SKODA ROOMSTER MPV REVIEW

My car

The first time I drove this car was march last year while I was learning to drive. My instructor had one of these and when he rolled up in it I wasn't to keen on it's looks. But it did take me by suprise as it was quicker than I expected it to be.

I passed my test in this car and after long dicussion with my wife we decided to trade in our dying citroen and buy one.

I bought a 1.4TDI (80bhp) Roomster 2 I think this is just as good at the 1.9TDI. What we both like about this car is the space somthing we didn't have in the old car.

My car

I bought a Roomster Scout 1.6 16v in Polar Blue at the end of 2007 as a second car to join my 8 year old Octavia which I use mainly for my business. The second car had to be a Skoda and I chose the Roomster over the new Fabia as I prefer the looks of the Roomster and the interior upholstery on the Scout is nicer than the midrange interiors on the Fabia. I can also fit my bike in the back of the Roomster which was a key selling point for me.

The car handles impressively well for a tall vehicle. Very good turn in and grip and nice fluid steering - a better driving experience than my Octavia. The only thing that lets that down a little is low down urge from the engine, although it is perfectly capable when you rev it hard. Overall the quality is very good, and although the doors do not quite have the same "hewn out of stone" feeling as the Octavia, the seat fabrics and materials used on the interior are all nice to touch.

I would certainly say the Scout model is the pick of the bunch as the exterior changes make the car look much more purposeful and the interior is nicer than the others in the range too. The Scout also comes with ESP as standard.

If Skoda update the range with newer TSI and common-rail TDI engines then this car would be nearly perfect!