BenGTI - -Do Skodas have a better reputation now...
They are rated highly in the UK. Many to be seen in towns, Octavias and Superbs running as taxis with the diesels on 150k miles onwards. The best of it is that there are no more Skoda jokes, except for those folk who think that they are rubbish..hehee - little do they know!
I have a Mk1 Fabia VRS (1.9 diesel turbo) and it really is excellent. Done 33K miles now and 5 1/2 years old. Looking to change, to either an Octavia VRS or Veedub GT diesel. Hopefully a DSG transmission.
Cheers
Clive