I agree with more or less everything you've said in this thread.

 

Anybody who doesn't understand that Skoda's are great cars is just plain stupid. Skoda make high quality cars for a good price. What isn't to like about that? In the Czech Rep they are raved about. It's just snobby Daily Fail reading morons who think otherwise. I hope they are happy in their pooorly specced and slow 6 year old BMW 116i's.

 

The tactic I used was telling my friend I had bought a new car, but not telling him what it was, then turning up in it at night and taking him for an all-out blitz around the Devon country roads here, he was blown away by the Fabia vRS's power and handling!

 

One other thing i'd like to point out, how on Earth is the Fiesta ST a 5-star car and the Fabia vRS a 2? That is absolute bull***t. The Fiesta ST is a great car, no doubt, but 3 better than the vRS? I can tell you now for a fact the Fabia vRS is quicker. Somebody is lining the pockets of the media to rave about cars that are yes, good, but not tons better than the competition. Until that stops happening the old stigma and snotty-woman opinions on what is the most competitve and best value car manufacturer in Europe today, will never go away.

 

Don't buy the Daily Mail. Only toilet roll that leaves more **** on than what you had in the first place.

 

I may have just gone on a rant here... so sorry about that. Skoda is the future though, im sure of it!!!

One other thing i'd like to point out, how on Earth is the Fiesta ST a 5-star car and the Fabia vRS a 2? That is absolute bull***t. The Fiesta ST is a great car, no doubt, but 3 better than the vRS? I can tell you now for a fact the Fabia vRS is quicker.

 

Drive both and you'll understand.

The Fiesta ST is a cracking motor.  Real fun to drive, nicely balanced and a great hot hatch.

The Fabia VRS, by comparison isn't anywhere near as good to drive.

I was so impressed with the handling and fun factor I sold mine after 4 days.

 

The star rating is not based only on it's speed.

Very interesting thread. I have had the odd ignorant comment, especially from one or two of my acquaintances on Toyota based forums. Staggerred that I haven't bought a GT86 or a golf GTi and yes some I am mad to go for an Octavia VRS. One or two though actually do know something and like the VRS.

I couldn't really have a coupe and one with no torque really doesn't appeal to me, plus I have no desire to be a drift king, so GT86 was never considered. ( I have had 5 MR2 Roadsters).

The Golf, well, one visit to a VW dealer sealed it for me. Yes, like one or two above, I made the heanous error of turning up in a tee shirt and got treated like the scumbag they obviously thought I was. What a stuck-up lot at that dealership. The salesman treated me and my wife as an unwelcome diversion to whatever he was doing and couldn't get rid of us undesirables quickly enough. I was appalled. They still managed to have the over made up female receptionist in position though, glowing orange as you walked through the sliding doors. Premium brand? Snob brand more like.

I'll stick with Skoda, excellent cars, decent dealer staff and a knowledgable forum.

Ignore the haters and enjoy your VRS!

When I told my wife I was looking at Skodas for us she scoffed - and she's not even a car person!

I think the stigma certainly exists but once she got in one and we test drive a number of other "upmarket" ones, she was convinced that this was the best choice.

So did mine.

 

 

She now has a Citigo...

Is it just me or is there still a stigma with Skodas?

 

Yes, and there always will be.

Just ask them how many police motorway patrol golf gti they have seen.

@mike86 - Best to correct your friend that thinks his Ford is really a Jag, if he actually checked his facts Jag is owned by Tata. ooops  

Dacia are now where Skoda were 12 years ago. I wonder how many of us will be spending the equivelent of £28,000 on a Dacia in 12 years time, and whether a similar badge stigma will remain? VAG have certainly done wonders for the Skoda badge, but does anyone trully believe that an Octavia feels like a £28K car? Sure, you can get a lot more toys for the money but the Octavia lacks the solidity and feel of much older 3-Series, C-Class, or A4 models.

The Octavia II made sense at the price it was sold at. It was excellent value for money. I just don't feel the same thing about the Octavia III. Its lost its big selling point and is now really nothing special, especially with all the little cheap cuts all over the place.

 

The Superb still punches above its weight as does the Yeti, but the Octavia III and Rapid? Meh.

Dacia are now where Skoda were 12 years ago. I wonder how many of us will be spending the equivelent of £28,000 on a Dacia in 12 years time, and whether a similar badge stigma will remain? VAG have certainly done wonders for the Skoda badge, but does anyone trully believe that an Octavia feels like a £28K car? Sure, you can get a lot more toys for the money but the Octavia lacks the solidity and feel of much older 3-Series, C-Class, or A4 models.

