Where do people think the skoda octavia Mk3 sits in the social ladder of life?

Fairly utilitarian middle class value for money.

The IKEA of car brands.

who cares what others think, if you enjoy it don't worry about it

I think it's seen at the smart persons VW. Told a few VW owners I've ordered a Superb and they are really positive, one even said he only picked the polo gti over the fabia because of the shape. I'd say it's sits in quality above average (VW , Honda, Toyota territory).

Tesco value car?

Difficult one,

 

I think it's different depending on who you speak to.  One thing I do like if I can say I own a Skoda without people moaning about me having a "fast" car.

 

On the other hand although the car itself is great and dealers generally pretty good (Very good if you avoid Arnold Clark) it's clear Skoda UK just don't give a f**k.  I won't be buying another skoda within warranty (ie new or nearly new) for that very reason.

as much as I like my octavia I do find people turn their nose up when you say you have a Skoda, think it will be a little while yet before peoples general perception of the badge increases 

I actually enjoy telling people I own ‘just a Škoda’ (it’s a MK3 Superb L&K)

 

Then when they see it it has so far always been a very positive response, usually along the lines of “that’s hardly ‘just’ a Škoda” 

I like the unpretentiousness of the brand. Its an honest good value car.

When you see the attitude of some of the people who buy Audi, BMW, Merc you dont want to be part of that.

They are thinking persons cars, people who can see past a badge.

My friend called it just a Skoda. He drives a merc c220cdi. Then I floored it from standstill. He didnt say much more....

I had the same thing, rocked up with a new car, he was interested until he asked what it was..... 

Uneducated springs to my mind, still living in the sixties.

 

 

Although this doesn't bother me, As long as people think like this Skoda will continue to be cheaper than competitors like VW.

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by Dean

Nowhere. I think its classless personally and thats almost all that needs to be said.

 

I don't really care to be honest too much what others think, just a lot of people I've seen approve and find it tasty regardless of what it is, or isn't supposed to be.

Thats all I care about too, that its a decent car and I find it a total chore/bore even wasting a minute trying to pidgeon hole the car in class terms ?

 

Though you'd need a fair chunk of wonga to buy something like a nice new Superb or anything mk3 of the higher spec end to be honest so its certainly not a "cheap" or chav car.

So it;s laughable to describe as value, explain that to someone whos driving a 10 year old BMW, do they think they really have a higher class car ?

 

From VW's own marketing perpsective it is the ever so slightly cheaper end of their car branding, yes.

Lets be honest though its not by much and I think VW even realise this and its almost more about purchasing decisions/direction now moreso than I'll buy a Skoda just because its cheap.

Is VW a competitor though? There's got to be a plan somewhere in Wolfsburg. My guess is Skoda is the VAG 'family value' offering, Seat is the 'sporty value' offering, VW the upper end of mid-market and Audi the top end. They all have the same VAG internals but progressively plusher trim and more sound deadening etc. At the end of the day, I got a Passat sized VAG car for less than a Golf, which I'm quite happy about. I like the way the cars looks too. The headlight lenses are reminiscent of the A3 to my mind.

What do YOU think, octavianestate?

I love that I only see a few skodas a day and most are taxies which to me make my VRS unique I see at least 20 odd cars of each brands BMW,Audi,VW but not many Skodas. 

 

I put Skoda in the Aldi supermarket bracket, only smart people drive them 

When I ordered mine I must admit I was a bit worried about what peoples thoughts would be, not everyone is knowledgable about exactly what a skoda is these days. I've had a positive response to be fair, I've been asked about my taxi firm and if I want a push but there's few brands that you can't pick fault with. The absolute fact that we are talking about this shows it's an issue though.

One thing that annoys me slightly, and don't shoot me for this, is the naming of the Skoda Superb. People do have the same prejudices they have always had and when they see the badge with superb after it (similar to 'rapid') it plays into their hands. I do know how good the superb seems, it's by all accounts an amazing piece of kit but I've not done the research (equivalent of an A6?).

I am also quoted as saying 'a big engine doth not a good car make' I.e. being able to outgun someone on a dual carriageway does not mean you have the better built, better engineered car. I mean pshhhh they even make fast renaults (see what I did there??)

