2003 Skoda Octavia Ambiente from UK and Ireland - Comments

Air conditioning needed filling but was fixed under warranty.

Throttle body slightly sticky so it revs sometimes stay at 1,000RPM instead of 850-900RPM

Rear washer pipe detached filling boot with washer fluid. I fixed this while sitting in the huge boot.

The rear seat back was rattling but I fixed it with some sticky felt pads.

I can't think of anything this car does badly.

There have been niggly little problems, but nothing that has left me stranded. After 15,000 miles it is still showing no indication of requiring a service - absolutely remarkable!

It is comfortable, easy and relaxing to drive. It is easy to park with the reversing sensors too.

Space inside is excellent and the boot is enormous. It's so big you can sit inside it comfortably which was useful when I was fixing the rear washer pipe! The Octavia boot swallows 2 shopping trolleys full of stuff with no need to fold the rear seats. I've managed to get some 1.8m interior doors in the car with the rear seats down too.

The engine is slightly noisy at tick-over when the diesel clatter is obvious, but when driving it just makes a muted hum in the background. It is not as refined as the more modern diesels like the 130 BHP TDi PD. There can be some wind noise from around the front pillars, but it only becomes intrusive at higher speeds.

The gearbox (4 speed auto) is good most of the time, and kicks down quickly enough when needed.

The brakes are good and the handling is OK as long as you remember the car is more of a cruiser than a sprinter. If you push VERY hard you can provoke slides and understeer, but it is predictable and controllable. This isn't a performance trait, more of a safety one.

I'm averaging around 48 mpg and the car has used virtually no engine oil in 15,000 miles. The front tyres are about 50% worn and the back tyres are down just a few millimetres.

I bought my first Skoda in July 2005 ; it is an Octavia 1.9 TDi Estate Ambiente year 2003.After my previous car (a 2000 Xregistered Citroen Xsara Forte 1.4 hatchback) the Octavia seems well-finished and much easier to park as it has no blind-spots.The 1.9 TDi engine may be rather coarse when cold, but pulls well and,especially on long journeys,proves surprisingly economical. The front seats,initially firm,give excellent comfort over many miles, the gearchange and clutch are well-weighted and the brakes responsive without being over-assisted.The capacious boot is useful on family touring-holidays with four adults and my grand-daughter. Based on six months'ownership,I would certainly buy another Skoda ; as I'm now retired, it might have to be a Fabia estate next time (though I would miss the power and space of the Octavia). I'm so impressed that, on my recommendation, my brother-in-law has just replaced his much-loved twenty-year old Volvo 245 with a 2004 2.0 FSi Octavia Estate.

At the end of the day, you have made an excellent choice. The Skoda represents real value for money. The marque has a century old tradition of manufacturing unique and technologically advanced vehicles. The latest batch of Skoda models are ALL winners.

At the end of the day you pays your Money and you get exactly what you pay for in buying a Skoda. They are a resonable value if you do not intend to do many Miles. The depreciation factor is risky of course. My girlfriend has a 2003 Octavia and has had nothing, but trouble with it.

"Nothing but trouble?" And of-course, it`s ALL the car`s fault. May I suggest that ANY brand of car will suffer problems, if it is poorly maintained and/or driven harshly. Of-course, I have no evidence that that is the case here, but then you do not identify what the actual problems with your girlfriend`s car, are. At the end of the day, "nothing, but trouble", is meaningless.

My Girlfriend Owns a 2003 Skoda Octavia and has had many problems with it, it has been in the shop over 60 days since new. At the end of the day it is a cheap car.

Frankly, I`m surprised that you haven`t talked your girlfriend out of her Skoda, by now. After all, she is driving a "cheap" car - as you define it. Perhaps, at the end of the day, there is a fondness there for the car, which you have not, as yet, detected.

No Sir we are most definitely not very fond of our 2003 Skoda Octavia. The Paint is Peeling off of the Door Panels and Boot Lid, exposing Grey Primer. My Girlfriend has been unable to find a Buyer due to the Rough Sound of the Engine and the state of the Bodywork. I have now paid off the Finance on this Car. I am afraid that I shall need to Scrap the Vehicle. At the end of the day there are better choices. To the last Commenter, please leave your Email Address it would seem we have a common interest.

Peeling paintwork on a three year old car is most unusual. However, it is also unacceptable. You have identified a real problem with your girlfriend`s car, and your lack of enthusiasm for the marque, is understandable. At the end of the day, your comment is respected.

Are you prepared to buy my Girlfriends 2003 Octavia?I am not asking a Kings Ransom for it. I simply want it off of my Driveway so I can fit my other 3 Vehicles on the Driveway.

No.

I have an Octavia, it has done 80000 Miles plus and its still a master on the road. Any day better value for money than the civic. My friend had a head on with a truck and took a taxi home. This is when I bought it. Cheers.