Is it worth it buying a Skoda anymore?

rahul_intlad · 1st October 2006, 20:23

Regarding the airbags thing check this merc airbag deployment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goHMRXryeMA

Rtech · 2nd October 2006, 10:12

I think Harrie answered why the seatbelts have to be changed. Not unique to Skoda, but for any car with pretensioners.

Drivers airbag is basically the steering boss itself. It comes as one piece which in a 2 minute swap (but costs about 45K)!

Quote:

However, Rtechs with a much lesser level of damage had both its airbags deployed.

The damage may not have been much, but the impact was pretty darn hard! Frontal damage was restricted because of the strong front cross members the car has. However the speed of deceleration and force of the impact are what caused the airbags to deploy.

Yes, it is really expensive to fix, but I'd rather have a lighter wallet than physical injuries which may last a lifetime.

ajmat · 2nd October 2006, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

Drivers airbag is basically the steering boss itself. It comes as one piece which in a 2 minute swap (but costs about 45K)!
.

And there is a thriving market in stolen air-bag canisters abroad

sandeep108 · 3rd October 2006, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

Yes, it is really expensive to fix, but I'd rather have a lighter wallet than physical injuries which may last a lifetime.

I agree, but that is only so far as owner driven cars go. What about driver driven cars? Is the 'seth' going to spend 50-100k of re-fixing the airbags, et al.? The whole airbag system is quite complicated. It requires weight sensors on seats, seat belt pre-tensioner system, replacement of dash, etc. In more modern cars they have 6 or more airbags.

While I also chose the ZXI because of perceived added safety of airbags, are we correct in presuming airbags help? Anybody got some links to research/hard facts on the issue?

Edit: I do seem to have gone OT, moderators may delete or move to appropriate section as new thread.

ST7677 · 3rd October 2006, 12:40

With new insurance rates coming next year... good bye Petrol Skoda...
we will remember you for next 12 months...

navin · 3rd October 2006, 13:47

To be sure the service we got from Ichiban and Landmark (Honda) was as bad as Autobahn (Skoda). Still I dont see many European manufacturers making it big in India. Are we giving the Japs a longer rope?

I know that GM and Ford have had their issues, so have Fiat, Skoda and even Mercedes-Benz. Yet the Japs service has not been exactly exemplary.

Yet I dont know if even Mahindra will be able to make Peugeots as commercially susccessful as Honda, Toyota or Hyundai (have done with their cars - ok Hyundai have had a few lemons like the Elantra but not for lack of service).

Maybe it is that India (and in general Indinns are) is a market for the value-conscious. Maybe for such a market the Japanese/Kiorean products (light, fuel efficient) cars is perfect.

However forget within India but even when our brethern move to the US or UK or other foreign shores we prefer Hondas and Toyotas to BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes. There is no doubt that the driving pleasure of a SAAB (9-3) is far greater than that of a Sentra (Nissan) but how many of us are willing to sacrifice relaibility, service, etc.. for this extra edge.

Boom Shiva · 3rd October 2006, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST7677

With new insurance rates coming next year... good bye Petrol Skoda...
we will remember you for next 12 months...

Hey could you elaborate on that please? I haven't understood why insurance rates will kill the RS.

ST7677 · 3rd October 2006, 14:52

Cos, Spares and maintenance cost and how you drive the car form a deciding factor in insurance rates going forward...

Skoda = expensive spares, expensive maintenance,
Petrol = high BHP, high speed, owners with lot of Adrenaline [FONT=Arial][/FONT]
Color = Red , Yellow = racy colors & positioning of the car

lot of Adrenaline + racy car = high insurance...

Last 2 are true in general, not only for Skoda, but in case of Skoda high maintenance cost and expensive spares will add up a lot....

ajmat · 5th October 2006, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeep108

I agree, but that is only so far as owner driven cars go. What about driver driven cars? Is the 'seth' going to spend 50-100k of re-fixing the airbags, et al.? The whole airbag system is quite complicated. It requires weight sensors on seats, seat belt pre-tensioner system, replacement of dash, etc. In more modern cars they have 6 or more airbags.
.

Here is an interesting bulgarian alternative to airbags - linky

Boom Shiva · 5th October 2006, 10:17

I wonder what they use for helmets in Bulgaria...

sandeep108 · 5th October 2006, 10:45

So now only female drivers? and that too with adequate 'measurements'? I do think that will lead to more 'accidents'.

sumitdongerkery · 5th October 2006, 16:34

Guys!!!!!

