General Comments:
I have the Comfort High-line with 2 airbags, Climatronic AC, all electrical windows, ABS, EBD ESP, 6 speed AT transmission, Bluetooth, cruise control, stereo controls in wheel, MP3 CD player and panoramic sunroof.
The car is roomy especially in the back, but is not wide enough, so 3 adults can't sit comfortably in the back.
Back has 3 rear seats, but the middle one does not move front and back.
The driver's area is an exact copy of the new Fabia, and just as small.
The engine is strong enough, but a bit noisy.
I like my car (not love it!!) after spending on it twice what I paid on my previous Chinese car, I expected to get twice the value, but I didn't.
Things I like in the car:
1- The above options I mentioned.
2- The car is very stable, and with ESP it is very very difficult to lose control of. I took very tight bends on 90 kms that would have flipped over my previous car.
3- The size inside is great for the back passengers. My kids can play on the floor.
4- Boot size is good. I move a big executive style chair once in the car. I would have needed a van for that.
5- The car is not long, 4.2 meters only, so it can park in relatively tight space.
6- The AC is great.
7- Audio system is great.
Things I dislike in the car:
1- The car is not at all soft like my wife's Daihatsu Sirion. I get a lot of noise from the suspension and the engine.
2- The engine is "a little" underpowered for overtaking.
3- For a family car, it has some not-family friendly features. For one, you can't lock all the car doors from the inside. Even when you lock the car, any body can pull the handle twice and the door will open. Twice on the highway my youngest opened the door while playing in the handle. Now I had to use a child lock on the back doors, which I never needed to use in my previous cars.
4- The fuel cap doesn't have a separate switch. You must lock it by the ignition key. Now I leave it unlocked all the time :(
5- Seatbelt locks are placed awkwardly. I struggle each time I have to put the seatbelt on my daughters or mother.
6- Front driver area is a little tight.
I think a Seat Altea XL would have been a better choice for me. But at 40,000 EGP extra and no ESP option in Egypt, I believe I got the best for my money.
Still, a softer suspension and less cabin noise would have made this a much better car.
Skoda reliability?... Maybe
Skoda refinement?... Not really.
12th Aug 2010, 06:59
"One of the rear fog lights not working"???
Like most European cars, and as required by law, there is only one rear fog light.
"3 adults can't sit comfortably in the back."???
No car in this class can seat 3 adults comfortably in the back.
"Back has 3 rear seats, but the middle one does not move front and back."???
The Roomster is possibly the only car where ANY rear seat moves back and forward.
"Twice what I paid for my previous Chinese car, I expected to get twice the value, but I didn't"???
You now have 5 star crash safety., ABS, ESP etc. How safe was your Chinese car?
"2- The car is very stable, and with ESP it is very very difficult to lose control of."
That's partly why you paid more than for your Chinese car!
"For one, you can't lock all the car doors from the inside. Even when you lock the car, any body can pull the handle twice and the door will open. Twice on the highway my youngest opened the door while playing in the handle."
That's why there are child locks. Why would you lock adults in a car?
"Still, a softer suspension and less cabin noise would have made this a much better car"???
Unless you pay a lot more than Roomster money, you cannot have soft suspension as well as stability.
"Skoda refinement?... Not really"???.
You want Skoda refinement - buy a Skoda Superb!