http://www.skoda.co.uk/news/another-record-tumbles

 

Not in Fabia, Octavia territory but respectable compared to the Citigo, Roomster and Superb.

Humm very nice! The Rapid did come to fill the gap between Fabia and Octavia, just like Jetta is the middle class between Golf and Passat, I think.

Sorry, but Jetta is Golf with a big boot. The same with Megane and Fluence from Renault.

Sorry, but Jetta is Golf with a big boot. The same with Megane and Fluence from Renault.

Yes, you're right, but I was talking more about the segment/target audience, rather than the design/structure itself. It's just my opinion of course! But you're right, the Jetta is basically a stretched Golf!

Yes, you're right, but I was talking more about the segment/target audience, rather than the design/structure itself. It's just my opinion of course! But you're right, the Jetta is basically a stretched Golf!

Technically the Rapid is a stretched Polo but it hides it well and in terms of boot size/ interior space isn't far of the Jetta, just the lack of width that limits it a bit.

All the sales figures are looking generous, octy not doing as good as I would have hoped though, the mk3 prices are to high, but all n all not bad

The nice chap at my local dealer said the Rapid didn't really shift for the first few months, but current sales are promising. I asked about the new Octavia, and he said they were trickling a few sales here and there but he thinks sales will pick up as with the Rapid.

The nice chap at my local dealer said the Rapid didn't really shift for the first few months, but current sales are promising. I asked about the new Octavia, and he said they were trickling a few sales here and there but he thinks sales will pick up as with the Rapid.

i think they need to drop it down at least a £1000

i think they need to drop it down at least a £1000

I concur really. The base Octavia is the same list price as what I paid for my specced-up Rapid, but that's with a TSI engine, and to be quite frank, I think I'd rather an Octavia with a diesel engine if ever I was going to buy one, which may be a possibility come 2017 when the finance on the Rapid is due xD

My dealer said the same today.

The Rapid started off real slow, but with the new more expensive Octy out to compare it too and a few incentives they are shifting now.

 

Have to say I had a look at mine today and it's bigger than I remember.

For some reason I thought it was a Fabia with a bit of a bigger boot, but it's not.

It feels more like an older Octavia in size, which for around £1,500 more than an old model Fabia seems fine to me.

 

 

 

 

It feels more like an older Octavia in size, which for around £1,500 more than an old model Fabia seems fine to me.

 

It's around 2cm shorter than an Octy1 IIRC, but because of the shorter front end and longer wheelbase there is much more space inside. Think my old Octy1 had less rear legroom than mums Citigo!

Today was the first day I travelled on the rear seats of my Rapid:) lol I got amazed, it's quite spacious and it's very easy to not notice it!There's lots of room between the knees and the front seats, even above head! That was a good surprise of me! lol

It's around 2cm shorter than an Octy1 IIRC, but because of the shorter front end and longer wheelbase there is much more space inside. Think my old Octy1 had less rear legroom than mums Citigo!

i came from a mk1 Octavia 57 plate and now have a mk11 superb, and the legroom changes are CRAZY!!!, I am not that tall so need the seat quite far forwards so in the octy there was no probs for rear passengers, but if you are tall in an mk1 octy the space behind the seat is 0, but in the superb people can't believe the amount of space, it's a limo!

My dealer said the same today.

The Rapid started off real slow, but with the new more expensive Octy out to compare it too and a few incentives they are shifting now.

 

Have to say I had a look at mine today and it's bigger than I remember.

For some reason I thought it was a Fabia with a bit of a bigger boot, but it's not.

It feels more like an older Octavia in size, which for around £1,500 more than an old model Fabia seems fine to me.

I always laugh at statements about the Octavia being equivalent to a Golf etc, it is a much bigger car more comparable to a passat.  The same with the Rapid, it is in between the size of a Mk1 Octavia and a Mk2, so it is much more comparable to those cars than to a Fabia or a Polo.  I would think slow sales are due to both the Rapid and the Octy 3 being over priced and under specced.  No matter how good Skoda is, if they bring the prices too close to those of more respected badges like VW and Ford etc, then they will lose sales.  I think Skoda has lost its way to an extent.

