I accidentally bought a Rapid

[J400uk]

As I have said in the past once the public get to see them more and SUK review the pricing, it will be a good model for Skoda. Could certainly tempt some drivers away from Golf & Jetta - I don't doubt that it will end up on a many a lease companies car listing for company car users - a well spec'd Rapid vs lower spec'd Octavia perhaps?

Which aspect of the pricing do you feel needs reviewing? Although it seemed expensive compared to the old Octavia 2, when you compare it to the Octavia 3 it is very reasonable. Comparisons to the Fabia and Roomster aren't fair as they are ancient models in run-out pending replacement.

[dieselV6]

The 40% over Czech prices aspect of pricing, as well as the aspect of pricing which makes it the first UK Skoda that is more expensive than an equivalent German Skoda.

Let's not overdo praise here, while Rapid is not a bad car at all, SUK tried to take customers for a pricey ride with the Rapid. If you check import prices, discounts of £3k+ are readily available.

Also, it turns out that on both Octavia 3 and the Rapid, the Inspection Service tasks are no longer detailed in the Service Schedule book.

My advice is to get a printout of Service Tables from the dealer before buying a Rapid or an Octavia 3, otherwise you will likely be fleeced every time your car is up for Inspection. 4 year timing belt service con so frequently pushed onto VAG UK customers will finally have no direct obstacles, which is even more appalling considering recent 1.6CR engines have 130k mile belt limit.

Edited 26 March, 2013 by dieselV6

[RapidRonnie]

Even as a Rapid owner I agree the SUK list prices are too high.

However I would be happy to pay the kind of prices being offered on DrivetheDeal for a new one, or if you can pick up a nicely specced ex demo they are a real bargain.

[stokey]

The 40% over Czech prices aspect of pricing, as well as the aspect of pricing which makes it the first UK Skoda that is more expensive than an equivalent German Skoda.

My advice is to get a printout of Service Tables from the dealer before buying a Rapid or an Octavia 3, otherwise you will likely be fleeced every time your car is up for Inspection. 4 year timing belt service con so frequently pushed onto VAG UK customers will finally have no direct obstacles, which is even more appalling considering recent 1.6CR engines have 130k mile belt limit.

So what's so different with the service tables?

[dieselV6]

They are not in your Service Schedule booklet (supplied with every new car) anymore. You have to beg the service manager to get them now :(

[stokey]

They are not in your Service Schedule booklet (supplied with every new car) anymore. You have to beg the service manager to get them now :(

Good job I've got the 3 free servicing then. Never kept a car 3 years but there is a good VAG independent servicing specialist up the road from the dealers to provide some competition should I do so.

[J400uk]

The 40% over Czech prices aspect of pricing, as well as the aspect of pricing which makes it the first UK Skoda that is more expensive than an equivalent German Skoda.

Let's not overdo praise here, while Rapid is not a bad car at all, SUK tried to take customers for a pricey ride with the Rapid. If you check import prices, discounts of £3k+ are readily available.

I see what your saying but I don't think the pricing abroad is relevant. You could argue that the UK spec is higher and UK options cheaper.

My point is more compared to what else is on the market (in the UK) the Rapid pricing is fine. At the end of the day although technically not as advanced, its cheaper and bigger than most C-segment cars such as the Golf and Focus.

Skoda have also moved further upmarket in recent years and are no longer the budget brand they once were.

As I said in my previous post this sits neatly below the Octavia 3, which some commentators on here are also moaning is too expensive.

[Raf_]

Skoda has gone about the introduction of the rapid wrong, the TV advert was boring, the engine line up is also boring and now after the octy 3 has gone out the ads have stopped on TV (I think!) . Plus there's the discounts that have been given out for the runout of the octy 2, making the rapid seem expensive. Skoda should of launched the rapid after the octy 3 and should release a hot version with the octy vrs's 2.0t lol

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

[RapidRonnie]

I dispute that the engines are boring; even the 86PS TSI is quite capable so I would imagine the 105 with the 6 speed manual and 122 with the 7 speed DSG are pretty decent performers, even if not outright 'hot' versions.

Agree the Rapid seemed expensive next to the discounted Octy 2s but then big discounts are also available through the online brokers on the Rapid. It seems to me that all car manufacturers these days overprice their products at list price and offer hefty discounts instead either through offers or negotiation - the price you pay is what matters

[Thecko]

I just looked at the likely trade-in value for my Fabia on the glass website.

