What do we think of Skodas?

regulus

regulus

regulus

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As per title really. I have my reasons for wanting to acquire one even though it might not perhaps be anyone's first choice. Been looking at the Octavia after driving one last week. Although, coming from an eight year old Clio even driving a new peddle bike would impress me.
So, any reasons why I shouldn't bother?

PS. I'm planning on buying a spanking new car next year so I give myself 12 months researching and reading up before buying. Researching Skoda is up first and what better place to have it shot down than here? :D
 
Nothing wrong with them at all, most people's impressions of them are formed from the badge without actually even sitting in one, let alone driving it.
 
Why brand new?

Whilst I agree that Skoda's are actually very good cars for the money, due to the badge they are still a depreciation nightmare. Why not go for a 6 month old car instead?
 
paradigm said:
Why brand new?

Whilst I agree that Skoda's are actually very good cars for the money, due to the badge they are still a depreciation nightmare. Why not go for a 6 month old car instead?
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Second hand is fine too. The only reason I want to buy new is that I'm turning 30 and never owned a new car, so a daft emotional thing, but it's not really THAT important. I'm perfectly willing to buy a good second hand one.
 
regulus said:
Second hand is fine too. The only reason I want to buy new is that I'm turning 30 and never owned a new car, so a daft emotional thing, but it's not really THAT important. I'm perfectly willing to buy a good second hand one.
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New cars are over-rated. Break your Skoda once youve bought it and you'll get a brand new one whilst they fix it, then you too can realise the new car thing is.... the same as a 6 month old car.
 
regulus said:
Second hand is fine too. The only reason I want to buy new is that I'm turning 30 and never owned a new car, so a daft emotional thing, but it's not really THAT important. I'm perfectly willing to buy a good second hand one.
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If you really want to buy brand new, at least make it a "special" car in some way. :)
 
paradigm said:
Why brand new?

Whilst I agree that Skoda's are actually very good cars for the money, due to the badge they are still a depreciation nightmare. Why not go for a 6 month old car instead?
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Utter rubbish. My car retained the same % of it's value over 3 years as the equivalent VW Polo.
 
I read the Top Gear review. Didn't butcher the car as I expected they would so it's definitely worth investigating further then.
 
I have a first generation 2000 W reg Fabia 1.4 8v. So sluggish. I can best describe it as 'gas pedal input lag'. Electronics could be described as temperamental.

After owning this I'm getting an urge to go Japanese next time...
 
[TW]Fox;15659385 said:
They did a VW Polo GT TDI?
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Yep, for a short time. Just no-one bought it because it was £2500 more than the Fabia vRS and £1200 more than the Seat Ibiza Sport/FR.

That's a lot of money for blue dashboard lights.

Uriel said:
I have a first generation 2000 W reg Fabia 1.4 8v. So sluggish. I can best describe it as 'gas pedal input lag'. Electronics could be described as temperamental.

After owning this I'm getting an urge to go Japanese next time...
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It's the old Skoda pushrod lump with emissions electronics forced on it. Early ones had poor settings on the ECU. The VAG 16V was much better.
 
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It does make laugh people's views of Octavias on this forum.

The Mk1 was grim - cheap and nasty - and it looks very dated now, yet people seem on this forum think they're great.

The Mk2 - people on here seem to like them, yet **** off the Golf V which its based on.

The Mk3 - is that based on the Golf VI? If so, it should be a good car, as the Golf VI is a very good car.

The downsides with the Octavias is that they're pretty ugly and have poorer image which is reflected in residual values. The upside is that is that have more space than the Golf and big boot. Are DSG boxes also available on Octavias?

OC Motors hate Golf Vs and VIs but love Octavias. Can't figure that one out.
 
MagicBoy said:
That's a lot of money for blue dashboard lights.
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I'd have paid it just so that I didn't have to have a piano for a front grille.

So, you are saying that the Polo GT TDi, which must have sold all of 3 cars, has the same residuals as a Skoda Labia?
 
Ok then. Keeping in mind that a Skoda is still (admittedly, by a small margin) my first choice, what other cars for a family of four would be advisable then? Budget around 15k
 
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