Edited 7 August, 201312 yr by CitigoAli

I think Skoda has lost its way to an extent.

 

It's funny when you read statements like that a lot on Briskoda, but every year sales globally and in the UK are up.

Second best selling car in the Czech Republic in July, just behind the Octavia: http://www.autorevue.cz/nejprodavanejsim-vozum-v-cr-vladne-skoda-a-volkswagen

Might be of interest. Rapid owned 36 days.  Used 18 days in Spain 660 miles.  Used 16 in UK miles 200.  And 2 days on ferry

 

In all that time and distance my wife and I ( and she has eyes like a hawk) have seen 2 Rapids in Spain and NONE in the UK.

 

Obviously not yet like belly buttons.

I am sure the Rapid is selling better - particularly in the Czech Republic. It was unfortunate that when the Rapid was launched there were some very tempting deals on the (end-of-the line) Octavia II and the Rapid seemed very similar, as the larger Octavia III had not yet arrived. It all makes better sense now the extended range has been revealed and the Rapid can offer an interesting combination of simplicity, value and space between Fabia and Octavia. If they did misjudge the Rapid slightly, it is good to see that Skoda have listened regarding the ride, electric window controls and interior ambience, with their new model year updates and the Spaceback will surely win new friends in the UK too, together with the new options and trim lines, as the full range comes on stream.

There should be a vRS Rapid, instead of this oversized and over priced Octy Mk3 rubbish

Edited 13 September, 201312 yr by Dope007

Went out to the bank today and spotted another Rapid, that's only the 3rd (including my own) one I've seen on the road. Our numbers are multiplying

Now had Rapid 50 days and done 1500 miles in Spain and UK.

Total rapids seen from my drivers seat or from the pavement------   2 in Spain and still NONE in UK.

Most exclusive car I've ever had.

 

Two odd incidents today.   First- neighbour came across said  "  Oh I see you've abandoned Skoda for Vauxhall then "

 

No said I--  That is the lousy new Skoda badge.   He checked the rear end to make sure.

 

Second --- bloke in a shop carpark came up and asked what model vauxhall it was.  

 

I think I'm going to get some model enamel in green and paint out the black around the winged arrow.  

i came from a mk1 Octavia 57 plate and now have a mk11 superb, and the legroom changes are CRAZY!!!, I am not that tall so need the seat quite far forwards so in the octy there was no probs for rear passengers, but if you are tall in an mk1 octy the space behind the seat is 0, but in the superb people can't believe the amount of space, it's a limo!

 

 

 When in the Skoda showroom a couple of weeks ago the mrs pulled the Superb's seat forward to her driving position. I had almost a foot of knee room which at 6' isn't at all shabby. It was then she realised that perhaps we didn't need a bigger car after all. From having a family of five in one car we've suddenly dropped to three with the eldest and middle taking to the road (and no longer interested in holidaying with the olds) The Rapid has suddenly become a very practical car for us.

 

 Spotted a 63 plate white Rapid on the M6/toll interchange the other day and given its diminutive underpinnings it looked substantial and very good in white. Given the way the Octavia has stepped up a notch Rapids will probably sell in greater number. 

Can honestly say other than mine I havn't seen another Rapid on the road.  It can be a little confusing though as the new octy looks exactly the same

I saw 2 Rapids in Athens that were taxis, & like the UK LOADS of MK1 & 2 + FL Octavias.

 

Suited the egg yolk yellow that the taxis are.

Without a VRS or at least a sporty version the rapid makes no sense to me. The Octavia is more complete and the rapid its not small enough to separate them. Probably unpopular but they should drop the Fabia now the Rapid has a sport back and do a sporty model so its like the S3 then it has role in the range occupying the slot left by the fabia. If you look at the range now the Fabia and the Roomster stick out like sore thumbs and look dated. The Yeti is also but I have a soft spot for them due to their commendable offroad / alround ability I think they still deserve a place in the line up.