 

A brave man posted that on a Skoda forum, but well done to you sir as you have a point

I looked at a skoda as I viewed it as a "VW for less cash". The vRS range are quality motors but Skoda do have a history of being a bit optimistic for their performance versions (£17K+ for a Fabia vRS, really?)

Comparison of the vRS with a sporty 3-series is a little unfair (M3 / 330d with a realisitic package for 28K? good luck ) and comparing a new car against nearly-new is always personal choice of the benefits of each. I ended up looking at it like this

Golf GTi = Quality Motor

Golf GTD = Quality Motor with a more "real-life" engine

 

Leon FR Diesel 184BHP = Essentially a Golf for a much lower price, "slight" reduction in trim quality and (IMHO) better looks.

 

Octavia vRS Estate = Same engine, gearbox and majority of internals as above cars, less badge "kudos" and slightly heavier but acres more room / practicality and still a damn good looking car. The vRS variant also seems to hold value well (hence me not going for an elegance) and customer service has a good record. After haggling, I got it cheaper on the 0% deals than the above two diesel cars as well!

I've owned 2 x 3 series BMW's Petrol and Diesel, my current '08 vRS does remind of them, but hey i've gone for another vRS and current await delivery 

So the obvious question then... what's a viable alternative to an Octavia vRS (let's say TDi for arguments sake) that offers the same performance + economy, space, standard kit and sporty slant for the same money? I sure couldn't find anything!

P

I have never bought a car on other peoples perceptions or views. I always find the car that is right for me at that particular time of my life, and that keeps changing with my age circumstances.

Do your homework, bargain hard and get the car YOU like. B0llocks to what other people think

So the obvious question then... what's a viable alternative to an Octavia vRS (let's say TDi for arguments sake) that offers the same performance + economy, space, standard kit and sporty slant for the same money? I sure couldn't find anything!

P

The closest thing is probably an Audi A4 tdi 177 Technik. The Technick spec is similar to the VRS, and the price is just £22,857 OTR from Drivethedeal.com. A Merc C220 AMG Sport can be had for £26K, as can a BMW 320D SE. The Merc & BM have less toys, but the Audi is a pretty fair match to VRS spec and performance. The German cars do charge through the nose for optional extras, but used values should hold at least as well as the Octavia.

 

The two things selling the VRS to me at the moment are the 0% PCP finance and free servicing. I do not think the VRS alone is worth £23K-£24K, let alone £28K with all of the superficial toys.

Edited 1 October, 201312 yr by Orville

The closest thing is probably an Audi A4 tdi 177 Technik. The Technick spec is similar to the VRS, and the price is just £22,857 OTR from Drivethedeal.com. A Merc C220 AMG Sport can be had for £26K, as can a BMW 320D SE. The Merc & BM have less toys, but the Audi is a pretty fair match to VRS spec and performance. The German cars do charge through the nose for optional extras, but used values should hold at least as well as the Octavia.

 

The two things selling the VRS to me at the moment are the 0% PCP finance and free servicing. I do not think the VRS alone is worth £23K-£24K, let alone £28K with all of the superficial toys..

 

A good comparsion for the hatchback, if you accept that the A4 has a smaller boot and less rear space, but more front space. But in my case the A4 avant is smaller than Oct Combi, so in order to keep the space I would have to go A6, so £35k.

 

In the end it's a personal thing.

After owning, a Austin mini, Renault 5, Citroen BX 1.4, Citroen BX 1.6, Renault clio 1.2, BMW 3 series, Renault clio 1.2 16v,Renault clio 172 cup, Renault 19,Fiat punto 1.1, Austin metro, Seat Ibiza, Renault Safrane,Renault clio van, Ford escort estate, Renault Megane 1.6 16v, Renault laguna 1.9 diesel x2, Lexus IS200, Mazda RX8, Honda civic diesel, Honda civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf MK5 2.0 GT Sport, Nissan Qashqai, Mercedes Benz C Class and now an Octavia.

I can safely say the Octavia is the best car I have had. The badge snobbery does not bother me in the slightest, I came from a 2008 mercedes straight into the Skoda Octavia. Do you think I was bothered what people thought? No! 

I have my own mind, my own choices,my own levels of comfort and enjoyment.

