Originally Posted by kumarsiddhi (Post 2592949)

First thing i checked was the ICE and it was disappointing to say the least. My standards or demands are not very high and i find my current stock ICE in Fiesta 1.6S as benchmark. When i compare the stock ICE in Rapid it is far poor. One reason is the speakers themselves are sub standard and my guess is that they are the round speakers not even a decent 6X9 but am not sure if replacing the speakers will solve the problem. I demanded the SA about what could be a solution to this and first he said we can replace the speakers and then later once we were back to the showroom and he consulted the specialists the feedback was that one needs to replace the HU and speakers both for a better quality sound (so they accepted that the stock ICE is indeed sub standard). Also there is no trade-in meaning i need to pay full money for a new ICE and throw away the current system. What i forgot to ask was how and where will they fit the new speakers considering they'll have to be 6X9 as the current speakers are on the doors and it could be a limitation as probably the doors can only accommodate round speakers and not Oval.

Can more knowlegable people throw light on the capability of the stock HU in Rapid as if it's not capable enough then upgrading speakers will not help. What are the options? Just to add a bit more, on the stock ICE i felt the bass range was very good (the speakers were falling short of the need though) however the treble range was very short and did not give good sound quality. Obviously as the volume went up the speakers gave way.

If some ICE expert / audiophile checks out the Rapid, request to put up an evaluation and suggestions on what could be done to improve it.

Originally Posted by rxpaul (Post 2592879)

Hi Turbo. You rapidly got a Rapid on 22nd Nov, but what happened to the driving impressions....and what about some photos. We rapidly need this please:

Originally Posted by kumarsiddhi (Post 2592949)

Finally got the chance to check out the Rapid yesterday at TAFE on Hosur road, Bangalore. I will not go into the general feedback that has been covered here already, but something more specific to what i felt during the test drive and will seek opinions from other members on this forum.
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If some ICE expert / audiophile checks out the Rapid, request to put up an evaluation and suggestions on what could be done to improve it.

Originally Posted by LL4X4 (Post 2593175)

All,

After much going around and couple of cancelled bookings :-) i have decided to go with -RED Rapid Ambition MPI (Elegance is ideal, but out of Budget).

The question for all gurus here is comparing petrol to petrol and given all the A.S.S
would this be better over Sunny.

Originally Posted by Vid6639 (Post 2592994)

For me number one would be driving feel and not ICE. I would never consider the ICE as a deal breaker. No point in having good ICE in a car that doesn't drive well.

Ford is the only manufacturer that uses 5X7 oval speakers on doors as a result the audio has a bit more bass. It's not a great sounding unit but you feel it's better because of the extra thump.

In the Rapid you have a standard 4 door speaker arrangement. Sedan's usually have speakers on the rear parcel shelf like 6X9 ovals. These give good bass. This is not the case in Rapid and Vento.

I definitely think there is no need to change the HU if you are looking for slightly better sound. Unless you want to add an amp and subwoofer the HU shouldn't need to be changed. A set of better speakers like components on the front doors and round coaxials on the rear doors should improve sound.

There may not be any buy back option but it will be fairly easy to sell the Skoda original unit online or ask the dealer if someone wants a HU on the ambition variant. A buyer for the Ambition variant may be interested in buying the one from elegance if at all you want to change it.

Originally Posted by kumarsiddhi (Post 2593360)

In my Fiesta the speakers are not on the door but on the panel behind the rear seat and probably that's the reason for accommodating better speakers. I have sat in many sedans and i think Fiesta's ICE is best in the entire C segment category.

Did you try the ICE in Rapid? because where i'm not sure and need your help is wether the system is capable or not? Also do you think if i leave the current speakers and add two more 6X9 and tweeters would improve the sound quality

Originally Posted by Vid6639 (Post 2593368)

In the Fiesta the front speakers are on the door i.e. 5"X7" ovals and the rear has it on the parcel tray. Usually the front doors are 6" round speakers. Only Ford uses oval speakers for the doors as well.

In the Rapid all 4 doors have round speakers probably 6". If you add a 2 more 6X9's on the rear tray, it will be overkill and your entire sound stage will move the rear. You can only upgrade the speakers up front and probably disconnect the rear door speakers and keep them as dummy. Then add rear 6X9's on the rear tray. But this will involve cutting metal to fit the oval speakers.

Originally Posted by ajitmoses (Post 2593045)

I am by no means an ICE expert but if you are looking at Fiesta Stock ICE kinda performance, a speaker upgrade with a good amp will definitely sound better. I am waiting for my Ambition to be delivered but I have already bought the ICE. My setup is as follows. Infinity Reference 6032cf - Rear, Infinity 609CS - Front, Infinity Reference 475a Amplifier.

Originally Posted by ebonho (Post 2592095)

Can you share the basic points as to Why please?

Originally Posted by nishanth.shegde (Post 2593943)

I took a test drive of Rapid TDI Ambition last Sunday. Tafe Access in Bangalore seems to have kept the Ambition variant for test drive instead of the top end Elegance. The Elegance is for display only. Overall, a good car I should say. Booked a Black one. Also, the booking amount paid was 25K only. The sales guy asked for 50K but when I pushed for 25K, he agreed.clap:

Originally Posted by LL4X4 (Post 2593175)

All,

After much going around and couple of cancelled bookings :-) i have decided to go with -RED Rapid Ambition MPI (Elegance is ideal, but out of Budget).
.

Originally Posted by LL4X4 (Post 2594404)

All, My booking and loan process has already started the dealer has agreed to deliver the car tomorrow (1 Dec)

Originally Posted by LL4X4 (Post 2594404)

All, My booking and loan process has already started the dealer has agreed to deliver the car tomorrow (1 Dec) clap: time to go thru the PDI check list any pointer welcome.

Also I would prefer to change the tires to Michelin any recommendations and suggestions please: