As some of you will know in addition to the Vrs I've also got a Subaru WRX STI.

I've been driving that car exclusively for a week now but I swapped back to the Vrs today as I need to take some crap to the tip as part of my 120 mile round trip to and from the office - I thought it would be interesting to see what stands out as I drive them almost back to back.. I've posted some of this stuff on my blog also but I thought you chaps might be interested too:

First thing I suppose is just this ^ I have a pile of timber and a pallet left over from some building work we're doing - to be fair I didn't every try to get it in the Subaru (the seats do fold apparently) but for this type of activity you just can't beat a big estate car. Drop the seats in the Vrs and it just swallows up everything with ease.

Driving the Vrs again and having to use a key (blip to open the doors then insert/turn to fire the thing up) feels a bit old fashioned compared to the excellent key-less system in the Subaru. With that car you just walk up to the car with the fob in your pocket (interior light illuminates as you get close) then touch the handle and it unlocks for you. Starting that just press the starter button - just one press - no need to hold the button in 'til it fires like I used to in my old Focus RS.

Driving position in the Vrs immediately feels too high, even on lowest setting. The seats themselves feel soft and not that sculpted compared to the fantastic Recaros in the Subaru.

Although I've got the TTS short shifter on my car the gear stick throw and feel is still not a patch on the Subaru - the throw feels long and you don't get any of that lovely mechanical feel that the Subaru has. The Vrs it feels just what it is; metal stick interfacing with plastic, moving the gears in the 'box via cables. I haven't checked out the linkage on the Subaru but it feels like a solid mechanical connection directly into the gear box. You can't beat that for "feel" and its surprising how much this influences the way you feel you're interacting with the car as you drive..

The Vrs clutch seems to have a longer travel in order to engage/disengage the gears and the brakebrake pedal seem too high compared to the throttle. It's also got a much longer travel, doesn't feel firm and the brakes themselves are not as immediate in their response.

The engine note in the Vrs is pretty nondescript and quiet - contrast that with the super burble you get from the Subaru - its one of the defining characteristics of the car - just lovely..

Ok - dont' worry - it's not all Skoda bashing

One stand out feature on the Vrs has to be the Bolero radio - after the Subaru system you really appreciate how good this unit is - easy to use / read with a big touch screen it's a joy to use and great sound quality too - its not just the radio/ipod stuff - the fiscon phone is also way ahead of the bluetooth you get as standard in the Subaru.

I also missed some basic fuctions that I'd started to take for granted on the Skoda; auto lights, auto wipers, parking sensors, heated seats, bending xenons and cornering lights - ok so these are cost options on the Vrs but they are not that expensive.. key thing here is that you simply can't add these to the Subaru even if you wanted to - they just don't exist as options! Given that the Subaru is a £33k car I think this is a pretty poor show TBH. You do get a mutifunction wheel in the Subaru however - its simply bizarre how Skoda have missed this option off the manual Vrs (I think I've said this before - Skoda are you listening!?)

Also, the ride in the Vrs is much better - even on my Weitecs wound down to 36mm below the stock ride height. Its been a very good comparison for me to spend some time in another sporty car to remind me what the norm is for a car like this - it's been great to have a comparable reference point for my Vrs. Overall I'm now much happier with the Weitecs and the previous niggling doubts I'd have that I'd made the car too stiff have evaporated.

Interior quality (dash materials etc) is much better in the Skoda. You also get a feeling of solidity for instance when you slam a door which is missing in the Subaru - those doors feel light and shut with a clang. Also the control weights in the Skoda are IMO better - push a button or move a switch and it all feels solid/quality where the Subaru has a generic, Japanese lighness that can feel like they aren't made to the same quality (in reality, previous experience with high mileage jap cars shows these DO last and are in fact superbly reliable, its just the feel they give even when new leads you to think otherwise - maybe I've just spent too long driving VAG products.. ).

Performance:

The Subaru is not yet run in so I can't make any comment on the relative performance, but I think it goes without saying that the Subaru with AWD and 300PS is going to be a quicker car when it's run in. Also, the biggest issue in the winter with the Vrs is traction - scrabbling front wheels in the first few gears and a flashing TC light are the norm. With a permanent four wheel drive system the Subaru is NOT going to have this problem but it will be interesting to see how close they are in dry conditions (shark s1 map on the Vrs so about 250bhp and its a lighter car?).

The Vrs doesn't turn-in like the Subaru but I guess that is in some way related to the trade-off in ride/stiffness. I'd love to try out a Vrs with TT wishbones and uprated ARB's - I'm sure with the right tuning you could make a car that turns-in and changes direction as well as the Subaru but without the loss in ride quality.

More updates to come when the Sub is run in properly.

