What are your experiences with Skoda?

I was passenger in a Skoda Superb II, and it was superb. Quiet, comfortable, and as roomy as hell.

There are obviously big differences between contis, and what they want to achieve. It is similar with Japs. Some cars want to get you from A to B safely (for example the Golf, though it also tries to be fun as far as that doesn't compromise safety), while others are all about the fun (Seat Leon, though closely related to the Golf, is far more engaging to drive, and the F20 1 series BMW does fun rather well too, without sacrificing comfort). The French (Citroen and Renault) are more interested in comfort, while Peugeot is aiming for fun (and IMHO the 208 is great fun, I only had one for a day, but I think I fell in love a bit...). In terms of refinement I feel like VW spends the most in premium feeling materials and dampening, while the French are a bit more creative in creating an interesting and nice environment without having to spend too much. Seat and Skoda are more to a budget, though still far ahead of the Japs.

Keep in mind that Japanese brands tend to offer cars for the Asian market that they don't offer in Europe or some other more demanding areas (I wouldn't call the US demanding, they have other priorities like that the car needs to last forever, but it doesn't need to feel posh or well built. Big panel gaps? Who cares). The cars in Malaysia are meant to get you from A to B, somehow. Price is important, space is important. Fun, safety, not important. Posh feeling? Not important. (Of course the bigger, more expensive the car, the posher it is, generally speaking. Same applies for contis).

If you want the Conti feel in a Japanese car, I'd say your best bet is a Mazda. Lexus is good too. I've been in their small hybrid, and while it lacks the style, it is refined like a VW or above would be. The rear passengers don't sit as good though, it feels rather cheap back there.

I think Karenalvin is joking. What do you do as a religious person? You pray. Italian cars, being so unreliable (that's an outdated stereotype though, they aren't worse than others) will make you pray... pray that the car will work.

Anyway I only drive conti cars, and my mother doesn't want any Japanese either... a) because of Japanese occupation, and b) because of terrible experiences (like a Japanese car falling apart beyond repair after 2 years or so...). There is a certain refinement, a certain feeling that the car doesn't just want to get you to the destination in them.

Is thee any difference in inside feel? Like conti cars more solid material and looks classy while Asian cars have the cheap toy material look?