Last entry in this book I got for Xmas is this on the Fabia vRS:

Skoda Fabia vRS

The Fabia is immaculately built under the watchful eye of its Volkswagen owners, and the vRS version really is quite quick. It can put down its power without altering the shape of the world's tectonic plates. But think what you're doing. You land your fighter at one of those air shows, climb down from the cockpit and stroll, in a heat haze, teeth flashing, towards the applauding crowd. And then you pull out a Skoda key ring to open your car. Think what you're doing. There are children watching and they'll be traumatised by such a sight.

Skodas may be better than they were, but they're for people who read Which? and write to Points of View, not heroes who look for bandits at six o'clock.

I'm not really surprised. He has consistently slagged the brand off for a few years now.

But the book is about cars that don't have the right image and for a lot of people that still applies to skoda.

He's not saying it's a bad car , just the opposite , but one that's not fashionable

He's not saying it's a bad car , just the opposite , but one that's not fashionable

Exactamundo:thumbup:

It is something Im sure all of us Skoda drivers have come across, I certainly have had people gasp when I say I drive a Skoda - and they gasp even more when I tell them that they are alot better and just as good as rival companies.

I bought the car for the car, not for the badge so when people do "badge snob" I am not in the slightest bit fussed.

Am..

I..

Bovered?

I think what's the Hamster is trying to say is, "it's a good car which rates well - but it's no Enzo, M5, Lambo, etc" - True. Can't say kids will be traumatised.

I took some mates into town last night, picked them up in the dark so they didn't see what car it was . . . they thought it was a Saab. dunno if that's a compliment or not though. :confused:

I've have people ask if my car is a BMW, an Audi (well, it is kinda) and even a Volvo :confused: , most are quite surprised when I tell them its a Skoda.

I think I kinda get what the Hamster is saying, but the crowd would probably feel the same if he pulled out the keys to a Ford Focus (with the possible exception of the ST if it was in Orange) or a Vauxhall Astra.

I think a skoda is traditionally a working class car and for years has been the peasant car for very poor eastern europeans.

I ve just come back from Bavaria, Germany and there are now tons of skodas on their roads when 5 years ago you never saw one - it was all bmws mercs crap french cars and audis.

Everyone now knows what a good car they are but they are not status symbols even if you have the top of the range superb.

Its a shame but skodas will always be looked down upon by anyone who drives an "executive car" the prejeudice came from skodas history from 1950 to ninetees..

Did you know that skoda designed and built the first real flying saucer for the Nazis? apparently true...

Anyhow most skoda drivers are down to earth type people who like value for money and dont want to spend their hard earned cash on image.

BMW's are greeat cars but how many of their owners buy the cars for their engineering - I'm sure most just do it for status...

A skoda does not show prosperity and neither does it tell your neighbours that

you're a high flyer, it just is what it is.

Hammond, Clarkson and May are all like ex Puplic school boys from the old boys club. They have never had to rough it in the real world (esp Clarkson).who's mum incidentally invented paddington bear dolls in the seventies and his grandad owned bentleys..

Its a class thing.... CRAP **** ENGLISH OLD BOY SNOBBERY AGAIN...

I was a working class lad who went to a posh school when I got a scholarship and most of the pompous ****s there were just the same.

I personally got my Skoda and every other car/bike I've owned because I liked it and wanted one, I really didn't give a seconds thought to whether anyone else approved or dis-approved, nor do I care want anyone else thinks.

On the same vein I make no judgement of anyone else by the car/bike that they drive/ride.

Lance

And this is from the bloke who gets into a death trap rocket car.....do I trust his opinion

Exactly

Exactly

I was exactly going to say that

Why would anyone buy a car because it's "cool" anyway? Personally I wish more people would be put off the Fabia vRS, then maybe I would be able to find a low mileage example at a cracking price

Unfortunately people do buy cars because they are cool or they look good or are a status symbol, and there is nothing wrong with that at all, there would be no point in the VRs models in the skoda range otherwise, as there are other models with the same engine.

Hammond is basically correct in what he's saying, it's a good car but no one will be impressed by it.

I saw a Skoda described in one review as a "thinking man's car". If you think about it, it is

It is fun, inexpensive and economical. You really enjoy driving it.

So why the heck should I put my bank account in the red by buying some poser car, that will likely get keyed anyway. I don't give a rat's posterior about the "slightly evolved ape" business of social showing-off.

I enjoy my Fabia vRS - and if you don't like them, tough nuts!

Oh and the Fabia vRS is a modder-mad car-nut's dream-come-true!

My 2p.....

Bas

I was given this as well

There is also the Skoda Superb in there, and the Prius my inlaws drive.

Doesn't worry me, it's one of those fun books when taken with a sufficient pinch of salt

Actually, having driven a Prius (admittedly an older one) he has a point.

Unfortunately people do buy cars because they are cool or they look good or are a status symbol, and there is nothing wrong with that at all, there would be no point in the VRs models in the skoda range otherwise, as there are other models with the same engine.

The Fabia vRS is more than just the engine though (did other Fabia's have this engine?) - I got the Fabia because the spec and the price was right.

He is apart of the Topgear is he not !!

If so that show is all about 'Would my P.E.N.I.S look bigger in this' then actual car information and objective and informative reviews of the cars on the road.

Q

I just think it's a bit of banter in a book form(at), I wont feel insulted or anything, some good points are made in it, some push it a bit

Here's the official Topgear review of the Fabia vRS: Top Gear | Road test

so there.

To be honest I see that as a ringing endorsement. I'd be ashamed to drive a car that any presenter of Top Gear thought was "cool". Let's be honest; if you had to spend an evening down the pub with any of them you'd either kill them or yourself to get out of it.

I took some mates into town last night, picked them up in the dark so they didn't see what car it was . . . they thought it was a Saab. dunno if that's a compliment or not though. :confused:

whenever i wash my car the old guy over the road comes to chat about cars

and usually ends up complimenting my Saab

i corrected him once or twice but can't be @rsed any more

Below the belt, but

Richard Hammond - What Not to Drive

A 288mph dragster

To be honest, Top Gear has to be sensationalist, controversial and on and on.

However, unsurprisingly as 37% of UK cars are now diesel, the avowed dieselphobes are now modifying their tune - probably not that they've become converts but because they're too frightened of the effect on their ratings of offending so many people.

in all honesty.

why do you care what he says? like really?