My impressions of the Skoda brand were seriously coloured by the many jokes made about the cars from the 60s & 70s, and as a result, the advances in Skoda technology following integration with VAG went under my radar. That is, until I went with the management to look at a used Passat in a local dealer. I liked the car, and had agreed a PX deal with the salesman., but then I then went home and googled various VW discussion groups.

 

That bloody electronic handbrake! No one seemed to like it or understand why a reliable cable system had been replaced by a bundle of electronics. I cancelled the deal, but remembered an Octavia that had sat next to the VW I was looking at. It was an unattractive colour, but had virtually the same kit as the Passat but several £k cheaper. However, I still had Skodaphobic tendencies, and an abiding sense that ownership might constitute a serious social faux-pas. Then I found the briskoda web site, and realised that my prejudice had got in the way of common sense, and although I still sometimes hesitate to acknowledge my (potential) Skoda in polite company, I am secretly really pleased to have lost the fear.

 

How long does it take to become an unabashed Skoda owner?

5 minutes. Any longer and you're just in denial..... I actually don't give a stuff what anyone else thinks - I bought a Skoda because it was the best overall package to suit my needs. I could have bought any of the other mainstream car brands but chose not to.

i reckon most people who criticise škodas are bull**** forum flamers who never actually tried any škoda car.

if you possess a bit of your own brain once you try the car you suddenly realize this brand deserves to be respected!

My impressions of the Skoda brand were seriously coloured by the many jokes made about the cars from the 60s & 70s, and as a result, the advances in Skoda technology following integration with VAG went under my radar. That is, until I went with the management to look at a used Passat in a local dealer. I liked the car, and had agreed a PX deal with the salesman., but then I then went home and googled various VW discussion groups.

 

That bloody electronic handbrake! No one seemed to like it or understand why a reliable cable system had been replaced by a bundle of electronics. I cancelled the deal, but remembered an Octavia that had sat next to the VW I was looking at. It was an unattractive colour, but had virtually the same kit as the Passat but several £k cheaper. However, I still had Skodaphobic tendencies, and an abiding sense that ownership might constitute a serious social faux-pas. Then I found the briskoda web site, and realised that my prejudice had got in the way of common sense, and although I still sometimes hesitate to acknowledge my (potential) Skoda in polite company, I am secretly really pleased to have lost the fear.

 

How long does it take to become an unabashed Skoda owner?

Hi C4, from someone who came 'out' in Skoda terms myself last September can I congratulate you. 30+ years ago I was in the motor trade managing a couple of new car franchises with plenty of PX's coming in against new cars including Wartburgs, Ladas and, of course, Skodas. I too got swept up with the prejudice and jokes and, yes, I too morphed into a badge snob.

 

My C-Class, owned from new, just scraped through its 9th MOT last year and my little-man-wot-does advised me that, perhaps, now is the time for that final trip to the Vet :( - I saw my options as a C-class or A4 estate. I have to say that, considering myself a petrol head I'd always hated diesels as well and a tad sniffy about estates too.(can you see where this is going?).

 

A known wise sage in the motor finance industry got some prices for me but suggested I look at Skoda so down I went like a reluctant teenager forced by his mum to the barbers and had a run in a Octy vRS TSI and was immediately hooked, the salesperson wondered why I wasn't interested in the diesel, of course I scoffed and explained to him that they were spawned from the loins of Satan and that he should go and lie down; he went through the economics of the whole thing which all seemed eminently plausible so he got hold of a vRS TDI and the sound of my misplaced pride being swallowed echoed round the forecourt lit by the beam of his smug-git 'I told you so' grin and now you find me between B/W4 and taking delivery soon (hopefully delay things till 1st March but that's another story).

 

So, from a too excited for his own good and soon to be owner of a vRS TDI Combi with numerous bits & bobs added I reckon Littleade got it bang on with 5 minutes.

 

Well done you and me!

