This is my first Skoda, but not my first VAG car. It's a VRS TDi and I absolutely love it. Loads of room for two kids and all their stuff, decent build quality, great price, a 0-60 time near 8 seconds, i once got an indicated mpg of nearly 60 on a motorway run, and £30 car tax. What's not to like.

 

I've had so many complimentary comments about the car, the performance, practically and looks. The only negatives I've had are people who said the only reason they wouldn't have it is because of the badge. More fool them, IMO.

 

The only negative is that it's not quite as fun to drive as my FR was, but it's a close thing.

Almost 2 1/2 years into (PCP) ownership of my first Skoda, & couldn't be happier with my choice (1.6 Tdi Octy 3 with DSG, in Elegance spec). Have done over 24k miles at a consistent average of 55mpg, and the car has never missed a beat. My past cars have included 3x BMW's, a Mercedes, an Audi , 2x Honda's, & long ago, a number of VW Beetles & Fords.

In all honesty, apart, possibly, from the 7 Series BeeEm, the Octy is the best of the lot and the reason I'll be getting another Skoda in the near future, possibly a Superb on a PCH deal, but more likely another Octavia.

Overall, a truly great car that easily fulfils all my needs.

JKW

Yes I know....a Mitsubishi Lancer, shame on me....

The biggest mistake in my life I can asure you !

 

The last 3 cars in the family were a Fabia Vrs TDI nippy wee car, a fabia 1.9 SDI not so nippy car but we hardly ever had to fill it up.

But the best one was the octavia MK1 1.9 TDI, sadly  I sold it after doing more than 280.000 trouble free Km in it.

Yes Km...I live in Belgium.

 

Last june I bought a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 Cleartech, why ???? Every body has to make a stupid mistake from time to time.

The car is total garbage compared to the Skoda's we had, a real nightmare, I do not have the words to describe how bad this car is.

In fact I have a wheel barrow that's more comfortable on long journeys than our Lancer is, I kid you not.

 

After driving the Japanese banger for 6 month my wife and I decided to get rid of the gastley beast and bay a new Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI Elegance, a lot of money is going to be lost on the Mitsubishi, but I will open a bottle of Champagne when I see it go.

 

Once you had a Skoda it is going to be very hard to ever find another carmaker that will tick the box, I have learned the hard way...a lesson I will never forget.

 

 

LOL once you go Skoda you never go back.

I must say after years of owning, I find Octavia simply not having enough noise insulation, and good enough quality material overall to be considered as my next car. I love Skoda cars, but In my opinion, I will have to go for Superb next time. Octavia terrible suspension noise in towns and on bad surfaces plus some nasty rattles in cabin remind me I would like to go better next time if I will be able to afford it. 

Then please don't try a Mitsubishi Lancer...it makes your ears bleed.

Next time you see one, go tap the roof (gently) using only your fingertip, thats what you call no sound insulation.

Just got a call from the Skoda garage today, our new Octavia is in, will go and pick it up one of coming day's, I'll let you know how good/bad it is compared to the MK1 we had.

We did order one with the multilink suspension, but I fear for the 18" wheels, this could be a mistake?

Had my 1.4 Elegance just under 24 hours

 

Lovely to drive and has a lot of toys (sat nav,cruise,bluetooth,collision mitigation) to keep me happy. Loads of room in the boot and just averaged 50mpg in stop start traffic to work

 

Very happy so far.

Picked up my (first Skoda) 2016 vRS TDI estate yesterday afternoon. Only drove it home yesterday, and to work today - so things might change. Very happy so far. It goes well, and I don't find it overly noisey inside. The standard stereo is a bit weak, as mentioned elswhere.

Sure, the interior isn't as nice to the touch as my previous car (Bmw 520d), but all the extra toys make up for that.

Edited 10 February, 201610 yr by Malakim

Grand day today, got rid of the horrible 6 month old Mitsubishi Lancer and collected the brand new Octavia estate Style 1.8 tsi.

I know Japan is only half way the world, but the difference is more like intergalactic if you ask me.

The Skoda is brand new, but it was like coming home, once a Skoda always Skoda.

The last one was a MKI Octavia, better or worse ? Time will tell.

One thing is for schure, Skoda did not mess about in these past years, they still know how to make lovely to drive cars.

We have 18" wheels under the car, suspension feels solid but at no time to hard nor loud.

Engine is very sweet indeed, hardly know it's running or not.

And if it breaks down I would gladly get it repaired.

 

Never again will I be tempted to buy a Japanese car, it might be a fact they don't break down that often....honestly I don't care if they do or don't, the Mitsubishi car was a nightmare to drive, lost more than half the value when we traded the car in with only 9000 miles on the clock, but it gave me the biggest smile on my face to see it go, that's how bad a car the Lancer is.

Took the plunge and went for my first Skoda after many years with 13 Renaults. I've had the mk3 1.4 TSI Elegance for twenty-one months and 14000 miles. Overall, I am very happy with the car. It seems solidly built and the standard of the interior trim is very good, although the leather seats are not as good as those in my previous Renault Laguna. The 1.4 TSI engine performs very well and the fuel consumption is pretty good at 47.6 mpg. The only thing I don't like is the rough ride over even the slightest ripples in the road. It creates a slight vibration throughout the cabin, though not the low frequency resonance, which is the subject of a very large thread on this forum. Conversely, on a new surface it's very smooth and quiet. It's also very quiet at speed on the motorway, with none of the wind noise reported by some of the motoring press.

So far, I have not had a single problem. No breakdowns, no kit failures, no rattles and no warranty claims. Would I buy another Skoda? My head says I should, my heart says no. Time will tell!

Grand day today, got rid of the horrible 6 month old Mitsubishi Lancer and collected the brand new Octavia estate Style 1.8 tsi.

I know Japan is only half way the world, but the difference is more like intergalactic if you ask me.

The Skoda is brand new, but it was like coming home, once a Skoda always Skoda.

The last one was a MKI Octavia, better or worse ? Time will tell.

One thing is for schure, Skoda did not mess about in these past years, they still know how to make lovely to drive cars.

We have 18" wheels under the car, suspension feels solid but at no time to hard nor loud.

Engine is very sweet indeed, hardly know it's running or not.

And if it breaks down I would gladly get it repaired.

Never again will I be tempted to buy a Japanese car, it might be a fact they don't break down that often....honestly I don't care if they do or don't, the Mitsubishi car was a nightmare to drive, lost more than half the value when we traded the car in with only 9000 miles on the clock, but it gave me the biggest smile on my face to see it go, that's how bad a car the Lancer is.

Did you ever read any reviews of the Lancer?

Virtually everyone says its a nasty cheap budget car.

Dont tar all Japanese cars with that image, Honda, Toyota, Lexus make good cars.

Anyway enjoy the Octavia.

Mine is also my first Skoda. Purchased it new in June 2013 (2.0TDI Elegance). Generally very pleased, only two real complaints, firstly the overly hard ride due to the unsophisticated torsion beam suspension and an unresponsive Amundsen touch screen. Sometimes ok but on occasions when attempting to change radio stations it simply won't respond and I have to resort changing stations using the multi-function control on steering wheel. Going in for its 50k mile service on Friday so will get the dealer to look at it. But apart from that the car is excellent and I don't plan to change it until I retire in 3 years time when the mileage will be up to around 130k. I only use the Octavia for my 80 mile round trip daily commute, have a sports car for fun driving. One thing for sure, as good as the Octavia is it is not a fun car to drive, but it doesn't pretend to be and provides comfortable hard ride excepted) relaxing, economical and reliable transport.

Edited 10 February, 201610 yr by Timoctav

My 2nd Skoda and 35th car!

