One thing I find curious here is that those who seem to hate the Rapid so much seem to spend a lot of time on the Rapid forum.

Is it a bit like homophobia in that "those that protest too much" are secretly a bit interested?

Nothing strange, the Rapid could be a good budget "fit all purposes" car, if SUK got the pricing right and/or put the right engines into it. Abroad at least the pricing is right if not the engines. As it stands in the UK, Rapid looses to current Roomster, Fabia, and the remaining Octavia 2 in almost everything but the novelty factor (and looks for the Roomster haters ).

Edited 28 February, 201313 yr by dieselV6

The only Rapid I've seen on the road is the local garages demo model, there isn't even any parked up (that I've noticed) for the new March registration. Plenty of Citigo's and Fabia's however. The Rapid does nothing for me and I think it's very bland.

Nothing strange, the Rapid could be a good budget "fit all purposes" car, if SUK got the pricing right and/or put the right engines into it. Abroad at least the pricing is right if not the engines. As it stands in the UK, Rapid looses to current Roomster, Fabia, and the remaining Octavia 2 in almost everything but the novelty factor (and looks for the Roomster haters ).

Agree on the pricing but think the engines are perfectly fine for a budget car. Modern, efficient and refined. True there is no performance option but you can always upgrade to the Octy for that, or at least you could if SUK brought the 1.8TSI here...

Without the right pricing it is not a budget car...

Efficiency of 1.6CR is grossly exagerrated, on motorway/country roads it is indeed very good, but in town the DPF drinks a lot of fuel, especially when the engine is cold, plus I suspect lower efficiency due to compression ratio comes into play as the engine is off boost more often in town. 2.0CR at least has more consistent fuel consumption.

Still, if the prices were 30%+ lower, it would be a "Fabia LWB", same engines, more legroom and boot space.

But that's not an issue with the Rapid, just the engine, or at least it appears to be for you.

I sat in one this morning and took a good look at, great looking car, very comfortable, modern looking dash

Best looking car in the showroom this morning amongst the Yetis, Superbs and Octavias was however a deep metallic grey Fabia Monte Carlo, looked fantastic.

But hey if we all liked the same life would be boring

Regards all

Juan

Sent from my iPhone using my thumbs

But that's not an issue with the Rapid, just the engine, or at least it appears to be for you.

Still, if the prices were 30%+ lower, it would be a "Fabia LWB", same engines, more legroom and boot space.

For current prices, they'd need to put better engines in. I agree if pricing was Fabia+10%-15%, it would work/sell well. It does in Europe. SUK went mad with 40% over Czech list prices.

Edited 28 February, 201313 yr by dieselV6

I popped in a Seat garage today to check out the new Leon, whilst there I sat in the new Toledo. I think it's much nicer inside than the rapid the quality of the plastics are no better but their colour is lighter which improves the look. Also the Toledo has a nice perforated leather steering wheel and the one I sat in was in a lovely shade of metalic blue not to far off race blue. Popped next door to the Skoda dealers to check out the Rapid again and was disappointed again by the black plastics that always appear to scuffed

I am suffering from Rapid phobia. I admit it. I can't help it.

i find it interesting when i visit my local dealer that they the only rapid they have is out on the forecourt

and in the showroom today they had a yeti, an octavia, a red roomster (looks so wrong in red) fabia vrs estate, a superb and a normal fabia

Rapid left out in cold (both weather and rejected) and heard from a person there they have only sold 2 since launch

it would not have cost much to refine the interior and put a better engine range in

Skoda seem to be losing their brand identity and becoming a cheap looking clone of VW but without the price tag to match

just needs the new octavia to bomb and perhaps they will need to rethink this strange policy they now appear have

I like the Rapid although not in denim blue and without foglights, when yes in that guise it does look a little bland. The dash too could be a bit more soft touch on the top surface like the mid and higher spec Fabia.

However as many have said it's the overpricing that's the issue, particularly with VAT Free on the go, hence why we went for a Monte Carlo rather than wait a few short weeks to look at the Rapid.

Further feel the new Octavia III with the 1.2TSI motor price wise also makes more sense than the Rapid SE/Elegance with the same engine; more standard kit and better chassis.

TP

I like it I just think it is priced too highly. I would say the best model would be a mid range 1.2 tsi 105 with manual box. Start going for the plusher diesels and you are pushing £20k which i would not spend on one.

Edited 3 March, 201313 yr by Matt Bodycombe

the price and the strange option packs rather than a lot of cheaper pick'n'mix options

i also am not sure about the driving position, i seem to close to the screen compared even to the citigo which to me make the car seem smaller inside and less spacious

and putting out all the demonstrators with stupid spec and every option on the list meaning the price looked like a superb instead of a mid range run around