I don't know why, but Skoda seemed to me as a brand not very popular in Great Britain. I have never been there, so the only way I can take contact with the British automotive life is Top Gear. And the guys at Top Gear aren't very enthusiastic regarding the Czech brand, maybe that's the reason. That's why I was very surprised to find such an extensive forum and such passionate people. So, what's the truth? Aren't the guys at Top Gear open-minded to the cars from Central and Eastern Europe or what? It looks like Skoda has good sells in the isles.

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Both of them. You see, I didn't have the chance to meet ordinary British people and talk to them about cars. And I have really been wondering myself for a long time if Top Gear is the voice of the British people or only of Clarkson, May and Hammond (randomly ordered ).

It's best to think of Top Gear as a comedy show based around cars, Clarkson knows nothing, but he's a funny guy! lol

Skoda did have an appalling reputation when they used to make the Estelle and Rapid and were used as the subject of a lot of jokes (same with Lada).

I know people on here like them but they were bad cars and in my opinion were well deserving of the treatment they got.

The Favorit was a big improvement but still basic and ugly in comparison to the competition here. The Felicia was another big improvement but it wasn't until the Octavia and Fabia that the cars were as good or better than the alternatives.

Most people now accept that they are very good cars these days but there is still a lot of prejudice attached to the Skoda brand name and some still want to make jokes about them including Top Gear as they know they will get a reaction from the owners.

If you ever come to Britain you'll see a lot of Skodas on the road driven by all sorts of people

Skoda always had a bad name but has picked itself up in recent years and i think VW has a big influence on its growing popularity in this country.

As for Top Gear, it is more a comedy show around cars, as Loz and others have said.

The Top Gear magazine gives very positive reviews on Skodas in the new car section.

Generally gives Skodas on Test a good write up too.

Its the British Public that is a bit Skoda shy.Worried about what the neighbours think,that kind of thing;)

:eek: skodas... lol... 70 - 80% of private taxis in belfast are either octavias or superbs... says it all really...

:eek: skodas... lol... 70 - 80% of private taxis in belfast are either octavias or superbs... says it all really...

one octy owner on here has a signature that says something along the lines of "250,000 taxi drivers can't be wrong!" lol...

Skoda in GB has lost a lot of its bad press and jokes, they do sell lots here.

Some of the better people to ask about how good the Skoda Octavia vRS is specially the estate (combi), are the police, there are lots of them around, as they have taken over from the Volvo.

There are a few policemen on here that liked the car so much, that they have bought one themselves.

TG is is a toungue in cheek program, that loves supercars, hates , small hatchbacks, family cars, 4x4, caravans , basically anything that is not a supercar.

By the way, in many country nobody knows who The Stig might be. Do you have any "candidate"? You're closer to the "action".

The Stig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chris

:eek: skodas... lol... 70 - 80% of private taxis in belfast are either octavias or superbs... says it all really...

John mullholland has just sulplied value cabs with 100 new superb s.

Alot of taxis for such small city.

50% of police and fire cars here seem to be skoda s as well

Top Gear is good to watch for a laugh but I don't take it too seriously as there are numerous other review websites & mags out there. This website gives the new Skoda Fabia quite a favourable write up:

The Car Enthusiast | Reviews | Skoda Fabia road test

Dave

I agree with the rest Top gear is a bit of a car show complimented with guys that have their favourit cars and nothing sways them from that brand, so skoda are like the rest also runs according to them ,Clarkson is funny though, but he is been paid to be,

I don't know why, but Skoda seemed to me as a brand not very popular in Great Britain. I have never been there, so the only way I can take contact with the British automotive life is Top Gear. And the guys at Top Gear aren't very enthusiastic regarding the Czech brand, maybe that's the reason. That's why I was very surprised to find such an extensive forum and such passionate people. So, what's the truth? Aren't the guys at Top Gear open-minded to the cars from Central and Eastern Europe or what? It looks like Skoda has good sells in the isles.

