Skoda Laura- To buy or not

crazycars87 · 3rd December 2009, 16:14

Hi,
I am intending to buy a new laura. The two very important parameters are
1) Fun to drive
2) A.S.S

I have already test driven the 1.9 Manual and i found it to be good enough to satisfy the first point but it is the second point that worries me. even though i am from Delhi and there are around 7 showrooms,
none of the owners seem to be happy.
I have heard simple spare parts are not available readily and sometimes the car delivered is defective.
since skoda provides only a 2 year warranty , I am worried.
Also which model to go for, Elegance or Ambiente? I am intending to buy a diesel version only and has to be manual, hence these two models only.
Also which is teh best skoda showroom in Delhi?

Ajay · 3rd December 2009, 17:43

Hi,

Owning a Skoda (Octavia Not Laura)for some years now & having driven close to 1,10,000kms, I can say that some of my biggest concerns are the higher prices of spares & the frequency in which the spare part changes are required.But all things said, am a fan of the build quality & the way it has been holding out. No squeak or rattles on even the worst kind of roads.

Skoda now, insist on a 15,000Km service interval.Is Skoda offering any 3 years / 45,000 Kms maintenance scheme these days? Are you getting any year end discounts as well?

You have not listed any alternatives to your choice so looks like you have you're set on the Laura. Did you not think of the Cruze?

Cheers

n.devdath · 3rd December 2009, 17:49

As far as being "fun to drive" is concerned, the Laura will satisfy you, no doubt.
You need not look for other options. It is built like a tank, provides good fuel economy and is reliable.

Coming to the *** part, I would have certainly recommended a buy had you been in Bangalore as I personally know a lot of people at the Skoda dealership here and there would not have been any issues whatsoever, but yes, like you have mentioned, please enquire with people, not only on TBHP but at other places as well, do a field survey and then decide if you want to take the plunge.

Bomi · 3rd December 2009, 17:55

I have used my RS in Delhi/Gurgaon for 4 years and I never had any issues with Silvertone Motors at Okhala. Their service advisor Mr. Naidu is a decent chap. So is Ajit Singh the Service Manager. He may not be technically very sound but is great at kicking a** and getting things done.
On the other hand, I found Competent Motors at Mathura Road pathetic.
Bomi.

.anshuman · 3rd December 2009, 18:01

Laura is excellent car, no doubts about it. Skoda After sales service is bad and a Skoda is a very expensive to maintain. Its your choice.

crazycars87 · 3rd December 2009, 18:17

Hi,

Skoda is just giving a 2yrs/unlimited kms warranty which cannot be extended the last time i enquired. And they are not giving a single penny discount even at the end of the year. I hope they do give some in March.
The two other cars in my radar were cruze and jetta.
I feel GM is suddenly not very reliable,atleast for the time being and it also lacks in the irear passenger space department which is important.
The jetta i feel is a good compact and sturdy car but lacks that "X" factor

zaks · 4th December 2009, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycars87

Hi,
I am intending to buy a new laura. The two very important parameters are
1) Fun to drive
2) A.S.S

Look no further than the Swift VDI.

Sahil · 4th December 2009, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaks

Look no further than the Swift VDI.

He can buy 3 Swift VDi's wit his budget !

Get the Laura, its a great product. The Jetta is a great option too but it looks dated now in comparison to the face lifted Laura and Cruze. Besides the Jetta would be more expensive too. Do TD the cruze too before you decide.

theMAG · 4th December 2009, 11:14

With Skoda in India, the deciding factor will always be whether you know someone personally in a Skoda A.S.S who would ensure decent service for your car.

crazycars87 · 4th December 2009, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaks

Look no further than the Swift VDI.

The problem is I already have a swift vdi, so i am looking for some car which has to be a diesel and which is even better in terms of driving pleasure as compared to the swift. It's just the A.S.S of skoda that worries me. I have heard that their workshop makes people wait for long periods even for some simple spare part changes. Also that the salesmen are not customer centric once the car is sold to the customer.

capt.chandru · 4th December 2009, 23:43

Well, i suppose there are worse r problems with A.S.S than you ever imagined.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...rned-year.html

Do have a look at this thread. I would highly recommend you against the skoda.
but still the choice stays by you.

Good Luck

imp! · 5th December 2009, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt.chandru

Well, i suppose there are worse r problems with A.S.S than you ever imagined.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...rned-year.html

Do have a look at this thread. I would highly recommend you against the skoda.
but still the choice stays by you.

Good Luck

Cap'n AFAIK that particular dealers license has been revoked correct? I know in Bangalore the A$$ woes are, for the most part, non-existent, atleast since Vinayak Skoda showed up; The car is phenomenal value so don;t disregard it if there are reputed dealers in your city. Infact, I may be getting a Petrol Laura myself !

imp!

hillram · 5th December 2009, 12:50

I have a friend of mine whose Laura had the following problems after 1 year of owning:
- Leakes deveopped in the car and practically water was leaking from Front and rear windshield
- So called European CD player developped snags due to water leakage from internal perforations.
- ABS developped problems and wouldnt function well.
- Disc brakes calipers snapped after 10000km and had to be changed.

Skoda A.S.S refused to accept these faults and my friend had to spent considerable money from his pocket and finally sold off the Laura encountering a huge loss.
He says its a good riddance.

vkochar · 5th December 2009, 13:08

At 15 lacs ex showroom it is the best car to buy in terms of Fun and handling.

It's equipped very nicely.

