25th Jan 2001, 12:04

I understand from the local agent in Singapore that this car is the same as VW Bora? Is this true? I'm interested in this car and have test driven it and it is actually quite good. Very surprised by its performance.

What about servicing, is it expensive?

Thanks...

25th Jan 2001, 15:18

steven@carsurvey.org:

The Octavia and Bora are different cars, but they are both based on the same base platform as the VW Golf.

28th Jan 2001, 08:40

Here am I again (Skoda Octavia 1.8 SLX). Sure VW Bora and Octavia are different cars, but the engine, brakes, pumps, clutch, and suspension are all the same as on VW Golf, Bora and Seat Toledo - If you know where to look you will find out that every piece on the Skoda has a VW mark on it.

Do not worry, every part (technical) from the Golf or Bora is the same on the Skoda.

Servicing is not very expensive: every 15.000 km around 150 - 200 DEM and every 30.000 km around 300 DEM (big service)!

28th Jan 2001, 14:20

I am changing my car from a Hyundai Accent to a Skoda Octavia. The Accent is very reliable and has only 9,800 miles @ 15 months old. Will the Skoda be as reliable as my Accent?

1st Feb 2001, 13:10

The reliability of Skoda Octavia is the same as the reliability of VW golf, Bora, Seat Toledo - which means not very good if you compare it with reliability of Japanese cars, it is even poorer than cars from Fiat and Renault.

But the Octavia drives much, much better than the Accent, Megane or Marea!

16th Feb 2001, 10:14

I too had problems with my 1998, 1.6 GLi Octavia. The boot locking mechanism is a known problem with this model.

Two ECU's had to be replaced.

The nearside rear passenger doorlock failed.

Transmission problems occured with second gear being difficult to engage.

Water ingress affected both boot and bonnet badges.

The driver's door window came loose in its runners.

And finally, the seats were the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in.

1st Apr 2001, 15:20

I have owned a Seat Toledo TdiSe bhp 110 for just over a year. I have done about 37.000 miles in it. I am thrilled with it and there is not even a squeak or a rattle. The car has been 100% reliable. Alas I plan to keep it a long time. The Toledo was assembled in Belgium in the V.W. factory. I have owned other V.W. cars before and have had excellent reliability. The new Seat Toledo is a lovely looking car and it is so comfortable and quiet. On average most of the new made by V.W. are good.

12th Apr 2001, 10:10

I'm driving a new Skoda and true enough the 2nd gear is difficult to engage as compared to the rest which is smooth. To think taht all this while I've been blaming the wife for screwing up the 2nd gear shift point...

Otherwise absolutely no complaints about the car. This car is many, many, many times better than my previous one.

12th Apr 2001, 10:17

Somehow I'm not sure you are a genuine owner.

You say you drive the auto but find difficulty in engaging second gear? Help me but something doesn't connect here.

If I did not know any better, I'd say you are a fake and trying to destroy the reputation of the Skoda dealer here in competitive Singapore auto market.

If you are really having problems with the organisation, then call up the Managing Director himsaelf, Jimmy Lim at the Ubi offfice and if he is there he'll take your call. I've done it countless times.

13th Apr 2001, 23:27

The Skoda models available here are built where? In which country?

I'm also concerned whether the Classic's engine (55kw) can adequately pull the car as compared to the engine available in the other trim levels (74kw)

It's a shame that you cannot opt for a Classic with the features available in the Elegance model because the classic model seems to be the most value-for-money of them.

14th Apr 2001, 03:49

I drive the 55kw Classic and it suits my driving style perfectly. The car is large but the torque figures are rather high. At 135Nm that is some pulling effort especially with an 8 valve engine. The torque also comes in early at between 2000~3200rpm. That is where most of my driving occur.

The car is made in Czech Republic.

If you are a Singaporean and want to find first hand drivers review, you can email me: gendut@asiaone.com.

30th Apr 2001, 00:04

Any inputs on the cost of owning the car? How much is the normal servicing, fuel consumption on Singapore roads?

1st May 2001, 10:59

I think that the Octavia Elegance 1.8T is definitely a good car to buy. Rated at 150 Bhp, it is considered quite a powerful car.

I have notice that JTA had priced the car too high to be attractive. At 115k for a 1.8 T (A), I would have more choice to choose. Eg. Mit Galant. I bet JTA must have made at least a cool 25 to 30k from each car.

- Octavia Fan. (Underdog supporter)

Why would one choose to buy a Octavia than an other made, not forgetting that Skoda is a very new and yet to be proven brand? JTA, please make your pricing more competitive, do not kill your own market.

1st May 2001, 11:09

I have not had the car serviced yet as I'm still running in the engine. It is now at 5000km. I intend to do the first service at 10000kms. I did not key in the wrong figures here. I really mean 10000kms. As I understand, the tolerances for VW engines are quite close and therefore require longer running in periods.

During initial periods of owning the car the mileage that I got was around 10.5km/l. Then as I went further the fuel consumption got better to 10.8km/l. Now it stands at 11.5~11.8km/l.

But just giving you an example here: normal Japanese cars require changing oils every 5000/10000kms but the VW engines are specified for 15000km. That is 50% savings. And you do not need to change plugs every time you change oils.

Another less well known fact is that you can top up the tank to the limit, then drive around for 300km and find the needle only dropped to the 3/4 mark. All legal without any modifications at all. Imagine your savings using foreign petrol. Want to know more then ask more...

23rd May 2001, 10:14

Previous comment is very, very wrong (about Japanese cars)!

First, no Japanese car must change oil every 5 or 10000km, the oil is changing every 15000 or on the youngest models at 20000 km.

Your example is not right because you did not write that Japanese cars have much, much less breakdowns (every statistic will told you that) than any other car. So if you consider this I think owning a Japanese car is very smart and reliable decision!!