Demographics of Skoda Buyers

[BlackSuperb]

I'm in my 50's and I can't keep my two eldest sons out of my Superb. They love to drive it. Well, if you have seen their cars you would realize why.

I do around 40,000km a year and the Superb is a hell of a lot more economical than the Outback I previously drove, albeit with less power (3.0 Premium R). But it's roomier and a more pleasant drive.

I test drove the new Outback in the US before it was available here and whilst it had more room inside it was/is butt ugly.

I seriously considered a Passat or Audi A4, but with similar options, I would have to fork out an extra $10,000 to $15,000. I tried the usual Japanese suspects, Mazda 6 (yuk), Accord Euro, Outback, but nothing came close in terms of style and luxury and room. I even looked at a new Calais fully optioned up but that looked cheap when it was new, imagine how it would look in 3 years time. I also looked at a Lexus IS250 but I could hardly fit into the front seat!

Anyway, 2 and half years to go on my lease. I wonder if I'll lease new one or buy this one out? The wife says yes to keeping it.

[PROJET - L]

I'm 37 with 2 kids under 5yo.
Moved on from my 4th Volkswagen, as they eventually drove me away
with the cheapening up of spec and build quality.
Previous car was a Passat (with numerous problems).
I conciously chose a tighter budget with this car as the company policy changed to take Camry's or take the money.
Took the money and chose the Octavia 1.8TSI Wagon.
Looked at 2nd hand BMW 3 series, A4 wagons etc., Subaru style imploded, Mondeo is a reps car, Mazda/Honda were just flimsy.

Didn't really want the overt sportiness of the RS, and in terms of bang for buck
I subsribe to Motor Magazine's review of the 1.8TSI as I think it is a cracker.
This car is much more usable than the Passat (sedan) for family duties as well.
Two baby/booster seats render even the relativley wide Passat useless in the back seat making it a 2 seater.
Love the fact that the badge is relatively rare too.

[innerwestie]

Similar motivation here: I'm 35 with a 7 year old and a 2 year old.

I'm coming from a Renault Scenic: practical shape on the inside, shame about the engineering. Hundreds of dollars of surprises every service, plus some spectacular failures, have been frustrating for years, we're finally in a position to replace it.

Our requirements:

• New car (warranty)
• Reliability
• Practical for family lugging
• Fuel economy
• Leather seats
• Budget: $40K

We were excited when the Tiguan came out a couple of years ago, until we saw the boot. The Golf boot is much bigger, but we thought the back seats would be a squeeze as the kids grow.

So when the Golf Wagon arrived, we went to have a look. There is a lot to like, but we weren't convinced by the styling, and when optioned the way we want it was straining the budget. Checked out the Octavia and placed an order that week: despite similar list prices, when you take into account the options, there's just more bang for buck. Plus it looks like it was designed to be a wagon, for what that's worth, not a stretch hatch.

Most of our driving is urban, we liked the DSG and the vRS didn't add much for us. Similarly we were warned off the TDI because it might sit for a couple of months between long drives.

End result: 1.8TSI DSG Wagon, leather seats, a few other options plus the extras pack, more or less on budget. It's being built now with delivery scheduled in June.

[Antiplastix]

43 with 1 dog and 4 surfboards. Needed a wagon to fit the boards in and like to get to the beach in a hurry. (its actualy quicker to walk from home, by time I get the car out of the garage)
*No manual petrol Mazda 6 wagon,
*Wouldn t be seen dead driving a Ford.
*Had a Holden, fell to peices around me.
*New Subaru wagon looks like its bloated and about to vomit.
*Passat over-priced.

[timmy]

I got my 08 Octavia just after I turned 25 last year... Upgraded from a 91 Mazda 323.

[dazag]

Was on the market for a wagon, was originally looking at the Mazda6 Turbo Diesel. A mate suggested a Skoda as something alternative. Did a little research online and decided to go check some out. In the mean time, also checked out the Holden commodore, the Subaru Liberty & Outback, & the VW Passat.
Our requirments:
- cargo capacity (we have a 7 month old baby boy, and 2 dogs)
- economy
- towing power - turbo diesel for torque( needed for towing Dirt bike trailer )
- Looks good ( really, who buys an ugly car )
- Semi sporty
- good options/stereo/etc
- Dealership personality

In the end it came down to the Mazda6 TDI manual and the Skoda Octavia TDI with DSG. The wife warmed to the DSG and how the Skoda drove and the features compared to the Mazda6. We test drove them back to back, as the dealerships were only a few blocks away from each other. Although this time we drove the RS TDI. Even though the Mazda6 had more torque & HP on paper, driving them only 20 mintues between them, the Skoda felt more snappy and pulled better. Plus the interior of the Mazda was a bit "plastic" and "gymicy"
In the end we decided on the Skoda RS TDI with DSG, and have loved every minute of driving it. Have a big trip planned for easter to really test it's legs out.

I also have a small wish list of add on bits that will find their way onto the RS over time. Cold Air Induction, Provent, Exhaust (maybe a DPF delete option?), an ECU flash ( maybe bluefin ), and some suspension tweaking - possible coil overs, or at least an anti lift kit for the front to aid with traction.

But for now, very happy with the purchase - love cruising around in it and giving the accelerator a nudge at times with out watching the fuel vapourise from the tank ha ha ha ha. economy is increasing, now down to an average of 6.0l/100km at the last refill

Oh, and I'm 39, and a closet rev head ha ha ha ha

[code618]

Very similar to other buyers I believe.
35 yo - 2 kids under 8.
Needed car with load carrying capacity for work and family commitments
Wanted something a bit different
Wanted a manual
Wanted a sporting edge
Had to satisfy fuel economy as being paid for under car allowance and could not go above a certain L/km.
Result: Octavia vRS Combi manual

So far v. happy with the choice. Colleagues are amazed at the performance/price/spec package. I'm now building up the courage for APR stage 1 remap....

[Socceroo]

I got my 08 Octavia just after I turned 25 last year... Upgraded from a 91 Mazda 323.

Similar story, bought my 07 Octavia Elegance not long after my 24th birthday last year.

Came from a 1990 Mazda 626 - which I loved.

I needed something which was going to be fuel efficient, comfortable, had a fair bit of room and had all the features that my old 626 had. I haven't looked back from the Octy

[thommo]

Same again
two boys 15 and 6
and two dogs

Last three cars have been Subarus (MY01 impreza, my03 liberty wagon, MY07 Liberty 3.0R spec-B wagon) The last being being one of the most disappointing cars I've ever owned, not just the car but the whole experience from day one. I was determined not to get another one and the fact that they made them so ugly helped.

Having said all that we did try a Forrester GT dearer and draber that the VRS
Volvo XC70 really liked it but $20K more that VRS then you start on options.
Wanted a wagon and the options were very limited because we didn't want a 4WD. Read about the Skodas and drove the Scout and the VRS. Love both, but the ride and looks of the VRS won. Just can't wait for it to arrive!!

[CanberravRS]

36 single, no kids, but do alot of extreme sports, where i need to carry alot or fit alot in the wagon.. Love the handling and performance matched with economy, comfort, practicality.

All up, i think i have owned mine probably the longest of anyone on the forum being a dec 07 delivery.

Lease is up this year.. and im going to buy it at the end im that impressed.