Other options in your budget are the Civic & Corrolla and frankly speaking I'd choose the laura if not the corrolla.

The accord is a few lacs dearer.

The only point to keep in mind is the after sales service.

captainsokhi · 5th December 2009, 13:43

Laura is a really great car to go for... Fun to drive... diesel.... powerfull.... superbly built...
and if u want to have a little more fun, you can always have the petes box... :d

I have used the Octavia for about 3 years and still love the quality of it...
The only thing which was of concern to me was the pricey spares.
I have not had any big issues with the service here in Jalandhar except the prices of the spares. If high cost services dont bother youmuch, go ahead.

3rd December 2009, 16:14	#1
crazycars87 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: new delhi Posts: 9 Thanked: 0 Times	Skoda Laura- To buy or not Hi, I am intending to buy a new laura. The two very important parameters are 1) Fun to drive 2) A.S.S I have already test driven the 1.9 Manual and i found it to be good enough to satisfy the first point but it is the second point that worries me. even though i am from Delhi and there are around 7 showrooms, none of the owners seem to be happy. I have heard simple spare parts are not available readily and sometimes the car delivered is defective. since skoda provides only a 2 year warranty , I am worried. Also which model to go for, Elegance or Ambiente? I am intending to buy a diesel version only and has to be manual, hence these two models only. Also which is teh best skoda showroom in Delhi?
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 17:43	#2
Ajay BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: B'lore Posts: 147 Thanked: 5 Times	Hi, Owning a Skoda (Octavia Not Laura)for some years now & having driven close to 1,10,000kms, I can say that some of my biggest concerns are the higher prices of spares & the frequency in which the spare part changes are required.But all things said, am a fan of the build quality & the way it has been holding out. No squeak or rattles on even the worst kind of roads. Skoda now, insist on a 15,000Km service interval.Is Skoda offering any 3 years / 45,000 Kms maintenance scheme these days? Are you getting any year end discounts as well? You have not listed any alternatives to your choice so looks like you have you're set on the Laura. Did you not think of the Cruze? Cheers
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 17:49	#3
n.devdath BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,287 Thanked: 2,811 Times	As far as being "fun to drive" is concerned, the Laura will satisfy you, no doubt. You need not look for other options. It is built like a tank, provides good fuel economy and is reliable. Coming to the *** part, I would have certainly recommended a buy had you been in Bangalore as I personally know a lot of people at the Skoda dealership here and there would not have been any issues whatsoever, but yes, like you have mentioned, please enquire with people, not only on TBHP but at other places as well, do a field survey and then decide if you want to take the plunge.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 17:55	#4
Bomi BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 284 Thanked: 77 Times	I have used my RS in Delhi/Gurgaon for 4 years and I never had any issues with Silvertone Motors at Okhala. Their service advisor Mr. Naidu is a decent chap. So is Ajit Singh the Service Manager. He may not be technically very sound but is great at kicking a** and getting things done. On the other hand, I found Competent Motors at Mathura Road pathetic. Bomi.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 18:01	#5
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,064 Times View My Garage	Laura is excellent car, no doubts about it. Skoda After sales service is bad and a Skoda is a very expensive to maintain. Its your choice.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 18:17	#6
crazycars87 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: new delhi Posts: 9 Thanked: 0 Times	Hi, Skoda is just giving a 2yrs/unlimited kms warranty which cannot be extended the last time i enquired. And they are not giving a single penny discount even at the end of the year. I hope they do give some in March. The two other cars in my radar were cruze and jetta. I feel GM is suddenly not very reliable,atleast for the time being and it also lacks in the irear passenger space department which is important. The jetta i feel is a good compact and sturdy car but lacks that "X" factor
	() Thanks

4th December 2009, 11:14	#9
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	With Skoda in India, the deciding factor will always be whether you know someone personally in a Skoda A.S.S who would ensure decent service for your car.
	() Thanks

4th December 2009, 23:43	#11
capt.chandru BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 80 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	Well, i suppose there are worse r problems with A.S.S than you ever imagined. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...rned-year.html Do have a look at this thread. I would highly recommend you against the skoda. but still the choice stays by you. Good Luck
	() Thanks

5th December 2009, 12:50	#13
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	I have a friend of mine whose Laura had the following problems after 1 year of owning: - Leakes deveopped in the car and practically water was leaking from Front and rear windshield - So called European CD player developped snags due to water leakage from internal perforations. - ABS developped problems and wouldnt function well. - Disc brakes calipers snapped after 10000km and had to be changed. Skoda A.S.S refused to accept these faults and my friend had to spent considerable money from his pocket and finally sold off the Laura encountering a huge loss. He says its a good riddance.
	() Thanks

5th December 2009, 13:08	#14
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	At 15 lacs ex showroom it is the best car to buy in terms of Fun and handling. It's equipped very nicely. Other options in your budget are the Civic & Corrolla and frankly speaking I'd choose the laura if not the corrolla. The accord is a few lacs dearer. The only point to keep in mind is the after sales service.
	() Thanks

5th December 2009, 13:43	#15
captainsokhi BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Jalandhar, PUNJAB Posts: 171 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Laura is a really great car to go for... Fun to drive... diesel.... powerfull.... superbly built... and if u want to have a little more fun, you can always have the petes box... :d I have used the Octavia for about 3 years and still love the quality of it... The only thing which was of concern to me was the pricey spares. I have not had any big issues with the service here in Jalandhar except the prices of the spares. If high cost services dont bother youmuch, go ahead.
	() Thanks