On 31/07/2017 at 22:24, pinkpanther said:

Very similar to the points raised above for me

 

I've had three of these now, the first back in 2009. I'd previously had a 1.6 Petrol Nissan Qashqai (on a very cheap PCH) and the 1.2 TSi Yeti seemed a huge step-up at the time. It drove better, felt quicker, was much quieter on the move and just was "better" in every way. I kept it for 1 year / 10K miles and traded it on for around £1K less than the initial purchase price (the benefit of a long waiting list) - dealt with the chap from Essex, who was a prominent member on here a few years ago.

 

I had a brief interlude with a 1.8 TSi Octavia 4x4 Combi, before I then moved on to a 2012 2.0 TDi (110 BHP) Urban. This lasted around 2.5 years and clocked up just short of 40K miles. It was economical (averaged >46 mpg) and. barring the zinc inclusion problems (required a respray on 2 doors) proved to be reliable. 

 

I'd yet to discover winter tyres and, following lots of snow, decided the next car had to be 4WD. I went for a Yei Tour de France 140 BHP 4WD, which I still own. The only issues here relate to yet more zinc inclusions () and the EA189 emmisions update - see seperate thread. It's had a recall for the EGR valve, but has otherwise proved to be reliable, if  (predictably) a little less economical than the 110 BHP 2WD (46.2 MPG vs 41.8 MPG).

 

I've pondered changing my current Yeti and test drove both petrol and diesel Superb's, petrol Octavia (1.4 TSi), 190 BHP diesel Kodiak, Seat Ateca and150 BHP Yeti's (both diesel and petrol). Not entirely sure why, but the only car I felt entirely happy with was the Yeti. I did especially like the 1.4 TSi L&K, but a combination of the awful interior colour scheme and much too high purchase price (second hand) put me off. On this basis I've decided to keep my current Yeti a little longer. Now out of warranty and hoping there are no big bills to come!

 

There really is nothing else quite like a Yeti - I recall advising another member on here (when selling him a car) that the Yeti had a certain "indefinable something", probably character, which is, in my opinion, sadly lacking elsewere in the current range.

 

My Yeti's have proved to be consistently enjoyable to drive (whether 105 BHP petrol, 110 BHP diesel or 172 BHP remapped diesel), spacious, characterful and overall a pleasure to own.  Well in excess of 100K miles covered (across 3 seperate cars) and out of the many cars I've owned (>100 in total) the only time I've bought the same model 3 times.

 

I fully appreciate the car is somewhat dated in terms of both it's interior and in-car entertainment, but the packaging and relative space on offer, despite the short wheelbase / compact dimensions are a rare combination indeed. 

 

I'll try out the Karoq in due course, but can't foresee me parting with my Yeti any time soon, especially as it's value has recently taken such a hammering, courtesy of dieselgate / anti 4x4 lobby  etc.

 

 

 

In addition to the above - just returned from a UK holiday and the car performed faultlessly, despite 4 passengers, a fully loaded boot and large roofbox. 

 

Averaged 44mpg.

I wasn't definitely looking for a new car. I had got a bit fed up with my bland Zafira, and decided to just 'have a look' around other cars. Visited loads of different dealerships, but once I'd sat in a Yeti, the decision was made. Best car I have ever owned. Does everything I need, simply. Very versatile, comfortable, easy to drive and a turning circle to rival a black cab. Every other car I have owned provided me with a list of niggles (nothing major, fortunately, but annoying nonetheless). A year into Yeti ownership and my list has just one item: non-returning wipers when the engine is switched off. I think I'm a Skoda convert and can see my next motor being the Karoq, but that's a few years away yet.

Fitness for purpose . In my case this means off road ability -not  One Life Live It beardy stuff dicking about in ancient 4wds but ability  to drive down slippy forest tracks and over flood banks etc. Size- I hate big cars - Yeti is svelte and has none of the f*** you aggression of most 4wds  . Economy - needs to be 40 plus for my mileage . Cruising ability  - I do some long fast journeys so 80 plus cruising needs to be effortless. And I like the toys in Elegance spec too.