Good write up

very nice write up. i have to say looks wise although the scooby is 2011 its square boxy, wide design just seems a little boy racer late 90's approach. their hatchback is much more clean and sleek looking whereas this (in my opinion) is no where near the look of a 2010 octavia vrs. unfortunately haven't driven either (maybe one day!)but looks wise the octavia tops it for me

Edited 10 February, 201115 yr by vrs200bhp

When i first read that you had 2 very nice cars i was jealous,now that ive read that you won the scooby in a competion im even more jealous!

First off congratulations

Nothing comes close to a (decent) Recaro for comfort and support IMO.

As for the engine noise I used to love the noise of the flat 4, this was one of the best bit's of the car for me, but like all good things it has become a bit too common and that spoils it a bit for me (especially when 90% of them all seem to have a giwangus exhaust on them).

My ownership of a Subaru was pretty short @ 6 months but the repair bills were scary, clutches used to (not sure if they still do) take the flywheel with them with hairline cracks forming, it is pretty easy to cook the clutch if you are an aggressive driver due to the amount of grip they have - something has to give.

For me the amount of grip they have also took a bit of fun out of the driving as you needed to be going an extra 20mph+ to get the same kicks out of the car as a conventional 2WD quick car, this is purely down to how sure footed they are, so not a criticism of the car.

I have to agree with you on the interior trim also - it just looks and feels a bit to cheap and plastic for my liking (compared to BMW and VAG)

I always said I would never 'own' another Subaru ..... but if I was given one as a company car etc and was not paying the bills then it would be serious contender. It's just a huge shame that they have have IMO a few styling issues over the years.

As above, top luck winning the WRX

My ownership of a Subaru was pretty short @ 6 months but the repair bills were scary, clutches used to (not sure if they still do) take the flywheel with them with hairline cracks forming, it is pretty easy to cook the clutch if you are an aggressive driver due to the amount of grip they have - something has to give.

For me the amount of grip they have also took a bit of fun out of the driving as you needed to be going an extra 20mph+ to get the same kicks out of the car as a conventional 2WD quick car, this is purely down to how sure footed they are, so not a criticism of the car.

Interesting comments. I had a brand new Impreza Sti in April 2006 and sold it in the December for the same reasons. The maintenance combined with the fuel economy was doing it's best to bankrupt me and I didn't really enjoy driving it because as you say, the car is just so capable you have to go at silly speeds to get any sense of speed. I replaced it with an Octavia Vrs diesel and whilst I did miss some aspects of the Impreza, overall I found the Octavia a much easier car to live with.

Just to add - my mpg on the drive in this morning (just under 60 miles) in the Vrs was 32mpg.

Driving the STI for the last few days, exactly the same trip, same speeds etc I had 24mpg. Hopefully it'll improve as I get through the running in period but its a significant difference!

Nice write-up Rob

Lucky sod!

Yeah, one thing I'd imagine you'll notice is fuel and running costs :yes:

Pictures please !

There's one in the PH blog link in the first post, and some more here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23140

Congrats on winning the car, ( just shows people do win these competitions)

Its strange that these 2 cars are compared as they are targeted at completely different markets.

I would say that the scooby is targeted at the real sports car type person, with performance & handling being the selling points, whereas the Octy vRS is more targeted towards family comfort & ride with just a sporty edge to it,

Your review / comparison highlighted that difference very well & you are doing work on the Octy to make it drive & handle like the scooby ,you obviously have your reasons for doing that, but I personally cannot see the point in having the 2 cars of different brands drive the same, why not just have the same car twice . or just keep the preferred car if you cant afford to run the two.

It would be interesting to find out the mods & cost to get the Octy ' similar' to the scooby, as im sure people will look at the price new of the Scooby, & compare with the Octy + mods, then decide which way they would like to go.

It was an interesting read

Its strange that these 2 cars are compared as they are targeted at completely different markets.

I'm comparing the two because er, those are the two cars I have?! I didnt' plan this situation, just a lucky opportunity.

I would say that the scooby is targeted at the real sports car type person, with performance & handling being the selling points, whereas the Octy vRS is more targeted towards family comfort & ride with just a sporty edge to it,

Your review / comparison highlighted that difference very well & you are doing work on the Octy to make it drive & handle like the scooby ,you obviously have your reasons for doing that, but I personally cannot see the point in having the 2 cars of different brands drive the same, why not just have the same car twice . or just keep the preferred car if you cant afford to run the two.

I've been making minor tweaks to my Octavia since I bought it last year - the STI only arrived last week.. and whilst I'm enjoying the STI right now I don't think its going to be here for the long term.

It would be interesting to find out the mods & cost to get the Octy ' similar' to the scooby, as im sure people will look at the price new of the Scooby, & compare with the Octy + mods, then decide which way they would like to go.