Sadly there are still a lot of badge snobs in Great Britian:( , got my Octavia 4x4 last December and am very satisfied with car

50% of police and fire cars here seem to be skoda s as well

According to a friend in the know, the PSNI Trafpol always choose the Passats over the Octy's in the fleet if they get a choice :eek:

Chris

I know people on here like them but they were bad cars and in my opinion were well deserving of the treatment they got.

Sorry, but that is just not true!

I think the older cars (rear engined) were given bad press because of the 'behind the iron curtain' effect. I think people in the west liked to think that eastern European people were somehow inferior beacuse of them being 'Commies' during the cold war years. Anything which came from these countries was derided , not just Skoda (FSO/Polski-Fiat , Lada) , a few comedians and some of our tabloid newspapers made up some jokes in the 80s and they were repeated so often they became almost recognised as fact! Clarkson still plays up to this stereotypical 'image' of Skoda as he knows it's an easy way of getting a cheap laugh from an audience. Unfortunately , most people in the Uk are really bothered about what other people think of them , about their house , about their car , clothes etc and you have to have the best of everything to 'fit in' as a Mr or Mrs average. Personally id rather kill myself than worry what anyone else thinks of my lifestyle choices , but there you go. I think the target 'audience' of the Skoda brand is very similar to who would have been buying the VW Beetle in the 1950s and 1960s , people who are free thinkers , slightly 'left field' , not a 'sheep' who is happy to just copy everyone else. Incidentally , had VW not came up with their watercooled range , and gone on selling their aircooled cars , they would probably have as many jokes told about them in the 1980s and 1990s as Skoda did....Funny that , as I have had 3 aircooled VWs , and 3 Skodas...I suppose that makes me a 'rebel'....lolol!

I admit to being biassed, I love Skoda cars, particularly the rear engined range. I make no pretence of them being perfect cars, they have many faults and quirks that owners of "normal" cars with "normal" faults find difficult to comprehend. That doesn't make them bad cars.

I love my dear old heaps and wouldn't be without them!

Skoda's reputation in the UK has made an enormous positive leap in the last 5-10 years.

Over here in New Zealand the reputation is probably aorund where it was in the UK five years ago.

It's definitely turning around and I'm seeing lots more Mk2 Octavias now - but I get laughed at every time I tell a Kiwi what I drive.

Until they see the car, or have a ride in it then the jokes seem to stop.

John mullholland has just sulplied value cabs with 100 new superb s.

Alot of taxis for such small city.

50% of police and fire cars here seem to be skoda s as well

yeah i know that m8.. the psni have got 1 the same as mine.. :eek: wander if it's remapped?

Which Stig? A bloke called "Perry McCarthy" (biog "Flat Out, Flat Broke" or similar) has admitted to being the original "Black Stig". There's still a fair amount of speculation about the actual person (or persons) behind the visor of the new "White Stig".

The opinions expressed in the TV show and by the magazine columnists are their own, and they're welcome to them in my view! I drive a Skoda diesel because it's comfortable, reliable, passibly good looking, and very torquey. Find me an affordable petrol engined car that will pull 30mph/1000 rpm away from just above idle revs!

Skoda in GB has lost a lot of its bad press and jokes, they do sell lots here.

Some of the better people to ask about how good the Skoda Octavia vRS is specially the estate (combi), are the police, there are lots of them around, as they have taken over from the Volvo.

There are a few policemen on here that liked the car so much, that they have bought one themselves.

TG is is a toungue in cheek program, that loves supercars, hates , small hatchbacks, family cars, 4x4, caravans , basically anything that is not a supercar.

I totaly agree!!. My vRS Octi is without dout the best car I have ever owned. Yes it has it's faults and has had a few problems since I've had it, but it will break my heart when I finally trade it in (for a MK2 vRS TDi in yellow if I get my way!!!)

And before you ask, yes I am a police officer :P