I was one of the many skeptics over the Skoda brand and always thought they came top of the various customer surveys because they were so few buyers to slag the brand down.

 

My brother then bought one in 2007 and I still didn't like it. However, last year I got to drive it from Bournemouth to Warrington and back again, and bearing in mind it was a 6 year old car, I was really impressed. So then the research started followed by a test drive and the realisation that the current Octavia had taken my brothers model a step further in refinement and driving pleasure. Hence I went and bought one.

 

To the OP did you really cancel the order on the basis of the Electronic Handbrake? Funnily enough its the one thing I miss from my previous car. Whenever I heave the manual handbrake on the Skoda I never quite feel the same sense of security as I did with the Electronic one, but i'm sure i'll get used to it again.

 

How long does it take to become an unabashed Skoda owner?

 

 

For me, the minute I drove one.

Like a lot of us, I am old enough to remember the jokes way back, and like you I was a bit coloured by it. But I had been looking at others (Honda, Nissan etc) and decided I should at least take a look at a Skoda.

As soon as I drove it, I realized that it seemed a lot better built than the other cars I had looked at with similar price tags at the time, I was sold and I haven't looked back since. 

Anyone who discounts the brand now, are obviously not aware how good they have become ... having driven my fathers ex Focus estate from new, I think the Octy estate had the edge in terms of build quality.

Now, I wouldn't think twice, indeed my new car is on order and it was always going to be a Skoda 

For me also ... a certain form of smug satisfaction is gained from having the less obvious choice.

 

Or, in short, littleade and martinko are on the money !

In a way, it's a bit like the Mazda MX-5.  You can tell the people who (1) have never ever driven one (2) know nothing about cars.  They are the ones who call it a "Hairdresser's Car".

They never do that again after they have actually driven one.

Likewise, those who look down on Skodas.  They are simply decades out of date.  Skodas were rubbish once upon a time - a long time ago.  But so were Fords, once upon a time.  I'm old enough to remember 3-speed gearboxes with no synchro on bottom gear and a steering-column gear change, 6 volt electics, vacuum powered wipers, rod-operated drum brakes (not even flexible cables), transverse leaf springs and friction (not hydraulic) dampers.  Really.  Hard to believe nowadays!

What converted me to Skoda?  Interestingly, it wasn't driving one or sitting in one.  It was reading reviews by well-informed and technically clued-up motoring writers. 

I have been guilty of looking down on Skodas in the past. Always had a secret soft spot for the Octavia VRS and Fabia VRS (the older derv one) and liked the Yeti when it appeared on TG.

Proof of the pudding now as I ordered a Octy VRS TDi just before Xmas ... just the long goddam wait now !!!!

Lee

I remember the jokes of the 80's - and the ribbing on of my fellow apprentices got when he drove a 120L in the early 90's.  The fact we were all running 20 year old Minis and Escorts and he bought a 4 year old Skoda for the same money...  At the time (round my way), you could spot a miner/ex-miner as they drove either a Lada or a Skoda - both had dealerships in the area.  Type casting, maybe...

 

I gradually warmed to them through the 90's - especially when a colleague around 2000 had an Mk1 Octavia 1.8 20v (not the turbo) which would keep up with the Mondeo V6 I was piloting at the time.

 

Fast forward to 2012 when I got mine (bang for buck equation meant it couldn't be beaten - Fabia vRS Estate) and my wife threatened to disown me for wanting one, declaring she wouldn't be seen dead in it, etc.   Then she actually drove it.

 

She now has a Citigo...and she has decreed I MUST have another Skoda next time.

 

I still get the odd jibe - but those colleagues who drive it seem impressed with it.  Some of them have Audis and Mercs, but don't knock mine any more.  Those with a certain degree of intelligence don't give me stick for it.

For me it was 30seconds in my first Škoda, (Fabia vRS). Since then I've had two Octavia vRS estates and just picked up my Mk3 vRS estate yesterday!

I tried to convince everyone at my work that skodas have changed, are reliable and nice to drive.

