Greetings from the foothills of West Sussex AKA the Weald. Having enjoyed the forum chat I felt duty bound to join and add my experiences.

Retirement and two knee replacements has meant I have had time on my hands. For many months I had been thinking of buying a ‘toy’ – an MX5. Either this or replace my Seat Leon 1.9 TDI Stylance which now 5yrs old. Late last year I looked at the Citroen C3 Picasso which had a very good write-up. Something was not right however. I then found the Yeti whilst surfing the web. All very positive from the motoring fraternity ‘in the know’ and so I popped in to the local Skoda dealer when they eventually got a demonstrator. This beast was top of the range with a sunroof. Very impressive. My sights were set a lot lower as funds not that plentiful now I am retired!

I waited until they got a 1.2 TSI to drive and I borrowed it for an hour. Whilst only an E spec it was pretty well appointed and drove like a dream. I like to be different with the car I drive – just me – and this fitted the bill. It is a car with ultimate flexibility for our retirement. Here I must apologise. Having just received my bus-pass (although no buses in the village…..) I have probably reduced the ‘cool factor’ of the Yeti not to mention raised the average age of owners! But us ‘oldies’ have years of experience when it comes to buying cars and like to think we know a good thing when we see it.

So on 13 April I ordered a 1.2 TSI SE in Steel Grey (or whatever it is called today) with, yes, a panoramic sun-roof and a spare wheel. Gave up the idea of an MX5 on basis if I got into it, with my knees, I would probably never get out of it again without a crane! The Yeti was far more sensible and in many respects just as much fun. After 3 weeks or so I was given a build date of week 33. Not the end of the world – would get the car in early September. Given that I am not allowed to drive after my operation until 7 July anyway it was not too much of a problem.

It was only then I discovered Briskoda.net. Thank you for filling in the time and keeping me amused and up to date. The panoramic sunroof saga was of particular interest. At least I had a build date unlike many others! And then of course the build week went back to week 42- most likely LATER! This was not unexpected given what I had seen on the forum. Enough was enough. On Tuesday I asked the dealer (thank you to Amy at Crawley Down Group) what was the alternative if I cancelled. Within a very short time she found me a Steel Grey TDI SE 110 BHP 2WD with spare wheel (no sunroof of course) sitting in Emden awaiting shipment. Absolutely ideal and so I take delivery in about a fortnight’ish. Loss of the sunroof no problem and I am used to a diesel engine. Was having second thoughts anyway given that sap from our limes trees and the incontinent wood pigeons could have played havoc with the rubber seal on the roof. Currently watching the ships in and out of Emden. How sad is that. Probably our last new car but it should last for a while. Next will no doubt either be something electric or a mobility scooter!!!!!

So the moral of this tome is if you have ordered a sunroof good luck with the wait. If you are prepared to give up the option there should be an alternative out there for you which should considerably reduce the delay. Or perhaps I was just lucky.

Regards to all especially The Plumber, Lady Penny Lop and Llanigraham etc who took me back to my old haunts in Mid Wales recently. I am originally from the Principality.

Finally – why Tenzing? Those of you who know the history of Everest (SM country....) will understand especially if I tell you I am married to a Hilary! So if you see us in a Sainsbury’s car park, amenity tip, hospital car park in Mid Sussex (we know how to live……) give us a wave!!

Sorry this post very long-winded. I will now fade away to play with my SM and probably never to be heard from again! Just wanted to say thanks to you all for keeping me sane in recent weeks. Now I have to choose from World Cup, tennis or cricket on TV. It is tough being retired.

TTFN

Awh! Loved this post! Made me laugh.

I wish I could have done such a change but I really, really like sunroofs.

I already have an MX-5 as the other car and I can tell you they are super low on the ground. I'm not even 40 yet and sometimes feel "crikey, this is a bit low!"

great post - welcome to the forum.

ernieb

Enjoy your Yeti!

Hi Tenzing, welcome to the forum.

I, and many others, would prefer it if you didn't just fade into oblivion, but remained as a member of Briskoda and added your useful and needed insight into the 'way things are'.

I hope we here more from you, now that you're retired :yes:

I'm in east Sussex, so maybe one day we will meet for a cornetto or something

Prynhawn Da, Tenzing, and welcome to the Yeti mad house!!.

Obtuse connection #1

my aunt used to live in Hillary Close, off Everest Ave, Cardiff, and the Closes either side were Hunt and Tensing!

Hello Tenzing,

Great post! Just before I actually decided to get one, I did think what a superb retirement vehicle the Yeti would make. The perfect "Go anywhere, Do anything" kind of motor ideally suited for a more leisurely lifestyle. I've sort of "semi retired"; a deliberate move from full-time to part-time in order to achieve a better life/work balance and I'm loving it. The Yeti is great for just throwing stuff in the back and setting off on your next little adventure.

Funny you should mention the MX5. If finances permit, I was thinking of getting one of these as the perfect compliment to the Yeti next year. Skoda Yeti and Mazda MX-5, what a perfect combination! Two cars that epitomise value for money, ability and driver enjoyment.

Skoda Yeti and Mazda MX-5, what a perfect combination! Two cars that epitomise value for money, ability and driver enjoyment.

Oh yes! I don't have better pics on this computer but there you go: this is me in the MX-5 beast on the day we test drove it (and only about 2 hours after we test drove the Yeti!).

Welcome!

I really like your outlook on life and your approach to Yeti buying.

Welcome! Please don't go away. Anyone who can write an intelligent and amusing post such as yours is to be treasured.

