Whereas' date=' within my budget, the Mondeo fulfilled all my criteria and left the Octy I and Superb in the dust in terms of handling, reliability, build quality, toys, power, etc, etc. Doesn't mean I feel sorry for people with similarly priced cars though when I see them, which was really the point of my post. Skoda's are not the best cars in the world

Chris[/quote']

Nobody said Skodas were the best cars in the world.I bought mine because I can put intergallactic miles on it in comfort with a degree of luxury.Im quite glad some people do not like them-it makes them cheap to buy nearly new and by the time I have finished with it I do not have to worry about residual value(will probably be 4 years old and 200k miles so worth v.little!).Whilst the Mondeo is a decent enough car and I owned a tdci for a while 3 years ago,I would disagree with you about the reliability,build quality and toys.Handling is a little better on your car granted,with not much in it powerwise.Overall and having owned both there is no competition in my opinion-mondeo is good but the superb is better.

Superb is an excellent car.Always been peeved when they say handling is a bit 'wallowy'.

It is meant to be a refined cruiser type car' date='not a rock hard sports set up.[/quote']

Finally, the voice of reason! Thanks Lozgti.

I get a bit miffed myself. It's not meant to be a bigger vRS for goodness sake! Saying that, there seem to be a few people that have tried to turn it into one!

I drive a Superb, and my previous car was a 3-series (E46)

The handling isnt as nimble, yes, but then the car is a lot bigger. I have had Eibach spring fitted. Although it may not be as satisfying to drive, from an ownership point of view it is a lot more satisfying. If I had the same choice again, it would be the Superb everytime. I get a lot more admiring glances with my Superb too!

I drove the new 3-series the other day, and I wouldn't swap my Superb for it, no way.

We are talking a £ for £ here, and a reasonable spec Beemer to a Fully loaded Superb Elegance.

Finally' date=' the voice of reason! Thanks Lozgti.

I get a bit miffed myself. It's not meant to be a bigger vRS for goodness sake! Saying that, there seem to be a few people that have tried to turn it into one![/quote']

a vRS superb really would look awsome as long its done subtly... drop it down, alloys, green brakes lip spoiler on boot and a sportier front end with spots @ bottom and a good interior. Don't know what they'ed put up front guess something along VW's V6 range.

I think a vRS superb really would be a good buy

Sorry its the 2.8 petrol,I had the 100tdi before that.

Ditto, I have the same combo 2.8 Elegance Tiptronic - like it?

Lets be realistic about the Superb, it is well built, provides a fabulous smooth ride, and in Elegance trim it has so many toys you can't fail to be impressed. On a motorway, on a busy A-road or in traffic, if feels comfortable, and it feels great. You can drive massive mileages and get out feeling fresh. I've done 1,100 miles in two days and not really noticed the distance.

But take it on a twisty B-road, and try to drive it like a sports car, and it will tell you at every corner to stop behaving so improperly and slow down. It just isn't that sort of car. No car can be a perfect luxury 5-seater and a sports car, the Superb aims itself at the luxury car market, and it provides luxury car features at a very good price. I love mine.

I also love my TVR, but for very different reasons. After 150 miles I have to stop to buy paracetomol, but those 150 miles are sooo exciting. Different cars altogether.

Ditto, I have the same combo 2.8 Elegance Tiptronic - like it?

Yes very pleased with it for the money.Its quite a bit thirstier than the 100tdi(28mpg average v 48mpg average!!) I had before but drives completely different.I did try the 2.5tdi tiptronic but I dont know what it was but it did not seem to suit the tiptronic box as well as the 2.8 petrol-it could have been a problem with that particular car because people who own the 2.5tdi tiptronic seem satisfied with it from what I read on this forum.

I used to run Mercedes/BMW and just got fed up with buying new,keeping them 2 years 60000 miles and then losing

I did try the 2.5tdi tiptronic but I dont know what it was but it did not seem to suit the tiptronic box as well as the 2.8 petrol-it could have been a problem with that particular car because people who own the 2.5tdi tiptronic seem satisfied with it from what I read on this forum.

Interesting I have never driven the 2.5 TDI but its the only one I would like to drive to see the difference, I Like the 2.8 tend to use all for pleasure and long haul european trips. As far as consumption goes I find it takes a while to creep up but will if driven smoothly but still at a reasonable speed will without too much effort go into the thirties. Last weekend I used it for a 46 mile trip dual carragewway and motorway and returned 34mpg each way not bad for the cc, size and weight of the car, driving very smoothly to see the consumption creep up.

