Hi .... should I buy Skoda?

[VRSnik]

Hi, I have been looking around for a new car and wanted some information on Skodas other than from the motoring press. I am now on my 4th VW and am tempted by the new shape Octavia VRS.
This being a Skoda forum I know I will get flack but I have a small hangup about the brand despite the cars they make......anyone else had this before they bought their 1st Skoda ?

Secondly should I go for the petrol or diesel VRS. The petrol is obviously faster but are there any advantages to owning the diesel. I do very few miles living in London (max 8,000 per year).

Also how to Skoda servicing / parts costs compare to VW ?

Thanks for any feedback. I have seen several VRS's on Autotrader in Race Blue which I really like and they seem good value , guess I just need some positive feedback.

[ap0gee]

Welcome to Briskoda!

Your username suggests you've made your mine up already, but I'm sure some Octy vRS owners will be along soon to give their 2ps-worth!

Hope you enjoy whatever you end up with!

[Conshine]

Originally Posted by VRSnik

Hi, I have been looking around for a new car and wanted some information on Skodas other than from the motoring press. I am now on my 4th VW and am tempted by the new shape Octavia VRS.
This being a Skoda forum I know I will get flack but I have a small hangup about the brand despite the cars they make......anyone else had this before they bought their 1st Skoda ?

Secondly should I go for the petrol or diesel VRS. The petrol is obviously faster but are there any advantages to owning the diesel. I do very few miles living in London (max 8,000 per year).

Also how to Skoda servicing / parts costs compare to VW ?

Thanks for any feedback. I have seen several VRS's on Autotrader in Race Blue which I really like and they seem good value , guess I just need some positive feedback.

Hi there

The build qaulity of Skoda is the same as VW now, some even say better.

The badge never even came into it when I bought my Fabia vRS, it was the best equiped, best looking and best on price.
My friends had a laugh and a joke but they do admit that it's a great car.

The Diesel will pull harder in the mid range but looking at the miles you do, a petrol may be the better option??

I don't know about the costs of the service at VW but I would think it's about the same or cheaper and the spares are A LOT cheaper.

An interesting thing though... you look on the oil filter, there won't be a Skoda badge on it, as people who own Audi's were complaining they were getting Skoda parts!!!

I bought mine, (no offence to anybody), because I believe VW charge too much for the cars that they produce, (I think it's more down to the actual build costs).
Spending £14,500 on a Polo GT TDI (same as my Fabia which was £11,500) was a no no and there was less spec too.

Get the vRS and the money you save you can go and get drunk. ...I did!!!

HTH

Ben

[robb06210]

Hey up

If you'd have told me two years ago that I'd be driving my second Skoda I'd have laughed in your face

Once you've driven one you'll understand!

I've got a new petrol vRS... running costs are heavier than the diesel but I love the car so much that this hardly matters to me

Welcome to Brisky

[ScoobyChris]

In my experience Skoda parts/service costs are on a par with VW (presumably because they're the same engines and running gear!). You probably need to drive the cars for yourself to see what you think - the Skoda misses out on some of the nice touches that are found in VW's, but gains in having a few more toys that are cost options on the VW.

As for petrol or diesel, again I think you need to drive them back to back to decide. If I was doing your mileage, I'd personally be in the petrol, but I know a lot of people who prefer the diesel.

Build quality is an interesting area, and well worth browsing the Octavia 2 forum to see what the common problems are so that you can listen out for them. It's probably as reliable as a VW, but whether that's any consolation depends on your point of view

Whatever you chose, enjoy

Chris

[skomaz]

To add to the above I think the Skodas suit our road conditions better as well... Czech roads tend to be in a similar condition to british roads and are much worse that german ones... so I think the suspension settings are better suited to our broken tarmac than VW ones.

[VRSnik]

Well thanks for your posts it's good to see there's an active Skoda community online.
It sounds like the petrol will do me best. It will be a big change having had VW's in the past but at the end of the day a badge is just a badge.
I was after a Golf GTi - no low mileage ones in my price range, too overpriced
or Seat Leon (not sure about the fit & finish, though love the shape).

Well I am originally from Poland so know about bad roads and living in London need a car that can cope with c*ap roads.

Out of interest in Poland the Fabia is number one selling car and Octavia 3rd.

[Fezboy]

I have owned 1 Audi & 3 Seat's now I'm in a Skoda

I'm happy with what I brought and am not a badgist

I brought this car because of the boot if I'm totaly honest but I love it anyway

[Captain Scarlet]

Hello there. I must admit I did have a slight niggle in the back of my mind when I bought my first Skoda. But at the time the price and the deal was perfect for me. 7 years and 3 Skoda's later it definately doesn't bother me, although friends still make jokes, and swmbo loves it too (after being very snobby about the make at first!) I love the TDi vRS and suits me perfectly as can do a lot of trips on the motorway. And with the prospect of family on the horizon the boot space is awesome.
With your mileage I would think you'd be better off with the petrol, which is cheaper too. But as has already been mentioned a back to back test drive will help you make your mind up.

[VRStu]

Given your low expected annual mileage I would opt for the petrol. It's best part of 1k cheaper from the outset and I don't think you do the miles to warrant the extra cost.

[VRStu]

Oh and I've just bought my 4th vRS

[Skodaboy1983]

Welcome to Briskoda mate!

Having been a ford mad owner and dedicated member of a ford forum I had no idea that I would ever drive a skoda.

Thanks to my girlfriends brother who pointed out to her a real car in his words a Fabia Vrs, I duly went along for a test drive of a fabia vrs and 10 minutes after completing the test drive duly bought a skoda.

The skoda is well built compared to my focus that I had before, and it took me a wee while before we went out to test drive the car if I could look past the skoda badge which I am glad I did.

This in the fact that the skoda garage seemed really willing to sell me this car by chucking in goodies i top up of warrenty, six months free road tax and we were laughing, the best sales experiance I have ever had.

Good luck in the find for your perfect skoda mate.

David

[postmanpat]

Should you buy a Skoda..... Yes, but not for a few months... how about a red one with one carefull lady owner and a few choice extras

[vRSLen]

I am on my 3rd Skoda

[vRSLen]

Originally Posted by postmanpat

Should you buy a Skoda..... Yes, but not for a few months... how about a red one with one carefull lady owner and a few choice extras

And the next car will be?

[postmanpat]

Originally Posted by vRSLen

And the next car will be?

'IF' it goes then the next car won't be a Skoda, nor a VAG relation, but still lots of persuasion needed