Hi to everybody, first post and all that!

I went and had my first look at the VRS today. I've gone from nearly buying a pre-reg mk 1 Cupra FR to looking at a new VRS - mainly becuase of insurance / fuel costs.

After having only seen pics of the skoda, I was pretty impressed with it up close. It looks a lot meaner than I had imagined. Salesguy was perfectly nice and said the showroom model was being registered as a demonstrator from the 1st march - they've just sold their previouse demo - so I'd be welcome to take it out any time after then.

The provisional finance numbers that we talked about were encouraging too so it looks like I'll be seriously considering the car.

In the meantime I have a few questions for anyone that is willing to offer advice...

1) What should I be looking for in terms of discounts in order to be getting something that represents a 'good deal'. I can be fairly flexible in my payment method - either going through skoda or taking the private finance route - so can hopefully do whatever gives me the chance of scooping the best deal. Is it best to negotiate for cash discounts or is it generally more likely to get some freebies thrown in?

2) Options... Def going for the black pearlesscent paint - is it standard practice to get it chucked in for free?

What's the cd multichanger like? worth going for? Does it play cdr's no problem? (any chance of a socket for the ipod?)

The xenons .. worth 500quid? nice and bright?

Think that's all for now - expect I'll be adding things later on!

cheers

Its a shame I just sold mine - am on the Isle of wight (Sotonjoe?) presume you are just over the water? Hartwells were advertising a black vrs with 30k on for

Personally I think the Xenons are worth the extra - love em!

I have xenons, look nice but I'm not 100% convinced they are better. It may just be that mine need adjusting.

We have the CD changer in SWMBO's car but I don't really rate it to be honest, yeah it's an ok changer but how often do you change the disks? No true Ipod solution yet although there is talk of an official one but no details yet. There are a couple of options depending on if you just want the sound or control as well. A simple lead for around £5 if you just want sound or the Denison Icelink for around £100.

If you are in Soton and want to see a car with a few mods I am in Fareham.

Hi to everybody' date=' first post and all that!

I went and had my first look at the VRS today. I've gone from nearly buying a pre-reg mk 1 Cupra FR to looking at a new VRS - mainly becuase of insurance / fuel costs.

After having only seen pics of the skoda, I was pretty impressed with it up close. It looks a lot meaner than I had imagined. Salesguy was perfectly nice and said the showroom model was being registered as a demonstrator from the 1st march - they've just sold their previouse demo - so I'd be welcome to take it out any time after then.

The provisional finance numbers that we talked about were encouraging too so it looks like I'll be seriously considering the car.

In the meantime I have a few questions for anyone that is willing to offer advice...

1) What should I be looking for in terms of discounts in order to be getting something that represents a 'good deal'. I can be fairly flexible in my payment method - either going through skoda or taking the private finance route - so can hopefully do whatever gives me the chance of scooping the best deal. Is it best to negotiate for cash discounts or is it generally more likely to get some freebies thrown in?

2) Options... Def going for the black pearlesscent paint - is it standard practice to get it chucked in for free?

What's the cd multichanger like? worth going for? Does it play cdr's no problem? (any chance of a socket for the ipod?)

The xenons .. worth 500quid? nice and bright?

Think that's all for now - expect I'll be adding things later on!

cheers[/quote']

1. I got

i dont think the speakers are that bad its more of the HU being not as clean to produce sound as after market HU's , they still pump out quite a bit of bass pritty happy. but yes if you want superior sound i'd upgrade if your a music freak:)

I'd say also get a few of the other cheaper options as well like 3rd headrest in the back and airbag deact (about £40 each) and cruise is always nice but about £100

cheers for the replies!!!

Although the prospect of saving a few quid is always attractive, I don't think I'd be interested in a car with 30k on it. I know it's not a huge amount in this day and age but I really want it to be new / almost new. From what I've seen of prices, approved used models with low mielage don't offer that much of a discount from buying new (obviously private models go cheaper but you're not getting any warranty facilities), and once you've added in the warranty and 12-months road tax chucked in a new car just seems simpler. Except for...

... a three month wait!!!! I never knew about this. After reading your message is it just on vehicles that have extras fitted or is it on any fabia vrs??!?!!?!? That''s amlmost the same as for a golf gti isn't it!!!!:eek: Still, what can you do when there's no other car around that does what the fabia vrs does i suppose!

I'm interested in the zenons if they make things significantly brighter at night (not that i do a huge amount of night driving ), and if they make the car look cosmetically better. It's a just a shame that I probably get to have a look at them without having to commit to placing an order!

Cash-wise, whatcar quote something like

I hav been told that Skoda are producing more VRs's with Xenons and Cruise than they do standard as most people ask or these options. its more like 6-8 weeks not 3 months. well worth the wait though.

try autofinders for a quote.... was 10995 last week! http://www.autofinders.ltd.uk

2 out of the 12 CD's I've burned for my changer have had problems playing in it. They work fine in a Hi-Fi. They are cheap discs though, but might be worth knowing anyway.

Love my Xenons, kinda discovering cruise though. As I do very little motorway miles I don't really need it. But I use it now and again, and am impressed with the MPG saving when my foot (and ego) aren't piloting.

