Picked up our Roomster today

[pinkpanther]

Due to the need to economise I traded my Octavia vRS (Mk1) in today for a new Roomster2 1.9 TDi. First impressions of the Roomster are positive. The 1.9 engine is much smoother than the 1.4 TDi I test drove initially and it appears to go well, despite only having 100 miles on the clock. Another immediately obvious improvement compared to the Octavia is the quality of the standard fit stereo.

I will post back with more thoughts after a few days living with it !

by the way it is Ocean blue.

[Glider]

Sounds nice, the 1.9tdi is way nicer than the 1.4tdi.

[charles]

My dad swapped his '53 Fabia 1.4TDI for a 1.4 petrol Roomster 2. It was an ex-demo. He would have gone for diesel otherwise. He feels its underpowered although he's not used to reving a petrol engine due to being used to the diesel.
I think the Roomster is a great looking vehicle, nicer than the 'new' Fabia.

[cvennall]

Welcome roommate. You'll find the engine frees up dramatically over the first few thousand, and the car gets nicer to drive.

[OctaviaT81]

Congrats on the new car.

I'd be interested to hear how you find the handling compared to the Octy RS. I also have an Octy 1.8T (not RS) and although the Octy grips well I find the steering less rubbery on the Roomster and the chassis generally more nimble feeling and less lurchy.

[pinkpanther]

Originally Posted by OctaviaT81

Congrats on the new car.

I'd be interested to hear how you find the handling compared to the Octy RS. I also have an Octy 1.8T (not RS) and although the Octy grips well I find the steering less rubbery on the Roomster and the chassis generally more nimble feeling and less lurchy.

I'd have to agree - the Roomster steering feels more direct and somehow "quicker" than the Mk1 Octavia. The Rooster (as my 4 year old calls it !) certainly has more body roll than the Octy vRS, but appears to "hang on" quite well nonetheless.

All in all I'm quite impressed with it, although I think a Mk2 Octavia vRS might be in order sometime next year !

[Decron]

Originally Posted by pinkpanther

The Rooster (as my 4 year old calls it !) certainly has more body roll than the Octy vRS, but appears to "hang on" quite well nonetheless.

There is a solution to the body roll

[Captain Sisko]

Piccies

[irfant]

Enjoy your car!

[MusicalSkoda]

Enjoy your roomy rooster!

[3td]

Have fun with the new car . ROOMSTERS ROOL !

[pinkpanther]

Well we've had the Roomster for around 2 weeks and 600 miles now. In that time it has consumed just over £60 of diesel, at a rate of approximately 40 mpg according to my calculations and 48 mpg according to the onboard computer I'm told this will improve as the engine loosens up and could eventually top 50 mpg !

I've now just about adapted to the narrow power band and find it a relaxing long distance drive, due to the long gearing (30 mph per 1000 rpm in 5th), comfortable seats and suprisingly low noise levels once cruising. The engine (1.9 TDi PD 105 BHP) is rough and noisy at idle and when accelerating, but goes suprisingly well within the self imposed 3000 rpm limit for the first 1K miles. There is loads of space in the back and the large rear windows coupled with the raised rear seats give the kids an excellent view out. The tailgate is a little unwieldy though. It is a very different car to the Accord Sport which went before, but seems well suited to its purpose of ferrying the kids around. The only negative is that the local dealer has retained the log book for 6 months from registration, as the car was a pre-registered demonstrator. I'm aware this is a common practice amongst delearships and is frowned upon by the OFT.

[Decron]

Originally Posted by pinkpanther

Well we've had the Roomster for around 2 weeks and 600 miles now. In that time it has consumed just over £60 of diesel, at a rate of approximately 40 mpg according to my calculations and 48 mpg according to the onboard computer I'm told this will improve as the engine loosens up and could eventually top 50 mpg !

I've now just about adapted to the narrow power band and find it a relaxing long distance drive, due to the long gearing (30 mph per 1000 rpm in 5th), comfortable seats and suprisingly low noise levels once cruising. The engine (1.9 TDi PD 105 BHP) is rough and noisy at idle and when accelerating, but goes suprisingly well within the self imposed 3000 rpm limit for the first 1K miles. There is loads of space in the back and the large rear windows coupled with the raised rear seats give the kids an excellent view out. The tailgate is a little unwieldy though. It is a very different car to the Accord Sport which went before, but seems well suited to its purpose of ferrying the kids around. The only negative is that the local dealer has retained the log book for 6 months from registration, as the car was a pre-registered demonstrator. I'm aware this is a common practice amongst delearships and is frowned upon by the OFT.

PD engines are noisey period.

Also don't worry too much about running it in. I have had 4 PD's and they are better in the long run if you just drive as normal from day one. It will loosen up nicely after about 5k and you shoud start seeing about 48 mpg (Real) on average

[StuartBell]

Originally Posted by pinkpanther

The only negative is that the local dealer has retained the log book for 6 months from registration, as the car was a pre-registered demonstrator. I'm aware this is a common practice amongst delearships and is frowned upon by the OFT.

I also bought pre-reg, and clarified that the dealer would supply the log book after around 6 weeks -i.e. the New Year, which he did. Did you sign a nominal 'courtesy car' agreement, accepting responsibility for any fines etc etc incurred by you? If not, he's a bit vulnerable . . . .

Six months is very naughty; your Trading Standards people might be interested.

Stuart