Dear all,

Over my 50 year life I have had a number of cars I liked and hated in equal measure. Worst in reliability terms were a Renault 6 and VW Golf mk 1, favourites were the second gen Astra GTE and Alfa 156 2.0 TS, and fun cars (but not engaging ) included a Golf GTI Turbo, BMW 328 coupe, and a Mini. However, being self employed as a photographer and having to make a practical rather than an emotional choice led me to a Roomie 3 1.9 TDI. Despite being selected on a practical basis, I have fallen in love with this Ugly Betty of the car world and actually appreciate its anti-snob appeal. I really believe its my favourite car ever.

OK I am a bit wierd, but do you agree?

You’re not weird, I really like it too. One of the reasons I like it so much is because it is so practical. One minute it has the children in it and we are off on a road trip across France with our tent in it and all the bits that go with it. Then the next minute the rear seats are stripped out and the bikes go in and I am off to a race.

The other reason I like it is because it looks DIFFERENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is a very practical car. Easy to get stuff in and out of including J5 jnr. Swallows up loads of kit for camping and great for trips to IKEA

Don't let my wife see these picture. I told her that the car is not suitable for large cardboard boxes.

Yep - I'm 58 and I have owned a few motors but none have won me over like the Roomy.

I like it for all the reasons given. It is easily the best car I have ever owned.

Two weeks in and I have not loaded up the new Vroomster like a supertanker yet, so I have that to look forward to.

But... liking it more every day. Torquey motor, smooth transmission, drives really well. I really like the look of it, the fit of everything inside and out, and all the features I got thrown in on the deal.

Terrific car, so far, I could not be happier. Unless it morphs into a Superb...

someone stopped us driving out of an event and asked us 'where we got it from?'... as if it was some revolutionary alien thing.... no one would do that with a Ferrari.

That's good!

Two weeks in and I have not loaded up the new Vroomster like a supertanker yet, so I have that to look forward to.

But... liking it more every day. Torquey motor, smooth transmission, drives really well. I really like the look of it, the fit of everything inside and out, and all the features I got thrown in on the deal.

Terrific car, so far, I could not be happier. Unless it morphs into a Superb...

Trouble is, if it morphed into a Superb I would not be able to get it in my garage. Even the current spec Focus and Golf need to have the mirrors folded to get through the door.

In fact the Roomie has the largest capacity of any vehicle which fits in my narrow 1970's spec garage and it has room to spare even with the mirrors out - the combination of all that space in the footprint of a small hatch is really what makes it so incredibly useful. I dont have any photos but I have used it as a van more than once with the seats completely removed and its load capacity is amazing, even if I nearly got a hernia removing them!

Steve

someone stopped us driving out of an event and asked us 'where we got it from?'... as if it was some revolutionary alien thing.... no one would do that with a Ferrari.

That's good!

That defintely IS good. I can always find it in a crowded carpark too as it really stands out.

Not so good is when people pull up alongside on the motorway in the outside lane and gawp at it, forcing me to slow down for the next lorry. Now that a few more are appearing it happens less, but for a while it seemed to attract very peculiar behaviour from other drivers.

Drove across France recently and saw quite a few Roomies. True, the French love practical family style vehicles (they invented the MPV) but the fact that so many French people buy a Skoda in preference to the plethora of local alternatives says a lot for the Roomie's particular charms.

So glad I held out for the 1.9TDi though. It may be a bit of a clatterbox at low speed but the way it accelerates up hills past tractors and trucks when full of adults and luggage is nothing short of amazing. Major safety factor.

Steve

Could hardly vote anything other than Yes as we've got two of 'em sitting on the driveway.

An extremely practical and engaging car that does everything that you ask of it. Cannot think of a viable competitor that I prefer.

What a load of youngsters. LOL

The 1.6 TDI Scout has now become one of those French Roomsters. It was now has been used as the utility vehicle it was designed to be. Loaded to the brim and herself pointing out that she is managing 800 miles a tank, herself is French.

Apart from the little annoyances that I have mentioned on these threads this is one hell of a car and if you think your 1.9 is quick, the 1.6 diesel goes like stink hitting the speed limit on the French Motor way just a tad out of 3rd gear.

When run in took it from Scotland to Norfolk via the Boarders/Dales and it was amazing. Heard moans about the ride comfort and the seats, a load of rubbish. The seats (4 passengers) are comfortable, grip you well for those corners which it sails round. The acceleration is something that puzzles me, go and drive the 1.6TDI and you will see what I mean. (Remembering this is an open forum)

The Parisian who is now racing around her homeland in this vehicle will no doubt have had it to the max and I cannot wait to find out what speed she clocked on the sat nav.