I'm in West Sussex and I hope to spot you one day in the new Yeti.

Shame you had to give up on your sunroof, but pleased you got a car earlier than expected. I have a sunroof waiting for a car ordered beg May no build date, 3 weeks shutdown soon, so even though I have just turned 50 I may also be retiring before I get a Yeti with the sunroof thingy attached (well I hope it comes attached to the car and not in a big box).

Until then, I would wave sadly at the yeti's in the local vicinity......alas there isnt any, so I cant ! So I am reduced to reading about other peoples cars on here, although it is the first time I have read most of a cars manual before actually getting the car. Hopefully I can read the manual for the Columbus also, so I know what knobs and buttons to twiddle when it arrives (assuming I am still young enough to have the manual dexterity to twiddle when finally delivered on my Yeti with a sunroof thingy attached (well I hope it comes attached and not in a big box)).

My third option is one of them fluffy Yeti things which are reportedly two in one. A simple way to own a Yeti and have it delivered quickly unless you order one with a sunroof of course. Sadly I am beginning to sound like a sad person from Yeti's Anonymous, at my lack of a car on the horizon and watching everyone else get theirs, but I shall keep watching and reading about other peoples Yeti's, until my Yeti arrives (with a sunroof thingy attached, well I hope it comes attached and not in a big box).

Sigh......and what was the original thread about again ??

:|

Edited 24 June, 201016 yr by redandwhitepauly

My third option is one of them fluffy Yeti things which are reportedly two in one. A simple way to own a Yeti and have it delivered quickly unless you order one with a sunroof of course.

Sigh......and what was the original thread about again ??

:|

They only take longer if you order them with a Sun hat!!!

edit ...and snowshoes!

tom

Edited 24 June, 201016 yr by Sanqhar

They only take longer if you order them with a Sun hat!!!

edit ...and snowshoes!

tom

My Flikr page to give you a fix of Yetis, mx5's(now sold) and my old now scrapped Octavia.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38930077@N07/page3/

Sorry this post very long-winded. I will now fade away to play with my SM and probably never to be heard from again! Just wanted to say thanks to you all for keeping me sane in recent weeks. Now I have to choose from World Cup, tennis or cricket on TV. It is tough being retired.

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welcome have fun with your SM but don't fade away stay with us and join in with your thoughts and views on the SM.

all the best for when you get your hands on it

Oh yes! I don't have better pics on this computer but there you go: this is me in the MX-5 beast on the day we test drove it (and only about 2 hours after we test drove the Yeti!).

Nice one!

My Flikr page to give you a fix of Yetis, mx5's(now sold) and my old now scrapped Octavia.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38930077@N07/page3/

Our MX-5 looks exactly like yours! Lovely car.

I love this thread. Really makes me smile!

Our MX-5 looks exactly like yours! Lovely car.

I love this thread. Really makes me smile!

Must be a pattern here. i'm not entirely convinced the V50( although there is nothing wrong with it that I can put my finger on) is for me after a year and am thinking about a yeti. Although I do think they are expensive.

Got rid of the MX5 cos we got a dog. Two plus dog don't go. As it was a third car we didn't use it much anyway less so when we bought the dog.

I am really missing my MX5 :'(

Edited 25 June, 201016 yr by loskie

Sorry this post very long-winded. I will now fade away to play with my SM and probably never to be heard from again! Just wanted to say thanks to you all for keeping me sane in recent weeks. Now I have to choose from World Cup, tennis or cricket on TV. It is tough being retired.

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welcome have fun with your SM but don't fade away stay with us and join in with your thoughts and views on the SM.

all the best for when you get your hands on it

Strewth! Thanks to all for the kind words / comments. However am a bit concerned I have lit the MX5 fuse again. Having gone cold-turkey am now wondering whether WD40 will work on my new knees!

I’ll be around on the odd occasion I am sure. Won’t be asking you whether the SM will fit in my garage…….but may be asking the odd technical question like where is the dipstick. Did someone say in West Sussex?

I’m going now before I start to ramble. The last post was too long. Will let you know if / when SM turns up.

Have a good weekend and enjoy the big match. Think Wales have it all to do against NZ!!

TTFN

Bore Da Tenzing,

Lady Penny Lop here a pleasure to have been part of the entertainment!

Really great post and I look forward to hearing more amusing posts from you (that's an order ...not a request!)... after you pick up the SM soon!!

Best wishes

Lady Penelope :sun:

ps How are the knees? Are you up to this yet?

Welome Tenzing. I am sure you will enjoy the linear power of the CR 110 Tdi once it arrives

Excellent post Tenzing.

The 110 2WD should be the most economical of all the Yetis so looking forward to seeing pics and hearing about your mpg adventures.

Bore Da Tenzing,

Lady Penny Lop here a pleasure to have been part of the entertainment!

Really great post and I look forward to hearing more amusing posts from you (that's an order ...not a request!)... after you pick up the SM soon!!

Best wishes

Lady Penelope :sun:

ps How are the knees? Are you up to this yet?

Lady P L! How nice to hear from you. I am indeed honoured.

Have to say this is my first attempt at any forum let alone a car related one. Would be more at home on a medical related forum I fear. I collect NHS consultants like other people collect stamps!

Anyway……

Will indeed do my best to contribute on the odd occasion. “The Yeti for the Boomer Generation†perhaps. “Yeti for the Incontinent†(Foreign driving for the over 60’s). All that being said I have not got the Beast yet so must not count my Yeti before it is shipped.

Knees – getting there tks. Should be driving again soon but will give the dancing a miss for now thank you!

TTFN