New Octavia ....when? How Much?

[Stiv]

Indeed. As GTR27 said the product is good and unique in Oz. So I guess when you decide that, you accept you have to get in the queue and follow the Skoda pantomime for a few months. IMO there's nowhere else to go unless you are spending Audi money. I was in for a wagon and briefly thought about the SV6 sportwagon. Great value for money, running costs aside, but honestly I'm not sure when we'd need 950 litres cargo space.

Funny you say that, as I'll be trying an audi A4 2012 Quattro 4 wheel drive hopefully next week. Even though it's a couple years old it's similar money and really interested to see the difference.

[Polo GTEye N9]

I went to Skoda this morning with the firm belief that a first drive in the vRS Wagon was agreed to. But Saleman declines a test drive, as it is a new car reserved for serious buyers ready to sign up. To qoute a Skoda saleman from a different dealership 'Well who would buy at this price level, before you try?' So I did spend a lot of time going over the vRS and trying all the static features but as I did not have the keys so no accessories. I like the front seats and the rears are ok, but the rear bottom seats are quite under done for depth and shape. The front and rear offer good head, shoulder, leg and foot room. So much better than the Golf MK 7 I am amazed they are in the VAG family and share similar platforms. That extra lenght Skoda has is a revelation, and puts it well ahead. The rear splits do not fold flat as the Golf MK 7's do. RS has a section that rises to the folded splits. The cargo area is good. Electric tailgate a nice touch. The materials and general finish is not great overall.

The VW Dealer did agree to a drive in a MY13 MK7 Golf Highline TDI Wagon. It was 20ks on my preferred roads. Ok the good. TDI is strong and surprised with a burst of speed onto the on ramp to the 100 kph zone. I was not impressed with the windnoise and could not hold a conversation with the rear passengers. Dynamics and brakes good too. Interior accomodation, seats almost getting towards being RS Skoda but the leg and foot room noticably less than the RS. The Golf front centre console is wider than the Skoda and it impinged on leg room. The back seats were good for under thigh support but leg and foot room was not so good. The materials and general finish is slightly better than Skoda overall. My wife said she liked the size overall externally and the way it drove but could not see us getting our folks into the back seats comfortably. Not a four 'average height' adult wagon.

Mazda were happy to allow a drive in a Mazda 6 Wagon. I had a good look over it before going out driving. The Japanese know how to do high standard finish and fit. What they have done is put style before function. I felt claustrophobia in the front with the seats where we like them. Feels that the front windscreen is too low and angled back towards the front passengers. The roof line is so low I hit my head as I got in and out of the front seats. Entry and exit not great. Rearward vision ok, rear camera is easy to use. Drove well, etc and quite when inside but the diesel was loud outside. The front lower seats not quite supportive of the thighs. Rear seats, the lower seats not long enough for thighs, also compromised, not so good foot room. Too expensive, too stylish, not accomodating.

Went back to Holden to sit in the SV6 Sportswagon. We drove it last week. This VF is a class up on the Skoda vRS TDI and Elegence TDI, VW Golf MK7 TDI Highline, Mazda 6 Stationwagons. SV6 is limosine bigger inside than all the others but the Skoda vRS come so close. The SV6 is quiter than all above, expect I have not driven the vRS. The VF series are so quite and well finished it is a credit to GMH that was, or is. But that big V6 is very frugle when touring and not so good around town, short trips.
Can't wait for a dirve in a vRS Wagon TDI........ oh that other salesman offered me a 'obligation free' drive whenever I am free. I happen to be free this Wednesday Ekka Show Day........ yeeehaaaaaaaaa.

[Stiv]

I went to Skoda this morning with the firm belief that a first drive in the vRS Wagon was agreed to. But Saleman declines a test drive, as it is a new car reserved for serious buyers ready to sign up. To qoute a Skoda saleman from a different dealership 'Well who would buy at this price level, before you try?' So I did spend a lot of time going over the vRS and trying all the static features but as I did not have the keys so no accessories. I like the front seats and the rears are ok, but the rear bottom seats are quite under done for depth and shape. The front and rear offer good head, shoulder, leg and foot room. So much better than the Golf MK 7 I am amazed they are in the VAG family and share similar platforms. That extra lenght Skoda has is a revelation, and puts it well ahead. The rear splits do not fold flat as the Golf MK 7's do. RS has a section that rises to the folded splits. The cargo area is good. Electric tailgate a nice touch. The materials and general finish is not great overall.