One thing that annoys me slightly, and don't shoot me for this, is the naming of the Skoda Superb. People do have the same prejudices they have always had and when they see the badge with superb after it (similar to 'rapid') it plays into their hands. I do know how good the superb seems, it's by all accounts an amazing piece of kit but I've not done the research (equivalent of an A6?).

 

The Rapid does seem a bit of an oxymoron!

 

As for the Superb think of a better built Passat or an A6 that is a few years old (in terms of the quality if materials) and you will not be far off.

 

One thing that nothing can compete with though is rear leg room, which is why I cannot understand why more taxi owners do not prefer them over the Octavia, surely the comfort of your passengers is paramount? or is the couple of grand you save in buying the car worth more to you??

I think people who try and impress with the car you buy should probably consider a new social circle. If you buy a car because it does something for you, noise, looks, cost, performance you cant go wrong.

 

Yes i like BMW as much as the next man but only for the engineering, discount the 2.0l diesel with the timing chain issues. but the old 3l strait 6 was fantastic.

 

Skoda are just about VW quality, there are a few niggles but no more than another car, and still good technology at a good price. but still not as prestigious as a VW or Audi. The thing about Skoda is you get all the development of high end technology from the VAG group as reasonable cost, that's got to be a good thing.

 

As for the prestige nearly every minicab in Newcastle is a mk2 and 3 Skoda, so defiantly not prestigious, but that means nothing as some euro countries used mercs as mini cabs. prestige comes with rarity and price, so you could argue Skoda will never be prestigious as its the budget VAG group car like seat (abit like sainsburys own label). There is another factor that detracts prestige, idiots that drive them, to coin a phrase, footballers cars. I don't think Skoda attracts idiots or undesirables not in the same way as an impreza or an evo, i think that makes them more desirable. A bit like Saab.

Not that it bothers me but someone I know refuses to travel in my car (Mk3 VRS) as it's a Skoda. She'll drive if we need to travel together. It's because white cars are horrible and Skoda's are embarrasing to be seen in. I've been told I should save up for a decent car.

Each to their own but she drives a boggo Kia Ceed 1.4 diesel estate which cost less than half what mine did. Couldn't be bothered saying anything. I think people either get them or look down on them.

I got overtaken in a 40mph by a mk2 octavia doing 80+ but I get your point on the ownership front.

I'm in a precarious position. I thought the same about VAG cars, basically a VW etc. My experience with SEAT this time has proven that the parts underneath do not negate the perceived lower badge. I have a lot to lose by going to skoda!

People would generally be more accepting of the SEAT but my mk3 Leon has been one of the worst cars I've had in my driving career, literally put me off the brand after 6 SEATs before it.

I don't go in for snobery.

Oh and the reason I didn't go for a superb is because the only one I've seen in real life was in the dealership and it was something like 34k, which is above the glass ceiling for any kind of family saloon for me!

Not that it bothers me but someone I know refuses to travel in my car (Mk3 VRS) as it's a Skoda. She'll drive if we need to travel together. It's because white cars are horrible and Skoda's are embarrasing to be seen in. I've been told I should save up for a decent car.

Each to their own but she drives a boggo Kia Ceed 1.4 diesel estate which cost less than half what mine did. Couldn't be bothered saying anything. I think people either get them or look down on them.

 

Keep it like this in my mind

Them educated people will know what they are really getting (Yes granted the cabin could be a bit better) but all other parts VW but for Skoda money.

 

....Gets me from A to B

What do YOU think, octavianestate?

Middle of the road, moderate income, junior engineer position car

if you ask people that know nothing about cars, they'll discount immediately. I've had it a week and already taken sheit for it. I kind of like that to be honest, says a lot about those people!

Middle of the road, moderate income, junior engineer position car

 

Why would a car set someones income? 

Not blowing my own trumpet but I could afford on what I earn yearly a Mercedes easily but I choose Skoda. Why = Smart.

Why would a car set someones income? 

Not blowing my own trumpet but I could afford on what I earn yearly a Mercedes easily but I choose Skoda. Why = Smart.

Spoken like a true Yorkshireman, Dean!