I'd save on the changer and get a decent aftermarket HU with an Aux-in if you have an iPod. As this is what you'll probably end up wanting to do regardless of if you get the changer. Then you'll realise you can't have the OEM changer and an aftermarket HU, and that theres no decent solution to add an Aux-in to the OEM HU.

yeh, i was hoping the wait would be shorter for those ordering ' common' options.

Despite the attractive prices, not sure I like the idea of ordering from the internet and just waiting / hoping that my car turns up on the back of a lorry (yes, i know this is how they get to the dealers!).

Agreed that the cd changer now seems like a bad idea, will definitely want to invest in my own headunit so as to get the most out of the ipod.

I wouldn't worry about the warranty issue you mention. All cars come with a 3yr/60000 mile warranty. Buying a used car from a franchised dealer won't give you any extension to that.

I am very happy with my standard headunit, if I did change it would only be for a DAB unit. No point in changing the HU for one with an aux in as this can be achieved for £5 on the Fabia Symphony HU as I already stated above.

Cruise has to be one of the best options.

yeh, I'm aware of the warranty thing it's just that I (perhaps naively) hope you would get better service form a dealer after having brought specifically from them.

Did you buy yours from a broker then?

Never pay for paint - I got CD changer, cruise and £500 off at a main stealer Didn't want black cos I do lots of miles and don't want to wash it!

Don't let them know you really want it - imply you're looking at other cars and that the price is the deal breaker - they'll move on price and options.

No, both of ours from a main dealer.

Some people do report that dealers are less willing to deal with faults on a car they've not supplied and to a certain extent this is understandable however they are part of the Skoda network of franchised retailers and therefore must carry out any genuine work that is required, they will be paid by Skoda for doing so.

Never pay for paint - I got CD changer, cruise and

I would scrutinise the finance deals as I was lead astray by my dealer. When I specifically asked for the APR he quoted the Aer. I was gonna get a personal loan but because he mis quoted I thought it was a better deal. Apparently its a common trick from salesmen. instead of the 4% he quoted it was actually 8.4% apr when I came to sign. Could have had a loan at 5% at the time. In the end had to suck it down and take it, then arrange my own finance and pay the hp off in one go.

Was quite ****ed off to be honest so I would definitely take any finance quotes with a pinch of salt.

I hav been told that Skoda are producing more VRs's with Xenons and Cruise than they do standard as most people ask or these options. its more like 6-8 weeks not 3 months. well worth the wait though.

try autofinders for a quote.... was 10995 last week! http://www.autofinders.ltd.uk

IT WAS 3 MONTHS !!! Why would I lie!! Thats how long a lot of people have waited. OK?

I would scrutinise the finance deals as I was lead astray by my dealer. When I specifically asked for the APR he quoted the Aer. I was gonna get a personal loan but because he mis quoted I thought it was a better deal. Apparently its a common trick from salesmen. instead of the 4% he quoted it was actually 8.4% apr when I came to sign. Could have had a loan at 5% at the time. In the end had to suck it down and take it' date=' then arrange my own finance and pay the hp off in one go.

Was quite ****ed off to be honest so I would definitely take any finance quotes with a pinch of salt.[/quote']

Pretty sure it was the apr - skoda have rates of 4.5% available on hire purchase deals apparently.

Explain this aer con to me anyway, how would that work then?

Garages tend to work in flat rates which then has to be converted to APR for those mere mortals amoung us.

As a very rough guide if someone quotes you a flat rate double it and add 10% of the flat rate -

Flate Rate of 5% x 2 = 10% + 0.5 = 10.5%

Pretty sure it was the apr - skoda have rates of 4.5% available on hire purchase deals apparently.

Explain this aer con to me anyway' date=' how would that work then?[/quote']

Skoda rates are AER not APR, so the 4.5% the dealer quotes is actually around 9% APR.

Shop around - you'll get cheaper finance than that

Yep that APR's way to high!...moneybackloan is doing personal loans @ 5.5% APR currently:thumbup:

I got nothing off whatsoever - and

I can't comment on prices, as mine is leased. However, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from a reputable internet broker. Saying that, being treated like a king by your local dealer is priceless imho.

I have xenons, cruise and heated seats. Looking back, I wish I'd has ESP, side airbags, de-activation switch and 3rd rear head rest too - maybe next time.

Cruise is a great option, and I use it all the time. The heated seats are great, as they get warm before the heater in cold weather

As for xenons, they are awesome. An excellent option, although its common for them to need adjusting as they seem to be forgotten about on PDI. However, I have a problem with mine (since new, a year on) - when theres more than me in the car, and particularly when I have a heavy load/back passengers, they wobble up and down like bugger, illuminating signs in a horrible flickery way :thumbdwn: I hope this is an issue that can be resolved though.

I had to wait 14 weeks for mine from ordering to collection. Well worth the wait though.

Garages tend to work in flat rates which then has to be converted to APR for those mere mortals amoung us.

As a very rough guide if someone quotes you a flat rate double it and add 10% of the flat rate -

Flate Rate of 5% x 2 = 10% + 0.5 = 10.5%

cheers for that.

i've done some interent searching and still can't fathom what aer is all about though, it seems to crop up most of the time in relation to mortgages.

I find it a little strange that the dealer would try that tactic though as I had said that I have finance guranteed at 6.9% and he said that they could beat that.