Expatman

Exactly, you are looking for the best balance between price and condition. Don't overstretch yourselves but if it's within your budget don't be too worried about paying a bit over book to get a Yeti in good condition with a known service history. How frequently have the current owners had it serviced?

When cars get to that age (8 years) condition is highly relevant to price. A Yeti in good condition with service history and record of belt change will command a higher price than a typical vehicle with more signs of life and spotted service details. My guess is you're looking for something a bit better than 'average'?

You are probably better off with the older CR diesel engine than a more "modern" engine encumbered with expensive and complex emissions equipment. The older CR engines are renowned for their longevity and reliability. And be happy you don't have a sunroof!

Okay then Yaris Cross could be a contender as well as Puma, it will depend on cabin sizes because that’s where most of the obvious competitors fall down in comparison to the Yeti. Look forward to seeing one in the flesh - and, yes, Kia Niro is another contender and spoken highly of by owners, the PHEV version looks very interesting if your daily mileage is less than about 30 miles because then you would max the use of the electric power plant.

There was/is a product Carl Gummi Pleg ( or something like that) which I used on a previous car with squeaky dash. One application cured it. Also excellent for rubber door seals.

Very pleased for you. The original Yeti was clearly not right and you would have been forever questioning your decision if you'd bought it. You say you have saved some money so if you can afford it I suggest you plan for a full service including a brake fluid change and Aircon service. Then you'll know everything is in good condition and ready for happy motoring. Incidentally what spec model is it?

I suppose technically 3 cylinders at 120° spacing should be well balanced, and better than a 4 cylinder engine. How do the cylinders fire though?

Why don't you like 3 cylinder engines? Modern 3 cylinder s are smooth and responsive while providing improved MPG.

Got to agree with Ken & Robjon. Also Robjon raises a very good point, how many miles will you do a year? If few then maybe a petrol 1.2 would be preferable. On the other hand, however, the CR 2013 diesel is free of much of the emission gubbins and doesn't have a DPF filter so is much less troublesome and more reliable than modern day diesels. Essentially Ponygirl has seen and driven the car, we haven't, so if she likes the Yeti and the dealer answers her questions satisfactorily then she shouldn't get too hooked up on maybe's.

You are quite right in your review of the Duster. I have been to look at one and while it has many attributes it just feels cheap and, well, a bit yesterday. As regards safety ratings I'm not sure where a Yeti would fall today BUT in 2020 why would I buy a vehicle with a 3 star rating? I wouldn't no matter who or what the vehicle was, like I wouldn't have looked at the Yeti in 2012 if it only had 3 stars. Okay I bought a new Yeti in 2017 without a "new" safety check but it was 5 star originally and I had 5 years experience of it - and couldn't find anything comparable to replace it with! On a like for like basis the VW T-Cross is the closest replacement if only VW would have offered it with a better cabin and options. Ford Puma anyone?

Vitara is an option and has many attributes and attractions, however, it is a bit ‘tinny’ - door shuts with a clank not a thud and the interior is well laden with hard plastics, but then so are the T-Cross T-Roc and too many other small competitors. Kamiq probably has best quality interior (bar the Audi Q2) but seating height is not much higher than any hatchback. To be honest we Yeti owners are probably looking for something that doesn’t exist, that’s why we will keep our Yeti’s until they are middle aged then settle on the least worst option! The reasoning I don’t understand is why VW have down graded the cabins of their new crossovers and eliminated many goodies even from the options - you can’t get a T-Cross with electric or leather seats, heated windscreen or soft touch dash or door cappings - they are not even on the options list. Why? I suspect VAG are trying to recoup some of the horrendous losses from the “cheating” fiasco by down speccing their cars while still charging premium rates, but then why not offer the extras at a premium and recoup the money that way. As I’ve said before Skoda cars are now more premium finished than VW at a lower price. Perhaps there is some wisdom in VAG’s policies but it escapes me.

Well you kept quiet about the broken A/C! What was wrong and how did they fix it? Anything else broken? Cam belt water pump change is every 5 years, so should have been changed in 2018. Get proof otherwise you are on borrowed time and if it breaks the car is a right off. How many miles has this Yeti done?

Yes but Sad55 was talking about the Suzuki Swift and not the Vitara.

Play hard ball - sales are hard to come by at the moment and Coronavirus is a sword over their heads! At least get a second key from them - check with Skoda first to find out how much they charge for a lost key, a quick call to a parts department should give you a close estimate, so you know what you are in for if they won’t move and you still want the car. Add the cost of the new key to the price for the car and see if it still feels like a good buy. if so then you know what you’re in for. I strongly recommend you get a second key anyway.

Because both cars in standard format have a miserable 3 star Euro safety rating. Also neither have particularly good reviews for refinement or comfort. Price is not a dominant factor for many of us looking for a replacement for our Yeti's.

You have to decide if it’s a deal breaker - but as JR says if you lose the one key you are in real trouble and expense. However, they are unlikely to go to the expense of the official Skoda route so its a case of whether you think that Yeti is worth the potential problems or look for another. There are always more fish in the sea!

Don't think so, but everything you describe points to a trapped stone. Symptoms exactly like those I experienced, worse at low speeds and when turning. Manoevering into a parking space was awful. Get it to your dealer or local garage before you worry yourself away!!

Usual things - service history, wheels & tyres, bodywork condition (get in light and look along each side for irregularities + magnet check), interior condition - that can tell you a lot about how it's been used, and general feeling of "rightness" when driving! It's 7 years old so has been used and won't be perfect but your gut feeling is important. Will dealer offer any warranty?

Unless you're very unlucky there will just be a labour charge to remove the stone, assuming it's a stone! It cost me about £50 I think. Again assuming it's a stone then driving a bit shouldn't be a problem. I drove back from Cornwall to North Yorkshire with the squeal and didn't do any damage - apart from my nerves!

I got a stone caught in front brake - horrendous noise like the drive shaft was falling apart. Came and went specially at low speeds and on lock. Dealer had to strip brake to get it out, a tiny piece of flint.

No harm in trying but might be worth lubricating the channels to see if it is excess friction activating the finger saver. Try a quick spray of silicone lubricant.

Looks like the official Skoda spare, I would still call a few dealers though. Try Rainworth Skoda, often do good deals.

I assume you have tried the general reset procedure of closing each window in turn then holding the up button for approx 5 seconds after the window has closed? Seems to cure most problems but yours might be more complex.

Bearing in mind all the potential problems highlighted in this thread perhaps you should call around a few Skoda dealers parts departments and get them to quote you for the whole kit including foam fitments etc.

If it is as advertised then yes it should fit. It is described as "used" and that would worry me more.