VGA to dumb down next Gen Skoda models

[pologti18t]

I can only hope Skoda start introducing simple, basic models without things people don't need - Satnav, climate control, DSG, electric tailgates etc. Just a manual, diesel in every range without all the unnecessary items would be tops!

Which people are you referring to?

Easier to dump manual transmissions in the diesel cars (because people don't want them)

[brenno]

Which people are you referring to?

Easier to dump manual transmissions in the diesel cars (because people don't want them)

I understand that the market in Australia is dominated by people choosing to drive an auto, but when the models on offer are easily specced with a manual box then why not list them as an optional extra? I'm quite happy to pay more for a manual box, similar to people paying more to have an auto box. What I don't understand is VWA dropping the option completely.

I'm well aware I'm in the minority, but there are a few of us around that aren't amputees and can still drive a car with three pedals

[Mountainman]

If one looked within VWs range; at a Passat versus the Superb Elegance, why would you buy the cramped, shorter wheelbase Passat? One can draw similar comparisons for Golf/Octavia.

The VW name, image, retained value and dealer access along with the newest models and tech arriving in VW's first. In the general public's eye the Skoda name doesn't hold a candle to the VW name even if in reality the product does. And even discounting all those reasons I know why I bought a new Golf instead of an Octavia - in comparison it drove better, looked better, had the lastest VW tech and just felt like a far newer model. And Skoda simply could not give me a car that compared to the $24,000 driveaway price including optional alloys that VW gave me with the Golf. The base 90 TSI manual was $3500 more with the old 1.4 engine (not the new alloy block bluemotion version) and the old platform that is 180kg heavier (no wonder it felt sluggish & noisier in comparison). Drive them both and you'll find it's a no-brainer choice. Mention the word Golf to most people and they know what car you are talking about. Mention Octavia and it could be something to do with music or a novel about the Roman empire.

[zei20t]

hang on, you bought a golf mk7 and youre comparing it to the mk2 Octavia? wait till the mk3 and then re-compare.

[mmmRacer]

Skoda should setup a premium dealership in each capital city owned by Skoda which stocks the whole range and within 100m of the local Mercedes/BMW owned dealership. That way people can still get a feel for the differences between models and they can see how much they are saving compared to the over priced euro competition. Next start work on a top notch online car configurer program to sell online. Then after that sponsor a Octavia V8 Supercar team and drop the football teams.

[BottomScratcher]

i hope u talking about the mk3 octavia?

the current model in oz, the mk2, never had bi-xenons, or lane guidance. not just in oz, but worldwide.

Yes, Mk3. The Mk2 didn't even have bluetooth. BT was just starting to be a standard option on most cars. Hence the pages and pages of posts dedicated to retrofitting BT on this forum. And if you wanted your own music from your phone you were expected to buy the MDI option, and then fork out even more cash for the cable to connect your device to it. Audio BT streaming didn't happen until the 9W7.

I'm happy with the car. Have been since I got it, but there's no way I can deny that it was a step backwards for me to go from an older sound system with fully intergrated BT, and a $200 TomTom with easily updatable maps and regularly updated speed camera audible warnings to the Columbus satnav.

As for the manual/auto thing. My exposure to Skoda came from working out of Europe. I thought, and still think they're a good vehicle. I wanted a mid-sized diesel wagon, and had it narrowed down to 2. The clincher for the Skoda at the time was that the Mazda 6 wagon diesel was only available with a manual gearbox. Also, I don't know about functionality, but the satnav/BT option for the Mazda was $2800, and uses the same Sensis maps as the Columbus. The Columbus, for all of its faults, became standard on the Mk2 Octy vRS.

