2003 Skoda Octavia vRS from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

The Carpets being white, are very difficult to keep clean.

Octavias are a pain to reverse due to the crap rear view afforded by the high boot lid.

The plastics used in the interior have a nasty cheap feel compared to VWs. Why couldn't they have put more money into the styling of the car rather than waste it on things like over the top brakes and white carpets?

The car is fast, but wheel spins in 3rd gear which is good for impressing boy racers, but indicates poor traction even in the dry.

The handling is generally good, for a big barge of a car like this. It certainly isn't a sports car - more a large family saloon with delusions of grandeur and aspirations beyond it's means.

At the end of the day, Skoda have come a long way, but this car will always be a Skoda. It just fails to inspire. I regret buying this car because it tries too hard to be something it's not. You can modify it until you are blue in the face, but your mates are only impressed for a short time before they're secretly thinking "Yes, very nice dear, but why on earth did you buy a Skoda".

The Car represents excellent value for money, for a new car. But just think what £16K can buy these days - if you don't mind owning a three year old car for example.

One question, where is Skoda made?

Since Skodas are based on VW's now, I disagree that the interior 'has a cheap feel compared to VW', especially since Skoda use the same plastics! It is interesting to read on this site that the more negative reviews of Skodas are the ones under VW influence. For example, the Estelle/Rapid/Favorit/Felicia have good reviews, but it seems the Fabia/Octavia etc seem to have reliability issues - VW reliability and build seems to be a myth.

"Cheap and ugly" - Why did you buy the car if you didn't like the look of it? Personally I think the Octavia VRS looks great.

"Octavias are a pain to reverse due to the crap rear view afforded by the high boot lid." - Surely this would've been evident on the test drive?

Skodas are made in Czech Republic as far as I know.

I am thinking about buying the new 2005 Octavia, it looks very nice, a bit too big I think, but that's OK.

Since I had the worst experience with my previous car... a Land Rover Freelander, I decided not to spend too much money on a car ever again.

With respect, you need to get out more. I have a VRs and simply love it. The car does all what I would want from it and the performance is blistering. Tell me why would you want to spin the wheels in third??? Surely if you are laying that amount of power down (180Bhp @ 5500 rpm) you would be seriously trapping on and I am sure that you would not be driving like that in a built up area (90 - 110 mph). For £15k you can't beat it!!!

Why on earth did you buy it? You must have liked something about it!

Personally I think the VRs is brilliant (especially with regards to value) - getting one very soon, bored of my lovely, but slightly dull A4, and I respect the fact that some think the shape ugly for example, we all have different tastes and opinions. But it seems odd you have bought one then can do nothing, but criticise it.

Looking on the bright side, sounds like there will soon be another 1 year old one for sale - you will have no problem selling it.

I took deliver of my vRS in February have enjoyed every mile of the 6,700 so far. It was a shame that there was not more choice of colours, but I bought a yellow one and believe me no one pulls out in front of you at junctions or roundabouts! I don't drive with fuel economy in mind and on a round trip of 770 miles to Wales got 36mpg and most of that was at 80mph on the motorways with the odd quicker burst!.. (ever been on the deserted M6 Toll section?). In short I love the car and any excuse I'm out and about.

That's the first person I heard to totally slag a VRS off. The cars got speed, handling, VW build quality and loads of luggage space (exSpecially the estate). The Octavia VRS was tested by the KENT POLICE FORCE against other cars like the Vectra 3.0GSI, Mondeo 2.5 V6. BMW 2.5 and other makes all estate models. maybe the Vectra was the quickest in the straight line, but the Octavia VRS was the best for drivability, luggage space and the quickest of them all when not on a motorway. the cars at the police station I'm are thrashed 24hrs a day and after and the only thing replaced on them at present are the brake pads. In-fact I am so impressed with the package the VRS offers this will be my next car. QUALITY.And if i was a boy racer than the car would be BAAAAADDDDDD

Skoda Octavia Vrs

I have had my car approx 3 months now and bought it because of good write ups etc etc.

When I purchased it I had it rolling road tested and the figure produced from the standard motor was 179.5 BHP which is respectable. I decided to have it serial port tuned, a full stainless miltek exhaust (inc sport cat) and a replacement dump valve because with the increase in power thEy can be unreliable.

This increased BHP to 222.7 bhp. The car is now an animal and will eat anything up to a 330i beamer/ subaru impreza

For £1400 I can't think of a better way to spend your money!!! (I'm 32 going on 18)

Why don't people investigate more thoroughly when purchasing a vehicle? as for looks beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if you don't like it don't buy it.

By the way I work for Honda, but would have the Skoda over a Type R civic anyday (and its cheaper to run/insure).

I hope in two years a new Vrs is introduced with more power etc. BUY ONE I DID AND HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK!

I'm interested, like the other commentators, why someone would buy a car they didn't like the look of?

I've had an RS Octavia for @ 18 months now from new and had the reversing tackle and sunroof fitted as extras.

After running in for about 5,000 miles I had the engine retuned from its stock 180 Brake and 175 FT LBS to 210 Brake and 250 FT LBS. If the original commentator reported the handling as OK I suggest he does what I did.

A test drive at a proving ground showed me why a number of Police forces voted it the most stable car they have ever driven under braking and cornering. Use the computer controlled differential, it works beautifully even with the enhanced performance I have.

Nothing has gone wrong with the car in all the time I've had it. Where else can you buy a car for £16,600, including mods and extras with handling, performance, braking and reliability like this!

I'd rather have a good car with a bad badge than a bad car with a good badge. The SAAB 93 is a vectra in dinner jacket and the X type Jaquar is based on the mondeo!

11/10 to Skoda.

I shall be buying another when the new version comes out.

I think that there is no need to repeat all the comments made above about the first comment! I really struggle to think why he bought the car in the first place!

I have recently bought a Vrs and can do nothing, but praise what is a completely fantastic drivers car.

The handling is superb... the speed, for the money is truly amazing, the styling is spot on, the interior is great to look at and virtually indestructable...

THIS IS A FANTASTIC CAR!

To add a further two peneth worth...I'm am yet another Police officer adding praise. We use this vehicle in dirver training and as an unmarked vehicle... They run almost 24/7 with next to no problems... and they are driver hard too.

As a "beginners" fast car for the money it has a superb spec of safety features to keep you on the road. As the more experienced driver, using it with the correct system and placement this car is truely amazing...

This is a top spec VW for Ford money... I can find no fault!

BUY ONE!