Ouch :( Looks like if I want to change I'm running this in to the ground while I save up more £££

Edited 27 March, 2013 by Thecko

[J400uk]

Here's an interesting fact, the Rapid wheelbase is actually longer than that of the Octavia 1 and 2! This mean its firmly in the small family car segment and as such should only be compared with 'Golf sized' cars.

On the engines I think the entry level 75PS 3-cylinder is pointless and will be very underpowered, but the TSIs and TDI are fine. The could probably fit a 2.0 inside if they wanted as they do in the Ibiza and A1, but I guess it would risk cannibalising Octavia sales

[dieselV6]

I see what your saying but I don't think the pricing abroad is relevant. You could argue that the UK spec is higher and UK options cheaper.

Pricing abroad is perfectly relevant if all it takes is 1 phone call or an online enquiry to get the same car at £3k-£4k less. Why do you think the demonstrators are discounted by £4k? Believe or not, SUK still makes a profit selling them after £4k discount.

When you compare like-for-like configured cars with all options added in, even Irish ones work out 20% less when imported to the UK. Just because Octavia 3 prices are higher, does not mean that the Rapid is good value in the UK. The £3k-£4k discounted demonstrators are fair value though.

In any case, Rapid is a decent enough car, just UK prices are ridiculous, but you can get it from brokers or import from Ireland yourself at 20%+ discount for exactly the same (or better!) specification.

Good job I've got the 3 free servicing then. Never kept a car 3 years but there is a good VAG independent servicing specialist up the road from the dealers to provide some competition should I do so.

Not everyone gets BIK cars or money from the tree in the garden. A significant proportion of private purchases are bought new and ran till they die. Plus the person who gets the car after you will be taken for a ride with unneccessary maintenance requests, but let this not worry you, I'm allright, Jack.

Edited 27 March, 2013 by dieselV6

[J400uk]

Pricing abroad is perfectly relevant if all it takes is 1 phone call or an online enquiry to get the same car at £3k-£4k less. Why do you think the demonstrators are discounted by £4k? Believe or not, SUK still makes a profit selling them after £4k discount.

When you compare like-for-like configured cars with all options added in, even Irish ones work out 20% less when imported to the UK. Just because Octavia 3 prices are higher, does not mean that the Rapid is good value in the UK. The £3k-£4k discounted demonstrators are fair value though.

In any case, Rapid is a decent enough car, just UK prices are ridiculous, but you can get it from brokers or import from Ireland yourself at 20%+ discount for exactly the same (or better!) specification.

See in my opinion UK prices are fine, you've yet to show me another car of similar size offering better value. There is no business case whatsoever to reduce the list prices.

Oh and I had a look at Skoda CZ Octavia 3 prices, they are about £5k less than the UK prices so you could say that's even worse value than the Rapid?

Also looked at Irish Rapid prices, currently starts at €16,515 which equates to £13,997 (i.e. more)

Regarding discounts, unless its something super desirable like a MINI all cars tend to be significantly cheaper buying through brokers or picking up an ex-demo - that is quite normal

Edited 27 March, 2013 by J400uk

[dieselV6]

You forgot to subtract 25% Irish car tax, and another 3% Irish VAT difference. Also, compare like for like versions with exactly the same options, it is far more accurate. I did. In fact, due to various SUK trim/equipment decisions (no ESP in 2002, no heated seats+velour in 2006), I had to personally import my first 2 Skodas from Ireland, so I'd say I know the process.

Anyway, by the looks of the dealerships, I am right and you are wrong, the only Rapids rapidly shifting are ex demos discounted by £4k each. Go on an buy full priced Rapid from a UK dealership, it'll keep the local stealer alive while I order mine from Ireland (as soon as they put 2.0CR in it, that is) and spend the £3k+ on fuel instead.

Skoda was always about excellent value for money, the trouble is Skoda UK forgot about it. They are in process of getting a painful revenue lesson on that topic. Octavia 3 will be less painful, but in my personal opinion we will see 0% VAT on both cars before 2013 is finished, if not also further trim updates and outright list price reduction on the Rapid.

Edited 27 March, 2013 by dieselV6

[stokey]

Not everyone gets BIK cars or money from the tree in the garden. A significant proportion of private purchases are bought new and ran till they die. Plus the person who gets the car after you will be taken for a ride with unneccessary maintenance requests, but let this not worry you, I'm allright, Jack.

Now just hang on a minute, how you can take my comment as being all right jack is beyond belief, especially coming from you who has bored and wound up more people on these forums than anyone I can remember, with your wishes that Skoda build cars to your individual needs.

