A vintage car I had undoubtedly can run many kilometers with pleasure

On 01-02-14 I started at my current employer. The arduous task of picking out a car retired from that point on me. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to use a "leading car". At 24-01 I had delivered a Seat Ibiza ST 1.2 TDI on my driveway. And what a! Brand new. Issued with 35 km in Friesland and transported from there to my hometown. I had delivered the car to 249 km. Finally got a small 8000 km ride with him. All this satisfactorily.

In the meantime I was looking for a permanent car, my car! Well, where do you start. I have previously always driven cars. Not depreciated cars, but always bought the original brand dealer, a few years old, low mileage ... summarized: fresh cars. Now I was the possibility for the first time to look for a completely new car. Very nice course!

I grew up with Volkswagen. My father drove these cars in my youth: VW Golf I, VW Golf II CL VW Golf II Manhattan, Atlanta VW Golf III, VW Golf III Variant Rolling Stones, VW Passat B5, VW Passat B6 (current). I myself have sat behind the wheel from the Golf III Variant. This is the first car a VW Lupo and the second car have driven a VW Bora is therefore not completely out of the blue. Now I had the opportunity to choose a new car was the first choice: looking for a new VW! From my employer I was given a budget with + = diesel fuel choice. After an exploration of the VW website I quickly came to the conclusion that it was not him. My first choice, a VW Jetta, was too expensive. My second choice, a VW Golf, was also too expensive. I'm not the type was only satisfied with full-option and at least 18 "rim, but the Gulf is so fast an expensive car. A Golf Trendline 1.6 TDI + Metallic paint and 16" wheel sits around the E30.000. Then you have no center armrest, leather steering wheel and cruise control. For this you must select the Comfortline package. Unfortunately, the gulf is too pricey. The Jetta obviously so bad off immediately.

The Seat Ibiza ST, I have gained a pleasant driving experience. Look at Seat then. The Ibiza ST and the Leon include at least a possibility. I made a test drive with the Seat Leon 1.6 TDI hatchback. Not a bad car, nothing wrong with it ... but then I did not care. Difficult to put into words what actually is wrong with it, but there was no smile on my face. I find the car quite cramped and the decor is not my taste. The sporty image attracts me not. The Ibiza ST I find more friendly eyes, which is ultimately a much sympatiekere car. However, I had quite some mileage twisted it, so I did not like to choose this car himself. Seat falls off ...

My brother meanwhile rode his second Skoda Octavia. I rode several times in both cars and was pleasantly surprised! Solid, dependable, sober, cleverly designed and not too expensive. Mmm, maybe I had to once again seriously looking at a Skoda. I'm going to look at a Skoda Octavia hatchback. A vintage car I had undoubtedly can run many kilometers with pleasure. In the showroom, however, was also the then new Skoda Rapid Space Back. Hey, that looks like fun! The smaller brother of the Octavia, but with a very spacious interior. I wanted to test drive it. That was quickly arranged, the dealer, after all, was the eager to put the new model on the road. I immediately had a click with the car. I saw myself immediately into driving with a beautiful Race Blue metallic paint and 17 "spoked rim Fun Let's see what's on and sit on the Elegance Business Line, we opted for the options key for me.!. Cruise Control, center armrest, leather steering wheel (including controls), Climatronic and "Amundsen" navigation. the car is ordered with the 1.6 TDI (105 hp) as motorization.

After a good two months waiting for the vehicle is provided. the car looks great, both inside and out. I am very happy with the color, package selection and motorization. the interior is amazing. he is well equipped, comfort deserves a big compliment. the rear parking sensors and heated seats are nice extras, but were not decisive in the package choice. Although I must say that I the seat heating in the winter surely find a very nice option. the heat radiates nicely to the lower back out. After a day of work is still very tasty. The performances are perfectly fine, he is smooth (even with my quiet driving style), efficient (brought already have a ride with a combined consumption of 1 to 26, this was highway mileage and have driven at normal speeds) and fine suspended; firm, but still comfortable.

For the time being very satisfied with the Skoda!

The reliability and running course, I can not say anything, but I need this to fill the site. I've had no luck and need to carry out maintenance, therefore all outstanding :).

Update on request:

Why the Rapid?

Rapid I liked at first sight immediately like, he just gave me a good feeling. Lovely, lovely to see. Of course I have watched more cars. For example, the Skoda Octavia, VW Golf VII VW Jetta, Seat Leon. Each and nice cars. However, if you want these cars drive like they are quite a bit more expensive. A VW Polo, Seat Ibiza etc I really too small (at least 5 years of driving in an A4 type B6), this category also fell quickly. Eventually, all the considerations put aside and just followed my heart!