And then my abs unit failed within four weeks of owning it, and it'll now be the third week I haven't had it. And I'm on the fourth hire car.

I too was looking at VWs and never even considered Skoda as a marque. This was back in 2007 when I needed to get myself a more sensible car (having had a few years of lunacy driving TVRs, Nobles, Subarus and the like).

 

Anyway I went to the local VW stealer and there on the forecourt was a 2004 Fabia VRS.  I thought it was worth a test drive so out I went for 30 minutes or so.  I was totally blown away by the damn thing.  I didn't buy that actual car (was a close call) because I thought I'd find out the price of a new one at the local dealer.  It wasn't much more than the 3 YO one I'd just driven so I ordered a new one on the spot. Best car I've ever owned.  

 

Last week I picked up my Octavia III which I needed due to lack of space in the Fabia.  If it wasn't for a growing family I think I would have stuck with the Fabia until it fell apart.

 

So to answer the question - it took about as long to lose my badge-snobbery as it took that little Fabia to launch itself off down the road like a bat out of hell (about 5 seconds).  Dealer is great and the cars are excellent value.  

There's a good wind up I use when I come across a badge snob (but it has to be done in front of their other half).

 

I ask how much they paid for their car then politely point out how much they would have saved by buying the equivelent Skoda and then ask the other half what she would have spent it on. Even if they don't get the 'stare' straight away you know something will be brewing for later!

 

Works a treat

Same, can remember saying that I would never ever buy a Skoda due to the skip on wheels reputation and serious reliability issues, but here we are ordered. Times have certainly changed and I'm opened minded. Think they look great, drive great and allow you to keep around the 30K EUR mark.

You would have to be crazy not to consider one these days!!

If someone suggested 4 or 5 years ago I'd own (never mind order a brand new) Skoda I would have laughed at them. It's only been the last 2 or 3 years I've developed a secret crush on them which has led to me coming out of the closet just before christmas to friends and family. Not one person has laughed though when I've told them what I've ordered (Rally Green VRS) and everyone is pretty envious and supportive 

Had 2 x Octavia now, Mk2 Pre FL, '08 PLate Black VRS Saloon, loved it, so bought the Mk3 Combi VRS and loving it more, better in a lot respects than the 2 x BMW's and an Audi i've owned in the past, so many positive comments from people in the street 

C4miles I see you are in South Devon?  Where in South Devon and what dealer do you use if you don't mind me asking?

 

Collect my vRS estate on March 1st, can't wait, just seen it in the flesh today and its awesome!!!!

What converted me to Skoda?  Interestingly, it wasn't driving one or sitting in one.  It was reading reviews by well-informed and technically clued-up motoring writers. 

 

Please can you direct us all to the motoring writers you describe, as virtually all magazines do not compare like for like, the writers invariably favour premium brands like Audi / Mercedes, and as for being technically clued up it seems like the best technically they can do is change a wheel & top up the washer bottle, and tech info comes from the manufacturers supplied blurb. 

 

back on post 

Despite being old enough to remember the skoda jokes i was never in the club to agree with these, specially as year on year Skoda's were always winning their class of cars in Rallying ( it went of for well over 10 years IIRC), so reliability was never an issue.

I had an uncle who owned 2 Skoda 136 Rapids ( 1.3 ) and used them for travelling to work in London, he never had any problems with them, ok they were very sparse, & tinny, but he found them very easy to work with & even he joked that he could leave it unlocked & no one would steal it, so he never worried about it.

 

Once VW took over and released the MK1 Octy,  I had no hesitation looking at one alongside the Seat Toledo as a comparison for my 1st ever brand new car owned. I have had 2 Mk1 Octavias, Mk1 Fabia vRS, currently have a FL MKII vRS.

Hi James

 

I am near Totnes and my local dealer is in Newton Abbot, although I have not been there yet as I ordered the Octavia via Orange Wheels:

 

http://www.orangewheels.co.uk/

 

They got me a good deal, but I will have to pick the car up from Coventry.

