http://www.dailystar.co.uk/motoring/view/113484/Hunt-for-a-Skoda-Yeti/

tom

I haver never read anything from the Daily Star before and so that was a first for me. Another positive review that doesn't really have anything of use to say. I disagree that the dash plastics are sub-Volkswagen standard. I would put them on a par with the mid range VW models.

Why do they suggest the 1.2?

Why do they suggest the 1.2?

I have found that a lot the motoring press recommend the 1.2 version. It always seems to be on the basis of value for money, rather than any dislike for the four wheel drive or higher powered versions. I think that they are all pretty good value for money though. A lot of the magazines (including some of the more respectable journalists) seem to have driven top of the range models and thought £20K+ for a Skoda is a lot of money. If they were to stop and think for a minute about how much it would cost to spec a similar quality 4x4 to the same level then they might change their minds...... Having said that, I am happy with any review that recommends the poverty model given that it is the model I am planning to order in the next week or so

Not an entirely useful review but I did find some great knockers in the "Star Babes" section, so thanks for the link

I agree with what you say. People have become used to Skoda costing much less than most the opposition. Those loyal top the brand have seen that as good value and others just thought who wants a Skoda! As The quality of the mark has gone up it is difficult to just see them as cheapened versions of VW's. They can be sen as cars of value of their own right and more of a direct competitor to VW. I think that this is so for Skoda's latest cars. It is little suppressing then that the marketing people see this as an opportunity to raise the prices. Some see that as being over priced while others think that it is justifiably so. As far as the Yeti is concerned its top models do seem to be up their with the best VW except that the VW might have one or two additions that the Yeti does not have possibly. I think that for the first time Skoda have a car that can be seen to compete head on with its VW rival and yet is still £ cheaper. The motoring journals still seem to be harking back to the good old days. Still they are only journalists what else do we expect. If they were writing about any other topic we would hurl scorn at them. They do have the reputation of sexing things up and making up what they do not know. They are not exert drivers. They are not experts at anything. We love it if they endorse what we believe and loath them when they do not. I read their comments but always try to read around what they say and rarely give them much sway and that includes that clarckson chap as well. He is just a journalist who sensationalizes and makes crass exaggerated comments in my view, just playing a gallery of young impressionable. At the end of the day it matters little what they say unless they divulge something completely new and unknown but that is not very often is it.

Often overlooked is the Yeti shares a lot more with the Superb than the other models in the range including the Octavia, hence a more Superb like price tag.

The price of a car is not based on size but more on design, materials, components, and more importantly quality particularly in build standard. Just look at the shut lines on the Yeti for example; some of the best I have seen on a 'mainstream' car

PS don't forget they also choose to build the Yeti alongside the Superb and both walked away with TOPGEAR awards this year :)

TP

As far as the Yeti is concerned its top models do seem to be up their with the best VW except that the VW might have one or two additions that the Yeti does not have possibly. I think that for the first time Skoda have a car that can be seen to compete head on with its VW rival and yet is still £ cheaper.

Not that I had any intention of buying a Tiguan, I did spec up a CR170 Tiguan to the same kit level as the CR170 Elegance Yeti and I found the Tiguan is around £4000 more. A Tiguan doesn't even have cruise control or fog lamps as standard, let alone full leather and Xenons.

"Not an entirely useful review but I did find some great knockers in the "Star Babes" section, so thanks for the link"

More tits than Bill Oddie's garden ?

I agree while most motoring journalists judge Skodas on their merits and not their old joke-car reputation, many still seem stuck to the idea that Skoda must remain a budget brand so tend to be more rigorous on the "price/value for money" criterion. This sometimes seems to take the simplistic form of "can't cost more than £x" rather than "good value for the price/compared to rivals, whatever the price tag". There's no doubt Skoda are moving mainstream and not relying on the budget niche especially with Octavias, Yeis and Superbs so some journos will have to think harder when arriving at their judgements.

i did notice What Car on-line (but not the mag) gives 2WD Yetis 4 star ratings but 4WD 3 stars. The latter may be harsh in absolute terms, but probably reasonably reflects the likelihood that for many urban buyers the considerable extra outlay for 4wd is not god value for money, and they would happily go for 2wd with the more powerful engines if this were an option (as it is in the Qashqai and Tiguan). Are Skoda planing more 2wd variants I wonder?

Until I have put in an offer and bought my Yeti I am happy if the car is not popular and so goes down in price brought on by low sales. Then when I eventually go on to sell many years hence that the car gains considerably in popularity so upholding a good sales price. Other than those selfish reasons, why might it matter what a Magazine or Journalist have to say about it?