My octavia incl a pretty long list of options was £17.5 new last year. Apart from a few minor cosmetic tweaks the only significant mods are the Weitecs (£700 incl fitting and set up) and the remap (£400-ish) so overall investment under £19k. The Subaru list is £33k.

It was an interesting read

Thank you - that was my aim

Having just replied to Ifc958's post above it struck me that I didnt' reach any conclusions in my first post - in hindsight I think this is an omission:

Overall, if you want sporty then yes, the Subaru will be faster and handle better and put its power down better but at a cost; purchase price is very high vs. the vrs plus running costs etc. Although the Subaru is +30% more expensive its doesn't beat the Octavia in every area.

I think if nothing else my experience so far with the new car has reminded me what awesome value for money the Vrs represents. It really is a very, very good car for the money.

My octavia incl a pretty long list of options was £17.5 new last year.

Thank you - that was my aim

Correction needed or many stealer's are going to get bummer calls

Correction needed or many stealer's are going to get bummer calls

?

Sorry don't understand.

I think it's because you've effectively said your car cost £17.50 Rob

?

Sorry don't understand.

you missed the 'k' off the £17.5

Congrats on winning a car - i can only imagine how you must have felt when you got that call and then even more so when you picked it up! I'd enjoy it for the summer and then probably flog it :p

nice write up, and congrats on winning the impreza (read it on your PH blog the other week). Have to say I'd love an impreza, always have had a soft spot for them, love the burble of the flatfour........but just cannot justify the cost in funny one.

Great write up, cheers.

Having owned 2 Subaru's in succession prior to getting my Octavia vRS CR DSG one week ago I'm giddy getting 500 miles from every tank and that's whilst it's being run in! I've already paid for 2 years servicing at a cost of £240 and one service on the Subaru would often cost me twice that, the standard kit and amount of options and price thereof on the Octavia is superb. The Octavia is a quality car for sensible money, it's like all my Christmases have come at once.

Subaru are excellent but with a best of 25mpg linked with upkeep and other costs it didn't make financial sense to me anymore, no doubt I'll miss the AWD in Winter but apart from that I'm absolutely delighted with the Octavia.

nice write up BUT you are making an assumption about the winter handling of the Scooby based on it's 4WD. You have massive amounts of torque going to the wheels and 300bhp, if you boot it it's going to wheel spin like crazy, it'll struggle even if you don't. The only thing that gives good traction in full winter are snow chains or winter/snow tyres. 4WD means nowt without the right tyres (and I speak as someone that was a passenger in a Range Rover that got stuck on wet grass with standard road tyres).

Rich

Wasn't the scooby and the Engine it has built around the gearbox, which is why it is so sooooooooo good.

I'd like a RB5 or a P1

fanks

Nice writeup, although as you said its a £33k car compared to a £20k car. Its like comparing a 330d to the vRS.

nice write up BUT you are making an assumption about the winter handling of the Scooby based on it's 4WD. You have massive amounts of torque going to the wheels and 300bhp, if you boot it it's going to wheel spin like crazy, it'll struggle even if you don't. The only thing that gives good traction in full winter are snow chains or winter/snow tyres. 4WD means nowt without the right tyres (and I speak as someone that was a passenger in a Range Rover that got stuck on wet grass with standard road tyres).

Rich

Scooby's aren't your normal 4x4, on slicks they'd run rings round a suitably tyred average 4x4.

The Subaru 4x4 system is pretty much the best out there and will pull even with only one wheel having traction. Very few other systems can do that and still turn corners. The only other one that I'm aware of the doesn't require diff locks to get traction in a 1 wheel scenario is the latest haldex as on the scout.

Having just replied to Ifc958's post above it struck me that I didnt' reach any conclusions in my first post - in hindsight I think this is an omission:

Overall, if you want sporty then yes, the Subaru will be faster and handle better and put its power down better but at a cost; purchase price is very high vs. the vrs plus running costs etc. Although the Subaru is +30% more expensive its doesn't beat the Octavia in every area.

I think if nothing else my experience so far with the new car has reminded me what awesome value for money the Vrs represents. It really is a very, very good car for the money.

I guessed from your reply to my last point that as an overall package the octy might just be the preferred choice.

Maybe you should re title the thread ' An affair but still keeping faithful '

I guessed from your reply to my last point that as an overall package the octy might just be the preferred choice.

Maybe you should re title the thread ' An affair but still keeping faithful '

Ok, look at it like this: If i had £33,000 in cash sitting on the desk in front of me, and a choice between a new WRX STI, OR a new Vrs (with the mods I have) and £14,000 in my pocket it would not be a difficult choice!

[and if you still don't know what i mean, the car i'd choose would not be japanese!]