Scoobedoo

Okay, I'm considering buying one of those Fabia VRS's but my mates think i'm crazy to even consider a 'Skoda'.

I know they're mostly VW parts so it can only be the image thing?

Help me make my mind up folks.....

corradoboy

A mate of mine's wife has one, and he reckons it's the best car they've ever owned. A sweeping statement when you consider in the time I have known him he has owned an MY03 WRX STi PPP TSL333, a Noble M12 3R, and now has another MY05 WRX STi PPP; and in the past I believe he has had other Scoobs, Cosworths etc.
Great little car with good potential too. A few quid spent on a PD160 intake, Revo map and Milltek exhaust and some serious power and extremely serious torque can be had. Some Octavia vRS brakes and a good suspension set-up and it will be a little rocket, in the dry
They are also up there with Mini's on value retention, so you really can't go wrong. If there was a 3 door they would have the market stitched up. The Ibiza is strong competition for it however, especially the PD160, and being a bit more stylish and available in 3 door it must be considered for the youth market. I don't think an Ibiza will retain as much value, and it's a bit girly

john banks

Skodas are brilliant. I am proud to have one on our drive and it has a much better image than either my old Scooby or my current M3.

Scooby Soon!

The one reason why I wouldnt buy one would be that every one I have met who has one of the newer ones says "they are made by VW" all the same parts etc

Iwan

I bought a new Fabia vRS last year, awesome car.

dpb

Not quite the bargain they were but very close....

Scoobedoo

exellent news, seems like i'm looking at the right car.

i noticed the bit about value retention, them seem to be doing well at present, but why is that?

Ben v7

I can't see myself ever buying one - I know they are good cars - just not me.

Echo

I bought my brand new Fabia vRS today

I am so far very happy. It's not a substitute for my Scoob but it's superb value and nips around brilliantly. I would never have thought I'd see the day when I had one!

Test drive one, you'll be very surprised.

Mike

Fabioso

I now have a Fabia vRS after having had some nice 'performance' cars in the past. I can't fault it. Bought from new I have had no problems with it, still love driving it. I have a 'one click' remap and love the way I can switch it.

Average around 45 mpg, if I really try I can get 60 mpg on a drive to work but since the remap its too tempting to keep flooring it.

I couldn't give a toss what people think of me buying that badge. I actually get a good feeling when people try and bring up the 80's Skoda image becos they r so far out the ballpark its just embarassing for them. I also like to remind them how old they must actually be in order to remember it!

People in the 'know', know what seriously good value for money it is.

I looked at Parkers and it says trade in value of over £10000 on a brand new car that cost me £11500 a year ago and a private good of £10700. Try looking at how much a Ford Fiesta Zetec-S has lost in the same time period ermmmm £4.5k anyone ?

The thing is I bought this car as a 'stop gap' but its so good I am finding it hard to buy something else because of the large increase in cost of ownership by choosing something else against only a measured increase in 'real road real life' performance.

Test drive one, its a cracking little car!

logiclee

I've owned two Skoda's and my wife currently runs a Fabia 1.9PD100.

Excellent cars, go and buy one.

Cheers
Lee

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, quite fancy a VRS.

I think Skodas currently have one of the best images out there, I mean they werent as bad as people made out back in the old days, they were a bit rough and ready but they did win rallies, they were cheap eastern block stuff, what did people expect ?

They were better than Lada's, anyone who wouldnt drive a Skoda because of the badge nowdays is just being a snob, it just a rebadged VW thats had a cash injection and turnaround, err isnt that a similar story to what happened to VW a bit earlier.

Its like my sister in Law wouldnt entertain a Galaxy or Alhambra, it had to be a Sharan, same thing different badge, people really are pathetic !

daz748

I'm on my 2nd Skoda, great cars, built better than most of the current VW's

Darren

Petem95

My Mum has a Fabia and its no doubt an impressive car in terms of build, refinement, looks and I would say the image is excellent - very understated, but smart - you dont ever see chavs in them! They seem popular as 2nd cars in well-to-do areas.

