19 hours ago, Sad555 said:

Really ?must be a twin

 

 

You're off my Christmas card list!!

And it looks like my buying the Niro is not happening.

Oh no !

5 hours ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

They are all over Scotland as well.   The Kamiq will have lots first Registered / Sold.

Like Yeti's there will be ones that Motability are buying and the lease companies & car hire companies.  Skoda are quoting them happy.

 

How many Yeti we see because we notice them does not change the fact that there were not many more sold than there were Roomsters, or that all the Skoda models sold in the UK every year is no more than just 1/2 of just the Fiesta or Golf's 'First Registered' in the same years.

Guess it’s just me then, maybe it’s my vintage but still don’t know why Skoda reduced the seat height so significantly. I thought people bought small SUV’s/Crossovers because it gave them a more commanding view and made them feel more “secure” - or that’s what the research into why people buy particular styles of car seemed to prove. Have to wait and see which of the multitude of small Crossovers is most successful over time.

Edited 5 January, 20206 yr by Expatman

@Expatman

They do buy them for that reason. 

You just seem to think some are not high enough, or not nice enough interiors.  Maybe best stick with the Yeti because that is what is most like a Yeti.

3 minutes ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

@Expatman

They do buy them for that reason. 

You just seem to think some are not high enough, or not nice enough interiors.  Maybe best stick with the Yeti because that is what is most like a Yeti.

Yes, that's why I bought an SEL Drive in 2017. Plan to keep it for a few years, but what to replace it with????

@Expatman

Cherished & given servicing and maintenance that should be good for at least another 5 years at the very least.

I have looked at the Kamiq, no 4x4, and the seating position is like getting into a normal car. I wont be getting one of them. The only current Skoda alternative to the Yeti seems to be the Karoq, but no 4x4 petrol version availble and once specced up is innthe mid £30k's. The Kodiaq us far too big for us and even more £'s.

Suzuki Vitara looks quite nice and they appear to have some good deals on at the mo.....may get a test drive in one for the hell of it!...

1 hour ago, kenfowler3966 said:

I have looked at the Kamiq, no 4x4, and the seating position is like getting into a normal car. I wont be getting one of them. The only current Skoda alternative to the Yeti seems to be the Karoq, but no 4x4 petrol version availble and once specced up is innthe mid £30k's. The Kodiaq us far too big for us and even more £'s.

As Stubod says the Vitara is quite nice but I have read some preliminary good reviews of the new Peugeot 2008, plush cabin and 8 speed torque converter autobox. I am finding now that speccing anything up to a decent standard is quickly getting into the high £20k’s and £30’s. 

Of course Ford are launching the new Puma later this month and while they are banning all reviews until then the snippets that have leaked out are positive. My sister-in-law has a Fiesta, on which the Puma is based, and that is certainly a very nice car in terms of comfort and handling. However, I fear it could mimic the Kamiq in that the ride height will be set too low, but have to wait until we see one to decide. if they do a Vignale version that will be very plush and well equipped ---- and expensive!

I must confess I have always had a negative bias towards any "French made cars" due to the ongoing poor reliability reports, but I guess they are probably no worse than Skoda and they seem to have a good reputation for comfort? I also considered the small Ford SUV, but again it gets a pasting in the motoring press and they have had some bad reliability reports regarding their 1.0ltr engine. The Suzuki Vitara is getting quite popular around these parts and I think it's a nice looking car with a good range of engines and options. I still fancy an auto for my next car so I think I will get a test drive just to satisfy my curiosity. (Not sure whether to try a 1.0 ltr or the 1.4, (the 1.4 Skoda engine is a real peach, I have had 2 now, the first in an Octavia). On the plus side there are 2 main dealers within 20 miles as well!  

Suzuki Vitara have changes in the line up from MY19.5 to the MY20 ones.

..just checking out the specs now...a lot of choice, 1.0 / 1.4, 2WD / AWD?.....some of the youtube tests look quite positive, and Suzuki generally seems to be considered one of the more reliable makes. Assume their autos are torque converters rather than DSG?....(probably a lot more reliable, but also not as efficient?)

Edited 7 January, 20206 yr by Stubod

I had a peugeot 405 diesel estate many years ago and really liked the car, but I just don't like the current styling.

 

Never even think to look at vauxhalls, did have an Astra many years ago which was exhibiting significant rust at 2 years old only.

 

Again why would I buy a ford, had a few as company cars and an XR2 back in mid 80's, but to me they have no character.

 

And then if its Japanese I sort of lose interest.....

 

Quite like Audi's but then so do the car thiefs....

 

I think I will keep the Yeti for some time but my 2.5 year old car is just starting with the zinc inclusions on the rear offside door. One has burst and there is another bubble nearby.

I would soon lose interest in a rusty 2.5 yr old Skoda and take more interest in Japanese cars!

