Hi all

I've just ordered a Superb Combi V6 with sunroof, sat nat, electric tailgate as a replacement for my wife's Lexus which is now too small for our growing kids. You'd all probably be aware that Skoda is a recent re-entrant to the Australian car market after many years of absence. The last time Skoda sold cars here, they were poorly made, cheap, and rear engined. Most people would categorise them as bad symbols of the communist era, along with Lada and Nikki. Skodas are sold in Australia through the VW network, and in South Australia (population 1.6m), there is only room for one Skoda dealer at this time. Skoda has a pretty high profile here as the sponsor of the cycling event 'Tour Down Under' held annually here in SA. At this time, Skoda's model lineup is the Octavia (and Scout), the Roomster, and the Superb hatch. The Superb Combi is about to be released and the Yeti arrives later this year. IN searching for my wife's new car, I looked at every brand under the sun, and the Skoda was a late starter as I hadn't really given the marque much thought. Not so long ago, I thought that the Superb was worth a look having been to the VW dealer to look at a Passat wagon. WEll, after driving all three engine options (1.8 Lt TSI, 2 lt HDI, and the 3.6 V6), I was hooked. My wife was not so enamoured with the Superb hatch, particularly its rear. Then when I heard that a wagon was imminent, I made the brave call of ordering one!! I did this last week, and the vehicle is expected to land here in Oz in about 4-5 months.

My friends think I am nuts buying an unproven brand in Australia. They have a point - to a degree - the Renault brand has been a stop start and generally unsuccessful car in Australia. Renault resale values are very poor here. I don't think that Skoda's fate will be the same as the cars are so much better in terms of fit, finish, and technology. Although there is only one dealer here in Adelaide, there are two other VW dealerships in the country that are accredited service centres.

Anyway, I'm just keen to see my (sorry, wife's !!) new toy arrive. The Lexus has been a perfect machine in every way other than practicality for a young family.

I'll continue to visit this site often. I've picked up quite a bit already.

I do have one question - the Columbus SatNav as fitted here is the same unit fitted for other markets, but apparently if I want to use my phone in the car, I will need to fit an aftermarket bluetooth and GSM kit that will be wired to the phone button on the steering wheel. That solution sounds very clumsy to me. Any thoughts on how that may be resolved are most welcome

Cheers

Welcome to the Brand.

Skoda having been re introduced here with the MK1 Octy about 12 years ago, was always going to have an issue given the problems you described, having come under the VW brand wing & access to its parts bin, it slotted itself as the budget VW, with SEAT being the Sporty end.

What Skoda got right & still have is the dealer service ( JD power surveys in UK still put this waaay above VW & SEAT dealers), quality & price you pay, Compare the Octavia to the Golf, & Superb to the Passat, & you WILL wonder why you are paying a premium price for the VW, some journalists comment this in the british motoring press.

Being a re entry brand and Skodas previous image, you will find & its still is here badge snobbery, However once a few of the snobs have been in a Skoda & even driven one , this starts to break down the barrier, & once they see the value you get from this product, then the walls come tumbling down.

There are a few die hard snobs, who will always associate Skoda with the old communist cars & will never change their minds but you cant do anything about that, so just leave these people to live their own sheltered lives

gday and welcome to briskoda

Welcome!