http://www.caradvice.com.au/17419/skoda-octavia-scout-2008-aims/ Australian Resource for Car Reviews, News, Advice Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:10:35 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.caradvice.com.au/17419/skoda-octavia-scout-2008-aims/comment-page-1/#comment-96812 eh179driver Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:54:13 +0000 http://www.caradvice.com.au/17419/skoda-octavia-scout-2008-aims/#comment-96812 These Skoda's are great cars. I am currently traveling in Europe on business and have ridden in a lot of the Octavia taxis. All the drivers have said they are well built, one of the most reliable cars in Europe, economical and just don't give trouble. Some of them have huge kilometres on the clock. One had something approaching 500'000 odd thousand, still on the original. The only problem in Australia is the unknown resale value and the limited dealership structure. Unfortunaly Skoda has taken a wrong turn and has given some dealerships to second hand outlets of some other brands. For instance the closest one to me is the Holden dealer in Ferntree Gully (an outer east suburb of Melbourne). When I went in their to have a look some weeks ago, I ended up having to tell the sales person about the car. He was convinced Skoda was owned by Volvo, not VAG. He also thought they were made in Korea. That sort of approach will not succeed unfortunately which is a shame because these are great cars. I also had a ride in the new Superb. Despite the looks (always a matter of differing taste) it is nice to ride in. Very comfortable, quiet and a huge amount of space. The sedan/hatch with traditional bootlid that can be opened as a hatch is a brilliant idea. Imagine if Holden did build a new age Torana withthat feature! Hey Skaifey, gotta a new car for you..... These Skoda’s are great cars. I am currently traveling in Europe on business and have ridden in a lot of the Octavia taxis. All the drivers have said they are well built, one of the most reliable cars in Europe, economical and just don’t give trouble. Some of them have huge kilometres on the clock. One had something approaching 500′000 odd thousand, still on the original.
The only problem in Australia is the unknown resale value and the limited dealership structure. Unfortunaly Skoda has taken a wrong turn and has given some dealerships to second hand outlets of some other brands. For instance the closest one to me is the Holden dealer in Ferntree Gully (an outer east suburb of Melbourne). When I went in their to have a look some weeks ago, I ended up having to tell the sales person about the car. He was convinced Skoda was owned by Volvo, not VAG. He also thought they were made in Korea. That sort of approach will not succeed unfortunately which is a shame because these are great cars. I also had a ride in the new Superb. Despite the looks (always a matter of differing taste) it is nice to ride in. Very comfortable, quiet and a huge amount of space. The sedan/hatch with traditional bootlid that can be opened as a hatch is a brilliant idea. Imagine if Holden did build a new age Torana withthat feature! Hey Skaifey, gotta a new car for you…..

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