seen the new VF commodore??

[Tigger]

So, if a locally made car can look as decent as the new VF calais looks...then I cant wait for the release of our beloved new Octavia range!! It will be so much better!

I just saw the new commodore and calais release pics...and they actually look ok... never thought I would say that!

Still probably not a patch on our build quality though!

[Jake02]

So, if a locally made car can look as decent as the new VF calais looks...then I cant wait for the release of our beloved new Octavia range!! It will be so much better!

I agree, I really like the VF. It's so much better than the VE and it finally has class. I wish Skoda's looked like Opels too...

[Martin]

I would wait and see what the real thing really feels like and what it's like to live with
Many parts of Ford/Holden design really belong with the dinasours
We have the worst cabs in the world with those old Ford Falcon GL's
I felt safer in a 10 year old VW Bora cab in Shanghai

While I love everything about the new 2013 Octavia, it's highly unlikely I would buy one
Top of the range has a 1.8 TSI 132kw engine - basically, that does not light my fire
My Octavia with 147kw was at the bottom of my "want list"
It has a great combination of usefulness and fun and the power could be increased (ECU Changes)
Price was the final thing that pushed me over the line

In addition to power, I'm worried about the price of the 2013 Octavia
There is a hell of a lot of high tech gear in it
(I expect Oz Skoda to make a lot of it optional and make a killing that way)
This is also likely to make me (and others) look else where

[aslsw]

I agree - the pics look pretty good.

One of the big selling points for me in moving from a Commodore to the Octavia was the comfort factor. In retrospect, the Commodore was what I call 'fat and lazy'. On the outside, it wallowed around and took a bit of pedal to get going. On the inside, the seats also made you wallow around and I seemed to ache after long-distance journeys. By comparison, I was as fresh as a daisy after the 730kms we did the other day with the group.

The Octavia has set the standard for me now. The only way I could ever be tempted back is if they could offer something better in terms of comfort and handling, with better all round value.

[k_rider]

Looks the business! You can certainly see European GM (Opel/Vauxhall) influence again - much like the original VB.

As an aside, I read the review on the MB A250 Sport on the weekend, sports oriented hatch design, obviously targeting Golf GTI, M1 and S3. Just under $50k, 155kw/350Nm and all the goodies one expects from Benz. VAG has a serious fight on its hands...

[zei20t]

haha looks like a giant insignia!

[Weekend-Warrior]

As an aside, I read the review on the MB A250 Sport on the weekend, sports oriented hatch design, obviously targeting Golf GTI, M1 and S3. Just under $50k, 155kw/350Nm and all the goodies one expects from Benz. VAG has a serious fight on its hands...

I'd like to know where you can get a 1M for under $50k!!!

And comparing how a run of the mill Commodore drives compared to an Octaiva RS is a bit unfair. The Commodore is a fair bit larger. And if you're going to prepare performance models you'd need to pick something from the HSV range or at the very least a SS.

The build quality on the Octavia is a bit average in places. I.E. the folds in the guard panels near the windscreen, the panels on the sides of the center console. It's made for a price, like everything.

[K1W1]

The build quality on the Octavia is a bit average in places. I.E. the folds in the guard panels near the windscreen, the panels on the sides of the center console. It's made for a price, like everything.

Unfortunately the fan boys often wear rose tinted glasses. Skodas are good cars but quality wise "built to a price" describes them very well and it's obvious when you compare other VW group products that essentially use the same chassis.

[Tigger]

Unfortunately the fan boys often wear rose tinted glasses. Skodas are good cars but quality wise "built to a price" describes them very well and it's obvious when you compare other VW group products that essentially use the same chassis.

I must agree with that comment...true...they have compromised on many features in Skodas compared to VW.
Although not major, I noticed two interior things lacking in the RS compared to my previous Tiguan: no lights in the sunvisior mirror units, and no footwell light.
Not major things, but worth a few dollars and a degree of comfort / style...

[cbay]

Unfortunately the fan boys often wear rose tinted glasses. Skodas are good cars but quality wise "built to a price" describes them very well and it's obvious when you compare other VW group products that essentially use the same chassis.

why can't I be a fanboy of a no frills family hauler with great fuel economy and ridiculous space?

[Weekend-Warrior]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan. We love our RS. Price, performance and space. I'm probably just a little objective.

[donweather]

Although not major, I noticed two interior things lacking in the RS compared to my previous Tiguan: no lights in the sunvisior mirror units, and no footwell light.

I could have sworn my RS has footwell lights....at least in the drivers side?

No light in the sunvisor mirror units isn't too bad....just turn the lights on in the overhead centre console (near the rearview mirror).

[andymarc]

I agree, I really like the VF. It's so much better than the VE and it finally has class. I wish Skoda's looked like Opels too...

Having said that its just a VE with new front end , rear end and interior so not that much different to the VE. Holden have admitted its the same cabin and uses the same doors as the VE,
They did it with the VT/VX/VY/VZ commodore range.

[K1W1]

why can't I be a fanboy of a no frills family hauler with great fuel economy and ridiculous space?

No problem with that at all provided you don't try to convince yourself that you really own an Audi that has been fitted with Skoda badges by mistake.
I think Skoda is good value for money at least until you try to sell one and I brought knowing full well what it has and does not have. I like it but to me cars are transport and there are many other cars I could also quite happily own some of which are often regularly disparaged here but what I don't think is that the Skoda is anything other than the budget end of the VW range of vehicles.

[cbay]

No problem with that at all provided you don't try to convince yourself that you really own an Audi that has been fitted with Skoda badges by mistake.
I think Skoda is good value for money at least until you try to sell one and I brought knowing full well what it has and does not have. I like it but to me cars are transport and there are many other cars I could also quite happily own some of which are often regularly disparaged here but what I don't think is that the Skoda is anything other than the budget end of the VW range of vehicles.

You sound so underwhelmed when you talk about your skoda. I'm sure an Audi is much nicer to drive but really, is ergonomics worth the price? Maybe depending on each owner's current life situation.

I still miss my old B5 A4 because i know it felt much nicer ergnomically inside, even if it was 12 years old. But knowing full well that my Octy is bottom of the range I'm laughing as it fits all my current needs and more. I can still go around and say its got an Audi-badged, uh, diverter valve or something though.

And back to the actual topic, in ally had a chance to look at the new commodore, looks alright so far. It's all about how it feels in the flesh though...