Hello

Obvioulsy a rather silly question for a Skoda forum as the answer will be Yes yes Yes!

Especially as I have put a holding deposit (subject to seeing it on a second hand one). I haven't actually driven one yet and just wonder what people feel the difference between the Leon Sport/FR Golf GTi and the VRS are. Obvioulsy the Vrs is better value and looks great in blue (IMO) but I'm wondering about the "drive" I read that it's a bit softer than the Leon and Golf but as someone who isn't a boy racer that would appeal. I had a Fabia Vrs and loved the ride. It was sporty but not rock hard.

Also the car I've seen had 18" alloys and Xenons. Any views on the 18" as compared with the 17" and the Xenons as compared with the usual lights

Thanks

18's should firm up the ride a little but not overly. Make the car look that little bit better.

Although I have the upgrade pack, the 18's were missing, just have 17's which was the right thing for me, wife and 2 kids and not an overly enthusiastic driver!

Remember though that 18's will cost about £30 more per corner to replace and less choice, 225/45/17 is a VERY popular size of tyre so forces prices to be competitive.

Steve

If you can get your hands on a copy of Performance Car magasine from last month they did a pretty good write up on the VRs, GTI and Leon Cupra (albeit the full fat 230+bhp one).

Thanks for the info.

Sorry Another question!

What's the radio like. I've heard the sound isn't great.

I think the radio is pretty good (stream mp3), I've heard people says it's not that good but it sounds fine to me.

Xenon's are fantastic, but I think the standard headlights are supposed to be pretty good.

And race blue is the fastest colour!

I chose a vRS petrol over a Golf GTI (Seats aren't available in Oz these days). vRS was more relaxing to drive, had a better ride (even though the vRS had 18" wheels), also more kit. If you are more of a rev head (sorry, "spirited driver") the GTI may suit you better. Performance is pretty much the same, but the GTI is engineered to feel and sound slightly quicker.

I quite like my factory Xenons, but wish they were high and low beam, not just low beam only.

Make sure you take it for a decent test drive before finally committing to buy.

The three cars on your list are all good but each can be briefly summarised thus:

Seat Leon - For: Great sporting drive Against: Poor interior & low speed ride

VW Golf - For: High quality feel/image Against: Small boot & Expensive

Skoda vRS - For: Space/Pace & Practicality Against: Questionable styling & poor residuals

Imo the vRS is a terrific compromise if you have a family. It gives the best alround package of practicailty & performance wheras the Golf and Leon make more sense for those without the drudgery of kids!

Finally, don't let the 18"/17" alloy debate influence any decision, imo the ride on 18's is just as compliant as it is on 17's.

The stereo in mine sounds good. Had a mk1 vrs before and loathed listening to the system without a sub. Tbh I have sold the sub now, i don't know if I got lucky somehow, but the bass etc in my mk2 vrs is there almost as much as with the sub. Was suprised.

YES!!!

Happy to help

Thanks for the info.

Sorry Another question!

What's the radio like. I've heard the sound isn't great.

I thought mine was crap but it just needed a bit of time spent tweaking the eq.

It mostly needed the midrange turned up.

The radio isn't as good as an after market ICE but it's still good.

My main grip with the VRS is a lack of steering wheel controls for the radio. It just seems a bizarre thing to miss out these days.

Audi have just revealed a all new 2.0TSI engine with 209ps and a 258lbs/ft. To cap it all is emits just 154g/km CO2. I wonder how long before it appears in the vRS...??

I'm moving from the old shape Leon Cupra to the Octy vrS in the not too distant future (if I can find one second hand with the spec I'm after!).

Having 2 kiddies now means that the space is needed, and the vrs has just the right amount of oomph that I'm after. Had a test drive a couple of weeks ago and it's definitely the right car for me...

Cheers,

Balham

Why not buy my vRS TFSI for £10995??? Its a steal! :P

imho, the only point I disagree with is that the vw golf has poor quality feel, not good.

My mk2 tfsi now has settled into its REVO stage 1 which perks up the performance and mpg handily!

Punting around for v power in West Sussex the other night, needing to fill up, clocked 34 mpg with spirited driving, the car as standard wouldnt bother much above 26 mpg normally!

The mk 2 is a far more mature drive, benefitting from good development attention. The stereo is a stereo, it plays music and can be used to drown out the kids in the back at the end of the day. If I want to listen to excellent reception and sound, I go to a concert!

Seat Leon - For: Great sporting drive Against: Poor interior & low speed ride

VW Golf - For: High quality feel/image Against: Small boot & Expensive

Skoda vRS - For: Space/Pace & Practicality Against: Questionable styling & poor residuals

Pretty good summing up there although the residuals aren't too bad

Pretty good summing up there although the residuals aren't too bad

Don't say that if Tom is in ear shot.

I think the vRS looks very nice in comparison to other cars that go for a 'sporty'.

The styling issue is fairly subjective as some people say the 'look' of the MG variants of the Rover 25, 45 and 75 (ZR, ZS, ZT) is too OTT. In my opinion (since I am on my second MG - not biased in any way:P) the MG 'Z' series and the Skoda Octavia vRS all look fantastic.

Residuals are shocking. GTI has been out longer than the vRS, yet bet you won't find any TFSI GTIs for £10k :thumbdwn:

Residuals are shocking. GTI has been out longer than the vRS, yet bet you won't find any TFSI GTIs for £10k :thumbdwn:

Ahh but if you add in the 3k premium from new then I'm pretty sure £13k buys you a Golf

Edition 30 would be nice. If you can get one...

Residuals are shocking. GTI has been out longer than the vRS, yet bet you won't find any TFSI GTIs for £10k :thumbdwn:

Ive never understood this view.

Ok, the VRS is a few percentage points behind the Golf in terms of retained value after three years. But surely the fact that it cost a few K less to begin with offsets this loss? (pretty much what Stu says above).

Then there is the fact (well, from my experience) that Skoda dealers seem to be more willing to haggle money off the rrp also.

Lee

No, you do both make valid points. I personally think that the vRS has good residuals, even Mk1 vRS Octys still make excellent money imho.

I guess I'm just frustrated that my car hasn't sold - and instead of being patient I've knocked the price lower and lower to get interest, still without sucess :( Guess its the current climate rather than the residuals of the car.

I guess I'm just frustrated that my car hasn't sold - and instead of being patient I've knocked the price lower and lower to get interest, still without sucess :( Guess its the current climate rather than the residuals of the car.

Tom, I think you have hit the nail on the head. All this talk of doom and gloom and the credit crunch looming is probably making people think twice about spending on nice cars - I have a couple of mates who have very well looked after cars that they just cant shift. :(

Continued good luck with your sale though.

Lee

Yep it it is for sure the current market causing the problems and I don't see it getting any better in the short term.

Obviously a poor market does dictate the residuals but that is going to hit almost all marques not just Skoda.

...........some marques do get hit more than others though and from what I've seen the Octavia has certainly taken a bashing recently on the residual front.

Stu you'll remember from last year how much we px'd our cars for, you won't get anywhere near that same level now! :(