When I was ordering my new vRS the dealer mentioned a guy who'd ordered one for his wife to replace her current car. She liked the looks, practicality and performance of the vRS over her current drive and was apparently looking forward to using it on a regular and "proper" basis.

I could hear there was some kind of 'hilarious' punchline coming and lo-and-behold the woman had gone right off her year-old Porsche 911 Carrera 4 citing impracticality, too much attention-drawing and not being able to use it to the full!

Probably explains why Skoda can't make them quickly enough to satisfy demand, apparently a lot of production has shifted to VW Wolfsburg in an attempt to catch-up. And the reason I've only seen one on the road since last September.

I know I guy who is planning to get rid of his Porsche Carrera 4 for a vRS. A pattern emerges?

I've only ever seen one on the road except the demo at the garage. I love this, I really can't wait to surprise some uneducated people when they think "haha, look at the kid in his Skoda"... STOKED! The Stealth factor is kick-ass...although mine is bright green, so not so much stealth!

Exactly why I would have one. It's a good fast hatch that doesn't draw attention to itself. Comfortable enough to use every day, firm enough to have fun with, more than enough power

Although..... I had just as much fun hustling the Elegance along in pursuit of one

Kind of bizzare really.....if I had the money to own a 59/10 reg Carrera 4 I know for a fact I wouldnt be looking to chop it in for a Fabia vRS. There is loads of practical fast premium metal that you could replace a Porsche with. vRS is a very good car but just doesnt make sense to me. Cant be compared to a Porsche at all.

For me the vRS (the estate) represents a whole lot of car for really not alot of money (with the VAT deal). No way could I have bought a new 180ps DSG estate car for approx £14k anywhere else. It's not really that I "love" the Fabia generally as a car, chassis & build wise it's knocking on a bit now compared to its Polo & Ibiza cousins and really isnt the best looking car, but the focus instilled into the vRS by Skoda goes far enough to do away with those concerns.

Chassis wise its every bit as good as a Polo GTi (firm ride aside), it has ESP and XDS and the body kit and wheels lift its look above the norm. I think in most respects its more a focused performance car than the Octy variant too. Also very impressive that it came a close second to an Alpina D3 Biturbo in Autocars eco performance car of the year award and was the best Petrol car there. I suppose its nice that its available with some big car options too.

I dont think i'd buy one if the VAT deal got pulled though unless I could secure a really good discount on one by some other means.

I presently drive a Boxster S and have ordered a vRS. Seems strange to some people and I have thoroughly enjoyed driving the Boxster but realistically you just cannot use a car with that kind of performance on public roads.

The two cars are, of course, not comparable. My vRS is coming in at £15.5k and my Boxster cost £52k new. The only areas the vRS is superior in is fuel economy, more seats and a bigger boot. Only one boot though!

I have to say in fairness that I have a problem with my leg and no longer find the Boxster comfortable over any journey greater than 20 minutes. The vRS like my missus VW will be more comfortable and the DSG box will help in that regard as well. I have to drive from Scotland to Wales regularly and comfort is becoming a priority now.

I also think a lot of people have been put off rear drive cars after the last couple of winters. I have to get to my work in all weathers and the Boxster has been a nightmare in that regard. Just like an ornament at the end of the drive when we have had heavy snow.

I am really looking forward to getting the vRS although I'll miss that flat six howl!

I presently drive a Boxster S and have ordered a vRS. Seems strange to some people and I have thoroughly enjoyed driving the Boxster but realistically you just cannot use a car with that kind of performance on public roads.

A very valid point.

All these expensive premium sports cars use how much of their ability on the road within legal limits? 30%?

I test drove a Nisan GTR a week or so ago. Absolutely awesome! But the realisation was, I'm not going to use 20% of what it can do without losing my license.

And do I want that kind of money tied up in a car for occasional track use? No, not really. Completely unpractical and expensive.

Hot hatches are great value compared to performance, that is not so amazing you can actually use it.

In short, they are more fun per £.

Of course, if you just want to show off, then a premium sports car is great. But I don't think these kind of people are generally atracted to the Skoda brand.

apparently a lot of production has shifted to VW Wolfsburg in an attempt to catch-up.

Don't believe that to be true. Skoda are about to start building the DSG-7 gearboxes themselves though so that should increase availability of that unit.

Kind of bizzare really.....if I had the money to own a 59/10 reg Carrera 4 I know for a fact I wouldnt be looking to chop it in for a Fabia vRS. There is loads of practical fast premium metal that you could replace a Porsche with. vRS is a very good car but just doesnt make sense to me. Cant be compared to a Porsche at all.

For me the vRS (the estate) represents a whole lot of car for really not alot of money (with the VAT deal). No way could I have bought a new 180ps DSG estate car for approx £14k anywhere else. It's not really that I "love" the Fabia generally as a car, chassis & build wise it's knocking on a bit now compared to its Polo & Ibiza cousins and really isnt the best looking car, but the focus instilled into the vRS by Skoda goes far enough to do away with those concerns.

Chassis wise its every bit as good as a Polo GTi (firm ride aside), it has ESP and XDS and the body kit and wheels lift its look above the norm. I think in most respects its more a focused performance car than the Octy variant too. Also very impressive that it came a close second to an Alpina D3 Biturbo in Autocars eco performance car of the year award and was the best Petrol car there. I suppose its nice that its available with some big car options too.

I dont think i'd buy one if the VAT deal got pulled though unless I could secure a really good discount on one by some other means.

pipsyp - your 2nd paragraph there is perfectly in tune with my thoughts on the vRS too. Excellent words.

I presently drive a Boxster S and have ordered a vRS. Seems strange to some people and I have thoroughly enjoyed driving the Boxster but realistically you just cannot use a car with that kind of performance on public roads.

Something as mundane as the Megane RS is also too potent as I've found out. A less powerful car is always more fun - as driving the wife's 500 has taught me.

Alot of my friends just didn't get why I was getting rid of my civic type r for a VRS. They were saying a Skoda really? Then they've either been in it or been sat beside me at the traffic lights and suddenly it all becomes clear. Had a fun time last week on the North York Moors when the Fabia made mincemeat of my mates BMW Z3 good times!

Have to say as well I've never had a car that gets so much attention!!! All in all a great buy and probably the best car I've ever owned without a shadow of a doubt.

I know I guy who is planning to get rid of his Porsche Carrera 4 for a vRS. A pattern emerges?

I have heard of this trade-a-Porsche-for-a-Q-car syndrome before!

My buddy worked in a North Yorkshire Ford dealer 30 years ago. Guy comes in with a 12 month old 911, says he has worked his butt off to get one of these and scumbags key the paintwork every time he parks it in town. He says can you make me an Escort (mk2 days) that goes like stink but looks plain so I can park it anywhere. The switched-on motorsport-savvy dealer builds him an RS2000 with a Popular badge without the bodykit and ditches the engine/box for a full-works Cosworth set-up. They charge him plenty but he is well happy and comes back for another 12 months later.

If I had deep pockets I would keep a Porsche for Scotland/Europe/Trackdays and use the VRS for speedy shopping trips. Or maybe the VRS for Scottish roads too, and possibly Europe, definitely trackdays. Hey I don’t need a Porsche!

What i can see from the - trade - down to a vRS that we have here is mainly 1- VFM - Value for Money & 2- Practicality, possibly chucking in, can have a bit of fun without the 5 lamp post per gallon worry.