Hi,

I am currently in the process of making a shortlist of potential purchases. The list so far looks like this:

1) Skoda Roomster (with sunroof and roof bars) although these are hard to find in budget (£8-9K)

2) Seat Altea Tdi

3) Citroen C3 Picasso (not really wanting to go away from VAG though)

4) Vaux Meriva (new shape)

My query is to what to look out for when looking at any potential Roomster purchase? I have a Mk1 Fabia Estate at the moment but am looking for more space.

Any advice is greatly received.

Cheers,

Back in March this year I got my 08 Roomster 3 1.6 with less than 10k miles, sunroof but no bars from a local Skoda dealer for just over 7k (with a PX). Paid £265 to get bars retro fitted. Expensive as its a big job. But the result is the same.

Things to look out for are: Rattle from passenger airbag (intermittent so hard to spot and fix) and rusty discs (make swooshing noise on braking). Mine has both but I can live with them. Also I have read about noisy air con pumps and some owners complaining about the build quality in newer ones.

Really pleased with it so far. Economical, despite the bigger petrol engine. Nice to drive. Loads of space; it's essentially a van with the seats out. The only negatives are funny looks (I like them) and a huge boot lip (a couple of crash mats to raise the floor help).

I downsized from a Mazda5 and my shortlist was different to yours (e.g. Nissan Note, Jazz, ceed) but I couldn't find anything else that compared.

Car before that was a Multipla which was designed in two halves (top and bottom) which made it a Tardis. Skoda have done the same with the Roomster (but front and back instead) and got the same kind of result.

Edited 28 September, 201213 yr by Steve Chilcott

Thanks for your reply. Did the supplying dealer retro fit the roof bars? I wasn't aware this could be done. I would be willing to pay this though.

Quite keen on the roomster. Like you I quite like the looks. Qould be keen to stick with Skoda as our Fabia has been great and we want to keep it and trade my wifes Kia Picanto.

Thanks.

I've had mine for three years now and nothing.....absolutely nothing.....has gone wrong with it.

I still consider it by some margin the best car I have ever owned.

The front half of the Roomster is essentially Fabia. So if you like driving the Fabia, you'll probably like driving the Roomster.

I looked very closely at the Fabia Estate before deciding on the Roomster. I preferred the Roomster's looks and the Roomster's removable rear seats. The icing on the Roomster's cake was the availability of a glass roof.

If you like your local Skoda dealer, why not let him know your specific requirements? He may be able to get an SE model (standard-fit glass roof) from another dealer and who knows, he may offer to retro-fit roof bars for you to ensure a sale.

Looking at the other cars on your list - I have only ever owned one Citroen and that was from new.

I called it the Schitroen. Nuf sed?

I had an Octavia Mk1 '02 1.6 petrol and Fabia Mk1 '06 1.2 12v petrol. My Roomster is by far the roomiest, sunniest (even without sunroof), most comfortable and even way far best handling Skoda than the previous ones due to Fabia's front axle and Octavia's rear axle. Also great difference from Citroen C3 Picasso. Like comparing day (Roomster) to night (C3)

Roofbars can be retro fitted and I personally believe that transforms the car's image to the best.

I can't tell you about engine because 1.2 Tsi 77Kw is a really different engine than those were fitted in pre facelifted Roomsters. But having a lot of friends owning 1.4 petrol and 1.6 petrol Roomsters (pre facelifted) they have no issues at all except some minor rattles.

A quick look on autotrader shows there are quite a few under 9k and low mileage.

just as an example,

Of course if you went for the older models with 1.9TDi you can get a nice v3 spec for half that much and under 50k

Thanks for your reply. Did the supplying dealer retro fit the roof bars? I wasn't aware this could be done. I would be willing to pay this though.

Quite keen on the roomster. Like you I quite like the looks. Qould be keen to stick with Skoda as our Fabia has been great and we want to keep it and trade my wifes Kia Picanto.

Thanks.

Yes the dealer did fit them. It was one of the deciding factors for me in buying one without rails. I think it's quite a fiddly job, the service manager had to make sure the right fitter was available, but it was only a couple hours of labour and the car was done in a day. I was really pleased with the result. Mine is a blue grey colour and the bars are quite subtle but soften the odd looks quite a bit IMHO. I would guess that if you like the Fabia you will like the Roomster, The front end of the car is near identical (as far as I can tell) apart from the funny scooped side windows.

