Trouble is most of the people on here who are moaning and criticising the car have never even sat in one, there's a hell of alot of 'web warriors' on here....

Personally I wouldn't say so.

I would say that, quite rightly in my opinion, that having spent a lot of money for a new car they expect things to be right not "almost right".

I have had my 1.6 tdi Octavia Estate SE since 30 October this year, prior to to that in the last 50 years of driving most makes of cars and HGV's plus track laying vehicles my favourite car was a 1960 Rover P4 100. it was the poor mans Rolls Royce back then and it is not long since I parted with it,

I have to say that my son who's last car prior to him emigrating to Australia was an Aston Martin Vantage, was impressed with the Skoda,

As I mentioned, I have only had this car for a few weeks and it is the car for me, it does everything I want. I am getting 56 MPG according to the computer spread sheet, no tax compared with the Freelander I had last.

It is very comfortable, the wife (non driver ) loves it.

If fortune favours me then this is the car for the remainder of my driving career,

I may be old but I drive making progress and don't hang around, however experience makes me appreciate caution, so I don't drive as though I am on a racing track

To get back on topic. I think that the Octavia is a car that needs serious consideration and is hard to beat. Good luck with your choice

 

Good post Mr ExperiencedTynesider!!

 

From what i can tell, looking at cars, inside and out, and at reports online, the Skoda Octy is indeed a very difficult car to beat. Obviously depending on what you are after, but its very economical for its size, it has plenty of space. The engines seem very good (whichever one you go for), it rides quite nicely and its smart and functional (without being flashy) inside and out. Oh, and the Octys are seemingly quite reliable. 

 

OK so if you are a keen speed merchant, then perhaps a Focus or Mondeo handles ever so slightly better, but for the normal everyday person, there is next to no difference handling wise.

OK so some other cars may be slightly greener, but they probably wont have everything else an Octy has. Overall, it isnt far off the perfect family car, which can do it all. Take you comfortably from one end of the country to the other. Lug the kids and luggage on holiday. Make a simple trip to the supermarket quite fun, and easily handle your £200 fortnightly shop!!!! Then after your holidays and shopping, take the kids on the school run (if they are too lazy to walk!!!)

 

Only other sensible car that comes close is the Mondeo, but that is getting too flashy and complicated inside.

Trouble is most of the people on here who are moaning and criticising the car have never even sat in one, there's a hell of alot of 'web warriors' on here....

 

 

Personally I wouldn't say so.

I would say that, quite rightly in my opinion, that having spent a lot of money for a new car they expect things to be right not "almost right".

 

But these people haven't spent any money.

 

Picked up my new race blue VRS TSi DOG Hatch today and took it for a two hour drive over twisting undulating rural roads.

 

Getting straight to the point, Skoda has designed and built a fantastic saloon car.

 

Loaded with equipment, looks and performance, the Octavia VRS cabin is a great place to be.

I've done over12,000 miles so far in my Octy III, today is it's 0.5 yr birthday, happy birthday! Yes, it's had a few niggles, mainly creaky trim related but I still love it and mechanically not missed a beat so far. I do think Skoda have cut a few corners in the build quality compared to the Superb II and even in some respects compared to the Octy II...door cards!... but if you are coming from an Octy I or a Fabia, the quality will blow you away, it just depends what you are used to, my Superb II was amazing so very hard to live up to. Technology and toys, the Octy III blows even the Superb out of the water imo, power in the 150CR is on par with the old 170CR, running costs are lower, styling is spot on, even the rear end creases are growing on me! I've had VW's in the past, and my MkV 2006 Passat was the worst car I ever owned for build quality, and I still maintain that the Czech's are the best at making the most out of the VW parts bin! Btw, I parked next to another Race Blue Elegance on Friday at Ferrybridge Services, it was pretty standard spec and I'm biased but my 18" wheels and rare chrome window trim just lifted the exterior to another level, gorgeous!

The white ones are faster. 

"Faster only if it has the black stripe embellished into the paintwork"

Love my VRS TDI estate. I also find most people like it coz it ticks so many boxes, it's almost a contradiction of a car, it's big, it's comfortable, plenty of kit, it's fast, nice to drive slow, good mpg, cheap to tax, good family car, sporty, looks plain and looks good,lol

It's everything to everybody and that's why it seems to be a winner.

Love my VRS TDI estate. I also find most people like it coz it ticks so many boxes, it's almost a contradiction of a car, it's big, it's comfortable, plenty of kit, it's fast, nice to drive slow, good mpg, cheap to tax, good family car, sporty, looks plain and looks good,lol

It's everything to everybody and that's why it seems to be a winner.

Couldn't agree more, picking up my hatch tomorrow! :-)

Things I love about my vrs:

The looks

The seats both looks and comfort

DSG

Xenon headlights

DAB radio

Drive

Power for a everyday car

I didn't pay VW/Audi money for same car

Bloody love mine, apart from how dirty it is

Im converted. Drove a 2.0 TDi 150 SE estate today and have to say in all honesty was nicer to drive than my MK2 vRS CR estate, liked it so much ive ordered the same thing in Elegance spec.

My only real qualm is the cost savings in the load area, gone are the closing side panels and auto locking torneau cover which is a bit of a shame, one of the less convincing areas of cost saving. Otherwise a brilliant motor.

My only real qualm is the cost savings in the load area, gone are the closing side panels and auto locking torneau cover which is a bit of a shame, one of the less convincing areas of cost saving. Otherwise a brilliant motor.

I did think the same about the side panels in the boot at first now I'm converted, the left hand side with the little 'barrier' is so useful for random small bits of shopping to stop it rolling around, i actually prefer it to the mkII setup now. Just wsth they'd done the same on the right as the left.

HI all.. I have finally taken delivery and am very pleased (so far). Loving the sunroof and the marmite colour, Rio Red.