Faults:

Only some "serpentine" something (I dunno the name) got clogged and did not let the transmission fluid to get the proper cooling, and therefore it couldn't pass from first gear one day because it was un "safe" mode. They unclogged it and never happened again.

General Comments:

I owned a 1999 Ford Explorer, which is way roomier and much more comfortable. The problem was fuel economy. I had an LPG system on it, but I was scared of having an LPG tank on the bottom of the truck. I know that it was safe, but I sold the darn thing.

I was about to buy a new Nissan X-trail, but when I got the credit approved I gave it tons of thoughts and rejected the loan! Best of all is that I bought the car with the same money I got for my Explorer so I don't owe anyone NOTHING!

Started looking for a couple of Skoda TDi's and the minute I drove one I fell in love with them! They are comfortable, fast (for a diesel), and I get approx. 50km/gal in daily bumper to bumper creeping through traffic!

The one I bought is the SLX Elegance with leather, climatronic, auto., sunroof, cd changer, etc.

The other day I was on a highway going @ 130km/h and stepped hard on the gas and the car was in 190km/h in NO TIME! Unbelievable for a freakin' diesel!!! I was amazed that the car did not shake at all and it still wanted to go faster!!!??? How come??? I know that the last owner did not put in any performance parts or anything like that, but how come a diesel be this agile???

So far, I am amazed with the stability of european cars and will keep this car for about one year, and probably buy a new Octavia A5 TDI.

Hope everything works out just fine...

I recommend this car!

Faults:

Nothing so far, its been faultless.

General Comments:

This is one of the best value for money cars you can buy. Don't be fooled by the Skoda badge, or worry about what people will think, Skoda are owned by Volkswagon, and the Octavia is built out of bits of Passat and Golfs. This gives it the bomb proof reliability and excellent performance without the VW price tag.

Even though its the entry level model, the car feels very comfortable and the performance very good. It has a lot of pull for a 1.6, especially for a car of this size. The handling feels responsive. I've driven this car through wales on many occasions and it always gives me total confidence in the tight twisting corners.

The space inside is adequate to seat 4 grown adults in comfort. The boot space is phenomenal, and with the back seats folded down will give you more space than you could ever need. On more than one occasion I've put the back seats down and actually slept in the back, fully laid out. And I'm 6 foot 3! Perfect for those who like to take the dogs out for a walk.

Economically the Octavia will give you a surprise. On my daily trips to work down the M6 I average 40 miles per gallon. Driven conservatively you could achieve even more. All this from the petrol engine. Car insurance is be cheap due to the skoda badge as well.

The interior cabin isn't much to shout about, but its such an improvement on old Skodas (i used to drive a Skoda favourit estate where the interior was made up of right angles!). There is plenty of storage space in the glove box and lots of little storage spaces around the cabin.

I've had no problems mechanically with the car at all. I took this car on a 1,235 mile round trip to the Orkney islands and back in 5 days and the car never let me down once. You can expect this car to go on and on and on.

Overall this car is a beauty. Track down a second hand one with decent mileage and you won't regret it. The car will go on and on and on due to its Volkswagon roots. Many people still give Skoda a bad press, but you can feel satisfied with yourself when you pull up at the lights next to a Passat a Focus or Mondeo, safe in the knowledge that you've got just as much car for nowhere near the cost. A better car than ANY of its rivals.