I agree with you Chunhall and think it is a shame that they haven’t done a diesel Fabia II vRS (mind you a 2.0 petrol would obviously be faster). I loved my Octy and considered it a much better buy than the Golf I could have bought. But while I would be first in the queue for 3.0 V6 diesel Octy or even an S4 Quattro Octy I think it is best that Skoda don’t go down that road (it would be a lot cheaper for us enthusiasts though) as it would destroy the brands hard earned reputation. If I am ever looking for a good value 4x4 soft roader I would be mad to ignore the Yeti for instance, but they should avoid trying to do a Toureg or Q5/7 imho.

I'm 69 and can easily remember all the old Skoda jokes, but I've been a fan since the Favorit and finally bought a Skoda last year. It would hve been earlier but I needed a 7 seater because of having 4 young grandchildren to carry round.

I have no problem whatsoever with the name or the badge. The Roomster is by far the best car I've ever had.

Shame Skoda has followed the trend and produced a 4X4 though. I have nothing against four wheel drive cars like Audi quatros, or the four wheel drive Octy, I just don't like SUVs (Stupid Unsuitable Vehicle or Stupid Ugly Vehicle)

Edited 30 March, 201016 yr by Calomax

I was 19 when I bought my fabia vRS. I wanted a car that was small, quick, lower insurance. I looked at a few different cars until I saw the fabia. I loved the subtle aggressive looks and the fact modern ones are part of the VAG range.

I get the odd comment but I laugh and walk on as I have a winner and Im pretty certain my next car will be a skoda to.

I agree with you Chunhall and think it is a shame that they haven’t done a diesel Fabia II vRS (mind you a 2.0 petrol would obviously be faster). I loved my Octy and considered it a much better buy than the Golf I could have bought. But while I would be first in the queue for 3.0 V6 diesel Octy or even an S4 Quattro Octy I think it is best that Skoda don’t go down that road (it would be a lot cheaper for us enthusiasts though) as it would destroy the brands hard earned reputation. If I am ever looking for a good value 4x4 soft roader I would be mad to ignore the Yeti for instance, but they should avoid trying to do a Toureg or Q5/7 imho.

http://briskoda.net/forums/index.php?app=forums&module=post&section=post&do=reply_post&f=3&t=153397&qpid=1939861

I'm glad you agree. In my opinion, a 2.0 petrol vRS look faster on paper (9.6 seconds 0-60 is slooooow) but people don't realise that in gear the original vRS could go from 40-60 in 2.4 seconds. In real life, how often do you go from 0-60, and how often do you go from 40-60? It's weird, but makes sense

As for the 3.0 V6 Octy, they do a 3.6 4x4 Superb. It's more expensive than an Octavia would be, but you could buy 2 of them for the cost of its nearest rival. And as for the Quattro Octavia, I thought they did them :S. I know a guy in the Czech Republic and I remember going sideways out of control in the snow in a 4-wheel drive Octavia vRS with winter tyres (Yes, the snow was baaaaaaaaaad) but maybe they get more options over there than we get here.

I can't see Skoda making something like a Toureg or Q5/7. People that drive Skodas aren't cocks.

I REALLY hope they don't. It would possibly make me sell my Skoda and move on to supporting Kia instead. They're meant to be pretty good nowadays too.

http://briskoda.net/...97&qpid=1939861

I'm glad you agree. In my opinion, a 2.0 petrol vRS look faster on paper (9.6 seconds 0-60 is slooooow) but people don't realise that in gear the original vRS could go from 40-60 in 2.4 seconds. In real life, how often do you go from 0-60, and how often do you go from 40-60? It's weird, but makes sense

As for the 3.0 V6 Octy, they do a 3.6 4x4 Superb. It's more expensive than an Octavia would be, but you could buy 2 of them for the cost of its nearest rival. And as for the Quattro Octavia, I thought they did them . I know a guy in the Czech Republic and I remember going sideways out of control in the snow in a 4-wheel drive Octavia vRS with winter tyres (Yes, the snow was baaaaaaaaaad) but maybe they get more options over there than we get here.

I can't see Skoda making something like a Toureg or Q5/7. People that drive Skodas aren't cocks.

I REALLY hope they don't. It would possibly make me sell my Skoda and move on to supporting Kia instead. They're meant to be pretty good nowadays too.

The 2.0 petrol superfast Fabia is a long standing Briskoda Joke……or fact, depending on which side of the fence you sit.

I thought the Octy had the haldex 4x4 system, the current Quattro’s have a 40/60 split torsen centre diff

As for how I know these things……….well I am about to become a ‘c0ck’

Edited 31 March, 201016 yr by Lady Elanore

No a re-brand would not do any good because they don't need to. In my experience it is only non informed morons who still laugh at Skodas. The cars are almost universally praised by the motoring press (Yeti and Supurb both got Top gear awards), and they are nearly always at the top of customer service league tables. If you know your motoring history you will know that Skoda have a long and distinguished automotive background and that the Czechs are bloody good engineers.

