Hey all.  First up I should say I am commited to buying a  Kodiaq - BW14 (next week, and  looking forward to its arrival)

 

I've had a day long test drive and read pretty much every review I can find to read.   My question relates to these reviews.  I've not read anthing negative at all really.  Is it because

 

.The car is 'THAT' good?

.The motoring press are on the Skoda payroll (?!)
.They can't write anything negative for fear of being sued?

.something else?
 

The worst things I have read are things like - 

"better spec on the expensive models"  
"DSG at low speeds a bit jerky"
"7 seats not standard"

"colours are boring"

 

Not much there to put anyone off is there.. 

 

Charlie. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've yet to read a truly negative review of any new car, the automotive magazines and online testers are perhaps in fear of not being invited back if they are too negative.

 

Saying that, is there such a thing as a really bad car these days?

 

DSG is jerky at low speeds, 7 seats are a cost option on the lower specs, colours are a bit tame and it shouldn't come as a surprise that the more expensive models are better equipped.

 

You've done the right thing, taken an extended test drive and made your own mind up. All the online content is there for entertainment value only.

3 hours ago, silver1011 said:

DSG is jerky at low speeds

 

You're driving it wrong - mine's absolutely fine .

 

But to answer the original question, it's a car from the VAG stable. You know exactly what you're going to get - something that is well engineered, functional, and pleasant to drive. I don't think they make anything that isn't an Audi RS model that you would consider 'exciting'.

 

Some slightly more interesting colours really would be nice though. There are only so many shades of grey (50, apparently!).

I don't have DSG for various reasons and can only go on what I read on here, but as with everything in life I'm sure some will be better than others ( 6 vs. 7 gears, dry vs. wet clutch etc.), just as some owners will be better at driving them than others.

 

There's no denying though that whilst at speed the DSG is super smooth is does seem to get quite some criticism during low speed manoeuvres and tends to get itself confused at times, especially in conjunction with stop/start etc.

 

I agree though on the colours, not what you'd call exciting or adventurous!

 

 

 

Edited 31 March, 20188 yr by silver1011

Always remember the Lord Michael Heseltine that was involved in the deal where VW Group bought Bentley is the owner of Haymarket Media Group 

that own / publish Autocar, What Car, Pistonheads and many other publications.

Haymarket Media Group that have among their customers VW , Jaguar and others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_Media_Group 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Heseltine 

 

What Car can even make cars like the Mk3 Fabia What Car of the year months before any Customer has one, before they drive a Right Hand Drive one, 

and in time for the Adverts going on the Telly or in Print saying What Car Car of the Year.

 

Then there is Dennis Publications....

http://dennis.co.uk 

Auto Express, always know Factory Insiders..

Car Buyer

Buyacar

Drive Power

Octane

Vantage

Evo  etc

Edited 31 March, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

Incest at it's finest.

'If you do not like something say it'   but do not expect to last long in this industry.   Not if you are nobody and the car comes from the VW Group.

 

If you believe some of the reviews you will purchase a Peugeot 5008 rather than a Kodiaq...

7 minutes ago, Falkster said:

If you believe some of the reviews you will purchase a Peugeot 5008 rather than a Kodiaq...

 

I went to look at the 5008 the day before placing my order.  It wasn't even close... and I thought that steering wheel was a a joke..!

 

 

I can't bring myself to drive a Peugeot since a 3008 SW we once owned almost burnt a clutch out at West Midlands Safari Park...the dealership was cack too...

They don't make them like they used to, this old thing was bullet proof.

 

Served me (and various family members) well over 12 years and 150,000 miles.

 

This was on the day I advertised it for sale,...

 

You are absolutely correct there 1011 - I was really sad when our 306 1.9 TD went to a new home - what a gorgeous little car

Most of the old Peugeots were bullet proof - very popular  in africa (404/504 etc) !

This guy has done his own review focusing on the negatives 

 

 

12 hours ago, Falkster said:

If you believe some of the reviews you will purchase a Peugeot 5008 rather than a Kodiaq...

I had one on order. Peugeot couldn't confirm a build date.... Now 2 months overdue....so I got my deposit back and purchased the Skodiaq instead. Lucky escape!

What was it that attracted you to the 5008 Mark? I must admit the gadgets and dash along with the modern looks (before anyone has a pop it's subjective I know) are the plus points. The 5008 is a bit boxy on the downside and expensive compared to the Kodiaq.

I'll tell you what put me off the 3008 - and I'm assuming it is a feature also on the 5008... apparently, changing the 'drive mode' also releases a different scent into the air con, so you get something relaxing when in eco/comfort/whatever it's called and something stimulating when in sport.

 

Air fresheners in cars are the spawn of the devil - having something inject fragrance into my air con would stop me buying any car.

The AC scent is easily switched off! Lots of things to like about the 5008, modern looks, lots of tech, massage seat etc. But to get the 1.2 engine with the auto gearbox, and the leather meant you had to go for a lower spec (for the engine/ gearbox combo) and then add significant options. I added leather, Visio 2 (basically area view), wireless smartphone charging etc. 6k of options but on a 3 year PCP this 6k disappears and the guaranteed value at the end is no higher than a car with no options. Essentially making a more desirable car depreciate faster than a base spec car!

I agree with the engine/gearbox observation Mark and it's a good point. The Pug has a couple of nice colour and wheel choices and I like the black roof option.

If only Skoda were a little more daring but I suppose that's the job of the boys at Seat...

Having said that Skoda are reassuringly understated and reliable...

Edited 1 April, 20188 yr by Falkster

The Skoda also drives better and I am quite glad that Peugeot's inability to build the car gave me a way out!

21 hours ago, silver1011 said:

This guy has done his own review focusing on the negatives 

 

I'm pretty sure that this is "romanv" who is a member and posts a bit in the Kodiaq forum...

@charli71, check my YouTube channel that covers good and bad stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEc-7icqRkIyEWiitkxhPfg

 

Otherwise I love my bear and I would choose it again.

Edited 1 April, 20188 yr by romanv

21 hours ago, silver1011 said:

This guy has done his own review focusing on the negatives 

 

 

Hey, I also published 3 parts on what I like about my Kodiaq, and 2 additional ones are on the way  

 

Otherwise I love my bear!!!

9 hours ago, romanv said:

@charli71, check my YouTube channel that covers good and bad stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEc-7icqRkIyEWiitkxhPfg

 

Otherwise I love my bear and I would choose it again.

 

That's great - Thanks Romanv - I've now seen them all.  Good work.

13 hours ago, TheRobinK said:

 

I'm pretty sure that this is "romanv" who is a member and posts a bit in the Kodiaq forum...

 

You're right, it IS our very own Roman, from Eastern Europe.  

 

He's done some spiffing YouTube vids on his own site.