New Skoda Octavia vRS rip off?

[Dickster]

I have just taken out the new Octavia vRS this morning and very nice it is too. Really liked it to drive (though the seats are having a bit of a conflict with, erm, themselves) and would have considered it as a replacement for my 4 year old vRS.

But.....

I cannot see how or why it is £2000 more than my model with a lesser spec sheet? You don't even get 4 electric windows or climate control standard now (this costs £450).

I thought this would happen though. I hate VW, BMW and Audi for charging too much for everything and I guess the people at VW are doing the same with Skoda now that it has shaken some of it's image off. Problem is Skoda are supposed to be a value brand. I think now, having looked at their other models and prices, this cannot be said anymore.

I won't be buying the new vRS and I'm quite sad that Skoda are losing some of it's unique trading values due to the usual German greed. They will shoot themselves in the foot if they're not careful..... and I don't get to have the car I would like.

[Saied]

Not just the VAG group, though. I had to stump up £1000 for basic air conditioning on my Civic Type R. An essential requirement for Nighthawk Black and more glass area than you`d find on a greenhouse.

I think BMW used to charge extra for a stereo in the 3 series not too many years ago.

[elwe]

Air Con was standard on my Fabia when it was new.

Central locking, well that was £150 extra. Crazy.

[Andrew Noakes]

Saied said:

BMW used to charge extra for a stereo in the 3 series

That's a cliche perpetuated by magazine writers who can't be bothered to think. Most German car manufacturers used to charge extra for a stereo, because German drivers liked to choose their own. Which makes a lot of sense.

[agent006]

Andrew Noakes said:

Saied said: BMW used to charge extra for a stereo in the 3 series That's a cliche perpetuated by magazine writers who can't be bothered to think. Most German car manufacturers used to charge extra for a stereo, because German drivers liked to choose their own. Which makes a lot of sense.

Doesn't mean it's not true though. E36 3 series had stereo as an option in the UK too.

[Andrew Noakes]

agent006 said:

Doesn't mean it's not true

Indeed, but quoting it as an example of BMW's stinginess is misguided.

[LongQ]

Ah yes, but IMHO it all helped the BMW image of virtually nil depreciation in the days before company car fleets ventured far outside Ford/Vauxhall/BL.

I remember driving past a BMW dealer (they were small in size and number back then) near Virginia Water and seeing used cars (3 series) on the forecourt with sticker prices up to a grand higher than list. ('80s prices, so about 4 or 5 grand equivalent spend today ... price comparisons from here on suggested at 'today' values.)

Why? I asked myself.

Then is struck me that these cars probably had about 5 grand worth of extras on them ("Now, did you want a sterring wheel with that sir? Yes? How about road wheels?" so at 9 months old they were not really retailing at a grand over list but at 4 grand under true list on the road list - which would be quite a hefty chunk of depreciation. Give the dealer a margin as well, say 3 grand, and the 'hold their price in the first year' story looks a little dishevelled.

Still, people who bought them back then wanted to believe they got a really good deal and, if they were dicussing percentages, probably did. In hard cash terms there was no difference to the costs of a Sierra in my estimations, other than the cost of the higher investment for the BMW.

But it all helped to build the image because people wanted to believe they had made a sound investment and readily projected their views to anyone who would listen.

Or am I being too cynical?

[Skodaku]

Have to agree that the new Octavia vRS is getting pricey for a Skoda, but not when you compare it to the donor VW Golf GTi which is even dearer. Way of the world I'm afraid. I'm waiting for the diesel Octavia vRS before I part with my brilliant Fabia vRS. Skoda owner and delighted.