New car. Skoda still looking likely

[drew]

I got the DSG version it's a nice car and still gets 55mpg, the petrol likes to drink a bit if you have a heavy foot. I suspect that there are more diesels sold to reps like me and it's a popular taxi now in non Vrs guise.

 

[pcoltrane]

Thankfully most people "in the know" don't still live in the 80s.
The Octavia has always been a nice car - the Mk1 was hardly bad.
I don't think anyone in the industry would describe them as an embarrasment.

VW themselves are scared of the Skoda brand because those that look around can buy a Fabia over a Polo, an Octavia over a Golf or a Superb over a Passat - get very similar spec, very similar performance but save themselves a whole heap of cash.

Lol - why would VW be scared of the Skoda brand since they own them?

It's all just clever marketing - a brand to fit each kind of buyer. Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda ... it's all Win Win Win Win for VW

 

[[TW]Fox]

VW themselves are scared of the Skoda brand because those that look around can buy a Fabia over a Polo, an Octavia over a Golf or a Superb over a Passat - get very similar spec, very similar performance but save themselves a whole heap of cash.

Spoken like somebody who is desperately trying to convince themselves they drive a VW or an Audi. Oh dear.

When will Skoda owners just learn to appreciate what they have is pretty good without trying to make out its something else?

 

[regulus]

or a Superb over a Passat - get very similar spec, very similar performance but save themselves a whole heap of cash.

Hmm. But going purely by looks, even a Skoda fan like myself have to admit that the Superb don't have anything over the Passat. I prefer the Fabia look over the Polo though. About performance, can't help you there. I suppose roughly similar to the layman.

 

[steve72015]

I've had a 2010 Superb Elegence 140bhp diesel for the last 6 months. Its a company car and I had a choice of Mondeo,Passat etc.

Its a great car, I would buy one with my own money. If I had my choice it would have been the model with the 170bhp engine with DSG box, but that was not an option on the company car scheme.

It great griving in this weather with heated leather seats. It also come with satnav loaded onto the hard drive, with 20gb space for storing your mp3 files and its all worked via touch screen or from the steering wheel.

One plus point for me, it had more gadgets on it than equivelent cars.

I get the odd comment about having a Skoda, but my bums warm in the mornings.

 

[FTM]

Spoken like somebody who is desperately trying to convince themselves they drive a VW or an Audi. Oh dear.

When will Skoda owners just learn to appreciate what they have is pretty good without trying to make out its something else?

the lines are blurring right across the range slowly, certainly for the major componenents

the 1.2tsi engine for example is made by skoda now for the entire VAG group, presumably its better value to have them all made in one place and shipped over europe to the assembly plants..you can tool an entire factory to make only 1 product instead of multiple power plants

 

[drew]

I took an A3 out with the practically the same spec but went for the Octavia saving myself 8k, if i had paid list then the A3 would have been a lot more tempting, however i couldn't turn down nearly 20% off list on the Skoda.

 

[2Thumbs]

Superb's are indeed excellent, the mk1's atleast anyway (Not been in the latest one).

They're full of little design features that'll make you wonder why other makers don't do the same. The PD130's are the longest lived, don't touch the 2.0 140.

 

[FTM]

the current superb ( which I find a handsome big old slab in estate guise, not the ugly duckling hatch) seems to be well loved by a lot of the motoring magazines..as does the yeti

 

[stoofa]

Spoken like somebody who is desperately trying to convince themselves they drive a VW or an Audi. Oh dear.

When will Skoda owners just learn to appreciate what they have is pretty good without trying to make out its something else?

No - why would I need to do that?
I am more than happy with my Octavia.
I don't pretend it is anything other than what it is.

However, the point I was making was that it annoys VW that Skoda sales are so high.
VW attempt to sell the "VW Name" and think they can get away with charging an extra £2k-£3k.
Unfortunately the public have wised up and realised that the VW Name isn't the be all and end all.

When I bought my Octy vRS I had the budget for a Golf GTI, Audi A3, <insert other car built on same platform>
However I went for the car that gave me "most car for my money".

As soon as any Skoda owner mentions VW or Audi we get people jumping on them - ah, you just wish you owned an Audi.
No, if I wanted to own an Audi I'd go and buy one.
If I wanted a VW I'd go and buy one.

 

[lordrobs]

No - why would I need to do that?
I am more than happy with my Octavia.
I don't pretend it is anything other than what it is.

However, the point I was making was that it annoys VW that Skoda sales are so high.
VW attempt to sell the "VW Name" and think they can get away with charging an extra £2k-£3k.
Unfortunately the public have wised up and realised that the VW Name isn't the be all and end all.

When I bought my Octy vRS I had the budget for a Golf GTI, Audi A3, <insert other car built on same platform>
However I went for the car that gave me "most car for my money".

As soon as any Skoda owner mentions VW or Audi we get people jumping on them - ah, you just wish you owned an Audi.
No, if I wanted to own an Audi I'd go and buy one.
If I wanted a VW I'd go and buy one.