 

To Hell with the naive, enjoy what you want! Not what anyone thinks you should.

 

On a different note, looking back at the list of cars I have had. I have had some dreadful cars. LOL

My wife had an old Estelle which had a wheel fall off and over take her while driving down a hill so it took some serious work to get her to test drive a new one.

Now we're on our third Skoda with a 4th on order. When ever people turn there nose up at a Skoda I just remind them it's part of the VW group and basically a golf with a different body and lower price tag

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At under £18000 new and free servicing, my Octavia Blackline was a STEAL. I hope to run it problem free for around 5 years then I'll see what is out there at the time. But would I spend circa £25000 on another newer Octavia VRS? No way. There are much nicer cars out there in my opinion. However, that's just my thoughts, so best of luck to the op on his new Skoda purchase. You have bought a fine car that I like everything about barring the price.

I wonder how many Skoda are selling, and whether the prices will ever drop to the mk2 levels?

The closest thing is probably an Audi A4 tdi 177 Technik. The Technick spec is similar to the VRS, and the price is just £22,857 OTR from Drivethedeal.com. A Merc C220 AMG Sport can be had for £26K, as can a BMW 320D SE. The Merc & BM have less toys, but the Audi is a pretty fair match to VRS spec and performance. The German cars do charge through the nose for optional extras, but used values should hold at least as well as the Octavia.

 

The two things selling the VRS to me at the moment are the 0% PCP finance and free servicing. I do not think the VRS alone is worth £23K-£24K, let alone £28K with all of the superficial toys.

 

This was a point I made on another thread.

 

Although not such brand spanking new models, there are cars available on DtD that are very well priced and IMO will be worth more than the Octy in 3 years time due to having a premium badge, which a fair percentage of 2nd hand buyers in the wider world do care about.

Give them a choice of an Octy or A4 and the latter will attract a price premium all day long.

Skoda would have less of these problems if SUK didn't seem to do everything they can to limit the options. Its not so much of a suprise that Skoda are taken more seriously on the continent when the cars there are better equipped and have an options list twice the size of the UK one.

I can tell you that Skoda is a good brand in Eastern/Central Europe, and definitely is kicking Golf in its butt, especially in fast growing middle income families.

 

Otherwise in Western Europe, where I travel for work often, Skoda is doing good and is a common sight, and it's only in poor countries i.e UK, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, where Skoda is looked as cheap brand, as in these countries most people can barely feed themselves but drive a second hand Audi/BMW/Merceds from 10 years ago, live on Credit Cards and Leasing agreements, and remortgage their house for their next car. This class does not like Skoda's.   

Otherwise in Western Europe, where I travel for work often, Skoda is doing good and is a common sight, and it's only in poor countries i.e UK, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, where Skoda is looked as cheap brand, as in these countries most people can barely feed themselves but drive a second hand Audi/BMW/Merceds from 10 years ago, live on Credit Cards and Leasing agreements, and remortgage their house for their next car. This class does not like Skoda's.   

 

It's exactly the same in some parts of the UK.

Had 2 Octavia vRS's. A Mk1 petrol and Mk2 diesel. Been proud of both of them, especially the remapped petrol Defected to Seat though this time. Think the Mk3 is just got too big, and the 184BHP diesel Leon, better value for money, quicker, and will handle better. May be back in a few years if Skoda fill the size gap they have created, but a rapid vRS doesn't look to be on the cards at all.

Edited 1 October, 201312 yr by Dope007

I used to consider the Octavia to be a more spacious "Focus class" car which was availabe at "Fiesta class" prices. Now it seems to have grown in to a Mondeo class car at Mondeo class prices. With the increase in brand recognition comes the increase in prices. Being a brand new model also helps sales, but this could wear off in a year or two, especially after new and more efficient Golf's, Passat's, A3's, A4's, Mondeo's etc arrive.

Edited 1 October, 201312 yr by Orville

Not only have I a Skoda, but a Skoda Roomster, (the ugly Skoda child kept in the loft). When I got it I had quizzical and some disparaging remarks. Every one who has been in it gets out a convert (not in a religious way, I'm not jack the Zealot). It is like Prof Pat Pendings ConvertACar from Wacky Races, I drive a Skoda because it does all I want in the best possible way.

In some cases it has been strange though, turn up in a new 14k Roomster and to some it appears your 4rse is hanging out of your trousers, turn up in a £5k Rover P6b 3500 and people think your minted.