear lever, so nearly all cars produced within the past 5 years represent a step up in interior 'niceness' to me!

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So I'm guessing you're not a Jetta fan? ;-)

This wasn't a VW dealer to be fair, was a dealer off Manchester road in Warrington next to the main Citroen dealer.

Fair enough mate, haha. No, my uncle had one for about hmm... two years and he may contend for the title of the most sensible man on the planet, and until very recently he owned his own garage, so I suppose that must be something.... but no, I bloody hated it, it made want to hang myself every time it was in eyeshot, let alone every time I sat in it... erm... each to their own though, haha

My mum also has an 03 classic Fabia and before she bought it, I had intended on the Fabia (in Elegance 1.9TDi PD guise) being my next car after the Felicia. In fairness, it's a mechanically 'good' car all round, it's the 1.4MPI, but I was ultimately put off it. It's what you might call utilitarian, which is fine and in it's own way has it's charms. But, the seats are like slabs of rock and it's just a little on the spartan side. Still, I respect it for what it is in relation to to it's cost from new.

EDIT: Basically, I really want you to get a Rapid

Yeah mine's the MPI too, it's a solid engine once you accept the fact you're not accelerating particularly quickly, and barely at all of you're going up an incline!

Friend of mine gave it's performance the verdict of: It makes the right noises when you floor it, but doesn't in any way push you back in the seat..... Bless it for trying.

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Edited 17 April, 201313 yr by Thecko

Had some nice compliments about the car in the last day. I think it looks more expensive than I paid for it in white with the big wheels. One was from a Mercedes C-Class driver and the other from someone who asked if "that was my Skoda" and it looked "really nice" and it "certainly turned my head"

I did a 90 mile mixed run yesterday comprising single carriageway roads at 40-60 and dual carriageway, erm, faster (wasn't trying for economy) and got 49mpg.

A few cool things I've found on my Rapid which I think I haven't mentioned before:

- The MDI pauses the ipod when you turn off the stereo or you go into reverse and the car mutes the stereo

- The washer nozzle for the rear window is incorporated into the pivot for the wiper so it sprays the washer fluid in an ark across the screen instead of just a line down the middle (also means less clutter on the bodywork!)

- The welding on the roof panel is really nice!

Did the mercedes owner own a Rapid look-alike?! :p

I do think yours looks very smart, the 17's look just right on the car and complement the style really well. Like I said to you the other day it looks like its on factory sports suspension even as standard. I'm very impressed!

Did the mercedes owner own a Rapid look-alike?! :p

I do think yours looks very smart, the 17's look just right on the car and complement the style really well. Like I said to you the other day it looks like its on factory sports suspension even as standard. I'm very impressed!

Yes, it was a 'Mercedes Rapid' but theirs was black!

Nowt wrong with black rapids ;-)

Nobody's had anything negative to say about mine so far but that may well just be social politeness :-)

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Blimey. In light of that, I genuinely do think a lot of people who say they don't like the look of the rapid are doing so out of pig headedness having decided before launch they wouldn't like it. (Especially those who do like the mk3 Octy at the same time!)

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Looks a bit like the new 3 series too. Guy this evening asked if I could move my BMW along a bit

Told him yep but it's a Skoda - pointed to wording on the boot (soon to be removed)

- The MDI pauses the ipod when you turn off the stereo or you go into reverse and the car mutes the stereo

Mine doesn't do do that when I go in to reverse. Is yours the Amunsden satnav? maybe a feature of that? I'm on the standard Swing stereo unit.

Yeah, I have the Amundsen.

Hmmm.

I've bought a brodit clip (and mount for my tomtom) to fit in mine ... but considering you can buy the Amundsen units on eBay used for between £200-£300 it's almost tempting to upgrade. I just don't fancy the idea of removing that piece of trim around the radio to remove and re-fit, I have a terrible track record when it comes to trim bits snapping on me when I try to unclip them :(

Going to a local `VIP Event` this afternoon to have a play with a new Rapid :sun: promises of large discounts etc..but going armed with a screenshot of the Drivethedeal price in case required!!

 

I was out last night for the first time in a Rapid, the ride was terrible, if we had ran over a mouse we would have known which sex it was. It had the same wheels as the car in the picture above with low profile tyres, I'm looking forward to trying one without the low profile tyres to see if the ride is better, if not I won't be investing in one

Regards all

Juan

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Edited 3 August, 201312 yr by Its me

Really?

I was out last night for the first time in a Rapid, the ride was terrible, if we had ran over a mouse we would have known which sex it was. It had the same wheels as the car in the picture above with low profile tyres, I'm looking forward to trying one without the low profile tyres to see if the ride is better, if not I won't be investing in one

Regards all

Juan

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Really? The one I tested last week was also on the 17" wheels and I though it was good.

Yes, it was dire. My friends got it over the weekend, like me has an Octavia, he said I'd be interested in what you think of this.

After a few miles on local roads I passed my verdict, he agreed 100%

Shocking ride

Doors don't close with a "thunk" like the Octavia, they close with a "tinny" noise

Some of the interior plastic doesn't feel solid, definitely lower rent than the Octavia.

Felt like a car engineered to a budget

Disappointing

Regards all

Juan

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I agree with Juan, although the 17s look very smart they sadly don't yield the ride quality or refinement level you'd expect. As I always like to note my experience is based on the supplied Dunlop tyres which I expect are a contributing factor. Whatever I compare it to be it the Audi or my friend's 12 year old Fabia the Rapid isn't up to scratch in this department. It jolts over even the most minor imperfections and unless on an ultra smooth road surface there is always an irritating humming sound at all speeds which becomes incredibly tiresome on all but the shortest journeys. 

 

Having said that I guess it comes down to perceptions/ expectations and what you're used to. Nice pictures anyway RapidRonnie 

The ride is for sure firm, but I don't find either that or the road noise that bad. Probably better than my Roomster which was on 16s.

 

Certainly don't agree with the "tinny doors" comment.

Have to agree with J400uk re road noise.

I'd love to jump from a Fabia into a Rapid, my memory tells me that the Fabia is a far more composed car in nearly every aspect

Regards all

Juan

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Fabia more composed?

Not sure about that - ride is better than my previous fabia vrs.

A quick passenger ride can't make your mind up. Sure it's firm but rides well.

Doors shut nice, no issue with sound quality - met a member today and he had a new Jetta, cars are pretty much identical and no quality issues between the two noticeable.

Had mine for 3-4 months and very happy with it.

Did I read somewhere that the suspension set up was being revised for 2014 model year? Maybe this relates to the new Spaceback only?