I currently drive a 2010 Astra SXI 1.4 which has provided cheap but functional transport for our small family over the past three-and-a-half years. As I've only got about 5 months to go until the loan is paid off, I've been noodling around on Autotrader to see what we could replace it with. Our requirements are for something of a similar size, no more than two years old, low mileage and powered by good old fashioned petrol. Allowing for the fact that I don't really fancy another Astra, my choices seemed to be fairly limited. Everything was pointing toward the Hyundai i30, with the balance of the five year warranty looking quite attractive. I saw a few Skoda Rapids pop up, but assumed that for the low asking price they would be too small for us. I showed Mrs Paul anyway, and having received a positive response decided to take a closer look...

 

Fast forward 48 hours, and I'm typing this having just put down a deposit on a 1 year old Rapid SE 1.2 TSI   We only really popped into the dealership to do a bit of research and have a proper look around the car, although we did know that they had a couple of used cars in stock that fitted our requirements. I'd done a bit of research into what my Astra would be worth PX, so when we got talking to the dealer and he offered to provide a valuation, we were pleasantly surprised when he offered more than we were expecting; so much so that would be enough left in the kitty to settle the loan on our Astra early. From that point it was pretty much a done deal 

 

Having read a few reviews, I was a bit concerned about the reported shortcomings of the Rapid. The test drive banished all those fears though. The ride was fine - certainly no worse than the (much missed) Mazda I had before the Astra - while the 1.2 turbo knocks spots off the normally aspirated 1.4 lump that Vauxhall stuck in the Astra. The interior quality is good enough for us, especially as I've always thought soft-touch plastics are a bit of a waste when you've got young kids. The leather steering wheel it lovely too. 

 

Anyway, enough rambling from me. I just want to say hello and look forward to contributing in due course!

 

Paul

 

 

 

Well done, I bought a Rapid Spaceback a month ago and have been 100% delighted with it.

Hope you enjoy yours...

welcome to the club

you'll find a lot of useful information in Rapid section...and feel free to ask :p

Thanks chaps

Well done, I bought a Rapid Spaceback a month ago and have been 100% delighted with it.

Hope you enjoy yours...

Whoops, forgot to mention mine is also the Spaceback variant. Picking it up tomorrow, can't wait!

As planned, we collected our Rapid Spaceback from Progress Northampton this afternoon. The weather was horrible, which was a shame as I wanted to check the bodywork having asked them to make good a couple of scratches and scuffs prior to taking delivery. Nonetheless, they seem to have done a superb job and I can't fault the dealership thus far. I've only been able to drive it for 20 miles or so, but I'm really happy with the car. It's strange as it looks quite small from some angles, yet quite big from some others. The interior space is unbelievable and I particularly like the clean, clear layout of the dash. Performance wise, the 1.2 TSI engine has got plenty of torque and knocks spots off the 1.4 Astra that I traded in for it.

 

 

Edited 1 June, 201511 yr by RapidPaul

Looks really good in this colour, great choice... enjoy it