I came across Briskoda, via google, the other day and as I found many of the postings helpful I thought it a good idea to join.
My Skoda ownership started in 2008 with a new entry level 60PS Fabia 1.2 - A wonderful introduction to Skoda with a car that never missed a beat. Although low on power it could still happily cruise on the French and Italian Motorways at 130 kmh; I mention this as it served me well on two 1500 mile round trips to Switzerland and one 2500 mile European trip to Italy, via France and Switzerland and returning via Austria, Germany and France. These fully loaded, high speed trips still saw an Ave fuel return of 38 to 40 MPG.
In 2010 I bought a new 105PS Fabia 1.2 Tsi DSG Estate in Elegance trim – the difference in performance between this 1.2 and my last was incredible – I would defy anyone to drive this car, without knowing its engine capacity/power output, and think it anything less than a car of much greater engine size and strength. The 7 speed DSG gearbox gets a 9/10 score; although smooth and very cleaver in its operation it has one annoying flaw in its inability to quickly self select a gear at low speed after gliding towards a hazard such as a roundabout – this results in a power dead spot of about a second that can be a little disconcerting if you are dashing for a gap on the approach to a roundabout. Overall though the ownership experience has been great and it has twice carried our family of five (and all the associated luggage) on three 2000 mile European driving holidays to Italy and back and returned an impressive average of 44 MPG.
Having ordered my 3rd Skoda last week I shall be exchanging my current Fabia for a Octavia 170PS Tdi DSG Vrs Blackline Estate in about 4 weeks – looking forward to its arrival.