Compare Rapid vs. Ibiza

Rapid you can in my opinion not really compare with the Ibiza (ST). For the Rapid I briefly (about 8000km) drove a Seat Ibiza ST. Also I had a click with. Comfortable, practical car. The Rapid is only really a lot broader front, rear seat is from another planet, trunk space is about the same (slightly smaller than the Ibiza ST emotionally). Construction of Skoda I find beautiful. The materials all feel just a bit stronger and better constructed to. It rattles and squeaks absolutely nothing in the Skoda. That was at the Seat yet less well off.

Compare vs. 1.2 TDI 1.6 TDI

The SEAT Ibiza ST 1.2 TDI with I felt just fine motorized. The car was nice ahead on the highway the engine was fine. The power of 75 hp is obviously not impressive, but the torque of 180 NM made sure you did fine in your place. The cold engine sounds very raw in the first three gears, a temperature that is slightly better ... but he does not really sound nice. Consumption I found it disappointing. I drive quiet, yet I have only achieved an average consumption of 4.7 / 100km. With Rapid I get that too easy, only the heavier, faster and equipped with 17 ". Yet remarkable! The 1.6 TDI has a nice torque of 250 nm, which makes the Rapid pretty smoothly without you bother to have to do. Over 1.6 (4-cylinder) is also much better than the 1.2 (3-cylinder). Cold also some raw, once temperature you notice little more diesel.

DSG vs manual

No, I have not considered the DSG. I think DSG very nice ride, but expensive. I've never had any problems with a manual gearbox, it gives me a good feeling and control over the car. Nothing wrong with that!
20 000 (20 328 km)

Last week I put the first 20.000km on counter. Meanwhile, I have the car, of course, know better. To immediately fall to the point: I'm still very satisfied Rapid rider.

The engine has become quieter, the gearbox / clutch less stiff. The car now rides better compared to a few months back. I ride mostly long stretches of highway. Since the car is fine in his sas. The 1.6 TDI remains truly amazed at his strength and flexibility. It makes the Rapid quite smooth car. If the block is cold it is really a diesel, but once up to temperature and at cruise speed is that noise away.

I have to date not fault vwb comfort. On reliability, I must mention one point; I stood by the side of the road :( (and with a new car!) That's the first time in my car career. On the A16 (Dordrecht, bridge) engine protection plate came down. caught by the wind scraped the plate over the asphalt. Luckily I was able quickly to the emergency lane to get me there by Rijkswaterstaat to help. Typically, I do not rather have hit the asphalt with the nose (eg. thresholds). the bottom is therefore completely without damage. in further investigation while mounting a new protective plate, by the dealer, revealed that the first had not stuck properly, so the wind was sufficient to eventually become detached from the plate. Too bad and annoying, but all resolved neatly. Since then, the plate is stuck and will come off no longer :)

The car is completely rattle-free, as expected, does looks nice, has lots of interior space, smooth ... what more could you want? If there is one point could be better: the brake system. The rear drum brakes are ok, but do not offer the same braking comfort as 4 x drive around. Had this car, with its performance, not done wrong.

On to the next km's!
Almost 70,000 (68,763 km)

Meanwhile, we are already almost two years together and almost 70,000 km. Skoda has had two maintenance visits. The car will not budge. I do not have any craziness. Start it. No error messages, nothing. Delicious, Skoda wins my confidence. I'm still satisfied in terms of handling. A short sum:

+ Motors: Pull continues to impress. He is firmly off. The first 20.6 on nearly 70,000 km consumption I find very neat with a combined consumption. I drive the car always calm warm. When the engine is cold, I certainly did not get above 2500 rpm out. If I want to warm the engine to do some further by pulling in lanes, it goes really well off.
+ Comfort: The interior, seats, navigation, stereo is desired. I do not get tired in the car. I find it a great travel companion.
+ Space: Lots of space. That gives a nice feeling. Children in the back seat not touch the chairs, delicious.

- Brakes: As mentioned earlier, I think back not quite fit the drum brakes on the car. Therefore, the motorization is too sharply. Write Rear brakes would make the car more honor.
- Insulation: The 1.6 TDI calls, especially in cold temperatures, sometimes a little too much into the interior.
- Turn Indicator: sits in the dashboard, not invisible, processes a shift indicator. If you would really turn on this indicator driving comfort would be pretty suffer. According to the indicator would at + - must shift up to 70 km / h to 5. This drive really not good. At 80 km / h upshift is much better. Then turns the car around the 1500 rpm, still very low (and economical enough). I think there is a better balance between comfort and fuel-efficient driving should be implemented in the software. Now the scales tip towards economy.
- Diesel Gate: My 1.6 TDI is unfortunately also features the "sjoemelsoftware". He runs no less, but a pity it is.