Also I kind of like the unostentatious images of Skoda. I have never been one for badge snobbery for the sake of it personally.

I think a rebrand is much needed tbh. And I'm 36yrs old so not exactly a young pup anymore.

The early VW takeover years were accompanied by an ad campaign that was almost apologetic (I forget the slogan now, but that's how the ads came across to me as a non-Skoda owner at the time). Something along the lines of 'yes we know its a skoda, but it's actually rather good' or similar. I think they need to put that attitude behind them, draw a line under the whole preconception thing and reinvent themselves to some extent.

If Volvo can reinvent themselves from the makers of old boxy estate wagons, through interim cars such as the T5 and now with models like the C30 which I actually think is a great looking car, then I'm sure Skoda can do the same. IMHO they need to come up with a badge that doesn't look 'cheap' which I'm afraid the current one does, recruit a few decent designers to give them a stronger identity (drop the new grille for starters) and start fighting the big boys on equal terms instead of coming out as the underdog all the time. Otherwise all they will ever do is sell cars to the enlightened minority, and taxi drivers.

"It's a Skoda: honest" was the old advertising tag.

Pah, in-gear nonsense!

Real drivers change down if they need to go faster :p

Pah, in-gear nonsense!

Real drivers change down if they need to go faster :p

Even if downshifting will take longer than the "gain" in acceleration time? Anyway, a V6 petrol is just an inefficient way of getting diesel mid-range torque!

Even if downshifting will take longer than the "gain" in acceleration time? Anyway, a V6 petrol is just an inefficient way of getting diesel mid-range torque!

Try it without the aid of a turbo

My VR6 would show vast improvements if I cheated with forced induction as well!

"It's a Skoda: honest" was the old advertising tag.

You used to see window stickers on Skodas a few years back with something like "It's another Skoda, sorry" - Am I imagining that?

I think a rebrand is much needed tbh. And I'm 36yrs old so not exactly a young pup anymore.

The early VW takeover years were accompanied by an ad campaign that was almost apologetic (I forget the slogan now, but that's how the ads came across to me as a non-Skoda owner at the time). Something along the lines of 'yes we know its a skoda, but it's actually rather good' or similar. I think they need to put that attitude behind them, draw a line under the whole preconception thing and reinvent themselves to some extent.

If Volvo can reinvent themselves from the makers of old boxy estate wagons, through interim cars such as the T5 and now with models like the C30 which I actually think is a great looking car, then I'm sure Skoda can do the same. IMHO they need to come up with a badge that doesn't look 'cheap' which I'm afraid the current one does, recruit a few decent designers to give them a stronger identity (drop the new grille for starters) and start fighting the big boys on equal terms instead of coming out as the underdog all the time. Otherwise all they will ever do is sell cars to the enlightened minority, and taxi drivers.

1 There's nothing wrong with the badge

2 The grilles are among the best looking around

3 The designs are excellent

Try it without the aid of a turbo

My VR6 would show vast improvements if I cheated with forced induction as well!

Ok, if you'll try and get a verifiable and reproducable 50mpg on a flat road at the same time!

You used to see window stickers on Skodas a few years back with something like "It's another Skoda, sorry" - Am I imagining that?

Mine (52 plate) still has "Oh no - Another great Skoda" in the back window.

Skoda is selling more and more cars, increasing their market share dramatically and is certainly bucking the trend. I think this irrefutably shows Skoda has got it 100% right!

As for Volvo. There were so successful that Ford offloaded them to the Chinese.

Ok, if you'll try and get a verifiable and reproducable 50mpg on a flat road at the same time!

Don't care about MPG :p

So one who really likes driving does.

Mine (52 plate) still has "Oh no - Another great Skoda" in the back window.

Yes, that sounds similar to the one I remember

Don't care about MPG :p

So one who really likes driving does.

I need the car for commuting and long m/way tags, not just for fun blasts. Also, I want something that can be pleasant to drive when I'm just pottering, rather than needing its b@11$ revved off every time I want to go up a slight hill!

As for how I know these things……….well I am about to become a ‘****’

Apologies.

Sorry, that was a generalisation of the average owner of such a car

Apologies.

Sorry, that was a generalisation of the average owner of such a car

I currently drive a little BMW, so my skin is weapons grade tough

I currently drive a little BMW, so my skin is weapons grade tough

So you're going from a "merchant banker" to a male chicken then

So you're going from a "merchant banker" to a male chicken then

There’s nowhere left to go apart from getting a Hummer with a caravan attached :(