I think that the problem that they are facing is that there used to be 4 distinct brands:

Audi- Premium
VW- Main stream
Seat- The stylish choice for the buyer on a budget
Skoda- For the skinflints

Now Skoda is being held in higher regard and the prices are creaping up. People are now having to decide between VAG brands where as they would have been pigeon holed into one depending on their criteria previously.

Having multiple products doing the same thing within a market is a little counter productive.

Oh yeah...deluded Skoda owner WTF what a loser etc etc...

 

[[TW]Fox]

However, the point I was making was that it annoys VW that Skoda sales are so high.

Why does it? What makes you think it does? I doubt it does at all - it's just something Skoda owners want to think.

No, if I wanted to own an Audi I'd go and buy one.
If I wanted a VW I'd go and buy one.

You did want an Audi - you just couldnt justify the extra cost, as your purchase was focused on value for money. Nothing wrong with that, but you'd not have picked the Skoda if it was the same price as the Audi.

 

[v0n]

Spoken like somebody who is desperately trying to convince themselves they drive a VW or an Audi. Oh dear.

When will Skoda owners just learn to appreciate what they have is pretty good without trying to make out its something else?

Why does it? What makes you think it does? I doubt it does at all - it's just something Skoda owners want to think.

There is well documented, genuine concern about Skoda inside VAG for several years now.

You wouldn't buy it, Bob The Builder from Moonchester wouldn't have it, Raj and Suresh from Leicester wouldn't be seen dead in it innit, but the rest of Europe, apparently, would.
And out there, especially in countries where people aren't so set on badges and labels, Skoda is eating into "upper shelf" customer base within VAG. Among VAG B platform cars - Superb is much better buy than regular lineup of Passat, makes A4 look like very poor value for money just to have small boot. Among VAG A platform cars - Octavia is much better car than Seat Leon, makes Golf and A3 look small and funny for the money. etc etc

But for all the sales, being a budget brand, Skoda doesn't make enough profits to offset loss of sales at VW and most recently Audi, it appears to have created. Pricing changes are out of question - they tried this with Seat, and look what happened, so they will try deliberate regression. So far all VAG brands had the same parts bin. Controllers are the same, wiring, software, hardware is the same, even if something is not available as factory option, you hook an Octavia to VCDS and as long as hardware is carried over from another model (and most combinations are) you just enable it. This is in process of being changed and corrected. They will draw distinctive lines in lineups. There will be options for Passat that you won't find in Superb and no guy with laptop in garage under railway bridge will be able to switch on or wire up for fraction of factory cost. Engines and mappings exclusive to brands. etc

And as for Skoda drivers "desperately attempting to convince themselves they drive a VW or an Audi" - (/me picks mug with tea, slowly takes a sip) (wait for it) (moves keyboard to shelf below, clears important papers from desk) (goes to the kitchen, comes back, shields screen with cloth) PFFFFFFTTTTTT.... (wipes corners of mouth with white napkin) - Now look what you made me do - accidentally all over my keyboard - you comedian, you.

 

[stoofa]

There is well documented, genuine concern about Skoda inside VAG for several years now.

You wouldn't buy it, Bob The Builder from Moonchester wouldn't have it, Raj and Suresh from Leicester wouldn't be seen dead in it innit, but the rest of Europe, apparently, would.
And out there, especially in countries where people aren't so set on badges and labels, Skoda is eating into "upper shelf" customer base within VAG. Among VAG B platform cars - Superb is much better buy than regular lineup of Passat, makes A4 look like very poor value for money just to have small boot. Among VAG A platform cars - Octavia is much better car than Seat Leon, makes Golf and A3 look small and funny for the money. etc etc

But for all the sales, being a budget brand, Skoda doesn't make enough profits to offset loss of sales at VW and most recently Audi, it appears to have created. Pricing changes are out of question - they tried this with Seat, and look what happened, so they will try deliberate regression. So far all VAG brands had the same parts bin. Controllers are the same, wiring, software, hardware is the same, even if something is not available as factory option, you hook an Octavia to VCDS and as long as hardware is carried over from another model (and most combinations are) you just enable it. This is in process of being changed and corrected. They will draw distinctive lines in lineups. There will be options for Passat that you won't find in Superb and no guy with laptop in garage under railway bridge will be able to switch on or wire up for fraction of factory cost. Engines and mappings exclusive to brands. etc

And as for Skoda drivers "desperately attempting to convince themselves they drive a VW or an Audi" - (/me picks mug with tea, slowly takes a sip) (wait for it) (moves keyboard to shelf below, clears important papers from desk) (goes to the kitchen, comes back, shields screen with cloth) PFFFFFFTTTTTT.... (wipes corners of mouth with white napkin) - Now look what you made me do - accidentally all over my keyboard - you comedian, you.

THis was the quote I was looking for when I made my post.
The Skoda success annoys the hell out of people in VAG.
They don't make much money on the cars yet people are now (at last) choosing them over some of the more premium VAG product lines.

