Silly Old Hector

Wouldn't be without them, but our kids still manage to get all other surfaces covered in dirt/chocolate/hair/pen

Our previous Passat Estates were nice to drive, had bags of space and did almost everything we wanted them to do (1x 2001 2.0T petrol, 1x 2008 2.0PD TDi). The first suffered brake problems, the second was fine, but smoked a lot. A new 2011 one was going to be another ~£7k on top of the Yeti and the styling looked a bit "dull". The Yeti ride/handling really surprised me, the 170 engine felt great after the PD 140 in the Passat and the 4x4 was going to be a useful addition. I has just to convince myself the interior space was OK and I could overcome my residual prejudice of the badge. Much research (Autocar/What Car/Evo/Briskoda) convinced me (thanks guys!) and the Top Gear segment put the icing on the cake (aired after I had ordered ). I now think this is the best combo car I have driven (ride/handling/grip/off-road capability/all-weather suitability/design). I am slowly convincing friends/neighbours of the same. The biggest issue will be limiting the mileage :p

It's a stunning all-rounder, as I found out this weekend - too many things to list here (new post coming soon).

Another interested potential owner popped over for a look whilst I was filling up tonight - thumbs up from me got him interested.

When you say "under the glovebox", do you mean you can replace it from inside the car near the glovebox or look for it from under the bonnet on that side ?

You will have fun in the 170 Elegance

Silver rails and black rails as well We have seats, he has bike carrier inside Has has 1.2 TSi, we have 170CR The list goes on.....

That's oor car (Candy) next to Abominable's (my B-i-L) - it was 2pm and the curtains were still shut (only joking...). It was all because of him & I going on a test drive that we've both got Yeti's - we were a bit slower on the uptake .

Wow - nice green ! Build your own palette - take note Skoda

Tell the Audi drivers they are all just a bunch of sheep - buying a yeti makes financial and technological sense

That's cool - can you also Photshop it in HiViz Yellow for me ? Anyway - white is great, but I do like comparing it to others and muscavado is my current "best alternative" (I like metallics !),

Great first month in "Candy", our much delayed/anticipated 170 4x4 Elegance. After a simple handover from the dealer (we had loan Roomster/Octavias for a couple of months before hand, so knew what to expect), with flaps and mats fitted, plus sill covers/boot liner provided, the car's early life was spent being drenched in the soggy Scottish summer. I eventually got to drive her in a muddy field ("press the Off Road Button, daddy - go on !"), before getting down to giving her the full wash and Autoglym internal/external treatment (and fit the sill covers) at the next dry opportunity (needing a step to reach the roof ). Bought a new Thule roof/bike rack combo, which is fiddly to fit, but should provide good service (it whistles a little, despite being the aero bars). I spent the first few days wondering how we'd cope with the (very) limited boot space, as I had opted for the spare wheel. The moment of truth arrived a couple of weeks later when we packed for a 10 day UK break. Everything (4 cases plus many extras) was squeezed in, using the rear seat adjustment to make up for lost volume. Surprised and relieved. We're just back from the Cotswolds, driving down from Aberdeen, returning via Edinburgh. What can I say but "Great !" The engine was a bit 'tight' on the M74/M6/M5 on the way down (what else should I have expected with only 300 miles on the clock), with fuel consumption (mid 30s) & range (400) a bit disapppointing compared to the 3y.o. Passat it replaced - then I (stupidly) realised it has a smaller tank, due to the 4WD diff, the engine is still pretty new and the car is taller/shorter - aerodynamics not so good. The 10 days away has confirmed what I had hoped - the car is super-comfy, has a great driving position, is grippy (with only a little body roll), is also quiet and has plenty of torque for all roads - I found the car to be perfect for the A/B roads and single track roads near where we stayed in Stow on the Wold. Electric mirrors came in handy for parking outside the cottage we stayed in - a very narrow lane, with tractors passing regularly. We got her dirty with Cotswold mud on several occasions, making her look the part (amongst all the Cotswolds RRs). We met another friendly Briskoda candy white Yeti member from Milton Keynes in Stow, when we parked right next to each other (purely by chance you know....). We seemed to have the same enthusiasm for the car ! On the return trip, the rain was heavy until Preston and returned with a vengeance in the Borders (no surprise there), driving from Moffat through Peebles on the A701/B712 in torrential rain behind a Belgian RR Sport, ploughing its way through the rivers on the road. We were more than a match for the RRS . So, Candy has now done over 1500 miles and the engine has loosened up significantly and the economy has improved (low 40s on the M'way with my right foot). She is pretty manky, with the detritus of a family holiday yet to be removed (new car smell almost competely gone ). Very happy .

