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.

My wife scofed to until we bought our Superb. She doesn't scoff any more as the car is soooooo good!

I must admit, I had to go compromising 20 years of really bad brand value. It was not until I actually started to investigate and compare the VAG cars (now in  golf tdi) and the Octy III I came to that conclusion that the Octy is pretty much the best value for the price. Yeah I could get a Golf variant or a Passat which more or less would be the same car, but with another batch on the steering wheel.

Much more extra gear and a heck lot of space (al knobs and handles inside is the same as the new golf VII).

 

I bet this car will be Car of the Year in most of Europe in 2014

You usually find those that scoff at Skoda's are uneducated where cars are concerned.

I would say "or just prefer style over substance" but I suspect their preferences are probably not particularly more stylish either. Perhaps they just prefer hype over hard facts, or reputation over reality. Whatever, I've always been pleased there were people who thought Skodas were rubbish - it helped keep the prices down.

I think everybody who has been in any of my progression of Octavias has been impressed. One of my colleagues at work replaced his Golf with a Yeti a couple of years ago - he's very impressed with it, and his teenage kids prefer it to their mum's 3 series BMW.

When I look at the popularity of TV shows like Big Brother, X-Factor, TOWIE etc, when I see any number of great new bands struggling to make a living whilst utter caterwauling tosh emanates from the radio much of the time, when I loathe so much of the hypocritical press in this country that so many lap up... I know that I don't agree with millions of people in this country on what constitutes taste, quality and value. So that fact that I'm right about Skoda and some of the great British public are wrong doesn't surprise me in the least ;-)

Edited 3 October, 201312 yr by JJJ66

Years ago I can remember my dad renting a Skoda Estelle for weekend trips as he had just passed his driving test. It was a great car and can still remember the smell of the interior today. Odd things you remember!

 

He then bought a second hand Marina. This was in the garage more than on the road compared to the Skoda. In the end he went back to Skoda and I will try and find some old photographs.

 

I am waiting for my new vRS estate and the weeks seem to be going backwards! My friend in work was shocked to find her new Audi A5 had7 BHP less than the vRS! It also cost 8k more and 6.4% finance without free servicing. However, she will pay the premium for the badge so it shows VAG have a market for everyone.