Japanese and also South Korean cars that are built in Central Europe especially.

Suzuki, Kia / Hyundai as examples.

..been doing some more research ref Suzuki Vitara. I have been advised they will be dropping the 1.0 ltr soon, (already dropped the diesel), leaving just the 1.4 petrol, which is fine by me. However also notice that the higher spec model has a pan roof. Not sure if this has similar issues to the Yeti pan roof?..(can't find anything on Dr. Google).

Their auto is also a DSG...again nothing found on a google search regarding similar problems to those reported for VW (etc)? Just wondering if anybody had heard anything different? 

Not heard much about changes coming to the Vitara but it is on my list for the future to potentially replace our Octavia and I do have the 1.0 Boosterjet SHVS Hybrid in my swift - it's a peach of an engine!

 

However, I have heard that Suzuki are starting to introduce their SHVS mild hybrid tech across the range so that might be the reason for dropping to 1.0 - to replace it with a 1.0 SHVS perhaps?  I thought they were doing the same with the 1.4 as well (I understand that's the case for the Swift Sport that uses the same engine)

Suzuki know how to use Dual Clutch Transmission boxes and small n/a engines or turboed that are reliable.

That is why VW bought into Suzuki, and Suzuki bought its final shares back overnight as the VW Emissions scandal was breaking news.

Toyota did well if they lent Suzuki the few Billion needed that night.

http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-34275917

 

http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34298259

http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-34322961

 

 

Suzuki had the Light Hybrid technology back then from working with Toyota, Fiat and Mitsubishi and that was what VW were after.

They all have Light Hybrids in production and VW just scratching the surface still.

Edited 9 January, 20206 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

1 hour ago, Stubod said:

..been doing some more research ref Suzuki Vitara. I have been advised they will be dropping the 1.0 ltr soon, (already dropped the diesel), leaving just the 1.4 petrol, which is fine by me. However also notice that the higher spec model has a pan roof. Not sure if this has similar issues to the Yeti pan roof?..(can't find anything on Dr. Google).

Their auto is also a DSG...again nothing found on a google search regarding similar problems to those reported for VW (etc)? Just wondering if anybody had heard anything different? 

 

The last time I rang my local Suzuki main dealer. in Exeter, to ask what type of auto. was fitted into Vitaras I was told, quite definitively, that they used DSG on their diesels (which they were doing at that time) and torque converter on their petrols.

I imagine that could have changed but I was, personally, quite encouraged by the information at the time.

....defo seems to be DSG's on auto petrols now? Not sure when they changed....

 

I have looked for a Vitara owners forum but nothing as helpful or as well subscribed as this forum! 

Edited 9 January, 20206 yr by Stubod

9 minutes ago, Stubod said:

....defo seems to be DSG's on auto petrols now? Not sure when they changed....

 

I have looked for a Vitara owners forum but nothing as helpful or as well subscribed as this forum! 

 

Yes, it was maybe two, possibly three, years ago that we spoke .... he was 100% definite at the time, and I made a written note to remind myself too, but there does seem to be a fondness for DSG as we speak. I always look on manufacturer's websites to see if they specify what type of auto is fitted, and almost never find it.

2 hours ago, oldstan said:

 

Yes, it was maybe two, possibly three, years ago that we spoke .... he was 100% definite at the time, and I made a written note to remind myself too, but there does seem to be a fondness for DSG as we speak. I always look on manufacturer's websites to see if they specify what type of auto is fitted, and almost never find it.

Peugeot, Citreon and I think now Vauxhall use torque converter autobox. Ford have also given up on DSG type outboxes and reverted to the more robust torque converter system for most (all?) of their models.

I have always been suspicious of French made cars but now that they are mostly all made by robots the differences in build quality seems to be small and certainly the Aircross and new 2008 and Captur are worth looking at amongst compact SUV’s. The new 2008 has had some very good preliminary reviews with the cabin being highlighted as of very high quality and spec compared with VAG offerings. The competition in the compact SUV market is getting fiercer by the day and the more spartan interiors of the T-Cross and Arona could hinder their success. The Kamiq seems to be the most “luxurious” of the VAG offerings but with a driving height hardly any taller than a regular hatchback it’s hard to like.

Edited 9 January, 20206 yr by Expatman

Another one with a 1.4 T petrol and & DCT, 7 speed with this.

 

 

Hi all and thanks for the ongoing input to this thread. The problem with some of the "sleeker" looking SUVs over the Yeti (and similar), is that the sloping backs of the these cars seem to limit boot space. Form over function I guess and depends what you want from a car. I suppose DSG's are OK if you are buying new and plan to sell before it gets "to old". I normally buy cars around 2 years old and keep until about 4/5 years old but I may consider "treating myself" to something newer and at least have the comfort of a good warranty? 

The new Xceed does not seem to be that much of an SUV?....also tops out at £29K!!