But I am pretty comfortable with BSS and *** of JMD Skoda.. They have always attended to my grievances if any...

Maybe it's too early to conclude....

sandeep108 · 5th October 2006, 17:36

Hopefully things should improve with skoda. Their diesel car sales have moved in tandem with fuel prices and if you are happy with the dealer, good for you. Even I have been more than happy with my honda dealer, even though several people speak of horror stories. Even today, I just called to inquire about something and he remembered about old unsolved problem in my car.

Equus · 5th October 2006, 17:59

Check this out:

Skoda Sep sales up 37.62%
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/2078512.cms

vinaydas · 25th April 2009, 09:13

3 year old thread dude!! but the top still in hot discussion.
my answer is NO its not worth buying a skoda period.

View Poll Results: Is a Skoda worth buying anymore?
Yes - The strengths of the product outweigh the ownership headaches	67	23.51%
No - Service and Support matter to me as much as the car	218	76.49%
Voters: 285. You may not vote on this poll

3rd October 2006, 12:40	#155
ST7677 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,054 Thanked: 73 Times	With new insurance rates coming next year... good bye Petrol Skoda... we will remember you for next 12 months...
	() Thanks

3rd October 2006, 13:47	#156
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,185 Thanked: 9,275 Times	To be sure the service we got from Ichiban and Landmark (Honda) was as bad as Autobahn (Skoda). Still I dont see many European manufacturers making it big in India. Are we giving the Japs a longer rope? I know that GM and Ford have had their issues, so have Fiat, Skoda and even Mercedes-Benz. Yet the Japs service has not been exactly exemplary. Yet I dont know if even Mahindra will be able to make Peugeots as commercially susccessful as Honda, Toyota or Hyundai (have done with their cars - ok Hyundai have had a few lemons like the Elantra but not for lack of service). Maybe it is that India (and in general Indinns are) is a market for the value-conscious. Maybe for such a market the Japanese/Kiorean products (light, fuel efficient) cars is perfect. However forget within India but even when our brethern move to the US or UK or other foreign shores we prefer Hondas and Toyotas to BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes. There is no doubt that the driving pleasure of a SAAB (9-3) is far greater than that of a Sentra (Nissan) but how many of us are willing to sacrifice relaibility, service, etc.. for this extra edge.
	() Thanks

3rd October 2006, 14:52	#158
ST7677 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,054 Thanked: 73 Times	Cos, Spares and maintenance cost and how you drive the car form a deciding factor in insurance rates going forward... Skoda = expensive spares, expensive maintenance, Petrol = high BHP, high speed, owners with lot of Adrenaline [FONT=Arial][/FONT] Color = Red , Yellow = racy colors & positioning of the car lot of Adrenaline + racy car = high insurance... Last 2 are true in general, not only for Skoda, but in case of Skoda high maintenance cost and expensive spares will add up a lot....
	() Thanks

5th October 2006, 10:17	#160
Boom Shiva BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,055 Thanked: 18 Times	I wonder what they use for helmets in Bulgaria...
	() Thanks

5th October 2006, 10:45	#161
sandeep108 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,050 Thanked: 302 Times	So now only female drivers? and that too with adequate 'measurements'? I do think that will lead to more 'accidents'.
	() Thanks

5th October 2006, 16:34	#162
sumitdongerkery BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 166 Thanked: 82 Times View My Garage	Guys!!!!! But I am pretty comfortable with BSS and *** of JMD Skoda.. They have always attended to my grievances if any... Maybe it's too early to conclude....
	() Thanks

5th October 2006, 17:36	#163
sandeep108 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,050 Thanked: 302 Times	Hopefully things should improve with skoda. Their diesel car sales have moved in tandem with fuel prices and if you are happy with the dealer, good for you. Even I have been more than happy with my honda dealer, even though several people speak of horror stories. Even today, I just called to inquire about something and he remembered about old unsolved problem in my car.
	() Thanks

5th October 2006, 17:59	#164
Equus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 423 Times	Check this out: Skoda Sep sales up 37.62% http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/2078512.cms
	() Thanks

25th April 2009, 09:13	#165
vinaydas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,399 Thanked: 148 Times	3 year old thread dude!! but the top still in hot discussion. my answer is NO its not worth buying a skoda period.
	() Thanks