The VW Dealer did agree to a drive in a MY13 MK7 Golf Highline TDI Wagon. It was 20ks on my preferred roads. Ok the good. TDI is strong and surprised with a burst of speed onto the on ramp to the 100 kph zone. I was not impressed with the windnoise and could not hold a conversation with the rear passengers. Dynamics and brakes good too. Interior accomodation, seats almost getting towards being RS Skoda but the leg and foot room noticably less than the RS. The Golf front centre console is wider than the Skoda and it impinged on leg room. The back seats were good for under thigh support but leg and foot room was not so good. The materials and general finish is slightly better than Skoda overall. My wife said she liked the size overall externally and the way it drove but could not see us getting our folks into the back seats comfortably. Not a four 'average height' adult wagon.

Mazda were happy to allow a drive in a Mazda 6 Wagon. I had a good look over it before going out driving. The Japanese know how to do high standard finish and fit. What they have done is put style before function. I felt claustrophobia in the front with the seats where we like them. Feels that the front windscreen is too low and angled back towards the front passengers. The roof line is so low I hit my head as I got in and out of the front seats. Entry and exit not great. Rearward vision ok, rear camera is easy to use. Drove well, etc and quite when inside but the diesel was loud outside. The front lower seats not quite supportive of the thighs. Rear seats, the lower seats not long enough for thighs, also compromised, not so good foot room. Too expensive, too stylish, not accomodating.

Went back to Holden to sit in the SV6 Sportswagon. We drove it last week. This VF is a class up on the Skoda vRS TDI and Elegence TDI, VW Golf MK7 TDI Highline, Mazda 6 Stationwagons. SV6 is limosine bigger inside than all the others but the Skoda vRS come so close. The SV6 is quiter than all above, expect I have not driven the vRS. The VF series are so quite and well finished it is a credit to GMH that was, or is. But that big V6 is very frugle when touring and not so good around town, short trips.
Can't wait for a dirve in a vRS Wagon TDI........ oh that other salesman offered me a 'obligation free' drive whenever I am free. I happen to be free this Wednesday Ekka Show Day........ yeeehaaaaaaaaa.

Always like hearing people's review on cars, I have been emailing my personal reviews to my buddies as they too are all into cars. This is my review of the holden sv6 today which is a cut and paste from my email.


Let's start with me saying that this car is one that I really wanted to like even before testing it. My opinion is that it looks good externally and internally. Like the dash, the very comfortable seats, very roomy in the front and the rear and great boot size. The leather and alcantara (which I found out later is fake) seats feel and look expensive. Easy to use sat nav and functions which are all displayed nicely in the centre dash, only part I didn't like was the shiny plastic bits that reflect light. The stereo was average and really couldn't cut it with all the other vehicles I have previously tried, it was actually crap to be blunt.
So the drive...to be fare I haven't driven a later model holden for a while and can only reference to my old ford ba xt 2004 model which is similar size and weight. I've read the reviews that say the electric steering is best to date, but I just don't get it, it feels numb and although extremely light which is nice if your parking the car but feels to me extremely lifeless when turning whilst at speed. The ford ba is much more communicative and had more weight to it which felt better, but this steering is not on, and comparing to the subaru's and the skoda we are talking light years away. The engines power delivery from down low or high is excellent, and the exhaust sounds good too. You can feel the weight of the car so it's not as agile as the subaru or the skoda but the brakes are pretty good and also feel good. The cabin is quiet with little road noise entering. Great vision from behind and front of car, reverse camera and sensors are great too which is the norm these days.
The VF should have come 5 years ago, I reckon they left it to late to compete with other cars in the same market. It's easy to drive all day, everyday, and it's a nice place to be. But if we are going to compare it with the wrx and skoda it fails and falls short. The SV6 will do the family duties better than a wrx as it's slightly bigger and more practical, but it will be a lifeless drive doing so only after having driven the other 2. The Skoda is still king by a long shot.