 

[Participant]

My parents-in-law have an Octavia estate in 1.8 petrol turbo guise. It cost £3k less than our Golf hatch and is better spec'd, and an estate therefore more practical. It has the SatNav unit as standard, puddle lights, parking sensors, and various other upgrades as standard that were extra on the Golf. It's a better choice...but, I still don't want to drive a Skoda.

Call it 'stuck in the 80s' if you like, but I just don't like them. No doubt that attitude will go down like a sack of potatoes amongst you Skoda fags , but that's how it is for me.

 

[stoofa]

Why does it? What makes you think it does? I doubt it does at all - it's just something Skoda owners want to think.



You did want an Audi - you just couldnt justify the extra cost, as your purchase was focused on value for money. Nothing wrong with that, but you'd not have picked the Skoda if it was the same price as the Audi.

Most people buy a car on a budget.
If we all bought a car based entirely on "what we want" then yes, obviously we're going to go for the better car.
But when you've got a budget of say £12k

You're got:

Audi A3
Golf GTI
Octavia vRS

When you look at £12k examples of all three then I think I could safely say the Octy gives you the best "bang for your buck" 9 times out of 10.

If I was looking at the 3 above with no budget, then I'd then be able to look at equal aged cars with equal specification and then of course the Audi is going to be the better car.

But I, like many I'm sure, shop with a budget.

 

[lordrobs]

Call it 'stuck in the 80s' if you like, but I just don't like them. No doubt that attitude will go down like a sack of potatoes amongst you Skoda fags , but that's how it is for me.

I don't think anyone can argue with that though. On face value I'd have preferred a Golf GTi to my Octavia but it wasn't possible with my requirements for cost, mileage, spec, age, condition etc. Especially when to get one with the same output as an Octavia vRS it would have to have been the extremely overpriced anniversary edition.

My criteria for a car haven't really changed much since I bought my Octavia three years ago and I often think "What would I swap it for?" Last time it was easy. I could afford an Octavia vRS or a Seat Leon Cupra... and I preferred the looks of the Skoda.

This time though the price difference isn't as vast and I might be tempted to pay the (now much smaller) premium for the Golf GTi. Especially as the Mk5/6 GTi is meant to be a sharper tool than the Mk2 vRS.

Wanting to avoid a brand because of the image it portrays is IMO no less valid a reason than economy or performance requirements. We all have a list of priorities but it varies between individuals what ranks highest. If brand image is a high priority to a buyer I seriously doubt they would be buying a Skoda any time soon.

 

[Brian8bit]

Family of Skoda owners here. My Vectra Estate SRi has been written off, so I'm going back to Skoda (had a Fabia TDi before that). My brother is currently running a 1.2 Fabia Classic and my mum has a 1.9 SDI Fabia Classic. Cheap and cheerful motoring.

 

[Pug]

i'm not sure if you're looking diesel or petrol, so i assumed diesel (though petrol would be similar).

I'm not even trying to change your mind really, just giving you a curveball! I have one of these, and whilst its lacking on interior space, and the finish inside may not be quite upto BMW/Audi quality, it is nice, and the exterior is significantly better. I present the Alfa Romeo 159 Ti (near top-spec)

Full leather, 19" wheels, Brembo brakes, decent handling and vastly improved reliability. A 2010 for <£18k:

Click me!

 

[Rainmaker]

THis was the quote I was looking for when I made my post.
The Skoda success annoys the hell out of people in VAG.
They don't make much money on the cars yet people are now (at last) choosing them over some of the more premium VAG product lines.

Here's another one:

VW Looks to Rein in Skoda to Prevent Sales Cannibalisation
13 Oct 10

The first signs are appearing that VW is taking steps to creating a clearer definition of its brand structure and positioning, while at the same looking to protect its margins

IHS Global Insight Perspective

Significance

Volkswagen (VW) appears to be taking steps to more clearly define the positioning of its brands in an attempt to try and limit sales cannibalisation between its separate units.

Implications

One of the strategies appears to be to take equipment that was previously standard on the company's Skoda models and put it on the options list. There appears to be some anxiety within the wider VW Group that Skoda is competing too closely with the VW brand model in key markets, with Skoda having the advantage of significantly lower price points for equivalent models.

From here.

Also:

In 2009 VW passenger cards made €600M on sales of 4M cars which represented 0.9% of sales (operating profit). Skoda made €203M on sales of 0.7M cars, and made 2.9% operating profit.

All figures were worse than 2008, but Skoda always made a higher margin.

Passat globally outsold the Superb by a factor of 14x. Passat increased slightly 2008-2009, but the Superb doubled.

A Skoda is a Skoda, but the difference these days is that being a Skoda is actually a good thing. "Certainly, Sir! One Octavia 2.0 TDI 170ps fully loaded with all the options for £17,000 - plus the optional extra of a full set of Audi badges for £7,000.".