Hi guys and gals, I’ve been a member on here for a few years but as you’ll see from my post count I’ve very rarely posted, but I feel it’s time I tell you all why I’ve fallen in love with my VRS.

In late 2005 I achieved 2 of my life’s goals, 1 of owning my child hood dream car and secondly getting a full magazine feature. The car in question was, after watching them compete in the world rally scene the mighty escort Cosworth. Having taken the car as far as I could power and looks wise I managed to get my 6 page feature with ‘performance ford’ and I was happy as could be. But and there’s always a 'but' where did I go from there?? As per most feature cars I didn’t drive it very often, I couldn’t leave it anywhere for fear of it being stolen/vandalised etc so I decided to sell it whilst it was in the spot light so to speak. So within a week or so it was with a new owner which left me with a huge problem, what do I buy to replace it?? I’d decided I wasn’t going to spend all of the just shy of 20k I’d got for the Escort on a new car. So early one Sunday morning waiting for my lift to play golf to arrive I quickly flicked through eBay and found a very shiny looking mk1 Octavia vRS for sale in Sheffield. Just shy of 3 years old he car had covered 106k as an ex fleet car it came with a full dealer history. Not only that but 3 month prior it had £3000 spent on it with the main dealer on new tyres/brakes/clutch/suspension and exhaust as the driver intended on buying it at the end of its lease.

On top of the standard hi spec it also had full tinted/armoured glass, cat 1 alarm and superchip from new. The auction had about 2 hrs to run as was at £4450 with no reserve. I slipped a bid of £5001 on it thinking I’d never get it but if I did what a bargain it would be.

Anyway half round my round her in doors at the time calls me to ask “why did I want a Skoda?” I’d won the car at £4850, result!!! I picked the car up and really liked it. It was smooth, comfortable and pleasantly quick. I kept the car for 6 months until I split with her in doors and decided I need a ego boost so went and bought a M3 but I really didn’t want to get rid of the vRS so I did my sister a deal and she had it with a stipulation that I got first dib’s on it if she wanted rid.

Anyway about 3 months ago sis pipe’s up saying she wants a smaller car and did I want the vRS, I asked her to hold fire as I did but let me sell a few cars I had. Well through a few deals I managed to find her a 03 plated Clio and built her a sport rep as she wanted summit sporty looking like the vRS.

Having had the vRS back a few weeks I decided to plan a trip to Evian on Lake Geneva to visit my dad and step mum as he was working there for a few months as they actually live in Al Ain 60k from Dubai so I don’t get to see them often. Whilst I was there I thought it would make sense to pay a visit to Zug in Switzerland to visit my cousin. So the trip was planned and scheduled from the 10th June till the 18th.

During the trip the vRS was subjected to hours upon hours of 130kph cruising to 20kph mountain roads up steep inclines and down winding twisting roads. Altitudes of up to 6500 feet and torrential down pours. To my amazement I filled the car up in Evian and then drove to just shy of Calais on 1 tank!!!! Averaging nearly 44mpg @ 130kph. In the 7 days we covered 1951miles (3139.830 km) in a week and she never missed a beat.

She’s just passed the 132k and I plan to journey to the Nurberg in august and possibly Italy early next year so fingers crossed we’ll be doing many more happy miles together.

All I can say is from yester year when Skoda where the laughing stock (and believe me I know as my gramp had the Skoda dealership in Swindon) to present day they’ve come a long way and I’m proud to be seen driving the Vrs.

Here’s a few pictures from the journey, enjoy!!

Some nice pics there mate and car's looking good

Could do with a clean tho :P

Carl:thumbup:

Off to be valeted next week

Nice story. I agree the Mk1 vRS is a cracking car. It's an excellent all rounder and is as happy blasting up and down mountains as it is on the motorway. If only I did less miles I would have another without a doubt.

Well if it's not me ol' mate Fur!:P

Good post that fella & some nice pics.

...now get the thing cleaned!

Great post , and some cracking pictures to go with it!!

"......I filled the car up in Evian."

Ha ha, I read this as: "I filled the car up WITH Evian"

Some good photo's there mate. Did you do the trip alone? If so, plenty of time just you and some music. My favourite!

Excellent account mate! Takes me back to my 51 plate black vRS which I loved. It was sold in 2007 after 4 years ownership, and since then I've had 5 cars, not one of them has lasted as long as the Octy, yet!

yeah did the trip alone, windows down tunes up and just sat back and chilled lol, propper sun burn't right arm!!!

ah chris how we doing?? i'm still loving yr ocy looks sweet as!!!!