A utility vehicle that is a great drive.

Regards

JD

What a load of youngsters. LOL

The 1.6 TDI Scout has now become one of those French Roomsters. It was now has been used as the utility vehicle it was designed to be. Loaded to the brim and herself pointing out that she is managing 800 miles a tank, herself is French.

Apart from the little annoyances that I have mentioned on these threads this is one hell of a car and if you think your 1.9 is quick, the 1.6 diesel goes like stink hitting the speed limit on the French Motor way just a tad out of 3rd gear.

When run in took it from Scotland to Norfolk via the Boarders/Dales and it was amazing. Heard moans about the ride comfort and the seats, a load of rubbish. The seats (4 passengers) are comfortable, grip you well for those corners which it sails round. The acceleration is something that puzzles me, go and drive the 1.6TDI and you will see what I mean. (Remembering this is an open forum)

The Parisian who is now racing around her homeland in this vehicle will no doubt have had it to the max and I cannot wait to find out what speed she clocked on the sat nav.

A utility vehicle that is a great drive.

Regards

JD

Yes, it really is as good to drive as any estate car - something I could not say of many other MPVs and certainly not of any of the van-based crossovers.

But I think it does ride a tad better loaded up. Solo its a little on the jittery side, though they may have fixed that in the new version.

Would like to try a 1.6, but I wont be able to invest in a new car for quite a while yet. I may invest in a "mild" remap though to keep life interesting

Dear all,

Over my 50 year life I have had a number of cars I liked and hated in equal measure. Worst in reliability terms were a Renault 6 and VW Golf mk 1, favourites were the second gen Astra GTE and Alfa 156 2.0 TS, and fun cars (but not engaging ) included a Golf GTI Turbo, BMW 328 coupe, and a Mini. However, being self employed as a photographer and having to make a practical rather than an emotional choice led me to a Roomie 3 1.9 TDI. Despite being selected on a practical basis, I have fallen in love with this Ugly Betty of the car world and actually appreciate its anti-snob appeal. I really believe its my favourite car ever.

OK I am a bit wierd, but do you agree?

To be honest, I like the Blue Roomster 1.9, 56 plate in 3 specification

we bought recently, but in my heart of hearts the 54 Multispace 2 litre Desire it replaced was much better to drive, more practical, slightly less comfortable but short on safety features. Sorry.

To be honest, I like the Blue Roomster 1.9, 56 plate in 3 specification

we bought recently, but in my heart of hearts the 54 Multispace 2 litre Desire it replaced was much better to drive, more practical, slightly less comfortable but short on safety features. Sorry.

I've got both - (a 56 1.6 diesel Multispace) - and they are chalk and cheese. One is a good car trying to be a van and the other is a good van trying to be a car.

I'm 35 and a father of two boys 3 y.o and 9 months old. I'm also a former owner of a 2002 Octavia 1.6 petrol and a 2006 Fabia 1.2 Htp. I replaced them with the 1.2 Tsi 77Kw Roomster. It is amazing how comfortable the journey become without "big's" feet pulling my seat. Everything fits in. Everything!!! Even my wife between the two child seats. And each one of us has his (her for wife in passenger's seat from now on) room. After two months and 6.200 Km seems that this car will stay with us till she is gonna fall apart and the rear left wheel overtake the car on the motorway.

The fuel consumption is about 6.5lt/100 km on motorways and about 7,7 to 9lt/100km in the city. I managed two times 4.9lt/100Km on country roads with 90Km/h speed limit. A good example of consumption is when we traveled two adults with full trunk under 39 degrees for 648 kilometers with A/C on and when we arrived we had petrol for another 270 kilometers. The mean value of the speed was 81 km/h.

Well for all the above reasons I do love our Roomster.

Even my wife between the two child seats.

I presume she's petite...

Edited 9 September, 201015 yr by pondweed

I presume she's petite...

You 're wright but let me correct it. In Fabia there was no way for anyone to sit between them. In Octavia I was unable to fit myself there and my wife was sitting with her right shoulder over the right child seat and her left shoulder under the left seat's side pillow. Like an S. Now she fits her self comfortably and even I (191 cm tall and 113 Kg weight) can sit even uncomfortable back there.

I must admit, I had what may be the first of what could turn out to be many Roomy moments today.