Stay tuned, next cars up..... The Volvo s60 t6 (2011) and the t5, audi a4 (2012) b8 Quattro 4 wheel drive.


I also have my review on all the other cars I have driven as a reference, mazda 3, subaru liberty, wrx, honda accord euro. Pologteye, after you drive the skoda I am very confident you will love it, seriously impressive for the dollars. I'm still trying to prove to myself that there is a better all round, Fun, car that can do what the rs can do.

[Smart1]

you do have to wonder about some dealers. Before i sold my Superb i had it in for a service and my Dealer gave me the keys for an RS and told me to have fun and let him know what i thought about it.

So far i have tried the RS TSI, Elegance TDI (Bought one), Superb Elegance TDI facelift, Rapid TSI 90kW, maybe the Fabia RS next. A Superb Outback had just turned up but was unregistered otherwise...... It is a matter of what relationship you have with the dealer.

Also, Polo GTEye N9, if you want something comparable to the SV6, try out the Superb wagon. Oodles of room inside and the TDI is quieter than the Octavia.

[GTR27]

I went to Skoda this morning with the firm belief that a first drive in the vRS Wagon was agreed to. But Saleman declines a test drive, as it is a new car reserved for serious buyers ready to sign up. To qoute a Skoda saleman from a different dealership 'Well who would buy at this price level, before you try?' So I did spend a lot of time going over the vRS and trying all the static features but as I did not have the keys so no accessories. I like the front seats and the rears are ok, but the rear bottom seats are quite under done for depth and shape. The front and rear offer good head, shoulder, leg and foot room. So much better than the Golf MK 7 I am amazed they are in the VAG family and share similar platforms. That extra lenght Skoda has is a revelation, and puts it well ahead. The rear splits do not fold flat as the Golf MK 7's do. RS has a section that rises to the folded splits. The cargo area is good. Electric tailgate a nice touch. The materials and general finish is not great overall.

The VW Dealer did agree to a drive in a MY13 MK7 Golf Highline TDI Wagon. It was 20ks on my preferred roads. Ok the good. TDI is strong and surprised with a burst of speed onto the on ramp to the 100 kph zone. I was not impressed with the windnoise and could not hold a conversation with the rear passengers. Dynamics and brakes good too. Interior accomodation, seats almost getting towards being RS Skoda but the leg and foot room noticably less than the RS. The Golf front centre console is wider than the Skoda and it impinged on leg room. The back seats were good for under thigh support but leg and foot room was not so good. The materials and general finish is slightly better than Skoda overall. My wife said she liked the size overall externally and the way it drove but could not see us getting our folks into the back seats comfortably. Not a four 'average height' adult wagon.

Mazda were happy to allow a drive in a Mazda 6 Wagon. I had a good look over it before going out driving. The Japanese know how to do high standard finish and fit. What they have done is put style before function. I felt claustrophobia in the front with the seats where we like them. Feels that the front windscreen is too low and angled back towards the front passengers. The roof line is so low I hit my head as I got in and out of the front seats. Entry and exit not great. Rearward vision ok, rear camera is easy to use. Drove well, etc and quite when inside but the diesel was loud outside. The front lower seats not quite supportive of the thighs. Rear seats, the lower seats not long enough for thighs, also compromised, not so good foot room. Too expensive, too stylish, not accomodating.

Went back to Holden to sit in the SV6 Sportswagon. We drove it last week. This VF is a class up on the Skoda vRS TDI and Elegence TDI, VW Golf MK7 TDI Highline, Mazda 6 Stationwagons. SV6 is limosine bigger inside than all the others but the Skoda vRS come so close. The SV6 is quiter than all above, expect I have not driven the vRS. The VF series are so quite and well finished it is a credit to GMH that was, or is. But that big V6 is very frugle when touring and not so good around town, short trips.
Can't wait for a dirve in a vRS Wagon TDI........ oh that other salesman offered me a 'obligation free' drive whenever I am free. I happen to be free this Wednesday Ekka Show Day........ yeeehaaaaaaaaa.