We have 2 roomsters, we moved from a golf estate to a roomster in 2010 (one of the last pre facelift 1.9 tdi's). This car has only had one issue in the 2 years of owner ship. This was only the rear windows playing up, other than this the car is awesome, more room in the back than my sisters passat estate.

I really cant fault the roomster in any way so much so when my furby 1.4 developed an unhealthy appetite for oil, we traded it in for a demonstrator face lift 1.6 tdi scout roomster and it so far has been faultless (touch wood).

Things to look out for are check all electric windows and the radio i also had a new one of these.

good look Tom

P.S. other members in my family have a c3 picasso and they were staggered by the room in our roomys!!!!

The only downside I can find is that horrible American "ping" sound that happens when you open the door with the lights on. Presumably its a VAG thing.

Hi jonnobris, I'm in the curious situation of having both a 1.4 petrol Roomster 2 and a Seat Altea Stylance 1.9TDI. The rear door of the Roomster gives an enormous capacity for carrying large things like washing machines, fridges etc which the Altea never could. The Roomster is much more a utility vehicle with its hard plastic trims and lack of sound deadening, at least in the back. Both have unusually generous leg room, l'm 6'5" and can comfortably sit in the rear of both. It has to be said the middle seat in my 2008 Roomster is virtually unusable for all but the shortest journeys. I've never really understood why its so puny. It makes the car really only suitable as a 4 seater. Apart from that its a great wee car. Obviously the 1.4 petrol is rather underpowered but does give me 48mpg without trying. l've never driven one with a diesel but suspect it's torque allows less frequent gear changes. The Altea 1.9TDI is altogether in a different class. It has a feeling of solidity and of being a better build quality. Its a fast comfortable quite sporty drive and handles better than the Roomster. Its quieter and very torquey so is definitely a good 'drivers car'. I tend to use it on long journeys and arrive fresher than if using the Roomster. Though it must be said l'm comparing a 1.4 petrol with a 1.9 diesel so probably not quite fair. Our family also has a Citroen Berlingo 1.9 diesel which is by far the best of the bunch!! Oddly enough my Altea is up for sale at the moment, its just too fast and sporty!! We have made the decision to keep the Berlingo and the Roomster. That must tell you something of my liking for the Roomster.

Our family also has a Citroen Berlingo 1.9 diesel which is by far the best of the bunch!!

Interesting how our experiences and opinions differ, Bigsacs.

I hated my Schitroen Berlingo 1.9 diesel but consider my Roomster by far the best car I have ever owned.

If you are looking at a pre-fl model with the radio aerial in the front of the roof, make sure that the radio is working and you can find stations. I had the problem that the aerial "foot" was leaking, and water would come dripping via the aerial into the interior light and then down from there. From what I have understood this is not a totally uncommon problem. This did cause the aerial connection to fail, so the radio was unusable for all but the strongest stations. CDs still worked fine of course.

If you are looking for one witg glass roof this is not an issue since the ones with glass roof have the aerial at the back and not on top of the front interior light. But this was the only problem we had in 3 years and 30000+ miles with a -07 1.9 TDI.

Robjon, I've never driven the 1.9 TDI Roomster but suspect with the same engine as my Altea it'll be quite a car. In many ways the Roomy and the Blingo are similar in giving great load carrying in a reasonably small car. The Blingo has been faultless over the last two years and continues to give good service. I can't see me changing it but then l'm partial to french cars having had quite a few. Another of jonnobris was the C3 Picasso which is possibly the most stylish of the bunch, great diesels and l suppose ultimately if l ever were to sell the Blingo l'd look seriously at them.

Thanks for all your replies. As soon as I get a spare couple of hours I need to go and compare the Roomster and Altea I think. Baby no 2 not here for a few months yet so going to spend time making sure I find a good'un.

Cheers,

Jonno

Jonno

The Roomster is a perfect family wagon for 2 adults and 2 kids. two baby seats either side, take out the middle seat ans you have space to put the buggy laid down in between

As others have said the front half is a mk1 fabia with a skin job, whilst the rear end is on the mk1 Octavia platform.

