Quality

[Brycem]

Well said. I came from 10 years in Subaru and I thought they were excellent...until i got in the RS. I just love opening and closing the doors they fell so solid, not thin and rattly. The whole car is so much more substantial. Love driving it!!!

I couldn't agree more! Looked at a Forester XT and it was plastic fantastic! Just didn't feel premium in any way. The seats were also severely lacking in bolstering for a so called sporty version and the vinyl covered centre armrest was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I also looked at a Mazda 6 Diesel Wagon and it was a very competent vehicle but just a bit too swoopy on the outside and busy on the inside. The plastic gear knob and handbrake were the nails in its coffin. Oh and the seats were very poorly bolstered clothed in a very ordinary slightly distasteful Japanese fabric.

I couldn't bring myself to look at the Bommadore sportwagon. No desire to needlessly burn fuel for no advantage!

[Graybags]

You are preaching to the converted!

[Brycem]

and hopefully to those who are viewing the forum as visitors and agonising over whether to take the plunge with the brand!

[Swuzzlebubble]

and hopefully to those who are viewing the forum as visitors and agonising over whether to take the plunge with the brand!

Thanks - your comment is very relevant to those like myself weighing up a purchase.
You cannot compare quality from checklist of specs.
Of course you need to sit in the cars and see/feel for yourself and even then if rushed and distracted it is hard to take it all in.

[K1W1]

Skoda were mentioned twice in today's Sun Herald (Melbourne) car section. Octavia was mentioned as a car that is taking sales away from Mazda 6 and the Superb wagon was included in a wagon feature. Comments were positive.

[dArK5HaD0w]

while deciding what car to buy, i had a look & test drove the following cars:-
- mazda 6 (nice, but not fun to drive)
- mazda 3 (didn't wow me)
- subaru impreza rs hatch (too plasticky)
- subaru liberty 3.0r b (lost hope with the new model)
- mitisubishi lancer vrx (noise engine)
- honda accord euro (nice, but it didn't feel right)
- vw jetta 2.0tfsi (felt out-dated)
- audi a3 2.0tfsi (too pricey with options added)

then, i saw the octivia rs - loved wat i saw, loved the quality interior, loved the fun drive, n the price was spot on!!
the pre FL octavia was lurking in my thoughts while looking at the above cars - however when the new FLmodel was released, i didn't hesitate!!!

[SKODA vRS147]

while deciding what car to buy, i had a look & test drove the following cars:-
- mazda 6 (nice, but not fun to drive)
- mazda 3 (didn't wow me)
- subaru impreza rs hatch (too plasticky)
- subaru liberty 3.0r b (lost hope with the new model)
- mitisubishi lancer vrx (noise engine)
- honda accord euro (nice, but it didn't feel right)
- vw jetta 2.0tfsi (felt out-dated)
- audi a3 2.0tfsi (too pricey with options added)

then, i saw the octivia rs - loved wat i saw, loved the quality interior, loved the fun drive, n the price was spot on!!
the pre FL octavia was lurking in my thoughts while looking at the above cars - however when the new FLmodel was released, i didn't hesitate!!!

Its good to see that i was not the only one that suffers the pains of selecting a car.
When i tested the Octavia RS i dont know what happened but i was immediately at home in the car. However, it will take a bit of getting used to with the 147kw's at my control. Cant wait for those sunday drives on the quiet roads.

[bobski]

I also looked at a Mazda 6 Diesel Wagon and it was a very competent vehicle but just a bit too swoopy on the outside and busy on the inside. The plastic gear knob and handbrake were the nails in its coffin. Oh and the seats were very poorly bolstered clothed in a very ordinary slightly distasteful Japanese fabric.

I agree on the interior. The only japanese car that I thought was close in that bracket was the accord Euro. But I have a mate with one and it has multiple squeeks and rattles (plus there's a big difference in performance/fuel usage for similar dollars)...