 

Happy enough, specc'd it well when buying, still love the auto parking, engine is ok, not the most powerful or economical but the lightness of the chassis makes it fairly rapid.  Not overly impressed with the DSG box, smooth and effortless but can be dimwitted sometimes and high fuel consumption let it down.

 

Quite a few rattles from interior trim, really don't expect it from a 16,000 mile car (especially when a 100,000mile Audi is silent) but it did it from new and as its a lease car I didn't bother getting any of them looked at.

 

Not getting another.....Going the private route later this year and would rather take a cash allowance, keep the BIK tax and have a 8-9 year old 330D BMW than drive a new car.

 

All in all it's big for the price, good toys, bit cheap in places compared to it's VW siblings, not a bad car, been happy for the past 2.5 years.

I'm 10 days in with my Octavia Scout, and so far I'm pretty smitten. Very comfortable, and at 6ft2" quite a few cars aren't. Someone can actually sit behind me as well. The interior is well built, very solid, and feels quality. The sat Nav/DAB/Bluetooth setup is very good and all works quite intuitively. The car rides well, having read on here about some of the ride issues I was a bit concerned. Possibly due to the Scouts raised ride height?!

MPG wise I get around 52mpg on the way to work and around 42 on the way home. Basically climbing back up onto Dartmoor from Sea level on the way home, so it's all uphill!

Been very grateful of the extra ride height and 4x4 over the last few days with lots of flooded roads and generally shoddy driving conditions.

At the moment I'd say, that another Skoda is definitely on the cards, but in truth that all depends on what deals are around dome change time!

My first skoda.

Had a lot of Toyotas in the past and was thinking of buying the New Avensis but when i compared the prices and what you get for the Money i could get a Octavia 4x4 With leather seats ,canton sound system and Winter and traveler pack for the same price as a standard Avensis without those Things....the Choice was easy.

only thing i am not happy With is the seats,they are killing by back on long trip's. looks like i am the only one who complain about the seats so it could be my back and not the seats that are crap.

Nope it's not just you. The rearward tilt on the driver's seat is very uncomfortable and doesn't adjust. Awful for anyone with back problems. I've tried several wedges but then you lose the side grip and lumbar support. Am desperate for a solution and considering simply selling the car. Also shocked by how noisy the car is at high speed compared to my previous Mark II Elegance. Has anyone come up with a solution to the wind noise?

What do you call high speed?

Edited 11 February, 201610 yr by Gerrycan

First Skoda, came from a vectra.

Very impressed. Size space comfort economy and 4 wheel drive.

I can't fault it. Six months in and I've not got one gripe or fault. In fact I'm worried about what I'll swap it for at the end of the lease!

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

I'm worried about what I'll swap it for at the end of the lease!

 

Another one ?????

Another one ?????

More than likely.

Just have to choose a colour!

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

I think I found another gripe. Why the tiny fuel tank? Computer says 620km range on a full tank. Both my 520d and the Mondeo I had before that would do about 1000kms (I usually refuel at about a quater tank remaining - usually after about 7-800 km's in the 520) . Sure it cost more to fill, but at least I didn't have to do it once a week.

Edited 12 February, 201610 yr by Malakim

I bought my first skoda in December an octavia 2.0 tdi, I can say it is a terrific car however there are a few negatives as follows.

1. The gearbox is a bit naff, when cold the 1st to 2nd shifts are awful this is poor design.

2. I get the impression the car does not have the sound proofing of the golf or a3, also the factory conternentals are crap. Very noisy indeed.

3. The fuel in the tank sloshes around at 2/3 full, and it's a small tank for the car.

Apart from these issues it's a really well put together car.

Mine is also my first Skoda. Purchased it new in June 2013 (2.0TDI Elegance). Generally very pleased, only two real complaints, firstly the overly hard ride due to the unsophisticated torsion beam suspension and an unresponsive Amundsen touch screen. Sometimes ok but on occasions when attempting to change radio stations it simply won't respond and I have to resort changing stations using the multi-function control on steering wheel. Going in for its 50k mile service on Friday so will get the dealer to look at it. But apart from that the car is excellent and I don't plan to change it until I retire in 3 years time when the mileage will be up to around 130k. I only use the Octavia for my 80 mile round trip daily commute, have a sports car for fun driving. One thing for sure, as good as the Octavia is it is not a fun car to drive, but it doesn't pretend to be and provides comfortable hard ride excepted) relaxing, economical and reliable transport.

