[safari_lover]

I test drove the Rapid today. Following are my observations.

- The engine is powerful. The 2nd and 3rd gears above 2000 rpm are addictive.
- Car gains speeds quickly
- Didn't do any corners but lane changes at high speeds did not disturb the composure
- Engine is very silent at idle. I had to double check if it was running.
- Clutch and gearbox are easy to operate.
- High speed noise is acceptable

Overall I liked the car and the Rider variant comes across as very VFM at ~9.1L. I am planning to book one.

Only drawback was that the executive said they can't fix the Touch screen infotainment system in the Rider variant.

[DeKay]

Originally Posted by safari_lover

Only drawback was that the executive said they can't fix the Touch screen infotainment system in the Rider variant.

Don't worry about that - Once you get the car, find a dealer that can supply an RCD340 or RCD360 to you - it's a 2 minute plug and play job. Hit me up if you can't find anyone, I replaced my Vento's HU with an RCD340G Plus last year, I'll give you the contact details of the guy who sourced mine.

[Turbohead]

Originally Posted by Nithesh_M

They say it is a 5 seater but is it really wider than a Polo though? Would there be any leg space behind a 6 foot 3 driver with the seat all the way back?

Rapid owners feel free to chime in. Also is the driver's seat spacious for a 6 foot 3 guy?

We have a Vento at home. While legroom isn't a issue, width definitely is. 3 well built adults at the back will surely complain after a few hours. We compensate by switching seats every few hours while changing drivers. A very comfortable 4 seater though.

Please take your family along and check the rear seat width with every other car. The saving grace is that there are no contours in the middle portion which frees up some space to sit properly. Last time we checked, this was an issue in the Honda City as well! If you have kids, they wouldn't complain much I guess.

[ankitsharma]

Can we fix the projector setup from higher variants ? Alloys are anyways sorted.

Originally Posted by safari_lover

I test drove the Rapid today. Following are my observations.

- The engine is powerful. The 2nd and 3rd gears above 2000 rpm are addictive.
- Car gains speeds quickly
- Didn't do any corners but lane changes at high speeds did not disturb the composure
- Engine is very silent at idle. I had to double check if it was running.
- Clutch and gearbox are easy to operate.
- High speed noise is acceptable

Overall I liked the car and the Rider variant comes across as very VFM at ~9.1L. I am planning to book one.

Only drawback was that the executive said they can't fix the Touch screen infotainment system in the Rider variant.

[Nithesh_M]

Originally Posted by ankitsharma

Can we fix the projector setup from higher variants ? .

No. Not officially but unofficially you can. Will void warranty.

[safari_lover]

Originally Posted by ankitsharma

Can we fix the projector setup from higher variants ? Alloys are anyways sorted.

I don't think projector setup can be fixed. Not officially anyways.

[Gannu_1]

Originally Posted by ankitsharma

Can we fix the projector setup from higher variants ? Alloys are anyways sorted.

You can fix practically anything you have on the higher variants of the car into the entry level variants but most dealerships may not take the pains to do it even if you are willing to pay the costs since it requires a whole lot of parts which they are not readily aware of, their technicians will have to spend a lot of time going through the wiring diagrams from the online systems, sourcing each and every part from the nearest parts depot, assuring factory fitment (which won't happen in all certainty especially with wiring harness), warranty issues etc.

[Vampirevipin]

Originally Posted by Nifty.Nishy

Thank you, I'm excited about this.

Overall I loved the car and felt connected with it, so went ahead and booked it. This is going to be my mile-muncher/ghat-farer/touring-partner for the foreseeable future.

Congrats Nishy. Its a fantastic deal, there aren't any major features that I would miss from the higher variants.
My thoughts on the upgrades you have planned,
A) Head Unit : I wouldn't change the OE head unit. I always prefer Google Maps on my phone than the GPS in my head unit.
B) Alloy Wheels : As you rightly said, OE alloys are designed and tested extensively. Maybe you can pick up OE alloys from an after market dealer

Happy motoring

[ankitsharma]

I thought that Skoda is providing OE alloys as an official accessory. Vw is providing it though .

Originally Posted by Vampirevipin

Congrats Nishy. Its a fantastic deal, there aren't any major features that I would miss from the higher variants.
My thoughts on the upgrades you have planned,
A) Head Unit : I wouldn't change the OE head unit. I always prefer Google Maps on my phone than the GPS in my head unit.
B) Alloy Wheels : As you rightly said, OE alloys are designed and tested extensively. Maybe you can pick up OE alloys from an after market dealer

Happy motoring

[Nithesh_M]

The OEM alloys that Skoda says will sell for 50k, is that the same alloy on the regular variants of the Rapid? I would take the Onyx/Monte Carlo alloys if it was optional.

[nacd80]

Originally Posted by Nifty.Nishy

Overall I loved the car and felt connected with it, so went ahead and booked it. This is going to be my mile-muncher/ghat-farer/touring-partner for the foreseeable future.

Hearty Congratulations!
I am also looking for a test drive before deciding further. The limited amount of reviews on Youtube have helped a bit.
I spoke the dealer in Pune got to know that there is no exchange bonus/ Corporate discount on the Rider. You do get it on the next variants for Rapid. Did you manage to get any?

[Nifty.Nishy]

Originally Posted by Vampirevipin

Congrats Nishy.

B) Alloy Wheels : As you rightly said, OE alloys are designed and tested extensively. Maybe you can pick up OE alloys from an after market dealer

Originally Posted by ankitsharma

I thought that Skoda is providing OE alloys as an official accessory. Vw is providing it though .

Originally Posted by Nithesh_M

The OEM alloys that Skoda says will sell for 50k, is that the same alloy on the regular variants of the Rapid? I would take the Onyx/Monte Carlo alloys if it was optional.

When I checked with the dealership regarding alloys he quoted the following in case of buy back:
1. Ambition (15 inches): INR 30,000
2. Onyx (16 inches): INR 80,000

Skoda, more or less like any other company is known for finding out ways around the warranty, the last thing I would want to do is let my warranty go void. So I'm going to stick to the same dealership.
The Onyx clubbers look fab, but a bit too much on the pocket for me at this time. I guess Monte Carlo alloys also must be available.

Originally Posted by nacd80

Hearty Congratulations!

I spoke with the dealer in Pune got to know that there is no exchange bonus/ Corporate discount on the Rider. You do get it on the next variants for Rapid. Did you manage to get any?

Nope, I checked for Corporate discount, but nothing on the Rider variant. Clearly Skoda has very thoughtfully laid out this variant, Simply Clever!

[Nithesh_M]

Wow 80 grand for those alloys? Do they atleast come with proper 16" tyres? If not then one might aswell buy the Onyx Rapid then

[AtheK]

I suggest you wait out a few months, and soon you will have OE alloys on sale on OLX/Local shops. You will easily get them for 4-5K an alloy, and maybe cheaper.

[ankitsharma]

I checked the skoda website, just curious to know more details and this is what I found. Rider does not have any airbags as well as no security system . This was shocking for me.