I don't get my money from a tree in a garden but choose to send my hard earned money on new cars which I change after one to two years and the the following owner far from being taken for a ride gets an excellent second hand buy that had been fully serviced and the new owner is free to get it serviced as he/ she so wishes where he/she so wishes!

[dieselV6]

I don't get my money from a tree in a garden but choose to send my hard earned money on new cars which I change after one to two years and the the following owner far from being taken for a ride gets an excellent second hand buy that had been fully serviced and the new owner is free to get it serviced as he/ she so wishes where he/she so wishes!

Exactly, except now that second owner will gullibly take request the local service manager to replace timing belt, all filters and half of the engine, "because it is part of the upcoming Inspection Service, sir". Or during your "3 years free" inspection service the dealership workshop will "forget" to replace air, fuel and cabin filter. How will you know they should have been replaced?

On every earlier Skoda, you could always double check the service intervals for various filters and belts in the Service Schedule booklet.

To not even list timing belt mileage (that currently stands at 130k miles for the 1.6CR, and makes SUK requests to replace it every 4 years downright criminal) is a major oversight from Skoda Auto. It will also make judging long term maintenance costs much harder at time of purchase.

Short term (a few years), it'll keep SUK dealership workshops more profitable, long term, people will turn away from Skoda as they will get hit with rising maintenance costs and/or broken engines ("I did not know the belt had to be replaced 20k miles ago and the engine is busted now"). Personally, I won't pay for any further Skoda until I get a printout of Service Tables in my hand.

Edited 27 March, 2013 by dieselV6

[J400uk]

I am right and you are wrong

If that's your level of ignorance I shan't bother to post a serious reply.

[dieselV6]

You forgot to subtract 25% Irish car tax, and another 3% Irish VAT difference. ...

Anyway, by the looks of the dealerships, I am right and you are wrong, the only Rapids rapidly shifting are ex demos discounted by £4k each.

If that's your level of ignorance I shan't bother to post a serious reply.

You seem to have missed all arguments in the out of context part of sentence you quoted, by now I think only the SUK employee who approved the Rapid pricing persists in maintaining it was the right decision. Or are you him/her?

[Octivarian]

I've done 500 miles in mine so far...and I really like it! It's comfy, reasonably quick and very frugal... 55mpg overall so far ....comments aside, the "hard plastics" issue was well redressed by OctaviaT81 " the bits you touch are fine" which I would agree with ... I've had some positive reactions for colleagues at work, who thought it was a well built spacious car....which it is! And good VFM

But would I still buy a "new" ordered car with all the extras I got thrown in ..... NO ...... Because it would have been around £21K !! And that puts it in the range of a lot of good metal! So SUK really need to re-think the price bands...even with the Octy 3 higher pricing..

[110ivan]

Have yet to drive a Rapid but for those on a tight budget it might as well do ... Compared to my Octavia 2 , which is a 9 year old design it feels cheap though , don't like the hard door card plastics and the centre dash looks cheapish ... to lift it up they should have done an '' aluminium '' looking strip along the dash and doors as on the Octy 2 , the lower parts of the front seats is not covered up and the first thing u'll see when u open the doors are ugly seat rails , not even in an Estelle ... and a particular design fault a friend of mine pointed is that u can't open the bonnet unless u open the passengers door as the bonnet latch interferes with the drinks holder in the door cars , imagine a heavy side impact and the battery would need to be disconnected fast ... no freekin way ...

Edited 29 March, 2013 by 110ivan

[RapidRonnie]

and a particular design fault a friend of mine pointed is that u can't open the bonnet unless u open the passengers door as the bonnet latch interferes with the drinks holder in the door cars , imagine a heavy side impact and the battery would need to be disconnected fast ... no freekin way ...

That's it. I'm taking mine back.

[Ad Lav]

Same on the fabia...

[BossFox]

So a passenger can't accidentally open the bonnet while the car is moving?

I quite like that idea.

[Leon-y-k]

To be honest, you've got to get out of your car to access your bonnet anyway...! Wasn't ever a problem with the Fabia, I do like the new bonnet catch location when your lifting the bonnet, It's directly under the badge which makes it effortless to open

[110ivan]

My whole point was that say in a heavy side impact where the passenger's door can't be opened and the bonnet would need to be opened quickly to disconnect the battery or whatever to extinguish some electrical fire or whatever it wouldn't be an easy task ...