Prestige or BB Skoda? I'm surprised either wouldnt let you drive a RS - both have them as far as im aware.

[donweather]

Just be aware of the likely high maintenance costs on the Holden. We had a Holden commodore before my occy and it was costing us around $1000 + at each service after 3 years as things were starting to fail. Never spent so much money on a car after 3 years in my entire life just to keep it on the road. Holden told me it was normal for these things to start failing after 3 years. I asked Holden if they told people that when they bought the car!!!

Needless to say I'll never be buying Holden again.

[Polo GTEye N9]

Always like hearing people's review on cars, I have been emailing my personal reviews to my buddies as they too are all into cars. This is my review of the holden sv6 today which is a cut and paste from my email.


Let's start with me saying that this car is one that I really wanted to like even before testing it. My opinion is that it looks good externally and internally. Like the dash, the very comfortable seats, very roomy in the front and the rear and great boot size. The leather and alcantara (which I found out later is fake) seats feel and look expensive. Easy to use sat nav and functions which are all displayed nicely in the centre dash, only part I didn't like was the shiny plastic bits that reflect light. The stereo was average and really couldn't cut it with all the other vehicles I have previously tried, it was actually crap to be blunt.
So the drive...to be fare I haven't driven a later model holden for a while and can only reference to my old ford ba xt 2004 model which is similar size and weight. I've read the reviews that say the electric steering is best to date, but I just don't get it, it feels numb and although extremely light which is nice if your parking the car but feels to me extremely lifeless when turning whilst at speed. The ford ba is much more communicative and had more weight to it which felt better, but this steering is not on, and comparing to the subaru's and the skoda we are talking light years away. The engines power delivery from down low or high is excellent, and the exhaust sounds good too. You can feel the weight of the car so it's not as agile as the subaru or the skoda but the brakes are pretty good and also feel good. The cabin is quiet with little road noise entering. Great vision from behind and front of car, reverse camera and sensors are great too which is the norm these days.
The VF should have come 5 years ago, I reckon they left it to late to compete with other cars in the same market. It's easy to drive all day, everyday, and it's a nice place to be. But if we are going to compare it with the wrx and skoda it fails and falls short. The SV6 will do the family duties better than a wrx as it's slightly bigger and more practical, but it will be a lifeless drive doing so only after having driven the other 2. The Skoda is still king by a long shot.


Stay tuned, next cars up..... The Volvo s60 t6 (2011) and the t5, audi a4 (2012) b8 Quattro 4 wheel drive.


I also have my review on all the other cars I have driven as a reference, mazda 3, subaru liberty, wrx, honda accord euro. Pologteye, after you drive the skoda I am very confident you will love it, seriously impressive for the dollars. I'm still trying to prove to myself that there is a better all round, Fun, car that can do what the rs can do.

Thanks Stiv, I have thought about a 2 year old Audi A4 Avante and the VW Passat. No action though. Thanks for the review. Cheers Al

[Polo GTEye N9]

Prestige or BB Skoda? I'm surprised either wouldnt let you drive a RS - both have them as far as im aware.

That was BB Skoda but SP Skoda is happy to do so. Cheers Al

[GTR27]

Are you really young? I had reasonable experiences at both..... I.e test drive whatever we wanted.

[Polo GTEye N9]

Just be aware of the likely high maintenance costs on the Holden. We had a Holden commodore before my occy and it was costing us around $1000 + at each service after 3 years as things were starting to fail. Never spent so much money on a car after 3 years in my entire life just to keep it on the road. Holden told me it was normal for these things to start failing after 3 years. I asked Holden if they told people that when they bought the car!!!

Needless to say I'll never be buying Holden again.

Hi Donweather, great review and needed that sort of feedback. People say ohh a Euro car will cost you to own... hmmm we have had one for 4 years and that is not true. Cheers Al