I am thinking of buying a 162 skoda rapid - would current users recommend same?

Cheap, simple, low-tech, roomy for 4 (but too narrow for 5). 

 

Personally I'm a fan of the 1.2 & 1.4 petrols but not so much the 1.0 and neither of the diesels suit me at all, though the 1.6 in my mates Mk7 seems much improved, so maybe the Rapids has too.

 

The handling is no great shakes but hey its only a minicab/rental car/family barge if truth be told.

 

The car appears to be of better quality inside than the many Citroen, Hyundai and Honda that I've rented this year; the VW switchgear is all well made and laid out - and nothings fallen off in 4 years.

 

Many of the magazine reviews slated the ride and steering but they were mostly written in 2012, and its clear from this forum and driving 2013, 14 and 18 models that the car has improved in those areas a lot over the years. The known early faults were all eradicated by 2014 too.

 

I believe they're more expensive where you are, so a look at Autotrader UK might be in order.

 

The SEAT Toledo is identical (made on the same Czech production line) but normally comes with more kit for the money.

 

 

Edited 6 November, 20187 yr by camelspyyder

I've heard that the 1.2 engine lacks power - is this an issue?

The 1.2 was available when you could get road tax for £30 based on emissions so there's no turbo boost in first. This was the only instance where I felt that it lacked power

 

The 1.0 has turbo in first and it makes a huge difference when trying to pull out of busy junctions or roundabouts

if you need lots of power then this car is not for you, try Golf GTI or similar, but if you need a steady car with a little oomph when necessary then this will be fine. 

The 1.2/105 is the smoothest 4 cylinder I ever drove, and as VW have a habit of understating the bhp, it's rather quicker than you'd expect.

 

The 2016 you're looking at should have the much more modern 1.2/110, a 16V belt cam motor.

I have the 1.6 tdi 90 (not-EA189'd), given the comment above about no turbo boost in 1st  I'm glad I did get that version, plenty of oomph for pulling away fully laden or with the caravan on the back, plus plenty of mid-range for nippy speed control between 50 and 70 on m'way without lots of gear changing (when I don't have the caravan on the back!)

 

Basic version, 15" wheels/tall tyres does the job it needs to do very nicely thanks, easy to drive around town, ride is much better than my friend's sports version with big wheels and low-profile tyres.