Demographics of Skoda Buyers

[Dutch]

Similar to alot of members here, 40 and looking to plan a family over next 12mths.

I've just sold a Liberty B Spec sedan, it was a great car but not happy with Subaru's direction in design, also the arrogant sales attitude of Subaru, not all dealerships i'm sure.

I needed a wagon and have researched the RS for over a yr and knew that it ticked the space/performance/design/value boxes that i wanted. i didn't bother test driving anthing else and knew as soon as i'd driven a petrol wagon that it was what i wanted. I did test drive a diesel superb just to try the diesel but the petrol experience was an obvious choice for me, we already have a diesel in the garage anyway.

I really like the design of the RS, its conservative particulary in photos but its a different beast on the road. I really liked how the subaru was a bit of a sleeper and the RS follows in similar footsteps i think.

The dealership experience was totally different to subaru, very relaxed and friendly and the ability to actually test drive the vehicle without a sales person over your shoulder was great.

I'm 110% sold on the choice i've made and having this website and Briskoda has confirmed the decision.

I'm not concerned that Skoda is a relative new brand and like the fact that its something very different to what i see on the road, can't wait to get behind the wheel and drive something Euro and owning my first 4 cyclinder turbo car.

[raph]

37, been driving a 2002 Camry for a few years. Was looking to get a car that is more suited to where I am at in life. No kids, long term relationship etc.

Was about to buy an i30 wagon, when i took an octavia out for a drive. My key requirements were - diesel, luxurious interior, nice styling on the outside, comfortable drive. The Octavia was a little outside my budget, but decided to stretch it a little because it felt (and i have trouble putting this in words) more like a real car. Nearly settled for the 1.9dt, but the 2.0 won me over.

I also like the fact that i will be driving a car that some people have never heard of.

[JP-009]

38 with 2 small gnomes (not yet at school)

We had the Mk5 Golf 2TDI, but when our second was born, the need for a decent sized wagon was apparent.

As far as I am concerned, it is just like the Mk5, but more practical, and more sporty (thanks to Oettinger )

[dodgey]

40, married, no kids but looking into it.

Had a 3dr MkV GTI for the last 3 years, but it was lacking in boot space and 2 rear doors. The Skoda was a good compromise

[4thchicken]

33 yo single male here - scientist.

Looked at a few cars before buying (mainly online) - narrowed it down to a mini, golf 6 diesel, the octavia or a mazda 3 SP25. Whilst I loved the drive of the mini I couldnt justify the price of a mini (cooper S auto+chilli pack). Service at mazda was abysmal the couple of times I went to a dealer (never test drove the car) and whilst the diesel golf I drove was fantastic (it was a fully optioned out dealer demo), the dealer spent more time bagging out my other options than selling the car and wouldnt give me a proper list of options+pricing unless I went back in to the dealership again put me off the car.

Chose the ocatavia after having test driven it a few months earlier+doing lots of research online - ended up with the facelifted RS wagon mainly because I liked idea of the extra practicality of it + felt it looked a lot better than the liftback (imo that is). Would have prefered a diesel but that would have had to have been ordered but ended up getting a good deal on a petrol RS wagon that happened to be in stock.

A few minor gripes (mainly to do with extra options that I would like that arent currently available ie much larger sun/moonroof, bixenon/turning headlamps, hillhold assist) but overall very happy with the car itself

[woofy]

Ah another scientist.....I've found the best Mazda place is Ringwood Mazda, others are pretty hit and miss. VW in the SE burbs of Melb seem to be much the same. Which Skoda did you get yours from?

[Skodaboi]

I'm 39 yo, with a wife (no age mention of course), with one 3 yo and another 6 months old. We've bought an Octavia vRS Wagon, 2.0 CRD. We also own a 2.0 FSI Golf, which is still handy around town, but the hatch isn't big enough to hold 2 prams and shopping. I sold my Commodore because I wanted more convenient space for kids gear and also a diesel for fuel economy.

I used to own a Mini (BMW) Cooper S before I got married and wanted a car that had some enjoyment factor, along with it being a practical family car. The Octavia vRS really fits the bill here and I couldn't be happier with it. I considered a Passat Wagon, but I have a friend with a V6 model, and it's just not as fun to drive as the vRS, as well as the Octivia being less expensive with more head room and nicer seats (in my opinion).

I looked at Mazdas, Subarus and new Commodore Sportswagon, but the Japanese cars have nasty plastic interiors and the Commodore is too big for my wife to comfortably drive, along with their fuel consumption being excessive in todays environment (no diesel option either - go figure).

Some people say that the Octavia is not going to hold it's value like other VWs, but to that I figure even if it is true (and that's an assumption anyway), that I'd rather drive a car I enjoy driving for the next 5-10 years. The marginal resale value of any car in this price range over that period is not going to be too different anyway.

Compared to other VWs the plastics in the car are a touch cheaper in feel, but overall when you compare price, reliability, handling, where it's made (Czech Republic - used to be excellent pre communist state, and is now is excellent again, when compared with China, South Africa and Mexico) etc. the package came our better for us.

I reckon the Yeti will be a great package when it arrives too - various engine options, including 2.0 CRD with AWD (I wish the Octavia had that option when I ordered!); and the Scout will be a realistic contender when they offer a DSG along with the manual.

Oh and I got my car from Steve Jarvin Moters in Burwood (NSW). Greg Case there was a big help. I did try another dealer initially but I shall not name them.