4 days with my Octy

[K1W1]

Despite THE FACT THAT all Hondas (bar the Euro and Legend, but who buys Legends anymore...) are made in Thailand,

The whole where the vehicle is manufactured argument is complete B/S and irrelevant. Most vehicles are manufactured in the lowest cost facilities that the manufacturer can find and are put together with parts from all over the world. I'm sure that it you went through any vehicle including a Skoda carefully you will find at least half a dozen different countries of origin for various parts.
With automated assembly lines and CAD for manufacturing the actual location that parts are assembled just isn't important.

[Jake02]

The whole where the vehicle is manufactured argument is complete B/S and irrelevant. Most vehicles are manufactured in the lowest cost facilities that the manufacturer can find and are put together with parts from all over the world. I'm sure that it you went through any vehicle including a Skoda carefully you will find at least half a dozen different countries of origin for various parts.
With automated assembly lines and CAD for manufacturing the actual location that parts are assembled just isn't important.

I think it's just a matter of opinion. To some it doesn't matter because (as you mentioned) they use all the same parts and software it's just put together in a different place. Others get all snobby about it though. To me, I'm half half. The new Renaults are made in odd places like Turkey and Korea and because they offer alot more equipment at a cheaper price and the same quality (just look at Koleos' and how much you get for the base 4x2 model at $29k) I couldn't care less where they're made. But Honda is different because they have less equipment at a more expensive price compared to their Jap/Korean-made rivals and that's what annoys me. The old Jazz VTI-S had LED tailamps, electric-folding mirrors, foglights, a bodykit, the option of a sunroof etc for around $25k on road. The new Jazz VTI-S is more $, has none of that and merely offers some alloys and different seating trim for around $3k over the VTI model (as well as being probably the most basic Jazz sold anywhere in the world). It just doesn't make sense to me and this is why Honda sales are going down.

[Inego]

My cars over the years have been VW beetle, Civic, Civic, Golf IV, Outback and now Scout. The Hondas were the least trouble of the lot and I'd happily buy another if they made what I wanted/needed. But the Euro has a hideously small rear seat and an awkward boot, as well as a torqueless engine, so no go for me.

As for where things are manufactured, the Hungarian made engine in my Golf was the best thing about it......happy to move to the country next door (ish) for my Skoda

[sh|tbmxrider]

I am not going to justify buying an Accord Euro,as it is absorlutely brilliant,but all I will say is Honda sold 750 Euros locally last month,Skoda sold 117 Octavias locally last month .
Tells you something,does it not ???

Lots more Big Macs and Zinger Burgers get sold compared to Wagyu Steaks

[dodgey]

Spotted two Audi R8 today, a white one and a silver one, and a black Octavia RS wagon

The Skoda is to be more unique than the 300k+ cars....

[bobski]

We spent the weekend on the south coast of Sydney.

A few early morning blats around Jambaroo, Robertson etc (you're nodding knowingly if you've been there...) confirmed this is a lovely piece of kit. Now that I'm used to it, it definitely could handle some more power in the dry though. Maybe another 20-30KW would do it.

Heaps of space. No need to think about "how the hell do I pack all this crap?" - As a long distance tourer, it was great! Some country roads have a bit of a rumble, but I went back to back in a fairly new lancer wagon while we were down there and realised that it could be a *lot* worse. I'm thinking that the sedan must be slightly quieter in this regard?

And of course, we spent time with friends who had never even heard of Skoda and they came away saying "we should look at getting one of these for our next car". Its an awesome car for making people stop and think about an alternative to the mainstream brand.

Fuel economy - we did 450 odd K's on just over 3/4 of a tank. Which is some where around 8 litres per 100k/s - sorry the MFD said 7.6 but I don't completely trust it, I think it was probably higher - won't know until I fill up. But that did include 60-70 k's of 'spirited driving', so I'm quite happy with that.

I now await being added to the "****head spotted" section of the Skoda forum. But WHY OH WHY can't people maintain a speed NEAR the speed limit....

So sorry about that old chaps, I don't set *out* to give Skodas a bad name

[RSOK]

Nice Bobski, they are some very nice driving roads down that way, between Jamberoo and Robertson especially... just made for spirited driving... just like the RS!! Unfortunately you encounter too many 'Sunday drivers' out for a leisurely drive in the country down that way (not that there's anything wrong with that)... but a prod of the right foot and they're usually a distant memory very quickly right??!!

I'm taking a trip to the Hunter Vally this weekend, looking forward to trying out the RS on the Old Pacific Hwy and then the Putty Road also.

Couldn't agree more that the 2.0 TSI could do with a power upgrade, it's already on the cards for me, albeit in a year or two most likely... my mates (who are not exactly 'spirited drivers') think I'm mad and that the car already has 'too much power' but you and I know better than that... it can easily handle it.

[bobski]

Just dropped my RS off for its first service. I said I didn't want them to wash it, so I don't know what they are going to do. Hopefully fix the rattly rear number plate But the service chap took it for a test drive with me (the brakes are too sensitive IMO, but apparently thats normal and some of the golfs are slightly worse) and he spent 5 minutes telling me how much he hates constantly fixing rattles in VW's. It might be a volume thing, but he was singing the praises of the skoda's lack of ratttles.