I was walking out of a supermarket and a well-dressed chap, and his rather attractive wife (I am old enough to find women in their 40s, or even older, attractive!) were standing next to my car, taking in the magnificence of the Roomster, which is in Czech Racing Grey (that sounds way more fun than 'Anthracite').

I clicked the remote and the car 'flashed', and I proceeded to hang the shopping bag on the hook in the back.

They showed great interest.

"Never seen one of these, have you?" I asked.

"Yes, but not many," said the gent (Roomies are pretty rare in Melbourne). "I like the look of Skodas and they are good cars, but this pretty unusual. Had it long?"

No," informs I, "but I really like it."

"Well, good luck to you," he says, and they swivel off and he clicks the remote entry to his ... Lexus.

Perhaps one could get more attention by driving around in a drop-top Benz, with a swimsuit-clad Elle McPherson on board, but I doubt it (though having said that, that is one theory that I would like to test, live). But for now, I am a happy Roomster-er.

So, one more benefit of driving a Roomster; the envy of Lexus owners!

Yes, it really is as good to drive as any estate car - something I could not say of many other MPVs and certainly not of any of the van-based crossovers.

But I think it does ride a tad better loaded up. Solo its a little on the jittery side, though they may have fixed that in the new version.

Would like to try a 1.6, but I wont be able to invest in a new car for quite a while yet. I may invest in a "mild" remap though to keep life interesting

Yes, it really is as good to drive as any estate car - something I could not say of many other MPVs and certainly not of any of the van-based crossovers.

But I think it does ride a tad better loaded up. Solo its a little on the jittery side, though they may have fixed that in the new version.

Would like to try a 1.6, but I wont be able to invest in a new car for quite a while yet. I may invest in a "mild" remap though to keep life interesting

Hi Broomster.

Remap... I had to buy myself another car, so I now have a Panda 1.2 in the garage. The reason is I walk most places and I only need a vehicle for carrying bits and bobs whilst herself is terrorizing France in the Roomy. The reason why I mention this is that on the Fiat forum they have a insurance bod who gave a detailed account of the cost of modifying, by remap or bolt on's. May I say "I don't believe it" Tell you mate I wonder if I'm allowed to put an air freshener in the cabin let alone tampering with the go faster bits. Talk about the nanny state. I was going to stick a twin exhaust and other road approved mods on the Roomy, just to upset the boy races when left for dust. That is now history, its cheaper to buy an Aston Martin. lol.... Be careful old son, big brother is watching.

JD

the roomy is practical, and good on the inside

externally, looks ok from the front and back, but the side looks like it is designed by several team who did not talk to each other

having said that would not get rid of it for a few more years as it only has 125k miles on it and i usually change my cars at 200k-230k (about 6 years)

Dear all,

Over my 50 year life I have had a number of cars I liked and hated in equal measure. Worst in reliability terms were a Renault 6 and VW Golf mk 1, favourites were the second gen Astra GTE and Alfa 156 2.0 TS, and fun cars (but not engaging ) included a Golf GTI Turbo, BMW 328 coupe, and a Mini. However, being self employed as a photographer and having to make a practical rather than an emotional choice led me to a Roomie 3 1.9 TDI. Despite being selected on a practical basis, I have fallen in love with this Ugly Betty of the car world and actually appreciate its anti-snob appeal. I really believe its my favourite car ever.

OK I am a bit wierd, but do you agree?

WOW so far 12 have voted the Roomie as the best car they ever owned, 4 say not the best but still great and not a single "dont like".

Thats one heck of a satisfaction rating I must say, especially when you consider the plethora of mini-MPVs, estates and van crossovers on the market for people with similar needs...

WOW so far 12 have voted the Roomie as the best car they ever owned, 4 say not the best but still great and not a single "dont like".

Thats one heck of a satisfaction rating I must say, especially when you consider the plethora of mini-MPVs, estates and van crossovers on the market for people with similar needs...

Score now 16:5:0 - I reckon thats classic status in the making. :yes:

Closing the poll now, but thanks all for persuading me that I am not soft in the head....

anyone who says the roomster is ugly needs to look in a mirrow , the car ( mpv ) stands out because it is so good in every way

anyone who says the roomster is ugly needs to look in a mirrow , the car ( mpv ) stands out because it is so good in every way

Agreed, but I sometimes miss the large boot/trunk from my previous car, a Octavia II. But overall I really like my Roomster. Great car for families with children's.