fredw

I have just returned from a holiday in the Czech Republic. While chatting to a couple of Americans in Prague they asked me about these cars that look like BMWs but don’t have BMW badges.

As luck would have it a Mk2 Ocky drove by and they said that that was the car that was confusing them.

Not a bad compliment from a couple of people who were just going by the shape of the car.

roo

But what do Americans know about cars anyway. They get confused when they see a corner.

But at least makes people think about the quality nowadays as it happens a fair bit over here too.

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Jeff: Ambitious, but rubbish

Higgy

I myself think the rear of the Octavia II Combi (or Estate, I think you call it) looks a bit (A BIT!) like the Volvo V50.

lozgti

It certainly looks good.The rear of the last Octy always reminded me of Mercedes estates with the light cluster.Still do a bit!

It looks a classy car though certainly.It might have been called bland,but thats a bit unfair.Tell me a current family/exec car that isn't bland (except the PT Cruiser thanks but no thanks!)

@Roo.True about the handling bit but you have to give them credit for some of their latest incarnations.Appreciate they have gone or are going through a retro phase but the new mustang,the gt40 to name two seem great to me.I'm sure they would be sunny side up at the first corner but I love them!

Having said that having been brought up on Hawaii 5 O,Dukes of Hazzard,Kojac,Smokey and the Bandit I used to love American junk I used to think a Cadillac was the ultimate luxury car in the 70's.Not a Rolls! Would have looked like a twonker driving one over here though

mikejay

tobe honest i think it looks like a volvo! the bonnet is simular.

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179BHP AND 340 TORQUE!!!

G.K.

My neighbour says the grill looks a Rover. What a cheek!!

roo

Mustang, yes I would have one if I could afford it. The Ford GT is just a subtle update on the Euro original (but aparently they have done a marvelous job with the handling and aerodynamics on it).
they are excellent muscle cars, but not many are near european handling yet (although they are learning, a Cadillac with a manual gearbox )

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Jeff: Ambitious, but rubbish

lozgti

I thought Americans all had a limp left leg from no clutch use.How will they cope

I thought there was a renowned picture of BMW/Octavia vRS photchop that pops up when people mention the similarity.Front end of an octavia with a BMW grill IIRC

Must have a delve into old threads and have a look

Matrixsenior

I think the new Octy lookslike a Volvo S60, which is good. Just got back from Canada. American cars deeply crap. Rented a Chevy Malibu, was rubbish. Every extra you can think of, big engine, slow as hell and a what looked like a 'Daewoo' dashboard!

fredw

Test drove a PT Cruiser. What an experience. Gearbox was the notchiest I have ever driven, even worse than the loose box of cogs in my wife's clapped out Renault Dauphin.

Engine power! What power? performed as though it had a 1000 cc mini engline.