Nice - another Candy White member Hope you're looking forward to constantly washing

James - you're a star - found the button position (it's at the 8o'clock position - not easy to see on the door panel from the driver's seat) - another new toy to play with Yes - no badge change for MY12

Our week old Yeti is MY12 (apparently) - how do I tell if I have folding mirrors ?

Johann - just to check - are the 215/60-16s a recommended replacement fit for the 225/50-17s on the Elegance (i.e. from insurance pt of view) ? How much do they change the speedo ? MyTyres deal on 215s is pretty good now - just about to press the button ! p.s. your new rims/tyres look mighty

After picking the car up on a very wet Saturday last week, I have been away on business in Italy most of the week. Despite this, I have still had time to get to know the car a bit. The week so far: - Bought new Thule Aero roofrack & 4x bike carriers (not yet fitted - a job for this afternoon) - Car jet washed at garage to get rid of birdy crap - still shows up on white - Tried Off-Road button in wet field when picking up eldest daughter from her first guide camp - big challenge that Yeti just managed to meet - Took SWMBO away for our wedding anniversary - parking "Candy" (newly christened by SWMBO) outside posh country house hotel - looked part of the furniture - 50mpg on the way home - First full wash/polish/wax of Candy, with help from my dad, in 2hrs - looks . Needed to use step to wax the roof . Leather seats protected with Autoglym (nice smell) - forgot to buff out the excess, so complaints from passengers :p - Fitted rubber boot liner (an odd fit with spare wheel floor) and black sill covers - nice - Got to know the MFD menu options and paired both our phones and managed to use BT-Audio for the first time - Everyone we've met giving great feedback on the look of the car and big thumbs up from all the kids that we've taxi'd round this week. - Very comfy to drive - suspension, brakes, hill-hold make it all fun - ignoring gear-change light until run in (changing up at 1500rpm ) - Hasn't stopped raining all week - car gets dirty quickly (just like black ). Great first 7 days ! Here's to many more.

My kids loved the Roomster - it's got a much bigger boot (as I've now found out :S ).

Just added ours. Not sure I can get the photo link part to work - not important, but want to know if I'm going mad or not

Back on topic Keys now in hand, financials done, signed everything that needed to be signed and have been driving round town in the pouring rain since 11 this morning First impressions (forgive me, it's been six months since I took a test drive ) - very smooth, good torque, brakes, suspension and visibility. But - where has all the boot space gone . New roof rack ordered - gone for the separate Thule one, to allow future transfer. Bootliner and door sills to be fitted later. Mrs Hector loves the car, especially the colour (after the dealer PDI clean-up) and I now have to admit it really stands out in the dull day we are having. We are already fighting over who is driving it this afternoon :p Thanks for all the kind comments about my patience - definitely worth it.

I went for black : Black and White makes the licence cheaper

Luverly and shinee I'm beginning to spot some rather "close for comfort" reg numbers in this new DVLA system

Thanks - that'll have been 187 days from official order (190 from me saying yes). No white protective film on the car, but it may have been removed in the process of adding the number plates (maybe it's still on ). Looking through the drivers door there does seem to be a sign of heated seats on the paperwork and the read badge is a red TDI. It's got that stupid gap between rear seats and parcel shelf

He He - hot off the transporter, but not yet PDI'd...... (excuse crappy BlackBerry photo quality) Wait till it gets cleaned and waxed

Our Yeti has arrived and I was due to pick it up on Saturday morning. Spotted it as I drove past the dealer's forecourt Still to be taxed, PDI'd and payed for, but so far it is i) the right colour, ii) looking like the right spec and iii) looking good (although the white is a bit of an eye-opener - SWMBO's choice) Thanks to Skoda for free 7 day insurance, it should be taxed tomorrow Can't wait till Saturday :p