Interestingly at tickover when stationary you actually see the consumption drop, not seen that on my Octavia.

Obviously if used for town use it would be a different story as you are probably aware.

No car can be a perfect luxury 5-seater and a sports car,

BMW M5?

But otherwise I pretty much agree with your comments, although I find that once you've got the balance sussed out of the Superb, you can actually have some fun with it on the twisties, and it really does hang onto the road, it just doesn't inspire confidence, the ability is their though you just have to remember that if it goes, the pendulum effect of the weight is the issue!!

BMW M5?

But otherwise I pretty much agree with your comments' date=' although I find that once you've got the balance sussed out of the Superb, you can actually have some fun with it on the twisties, and it really does hang onto the road, it just doesn't inspire confidence, the ability is their though you just have to remember that if it goes, the pendulum effect of the weight is the issue!![/quote']

Totally agree. I got a Superb due to it's excellent ability to absorb potholes. (Read smooth and comfortable)

Found I could go round fairly tight bends at 20mph faster than anything previously. But as above you have to initially "settle" (take up the initial slack) the car on it's suspension before you go into the bend. then it' fine. At 100mph though, it does tend to "float" in bends, and has given a few anxious moments as you back off. But no trees hit yet:D

a vRS superb really would look awsome as long its done subtly... drop it down' date=' alloys, green brakes lip spoiler on boot and a sportier front end with spots @ bottom and a good interior. Don't know what they'ed put up front guess something along VW's V6 range.

I think a vRS superb really would be a good buy[/quote']

Best keep that idea away from Devonuptia though, as he'd probably try and build one!

BMW M5?

Yes, I thought about that, but its probably a bit loud and hard to classify as a luxury car. But I'd love to find out

The Superb probably does have good roadholding, it has good sized, performance tyres, and decent suspension layout.

Its the handling that unnerves me, it floats, and rapid changes of direction, or steering corrections take a while to settle in. And the seats don't help. I've clenched everything I can but it still doesn't stop me sliding round on the seat.

But, its just not that sort of a car, driven smoothly and quickly, its great for convering distance in real comfort. You can even whisper to passengers at 70mph (the kids love that, just wish they do it more when they're at home)

Yes it does. I worried a little about the image thing when I got my Octy but I don't even think about it now and TBH i'm now even a bit smug about being a Skoda driver too.

When I pull up beside a similarly priced car by another manufacturer' date=' I always feel a bit sorry for person behind the wheel .They really don't know what they are missing and it's all because they couldn't see past the badge.[/quote']

A mate of mine runs his own company and usually has a really expensive car, like a RS6 or a M3. He recons Skodas are a cool make these days. He says you are really sticking two fingers up at A4 and Passat drivers who are paying much more for a poorer built, less reliable, more common (maybe) vehicle.

Perhaps he should get a Superb Elegance?

Don't understand why you'd go past a Skoda to buy a Ford, but then again, we're all different. I think I feel some "post-retirement" growing up coming on - I'm getting tempted to swap the Furby vRS for a Superb 2.5TDi Tiptronic. LOVE the Furby but getting this itch to go back to long distance comfort. Comments ?

Don't understand why you'd go past a Skoda to buy a Ford, but then again, we're all different. I think I feel some "post-retirement" growing up coming on - I'm getting tempted to swap the Furby vRS for a Superb 2.5TDi Tiptronic. LOVE the Furby but getting this itch to go back to long distance comfort. Comments ?

It's fun ...there is no way it's a good handling car but it can surprise a few people, it goes quite well ....and it just soaks up the miles at about 52 mpg...I am more than happy with mine

Don't understand why you'd go past a Skoda to buy a Ford, but then again, we're all different. I think I feel some "post-retirement" growing up coming on - I'm getting tempted to swap the Furby vRS for a Superb 2.5TDi Tiptronic. LOVE the Furby but getting this itch to go back to long distance comfort. Comments ?

Have had one for 8 months and just LOVE it - an absolute joy to sit there all relaxed surrounded by comfort (heated seats) toys and gadgets and just wafting along. No more relaxing way of eating up the miles (and my last car was an E class Merc)