Similar to my experiences.

First Skoda. Generally very good car but with things that let it down. The cheapo suspension definitely the main one. Door cards could also be a little nicer. Amundsen is pretty good on the whole. If you want unresponsive, try the new Jag system (not the pro version). Arrrgggghhhh!! Still, Amundsen could be slightly better. I suppose thats where Columbus comes in!

The thinness of the paint job is another poor part. Scratches and paint chips are impossible to avoid.

Road noise isnt brilliant on anything but the best surfaces (upon which it turns silent), but this is like pretty much all cars within the same price bracket.

 

Plus points- As with all Skoda's, its a pleasant well laid out interior. Nothing too in your face. Looks arent anything too shabby either. Only Jags and Astons top it.

Its a nice effortless drive (well, apart from that suspension), which is pretty comfy (until a family member reminds you of the harsh ride, which is annoying as id gotten used to it). I actually think its more fun to drive than a lot of people give it credit for.as well, and it hasnt missed a beat in over 2yrs. Plus probably the best bit about the car. The absolute peach of an engine. Amazing. Quick, and well mated with the gearbox. Plenty of oomph when you put your foot down, but also a slow coach if you so desire it to be. Oh, and it sounds just like an engine is meant to sound. Yep, the 2.0TDI. Gorgeous!

 

Would I get another Skoda. Well, Id have no reason to get another Octy III as I already have a top notch one. The Superb isnt really for me. Dont like the specs.

Anyway, I've decided its time to keep up with the Timoctav's of the world. Its time to go a little sporty. I hear the XE calling!!

I've had my vrs for two weeks now and love it, space , pace and fuel economy seems to be better than the st3 I part exchanged . Its too early to comment on the after sales service but fingers crossed it's just as good as ford and hopefully better than the lousy BMW service I've endured in the past , can't think of anything I don't like about the car at this time maybe I'll miss a cd player

My first was a 1.9tdi Octavia Elegance estate bought new in Dec '09. Absolutely loved it (still got it but will sell in a month or so). Only thing that went wrong was a loose car parking sensor so that's pretty reliable in my book. It's got 61k miles on it now.

 

Got a company 2.0tdi Octavia SE estate in October last year. Much more kit but £6k higher book price (£19k up to £25k). Only got 2k miles on it but thoroughly love it.

 

Comparing the two cars I think the Elegance looks better from the outside (should have got the privacy glass in the new one) and I miss the 6 CD player but the new one is fab! A pleasure to drive on long journeys for work. Planet Rock or Absolute Rock on DAB \m/. Love the inbuilt satnav and phone controls. New one feels a bit roly poly but have read a few posts about the suspension so that will explain it.

 

The old car took us loaded up on some great holidays and I'm looking for the same with the new one. Pity some jerk put a small scratch on the rear bumper in a car park but I got a touch up stick yesterday and will sort that out when the weather improves.

 

My plan is to buy this one when the lease runs out

 

John

Edited 13 February, 201610 yr by XRVJohn

I got my vrs as my first Skoda 20 months ago now.  First new car. Came from a 11.5 year old Mondeo that I'd had 9 years.  I like the Skoda, very happy with it, there is nothing I dislike.  Right now the quality feels good better than the Mondeo, but then the Mondeo lasted, at 11.5 it still seemed in very good condition, I'm not sure the interior of the Octy will be quite the same but I don't expect it would be bad.

 

Can I think of things I'd improve? Yes... Fuel economy when driving sensibly, a bit more sound dampening, and so on but nothing stands out as annoying or bad for the money and overall the package seems good.