Never mind Clarkson I have a few badge snobs at my work, they drive VW and Audi but would not set foot in a skoda even though they are brilliant cars but it is there loss.

It's because they are insecure and don't have the confidence to pull it off. Everyone knows these days that Skodas are seriously good and great value but some people need the reassurance of driving what they perceive to be a premium brand car.

The new Octavia needs a power upgrade big time, and the dealer network needs a boot up the brown pipe.

Just about every post you make slags off Skoda, be that the cars or the dealers. Why don't you just put yourself out of your misery and P/X it for the BMWs you keep banging on about???

Clarkson always has an agenda, the only car he will give a rave review about is one that he wants at a greatly reduced cost to him, or free.

If you knew what data and info to look at you could clearly see that Skoda is much better than "old guard" VAG for few simple reasons. They don't have to run "legacy" tech and get the newest solutions a year after VW of Audi (2 cyl cut off fuel saving soft and valve train in 1.4 TSi as installed in vRS now available in Golf will be with Skoda next year) and what is the most important thing Skoda factories have the newest tooling I the whole of VAG! For some people badge and Burbery cap is important for others quality, performance, practicality, running costs and value for money count for more

Why is he reviewing an old car? The Current facelift car is now what 4years old.

Steve

Clarkson always has an agenda, the only car he will give a rave review about is one that he wants at a greatly reduced cost to him, or free.

He'll say anything if the money's right. I used to have a copy of a promotional brochure Citroen produced for the launch of the ZX. They'd got Clarkson to review the 1.9 diesel base model and he gushed for about 4 pages on how much he liked the diesel engine and how it was barely worth paying the extra for the turbo version as 70 bhp in the non-turbo was more than enough ..........ok that was about 20 years ago and during his full-on perm phase, but I doubt he really believed a single word of what he'd written even then.

James May is the only one of the bunch I trust.

To be fair, you've quoted 4 words. As can be seen from most of his road tests where he goes from apparent loathing to apparent loving of a car (or vice versa), there are rarely 4 words that sums up any of his opinions.

...but, to be fair, his last 4 words are in much the same tone as the article's headline, serving only to underline the essence of his (in)considered opinion.

40% of the review was preamble, 40% was reasonably positive and 20% went on about the cheap feel, which to be fair is not far wrong.

Lets face it if Clarkson was on his uppers (by his standards anyway) and only had £16K to spend on a new car a petrol VRS would be high on his list. (DtD price).

16K in Audi terms gets you a mid range A1 - He'd hardly even fit in that!

The new Octavia needs a power upgrade big time, and the dealer network needs a boot up the brown pipe.

I wish they'd put the 2.7 or the 3.0tdi in the Octy with quattro. I'd be having that.

Clarkson should be more careful with his opinions. I remember the Vectra getting a hammering from him which didn't help anyone.

.....20% went on about the cheap feel, which to be fair is not far wrong.

Didn't read the article but I don't think the Octavia does feel cheap. I bought one partially because the fit and finish of the interior impressed me. Its certainly very well screwed together and mine has no rattles or squeaks after 2 years.

Didn't read the article but I don't think the Octavia does feel cheap. I bought one partially because the fit and finish of the interior impressed me. Its certainly very well screwed together and mine has no rattles or squeaks after 2 years.

Couldn't agree more. I brightened up the drab interior of my first standard Octy with an imitation walnut kit (not everyone's taste) which did the trick. http://www.tuning-in.eu/interior-decors-skoda-octavia-ii-wood-look-climatronic.html

However: something like that would be well out of place in a vRS.

And what's all this about more power from some readers??? 200 PS not enough? :strong: Why not get it remapped, lower the suspension further and fit an Asian sound system, innit?

Clarkson should be more careful with his opinions. I remember the Vectra getting a hammering from him which didn't help anyone.

I don't think he said anything really bad in the review.

The man is to be disregarded in all aspects.

I don't think he said anything really bad in the review.

It was in a written review long after the Vectra was released - just like he has done now in the times. It was rumored that his comments had forced Vauxhall to phase-out the Vectra quicker than they had wanted to, such was the damage to sales of new ones.

We can't all afford the cars he raves about - and although I would NEVER miss an episode of TopGear, Clarkson just seems completely out of touch now.

- and although I would NEVER miss an episode of TopGear..

Really? I couldn't give a monkeys about that programme any more. Its just tired old clichés and repeated jokes and pranks - the only way you can tell the difference between a new episode and something 10 yrs old on "Dave" is the reg plates on the cars.

If you're a petrolhead and you want to watch some video, just subscribe to some good stuff on youtube (e.g. motortrend, hotrod, evo, autocar, chris harris, pistonheads, jayleno, drive, car and driver etc

I'm a petrolhead alright - doesn't mean I can't enjoy Topgear for what it is.

I think if it was gone it would be missed - even by those who are quick to slate it.

Didn't read the article but I don't think the Octavia does feel cheap. I bought one partially because the fit and finish of the interior impressed me. Its certainly very well screwed together and mine has no rattles or squeaks after 2 years.

I did read the offending article and on the whole I have to agree with him. My main beef is the number of rattles and sqeaks. On the other hand the 1.8 tsi engine is great and the dsg is a delight when it's not trying to be a kangaroo. Would I buy another one, yes. But I wouldn't buy new again unless I could test drive for a weekend to make sure I didn't get another lemon.

I tend to treat Top Gear as light entertainment, a motorized version of The One Show presented by two comedians and a slightly more sensible one. To treat it as an informative motoring magazine style show is an impossibility. It is quite good fun, I would love a Combine Harvester snow plough with flame thrower.

Yup. light entertainment.

Top Gear is Last Of The Summer Wine on wheels, complete with a tall opinionated numpty, a short one who gets to nearly kill himself and one who is bewildered by the modern world.

Just about every post you make slags off Skoda, be that the cars or the dealers. Why don't you just put yourself out of your misery and P/X it for the BMWs you keep banging on about???

Why dont you stop reading my replies and sod off back to were you came from,

If you dont like it dont reply its simple.

In the article I read (think it was the same one) I agree with him on the following points:

1. the brakes are redicioulsly sharp (although you CAN get used to them)

2. The drivers arm rest in the door card is too high when the seat is in the low position

3. The way the speedo changes from 10mph increments to 20 mph increments part way through the gauge without a change in spacing is crazy (luckily you can code for a large MPH display in maxidot)

4. There are almost no options as std (similar to rest of the VAG range)

Thank god he didn't have one when it was raining as there would have been a 5th

5. Whenever it rains, even slightly, do not open the boot as anything and everything will be like you've chucked it in the swimming pool!

Having said ALL that, I do love mine and wouldn't change it for the world, IMHO am am paying for the hardware in the car, 170ps VAG CR Diesel and DSG box which is heaven :-)

Best family sized sports hatch you can buy for under 20k!

1. Honestly? I didn't think they were very sharp at all. Unless they've been changed for the FL. I thought my clio derv had much sharper brakes

2. Suppose that depends on the size and sahpe of the driver.

3. I did think that was odd, but I got used to it pretty quickly.

4. Thought the VRS was not too badly specced. It's loaded compared to a GTI considering the money

5. No argument, that is a PITA.