USED Skoda Octavia Hatchback (98 - 04)

My car

I have owned mine for three years and it has been in the garage once for a service.

55 MPG is easily achievable and better on a run, it feels stiff and solid and is a joy to drive all day.

I have only one gripe not enough nooks and crannies for change etc. Apart from that if you can live with the badge you won't be disappointed

My car

I bought this car due to its resonable price and 0% finance offer.

In two years I have covered just under 40k miles. I travel from Norwich to Portsmouth on weekend and never fail to achieve less that 60mpg. I am still on the first set of tyres. The engine is absolutely perfect. It's strong for acceleating and overtaking but with the 6 speed box is a gem. To date I have had no mechanical problems. Anyone thinking of getting a golf or A3/4 should look at the skoda and save yourself £000's. The boot is also enormous. People laugh at the badge, but if that's all they can laugh at let them, and show them the wad still in your wallet.

My car

Fantastic performance, and amazing practicality, all in one car!

I was a little apprehensive at first about buying a Skoda but once I had driven and owned it for some time, I was so glad I had taken the plunge.

The build quality is fantastic and a testament to the manufacturers, and the performance is superb with useable and safe amounts of power available, which makes overtaking so much safer.

The best thing is that the engine allows you to drive it like a normal family car or like a sports car - it's whatever takes your fancy at the time!

Altogether, a fantastic car. I have heard all the jokes but if people will not buy the car because of that, the last laugh is on them.

My car

I have owned older TVRs, Jags and other high-powered cars. The vRS beats them hands down in standard format, for which I would give the car an 11 out of 10. However, as soon as you start tweaking, it becomes a 20 out of 10 machine!

I had my ECU mapping upgraded by using a software download. It only took about five minutes to download via the car's serial port. It is switchable so it's up to me how much I want to boost it or turn it back to the factory (stock) setting when it goes back to the dealer for service.

If you drive a BMW then, unless you have a 330 or better, don't try taking an upgraded vRS on! You will only see its exhaust pipe, and not for long.

Cheers Skoda, you have made me a very happy Autobahnstormer.

PS If you get one, make sure you buy yourself some equipment to help you avoid speed cameras, otherwise you can kiss goodbye to your driving licence.