Good handling due to the rear track being a bit wider than the front, even better with a neuspeed rear anti roll bar

My Roomster scout runs the 1.9tdi PD105bhp engine. I can imagine that the 1.4tdi would struggle a little especially when well loaded (loads more 1.4tdi's for sale used than there are 1.9's.

Having a remap helps with a bit of extra oooomph for overtaking.

The Roomster is a perfect family wagon for 2 adults and 2 kids

Or 2 grandparents and 3 grandkids. 3 Booster seats in the back no problem. Meriva has surprising small amount of seating in the back compared to the Roomster (I looked at both before getting the Roomster).

Hi,

Going to have a look at these tomorrow to compare

http://www.availablecar.com/used-skoda/roomster_1.2-tsi-105-se-5dr/111233

http://www.availablecar.com/used-seat/altea_1.9-tdi-90-s-5dr/111168

Good place to go and compare cars I think.

Can't even get to test drive one myself around here.

Been in touch with Skoda in Warrington and Liverpool, and both have loaned out their demo's for several weeks it seems.

Won;t go near Mitchells even though they are only 4 miles away before anyone suggests it.

Like what I'm reading from all the posts in here btw, and Roomster 1.6 SE currently top of my list.(15-20k p.a. expected)

Just wish it hadn't got the dreaded DPF.

Edited 1 October, 201213 yr by Mr Ree

When I bought my Roomster three years ago, my dealer was more helpful. He did not have a 1.9TDI demo available, but offered to get one from another dealer within two weeks. I was too eager to get rid of my Schitroen Berlingo to want to wait that long!

My dealer offered a test drive in a Roomster petrol, followed by a test drive in a Fabia 1.9TDI. This enabled me to assess how the 1.9TDI would perform in the Roomster. Needless to say, he won the sale.

I share your views on the dreaded DPF although (fortunately) my Roomy does not have one. However, I expect your 15-20k p.a. will include a high proportion of motorway driving and if so, I doubt you will experience any problems.

I have the Roomster 1.6 TDI SE and it's been great. Over 25k in less than 2 years and one gas sensor has been replaced under warranty. Excellent car and the dpf has been ok apart from making the engine feel rough if it started regenerating around town.

My father owns the C3 Picasso tdi and I find the ride height slightly higher and a bit more comfortable than the Roomster but not so much space in the boot. It doesn't feel as strong as the Roomster and there are lots of rattles etc. Both engines pull well and the C3 feels more refined.

Good place to go and compare cars I think.

SWMBO bought a Mini from them and they had no idea about all the extras on it. With the Roomster things like climate A/C, 3rd rear headrest, spare wheel, fogs are not standard so you could find you get more of a bargain than you think.

Avoid DPF's like the plague if you spend lots of time idling in traffic. Or have the pipe changed for one without and a remap to keep it legal. Failing that take it for a blast in 3rd gear now and again.

Avoid DPF's like the plague if you spend lots of time idling in traffic. Or have the pipe changed for one without and a remap to keep it legal. Failing that take it for a blast in 3rd gear now and again.

Bit tricky on a diesel now me thinks.

I asked the question in here a few weeks ago as to if theirs a diesel left on the market without a DPF.

Seems not apparently.

What do we think to this?

http://www.sturgessgroup.co.uk/used-cars/search/2558/skoda-roomster

FSH every 10k last one 2k ago. No record of cambelt being done but seller says this will be done to secure sale. Only 3mth warranty but £199 for 12mths. Tow bar may also mean no need for roof bars as we have access to a trailer for as and when we need extra space?

Is this a reasonable price?

What do we think to this?

http://www.sturgessg.../skoda-roomster

FSH every 10k last one 2k ago. No record of cambelt being done but seller says this will be done to secure sale. Only 3mth warranty but £199 for 12mths. Tow bar may also mean no need for roof bars as we have access to a trailer for as and when we need extra space?

Is this a reasonable price?

For a main stealer...about right I'd say, but that's the asking price, not the paying.

Edited 3 October, 201213 yr by Mr Ree