Most people are aware that Skoda's are now very good cars - most owner satisfaction surveys end up with the Fabia and Octavia in the 10 top (usually along with a couple of Honda's and Subaru's). This weeks Autoexpress survey has the Fabia and Octavia in the top5!

The only thing is they arent exactly bargain prices anymore. Yes they undercut VW's a bit, but not by that much...

crazyman1979

Mate has a octavia vrs, not a bad car but he does get the **** taken out of it all the time.

wide

Sure this conversation been on here before

Elmer Fudpucker

On my list of prefered modes of transport,driving a Skoda comes in ahead of keelhauling but,after walking

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

Skoda is a TOP I got my misses an Octavia L&K 1.9 TDI estate and is the 2nd best car I have ever owned (after the green wagon)

We have had it for 3 years nearly 37 k on the clock and it is a fantastic cruise r with 55 MPG and looks smart too


The fabia VRS I had out on when mine was getting serviced and the car is an animal and arguble more fun then the scooby try www.briskoda .com for the views on it but the purists rare it as an all time great


and at 11-12k price a bargain too and get it jabba chipped to 195 BHP `and mid range its as fast as scoobys

Get one

My boy is getting one as his next car when he saves up enough .

yodajedimaster

Guy at work has a Fabia VRS and he loves it! It' chipped up to 180bhp and he averages 45mpg, what more can you say?

And as for Skoda.................... Just look at the amount of Diesel Octavias being used as taxis! Now taxi drivers know good reliable cars that are capable of high miles. Speaks wonders for the manufacturer.

Buy it, you know it makes sense!

Robert.

chiark

To me, Skoda now has a great brand image. They've pulled themselves up and make great cars at sensible prices.

Dream Weaver

You need another option:

4. I would, but the wife wouldnt.

My mrs would never entertain a Skoda

MikT

Ditto,

I tried to persuade her to get an Octavia VRs to replace the old family run around. She nearly choked at the word Skoda. Me? I'd have one in a minute.

Paul

Reffro

My Mum wouldn't entertain one a Skoda as a replacement for my parents old Passat when it was time to change. One test drive later, she was a bit peeved that Dad chose the new Passat over a top spec Octavia. Go figure.......

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Same here!

wide

Aman who wears the trousers , just what I like to see

lozgti

Love my Octavia vRS(swapped an A4 for it) and the wife loves her Fabia vRS.

I admit she was shocked at the thought of a skoda car.Thought they looked like Ladas.This is her second Fabia now.

Can't say I'm not prejudiced against makers though .I wouldn't risk a French car.

robby

Sold my Fabia VRS 2 weeks ago and i'm now regretting it
I had a Jabba remap, PD160 intake, green filter engine wise and it putting around 185bhp @310lb/ft - very nippy little car that did 50+mpg around town, 64mpg on a motorway run (lots of black smoke after remap) -group 9 insurance
I changed the wheels, Leon cupraR splitter, strut brace, leather, etc made it feel and look a lot more sporty

definately recommend them

Dave Duncan

Yes, I too concur that Skoda's are now well sorted VW Group cars with most of the benefits of VW/Audi's research---good build quality, improving reliability as witnessed from various Motor mag. features/polls and excellent value for money, especially the hotter versions.
I have run a classic Scooby since new(MY99) with modest upgrades and we have had a Fabia vRS since Sept.'04----I enjoy driving the Fabia more than the Scooby on today's crowded roads and am thinking of now selling the Scooby and perhaps replacing with another vRS.
As others have noted, being a turbo car, even though diesel, there is much potential for further tuning and general upgrading.
If Fabia too small, would also recommend new style Octavia estate and I believe a 170bhp diesel version of this model is to be made available, late summer.

Dave.

DIPSY

I would have one as a second car with add,s on to boost the power like the jabba chip up to 195bhp and keep the jdm sti 05 i have

Proby521

iTrader: (1)

I would have bought one if the boot would have taken the pushchair, it was not quite big enough. Anyone who would not consider a new age Skoda because of the badge, more fool them.

Proby