scooby_simon Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Couple of people talking about Skoda's promted me to think about the continuing improvement in the quality of the Skoda marque. I still believe that the general public (I.e. who know nothing about cars) will still view Skoda as fairly near the bottom end of the list, but for 'us' who know about cars, where do you think they are ? People are saying some great things about the Fabia for example, so come on, what do people think. Have they caught up with Vauxhaul (My pet hate at the moment) in the small/medium car niche ? Discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Nothing wrong with Vauxhall for a start. I think Skoda have been up there for a while, Fabia is one of my favourite small cars. Only thing that may hamper them is dealer attitude - if they take things the same way VW / Audi dealers do then there isnt much hope for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 We had an Octavia TDI, albeit for a short space of time. It was reasonable to buy and it did the job. It's interior was the same as my wifes old Passat 20v 1.8T. What do I think to them, well it was an interim-ish measure and she didn't like it but didn't loathe it. Looks wise I think they leave a lot to be desired. Build wise I think they're above Vaxuhall level. What do I think to them in general (you have asked us to be brutally honest I presume)...I still don't think they've done enough to tempt me into owning one. The badge culture is still there with the Skoda - the average man in the street doesn't know of the changes and still laughs (we've seen it happen). The vRS's look nice, but not as nice as their competitors when all is considered. Give it another generation and I'm sure the name stigma will have gone. I was honest, hopefully not causing any offence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Good question indeed...I've had a lift in a couple of Skoda Superb TDi and I think they're excellent (private hire cars). I'm helping a client buy a fleet of new cars to replace their Polo's and the Skoda Fabia is on this list, along with VW Polo, Seat Ibiza, Ford Fiesta, Smart and Renault Clio. The Seat Ibiza is presently the top of their list but the Skoda Fabia is top of mine and I've driven them all. (Ford and Renault not at the races). Only thing in the way is the Skoda image as all the staff seem to be turning their nose up at a Skoda (on image) in favour of the Seat Ibiza Sport. On cost, to me, the Fabia should win hands down and on drive it's a better car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Agreed, Skoda is above Vauxhall for quality, but having been in both Skodas and BMW's/Audi's, they aren't as upto scratch as the "premium" german cars. The switches, plastic finish, smoothing and dampening of doors and levers and the like are much higher in BMW/Audi etc. Skoda have come along way. They still have a little badge snobbery to shake off and I'd not have a problem driving one, but overall there is a big difference in the quality of finish inside. of course, this only applies to a Octavia as strangely the Fabia seemed better built than the Octavia! Vauxhall are fine, but nothing special. I don't think they've kept up with others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 YOu all seem to be forgetting one thing when it comes to Skoda. That is the price. The price is low. You also get what you pay for - you are not paying VW/Audi prices, so why should you expect VW/Audi build? Vauxhall build is getting better - as are most marques, but you pay more for them! (unless it is Korean and we all saw the Top Gear Korean special!!!) You are basically getting a BARGAIN BASEMENT Audi/Seat/VW. I would have one, but it would have to be the Superb 2.5 TDi, auto. I think they are bargain buys. VW know they cannot charge too much (YET) for it, due to the image, so make the most of it now, before the image changes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 I'm possibly one of the people who triggered the post as I'm looking at getting a Fabia vRS in the next few months. from this, I suspect you can work out where I stand on the Skoda issue. If you can get past the brand snobbery, I think they're cracking value for money. In some ways I quite like the anti-brand thing, it provides a bit of relief from the SUV brigade where I live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 I suppose I have to stick up for Vauxhall at some point here but I can't really defend the interior quality ! What I can say is that the Skodas really are cracking cars - I was in a Superb the other day (granted, it was a taxi!) and without the badge on the steering wheel it may as well have been a VW Passat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 I think that is a recurring trend that few disagree with - the Superb is just that. But the build certainly isn't the same on the Octavia (I agree the Fabia seems better too). The next generation will be interesting to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 I quite enjoy the 'anti brand' feeling with mine. I also like the fact that only people whose opinion I would actualy care about know quite how good my car is. I agree on the quality front though. I sometimes find myself going from various Audis or VWs and thinking that my car is somehow not as well screwed together, rattles a wee bit more, that kind of thing. Then I remember what great value it is, and that I can't really compare it to those others mentioned above. But then again, I have got the bits that matter, including that 130pd engine I would recomend most Skoda's in a heart beat. The brand is only an issue with a particular type of 'middle class' person, usually female. Its generally very well accepted everywhere else, from the boys at the car wash to my parents' wealthy friends. The more that people like us buy, drive and accept Skodas, then the more the profile of the brand will increase. Certainly, they do need to take advantage of the lack of direction currently manifesting itself at Seat. I do also think that they need to tone down the fleet sales to the taxi companies though, as this certainly skewed my view of the brand...a bit. If the product keeps coming, then I will have no problems staying loyal to the brand. Fingers crossed for the next Octavia vRS then A Golf GTI with a different badge for £17k anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 [ QUOTE ] A Golf GTI with a different badge for £17k anyone? [/ QUOTE ] Ross, if they do that they will have a huge problem on their hands - because no-one will buy the Golf, stating the obvious. I have my review of it to write this weekend (or rather, to finish off) and I think a few people will find it interesting (hopefully). But they'll never develop a Skoda of the GTi ilk because the dangers are obvious. If they did....now they could be onto a winner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 I spoke to the man that sold me the Fabia the other day. He was expressing his frustration at Skoda UK / VAG UK because management taunt them with the Octavia vRS but refuse to release any details other than the fact that it will be on sale in Decemeber this year. He did say that the 'suits' he spoke to said that it was easily as good as the Golf GTI, and by some accounts, that's saying something... We shall wait and see though, as I agree with the logic that potentially, a move like that could harm GTI sales. Possibly wouldn't though, with the GTI customers being more inclined to owning a GTI, as opposed to a decent, quick hatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Well watch for my review tomorrow because I managed to get 90 minutes in a GTi with 500 miles on the clock. It's a cracking car....but...(or did I love it?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xspencex Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 VAG have a habit of passing technology down so my guess is that if people can wait the next Seat Leon will have that 2.0 turbo up front and a about £4k less.... And i'm sure the Skoda Octavia will have the same possibly for £5k less who knows... But I do expect it to happen.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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