We've long been fans of Škoda tow cars, so what's the facelifted Octavia wagon like? Read Motty's tow test.
Škoda Octavia Estate tow test
- Thread starter LizziePope
- Start date
Sorry Motty but I beg to differ.
Perhaps your review would make sense if a car was bought solely (or at least primarily) for towing, but since no-one is going to buy a small Skoda to use as a tug first and a car second, we also have to consider it as a car. And on that front, having driven one from Birmingham to London and Sussex and back on Friday, I have to say that it's a dreadful thing.
For starters, it's uncomfortable. After about 2.5 hours I had backache. Yes, that's quite a long time but I've done far longer in VW Golfs and Passats and been fine. The satnav insisted on giving me a choice of three routes to my destination (why? I want the fastest and that's it) but none of them recognised the existence of the M6 toll. The engine is noisy - clearly some money and weight have been saved on the soundproofing - and the dash plastics aren't awful. Just that bit nastier than the ones in a Golf.
I know the Octavia is a little bit cheaper than a Golf, but I don't care. I'd pay the extra, or go older. And I know it's bigger inside, but so is a cow shed. At the risk of sounding controversial, I can think of only two reasons for buying a Skoda Octavia. Either you're a company boss and someone else will be driving it, not you, or you're like one of my in-laws (details omitted to save family disputes). S/he makes a point of shopping in discount supermarkets and telling you what bargains are on offer that week. The trouble is though that your life is too precious for you to waste it having to listen. And also that if this week's 'bargains' include tea or coffee, you should refuse it. It's cheap because it's disgusting.
It's much the same with this Skoda. If you've bought it because you think it's cheap then that's your choice. I can agree to disagree. But please don't try and tell me what a bargain you've got if I'm pitched up on site next to you.
Perhaps your review would make sense if a car was bought solely (or at least primarily) for towing, but since no-one is going to buy a small Skoda to use as a tug first and a car second, we also have to consider it as a car. And on that front, having driven one from Birmingham to London and Sussex and back on Friday, I have to say that it's a dreadful thing.
For starters, it's uncomfortable. After about 2.5 hours I had backache. Yes, that's quite a long time but I've done far longer in VW Golfs and Passats and been fine. The satnav insisted on giving me a choice of three routes to my destination (why? I want the fastest and that's it) but none of them recognised the existence of the M6 toll. The engine is noisy - clearly some money and weight have been saved on the soundproofing - and the dash plastics aren't awful. Just that bit nastier than the ones in a Golf.
I know the Octavia is a little bit cheaper than a Golf, but I don't care. I'd pay the extra, or go older. And I know it's bigger inside, but so is a cow shed. At the risk of sounding controversial, I can think of only two reasons for buying a Skoda Octavia. Either you're a company boss and someone else will be driving it, not you, or you're like one of my in-laws (details omitted to save family disputes). S/he makes a point of shopping in discount supermarkets and telling you what bargains are on offer that week. The trouble is though that your life is too precious for you to waste it having to listen. And also that if this week's 'bargains' include tea or coffee, you should refuse it. It's cheap because it's disgusting.
It's much the same with this Skoda. If you've bought it because you think it's cheap then that's your choice. I can agree to disagree. But please don't try and tell me what a bargain you've got if I'm pitched up on site next to you.
- Nov 11, 2009
- 23,562
- 8,099
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Coming down from Cumbria the other day neither my Garmin, nor IPhone (tom tom) offered the M6 toll. But it knew where I was when I entered the southbound toll junction.
- Nov 11, 2009
- 23,562
- 8,099
- 50,935
Yes did that. Good saving and much smoother than through the road works on the M5 through Birmingham.
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