 

My last Yeti had 16s for winters - can't say 17s are an issue. If you do , I prescribe a drive in a sporty Focus on 18 in wheels with 235/35s - ghastly.

 

BUT ...if I didn't need off road ability  , and hence 4wd and  ground clearance I have no idea why anybody would buy one- just get a GTD /GTI Golf or similar - same space, more pace and economy and far better to drive briskly .     

On 7/31/2017 at 08:34, awfabia said:

What motivated you to buy your Yeti? Did it live upto your expectations? Does it still? If you had to replace it tomorrow in the case of a write-off or being stolen, what would you buy?

Kodak Edition

 

My reasons start with family Škoda satisfaction - economic to buy & run etc then comfort & good visibility of Yeti in particular, then reputation for reliability, ( AutoExpress Driver Power surveys in top five for several years gave confidence ) . As it was to be our only car it had to be flexible - the rear seats are the main example, I regularly remove, tilt or change their position. 

Quirky styling, we both Love it.

 

It lived upto our expectations in being cheap to run, insurance, mpg ( over 40 ) etc, very comfortable, not so sure on reliability. Towards the end of warranty period needed differential bearings replacing,  ( not a common complaint on Briskoda ) and front suspension shock absorbers which had "slight misting" advisory on first MOT. Replaced free of charge after much huffing and puffing - not sure if Škoda UK paid or if it was dealer goodwill gesture. Then driver's seat heater failed just after warranty expired which I had to pay for - run out of energy to huff & puff for that one.

 

If I had to replace "tomorrow" I would like a petrol/hybrid SUV similar in size to Yeti but no-one makes one at present. Therefore, I'd probably buy a Seat Ateca but would prefer to wait for a Škoda Karoq because of the Varioflex rear seats and "it's a Škoda!". Still in love, you see.

Kitten and I looked at the hybrid route.  Came to the conclusion that manufactures are not there yet regarding charge times, battery capacity, battery size, and the all important range issue.  There is also no 'infrastructure' for charging nationwide.  In addition to this, the national grid would be unable to cope with the surge in demand if a significant number of people had electric/hybrid vehicles and all charged them at the same time.................such as arriving home from work etc...

 

Mrs AW ( who has always thought it ugly! An 'ugly' Yeti.....surely not  ) is not convinced, the warranty problems have aggravated her but she has no better ideas for the next car. The local Škoda dealer reception staff are great but technicians took three goes to sort out the diff bearings and a couple of niggles where I had to return after work having been carried out.

 

Maybe, as a lifelong motor trade person with a technical background, I'm too fussy (You're not fussy, you're exacting!!!!) , expect too much and understand the system but these are my thoughts on four years and 65,000 miles of Yeti ownership.

 

Over to you.........

 

 

We went in to look at a Superb estate to replace my ageing Vectra. My wife sat in the Yeti and said 'thats nice' and then pointed out her car was 17 years old..

 

I still have the Vectra.

 

She has a nice Yeti SE L and is a very happy camper indeed. Does everything we need including ferrying the kids and the idiot spaniel around with no fuss and show, and is just a little different to everything else on the road.

 

My mum liked it so much she bought her own one too!

Fed up with the poor service form Citroen dealer's the father in law had a Skoda Yeti he said take a test drive two week's later i had one lover it Citroen never again .

Love the practicality of this car. It's like a Swiss army knife. Very agile, turns into a small van when needed. 

Small outside dimensions (equal to a Golf) but very spacious inside, especially for tall and big people.

Quite powerful (1.8TSI), the petrol engine is very quiet, a bit thirsty though. Haldex works very smoothly in slippery roads, snow, etc.

Ride comfort improved hugely with 215/65-16 tires (fit very nicely in the wheel arch).

So far after 90k km, feels and works like new.

And I really like the weird bug-eyed look.

Would I buy it again? Without a second thought...