[2009fsi]

Brenno....I understand that the market in Australia is dominated by people choosing to drive an auto, but when the models on offer are easily specced with a manual box then why not list them as an optional extra? I'm quite happy to pay more for a manual box, similar to people paying more to have an auto box. What I don't understand is VWA dropping the option completely.
I'm well aware I'm in the minority, but there are a few of us around that aren't amputees and can still drive a car with three pedals

Yep, I've always driven a rear wheel drive manual & wish I still could.
That only leaves me two real choices though; Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon, both of which are on borrowed time. The problem is they seem to think the seating position for a manual now must be made for bean poles with 7' legs & a the dexterity of a contortionist to get into a bat winged seat, behind the wheel, without suffering concussion because of the low roof line & rack on their windscreens these days. I hate frontwheel drive cars as an owner & driver. They are cheap to manufacture, but the complexity & cost of service & repairs is passed on to the owner. Steering & driving with the wheel of least traction is always going to cost more to own in tyres, suspension & drive component wear & tear.

So now I drive a superb V6 4x4 with DSG which is effectively a front wheel drive, but at least I can comfortably fit behind the wheel. If they'd had a manual, I'd have bought it. Fact of life out here in Australia is manuals are unavailable in any larger or top of the line cars these days, unless you want the Bathurst racer lookalike.

The auto industry has long had an investment in planned obscelecence & complexity of maintenance. Who knows, some day soon the Chinese might adopt the inkjet printer model; you can have the car for free, but service & spares are going to cost you an arm & a leg. Ooops, VW is halfway there already.....at least as far as service & parts go.

[Mountainman]

hang on, you bought a golf mk7 and youre comparing it to the mk2 Octavia? wait till the mk3 and then re-compare.

But I could only compare what was available when I purchased in June. I even looked at the Octavia when I purchased my mk6 Golf 3 years ago and the Golf seemed to be the more modern car then too. Not saying that the Octavia doesn't have many positive features but at the moment it can only struggle in the market place because of its age and price. The mk3 can't come soon enough.

[Mysticality]

Which people are you referring to?

Easier to dump manual transmissions in the diesel cars (because people don't want them)

Yes, please. Keep doing it.
The day I can't drive a manual is the day I'm unfit to drive at all, and I am NEVER going back to spark plugs.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Yes, Mk3. The Mk2 didn't even have bluetooth. BT was just starting to be a standard option on most cars. Hence the pages and pages of posts dedicated to retrofitting BT on this forum. And if you wanted your own music from your phone you were expected to buy the MDI option, and then fork out even more cash for the cable to connect your device to it. Audio BT streaming didn't happen until the 9W7.

Bluetooth was made standard from MY12 i believe - definitely is on MY13 models. Have a look at the latest RS and non-RS brochures on the skoda aus website.

mine was a MY11, hence was not std - so i retrofitted mine with the 9wz BT module.

You also don't need MDI to stream music from your phone. you can stream via the BT a2dp protocol.
its no different to the BT offered in the Golfs, Jettas, Passats etc etc.

i'm not saying the columbus is the best nav system, it ain't, neither am i saying the std bluetooth unit is the best, it ain't.

[BottomScratcher]

Bluetooth was made standard from MY12 i believe - definitely is on MY13 models. Have a look at the latest RS and non-RS brochures on the skoda aus website.

mine was a MY11, hence was not std - so i retrofitted mine with the 9wz BT module.

You also don't need MDI to stream music from your phone. you can stream via the BT a2dp protocol.
its no different to the BT offered in the Golfs, Jettas, Passats etc etc.

i'm not saying the columbus is the best nav system, it ain't, neither am i saying the std bluetooth unit is the best, it ain't.

I agree mate. Mine is an MY11 as well (built Dec 10, purchased Mar 11). What I meant was that back at the time of purchasing mine unless I had done the research to establish that audio streaming was available via retrofitting a self-imported genuine VW/Skoda/Seat/Audi BT unit from the guys in Poland, Spain, or Lithuania I would probably have bought the only "factory" BT option that was available via dealerships at the time I bought the car, which was the sub-standard Volk-L BT unit. That being the case, for iPod connectivity I'd have still needed to buy the MDI and cable.

And yes, it's the same across all VAG models. Mrs BS bought a Golf VI new in 2010, but only had BT retrofitted (she thinks kamold is a god) a few months ago, so while hers is an older car than mine hers has the "J" version BT unit.