Just been given a lift home after a boyz and customers night out in a colleague's Octy II TDi with DSG gearbox. Lovely smooth gearbox, nice leather seats, but otherwise so F***ing BLAND as to be a total non-experience.

Any comments? Couldn't Skoda do better than this? Do they really WANT to propagate the taxi image? It was like a ride in any other taxi - so uninvolving as to be just "a ride", rather than "a car".

Xenon headlamps didn't impress much either - lots of light either side of the road, none actually ON it - what's the point?! :confused:

Just hope I had a bad first impression. Really hope so...

Badly adjusted Xenons appear to be a standard 'feature' - once properly set up they're usually great.

Heard simillar from Des about the octy II vRS, I have yet to try one myself.

At last, Nick! Someone who agrees with me!

Chris

It's nice and quiet, but ohhh so dull.

I think it's probably a fair comment.

When just being driven "normally" it's a very relaxed , easy to drive car and doesn't really stand out as being exciting. Given their target market for the new Octy this is to be expected

If you find some nice B roads and push on a bit it does feel very different and damn good fun.

Yeah they are crap

I've not tried an Octy II but generally have to agree with your comments on Xenon headlights. I've seen the MKV GTi, the Z and my former boss's XKR - all will Xenons and for dipped main beam ther eis very littl edifference other than the colour of the light.

The Z does have dual distance Xenons though which do seem very bright indeed on full beam. But I'm comparing it to a MKI Octavia which, is a lot worse than I remember even my MK4 Astra being on full-beam.

If you find the Octavia interior dull, take a look inside the MKV Golf

Incidentally, it is rare to read such ranting from you, Nick, given the time of posting and that you've been out with the lads...... are you sure th ebeer goggle diddnt hamper your view of the car

Ranting, moi? :P

Can hardly speak this morning :(

I can't agree with the xenon light comments, mine must be set up correctly and they are excellent. The main beam however is shi*e.

Yes the interior is dull but it's got a very high quality feel to it which is going to help in the long run. As always, the opinions on interior look and feel vary from person to person but for me, it's a very nice place to be.

The taxi image is easy to shake off from the outside with the right colour/option combination.

I'm off to Halfords to get some shiny faux chrome trim to stick on the dash to perk it up a little:rofl: Or maybe some of that shiny plastic walnut wood?

I think it's probably a fair comment.

When just being driven "normally" it's a very relaxed ' date=' easy to drive car and doesn't really stand out as being exciting. Given their target market for the new Octy this is to be expected

If you find some nice B roads and push on a bit it does feel very different and damn good fun.[/quote']

I'll have to agree with you there. If you want to the Octy II is chuckable and it stays planted on the road. It is a bit too composed at times, but turning off the ESP normally sorts that out.

The main beam however is shi*e.

Yep, but a set of 100w Phillips Rallye light bulbs sorts that out a treat, they light up the road like it was day.

I'll have some of those methinks, or some PIAA chrome mirror jobbies.

I looked at one and have pretty much ruled it out. I'll be ordering a new car in September and, following on from my previous thread, now have it narrowed down to 3 cars and the Octy isn't on the list (unless there is a 4x4 PD 140):

Red Honda Civic EX with the 18" black chrome alloys

12 month old BMW 330D in black

Citroen C5 136 TDI Executive estate

Guess I'm just bored of Skodas now and they aren't as good value as they used to be. Also found that the standard of dealer service has declined markedly over the last 5 years :(

Are they the 18" storm alloys on the honda? Mmmm nice

I'm debating a new car I like the octy, but well it just feels a lot of money for a skoda, i mean it really isn't all that cheap. The C5 is masses cheaper, which counters depreciation, the civic about the same and the 330d is well just damn nice

Out of interest what sort of discount are citroen offering on a C5 ( assume thats the 2.0 model there)

Its the HDI 136 Executive Estate auto. List is about 21 with all the goodies, been quoted 17.5

That really is a lot of car for the money. Just wary of Citroen dealers, but based on my recent experiences with Skoda dealers I have little to fear I think....

Yep, 18" Storm alloys Go really well with the red car.

The BMW is really nice, although I did almost get swayed by a 55 plate 130i M-Sport for £18.5 but doing 50k miles per year my sensible head won :(

If the 3.0l lump diesel lump is the same as in the 5-series it gets a thumbs up from me Also seem to be quite a lot of BMW independent specialists about too who can service them at much more reasonable rates than the main dealers .... not that I've been doing any research, mind

Chris

It is the same

The 330d is lovely to drive and it is Right Wheel Drive as well

That really is a lot of car for the money. Just wary of Citroen dealers' date=' but based on my recent experiences with Skoda dealers I have little to fear I think....[/quote']

If you think skoda are bad then be prepared for a shock! I've had two citroens and I would not recommend them to anyone, coming from Citroen/peugeot I've found Skoda After care 10/10 for service.

Honda on the other hand are by far the best..........I know which of the cars I would be having out of your list

Its the HDI 136 Executive Estate auto. List is about 21 with all the goodies, been quoted 17.5

That really is a lot of car for the money. Just wary of Citroen dealers, but based on my recent experiences with Skoda dealers I have little to fear I think....

Yep, 18" Storm alloys Go really well with the red car.

The BMW is really nice, although I did almost get swayed by a 55 plate 130i M-Sport for