Hi All

 

I'm a new Rapid owner (2013 1.2 TSi Elegance), although am certainly not new to the marque (x2 Mark I Octavia vRS, x1 Mark I Octavia 4x4, x1 Mark II Octavia 1.8 TSi, x1 Mark II Octavia 1.8 TSi 4x4, x2 Roomster's (1.9 TDi / 1.6 CR) and x2 Yeti's (x1 1.2 TSi / x1 2.0 CR Tdi). I also learn't to drive in an Estelle 130.

 

I take delivery of the Rapid next week and will no doubt be popping in for advice.

 

Hi, good choice. I've just taken delivery of a Rapid 1.4 TSI DSG SE. It is excellent and the post January 14 manufacturers updates to the suspension (softer), steering (now electric) and interior (brighter finishes and more metallic inserts have improved the car from early models.

Jealous,,

I have the old (13 reg) 1.4 TSI DSG (love it fast and smooth on motorway, 

but at low speed

Hard suspension and noisy

I am soon to become a Rapid owner. I'm swapping the Monte Carlo for the Rapid Sport and hope I've done the right thing!?

I am soon to become a Rapid owner. I'm swapping the Monte Carlo for the Rapid Sport and hope I've done the right thing!?

 

I'm sure you'll be fine. Even my 'old' Rapid I found significantly more refined than the current Fabia.

I've now covered over 500 miles since I collected the Rapid.

 

It is a little less economical than expected, but otherwise seems a reasonable enough car.

 

I spotted a few irritations / evidence of cost cutting, compared with my old Mk I Octavia:

• Central locking doesn't cover fuel flap (need key to lock cap!!!!!)
• No mirror on the drivers side sun visor
• Individual electric window switches for the rear
• Unable to lock glovebox

The Maxidot offers considerably less functionality than that in my other car (2012 Yeti) - It needed to go back to supplying garage to have single click unlocking activated. The multifunction steering wheel is also infuriating, lacking the buttons on the right hand side, requiring an odd combination of steering wheel and indicator stalk button presses to operate effectively. 

 

The tyres seem an odd size (215/45/16) and aren't available in my preferred brand (Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance). They are also somewhat more costly than the more ubiquitous 205/55/16.

 

I did consider a Citigo, but following a test drive of both felt a second hand Rapid offered a better option - the cost was similar for a 1 year old Rapid Elegance 1.2 TSi vs new Citigo Elegance. The engine in the Citigo was relatively rough and gutless, compared to the Rapid power unit. 

 

Otherwise the boot is huge, the car is easy to drive and seems a reasonably relaxed cruiser (6th equates to ~2K revs at 60 mph).

 

On the plus side I now have cornering fog lights!!

I assume this is an earlier Rapid? 2013ish? A few of those things have been resolved in later models eg. Rear window switches and sun visor mirror.

Can't remember the last time I had a glove box with a lock....