 

With regard to a previous comment, I too had an MX5 even though I have little interest in hairdressing.

Under the Equality Act 2010 one of the protected characteristics is Skoda ownership, if anyone in the work treats you less favourably because you own a Skoda, you can call in the Free Speech Police and they will tazer them and throw the offender in the clink

Hi James

 

I am near Totnes and my local dealer is in Newton Abbot, although I have not been there yet as I ordered the Octavia via Orange Wheels:

 

http://www.orangewheels.co.uk/

 

They got me a good deal, but I will have to pick the car up from Coventry.

 

With regard to a previous comment, I too had an MX5 even though I have little interest in hairdressing.

 

Thanks was just curious as to whether you used Murrays or not, I am on the top end of Chelston, towards the Torbay Ring Road so only a few miles from Totnes, I will look out for a red estate elegance when you have it and look out for me in a white vRS estate, give us a wave when we pass!

 

I did use various online places but Murrays didn't exactly match it, but they didn't get too far away, so as they are local etc I decided to stay with them, in the end on the 0% deal I got around 4% plus guaranteed PX on the price they gave me nearly 6 months ago, so overall it was a good deal.

Interesting to see a thread full of the very people who might have taken the **** out of me at some time

 

Been a Skoda driver since 2000, never felt ashamed, inferior or whatever. I've always understood marketing, it just panders to people's insecurities. Marketing men/woman know that many people feel the need to tell their neighbours how 'well they're doing' without actually showing their wage slips. They accomplish this by spending money on tin with a different badge on the front.

In 2000 I left the NHS for the private sector getting my first company car. I asked everyone I knew what company car I should ask for to impress my new employers with my deft insight, one man I knew a just a bit from Karting at the weekend said "Skoda Octavia & get the 1.9 TDI Elegance". On the way home I asked one of my commuting friends "who was the guys that said I should buy the Skoda" Kevin Rose he said, VP Europe for VW/Audi. I figured his advice might be best, before I left the company three years later, we had 46 Skodas on a total fleet of 51 company cars.

Never had I phobia, never needed one.

Interesting to see a thread full of the very people who might have taken the **** out of me at some time

 

Been a Skoda driver since 2000, never felt ashamed, inferior or whatever. I've always understood marketing, it just panders to people's insecurities. Marketing men/woman know that many people feel the need to tell their neighbours how 'well they're doing' without actually showing their wage slips. They accomplish this by spending money on tin with a different badge on the front.

I too have been driving Skoda's since 2000 my First was a Dynamic Blue Octy 2.0 ran that for Four Trouble free years, then followed a MK 1 Black Octy VRS what a car ran that for two Again Trouble free years. Then Came two mk2 Octy VRS estates Ove a Four Year period, Again nothing broke Or failed on These two. Then Came Sammy the Superb in 170 Elegance Estate Form i actually Loved that car, ran that for a while changed that for a 140 SE spec Superb Again nothing broke Or failed. Which bring's us bang up to Date with "Vader" my awesome Black mk3 Octy VRS which has just gone past 3500 miles, fuel compsumption is still improving gradually, but with These cheeky Autobahns it's really difficult to trundle Along at a sensible speed(90 mph).

So to conclude. Never felt embarrased Or ashamed to be Seen driving a skoda, and the fact that apart from servicing and tyres the cars i have had have Cost me nothing (depreciation) my collegues who have spent thousands more on "Premium" cars have not been so Lucky. I recommend the Skoda Brand to anyone who is in the market for a new Or newer car.

This is my first Skoda and since I have owned it I have never once felt at all uncomfortable about Skoda ownership and what people might / might not think about

I park it at work, those who know about cars react positively to it and are quite complimentary.

I truly believe the days of bad mouthing the brand are behind us now, it's well put together (as well as my VW was), good value and a strong contender when buyers are looking for a new car.

Most important is I'm happy with it.