Hi folks,

I'm from Barbados. For those of you who may not be aware, it's a tiny (166 sq mile) island in the Caribbean. It's also home to a rapidly growing community of Octavia lovers and worshippers.

About me, I'm 28 years old and have been "curious" about the Octavia from its debut. I used to drive a black 2000 Volkswagon Bora 1.6 (Mk 4) with moonroof. I loved the car except for some issues I had with the handling. While driving it, I was introduced to the concept of Octavia and was fascinated especially by its price.

Well, as fate would have it, I was in the market for a car last year and try acquiring a Ford Focus because it was on special. Luckily for me, I didn't manage to get it and was forced to check out the local Skoda dealer for the Octavia, which was four thousand Barbados dollars (US$1 = BDS$2) more than the Focus.

I almost got carried away by the Mitsubishi salesman at the same company who tried telling me the "advantages" of buying a Lancer over the Octavia which included availability of parts and availability of mechanics who knew how to fix them (Barbados is flooded with Japanese cars so finding parts and mechanics for them, since they are rather plain, is easy). Sadly, I testdrove the 2004 Lancer and wasn't as disappointed at the handling as I expected to be so I applied for the financing for it.

My conscience, however, got the better of me and I realised my sin while driving back to work. As I drove to work, I saw more Octavias on the road than I ever saw before and when I drove in the car park, there were at least four Octavias parked there. I ran upstairs, grabbed the phone, punched the numbers of the Octavia salesman and confessed my sin to him and told him to give me a reason why I should by the Octavia instead and he told me he could give me 20 reasons.

I hurried back to the dealer, testdrove the Octavia and made my decision before we even got back to the dealer store. I am happy to announce that as of July, 2004, I was the proud owner of a Stone Grey Skoda Octavia 1.6. I love it even more than I loved the VW. It's better value for money and costs about BDS$20,000 less (yes, cars in Barbados are expensive thanks to duties and the exchange rate).

I've heard people complain about the handling of the Octavia, but I can say that it sits down better than the Bora and requires a lot less braking in corners, even at a high speed. Compared to the cars available in Europe, the Octavia's handling might leave something to be desired, but compared with most Japanese cars, it's fun to drive... especially when I see the look of confused Japanese car owners as I blow past them in the corners.

The 1.6 engine in mine is somewhat lazy for the weight of the car, but I have broken it in well and it responds well to my right foot. At the traffic lights, I'm able to get out the blocks faster than most other drivers, even of manual vehicles and other quicker vehicles. I've had it for only 6 months so far and have approximately 12,000 miles on it already... trust me, that's a lot of driving for an island that's only 166 sq. miles.

I'm looking to make it quicker and handle better but can only find upgrades for the 1.8. Does anyone have suggestions?

By the way, an American guy, who I could tell is a car enthusiast, was scrutinizing my baby (the car, of course) the other day and lamented that they don't see "cars like these in the States". Of course, I did what every devout Skodaian does and enlightened him as to what they were missing...

Welcome - I'm glad you saw the error of your ways before it was too late

Welcome to the mad house that we call Briskoda :wave:

Can you send us some sunshine ?

Welcome to Briskoda. I think you are our second member from Barbados, and we have plenty of room for more!

A big :wave23d: and welcome to the forum. If you'd like a personal guided tour of the Octy then please let me know and I'll jump on a plane and come out to see you

:nana:

Sorry... you'll have to come and enjoy it yourself... and you better bring your Skoda along with you; you might not want to leave.

Welcome to the mad house that we call Briskoda :wave:

Can you send us some sunshine ?

Hi folks' date='

I'm from [b']Barbados[/b]. For those of you who may not be aware, it's a tiny (166 sq mile) island in the Caribbean. It's also home to a rapidly growing community of Octavia lovers and worshippers.

:thumbdwn: :thumbdwn:

Boooo Hisssssss

Lucky man.

Welcome by the way.

Welcome :wavey:

Nice to see more overseas owners . ( very overseas in your case )

If there are plenty of octavias, maybe you could promote this site

Steve

That's exactly what I intend to do. There needs to be more sites dedicated to the cars we've come to love so much. As I was telling a friend o' mine the other day: whenever I pass fellow Octavia or Fabia drivers on the road, we usually look at each other as though we're trying to scrutinize whether the other person is worthy of driving one of these awesome beasts. There's also that look in the eyes that let each other know we're connected by one of the best kept secrets in the auto industry.

Welcome :wavey:

Nice to see more overseas owners . ( very overseas in your case )

If there are plenty of octavias' date=' maybe you could promote this site

Steve[/quote']