I am a part time Uber driver and my 1.9 TDI Octavia was approaching the 10 year limit so I was looking for a budget alternative. I figured on buying a Kia Cerato base model with auto and touchscreen as a replacement as it was under the $20000 Tax Write off amount and had a 7 year warranty. Well when I was researching the Kia I read the comparison between the Kia and the Skoda it became a no brainer! In 12 years of motoring nothing broke on the Octavia..even the battery lasted 7 years so I hunted down a demo 92TSI Rapid with the 7 Speed DSG.
The dealer was kind enough to swap the black alloys with the base model silver alloys which have more sidewall.
This car has now done 75,000 Km primarily as an Uber Taxi in Perth. Have absolutely no issues with it. Like the Octavia before nothing has fallen off.
It just goes in for routine servicing every 15,000 km.
The average fuel consumption long terrm over all running is 5.8 l/100 km. I drive it assertively but some running is on the freeway to the airport from Duncraig and I avoid the peak hour and CBD if I can.
All riders are generally unfamiliar with the brand but highly complimentary of the clean styling and quality of finish.
With the 92TSI engine it is surprisingly and unobtrusively quick of the mark but when you consider this engine transmission was in a Golf that’s a no brainer considering this package is lighter.
Although narrow there is a lot of leg room in the back, even when the drivers seat is right back. I am 190cm.
This car has very clean lines inside and out and is easy to clean.
A lot of reviewers are critical of the DSG transmission which is a double clutch gearbox that operates automatically. When you understand that it is in essence 2 manual gearboxes it is easy to drive without the jerkiness or snatch off the mark that the reviewers complain about.
This car has stop start technology which I found disconcerting at the start and I used to override it but now I am fine with it. I control it with the brake. If I want to make a quick dash across an intersection I ease the pressure on the brake pedal, the engine starts. Before you accelerate hard you have to wait for the clutch to engage, same as feeling the bite or friction point on a manual clutch.
My car has a touchscreen with Android and Apple CarPlay which I don’t use, but the interface is excellent. A cute touch is the contacts on my phone when imported, the favourites display the pictures on the screen. It also has a SD card in the glovebox on which I have downloaded my own playlist.
This car does not have the really solid feel of the diesel Octavia but is much more lively and agile.
I am happy with it Yes
Would I buy another - without hesitation!
In fact I love driving it.
Maybe swap it for an Audi S3
?