Any Fabia vRS owners?

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

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Isle of Wight
After realising a cheap car isn't really working for the other half, we're looking at cars again.

One thing that has appealed on a little look around today is a Fabia vRS at a local Skoda dealer; 2006, 25k Miles, 1 Owner, FSSH and absolutely mint (bar some swirling) for £7500.

I took it on a little test drive and was thoroughly impressed - I've not driven a modern diesel but the low down torque is something that made it feel quite pacey, even after just getting out of my ST. Handling seemed pretty tight and responsive, although steering is not as quick as I'd personally like.

Before any other suggestions pop up, I'm not interested in 'regular' cars - I still plan on ultimately getting rid of the ST at some point before the end of the year to replace it with something a little more focussed, so our 'family' car still needs to be a little bit interesting, as I still have to drive it.

I know Diesel isn't really ideal for my mileage (~10K a year) and whilst they aren't particularly factors in the purchasing criteria, the increased fuel economy, and lower tax/insurance costs are certainly appealing.
 
They aren't that special truth be told. Standard heavy 130bhp VAG lump making it quite nose heavy. Apparently remap ok if that is your thing.

I would also be having a look at the Seat alternative (FR?) as to my eyes it is a nicer looking package.
 
Yet another person who has had a car a month and now wants rid. Don't you guys ever sit down and reallocation work out what you want? It saves all this messing around.

And don't even get me started on trying to save 50 quid a year on tax! The fabia represents shocking value for money at 7.5k and makes the minimal fuel savings irrelevant.
 
We're not changing because the Mondeo is expensive to run, we're changing because she's simply not getting on with an old, cheap car. The reduced running costs would just be a bonus - they are a very small factor in the criteria.
 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1612975.htm

I'm quite an admirer of these cars. The big rear door looks like it will help shoving a baby in the back easy and the rear bench can be slid forward to give you more boot space. Legroom obviously not being much of an issue with a baby in the back. Also you don't have to drive around in a horrible clattery diesel, which can only be perceived as a bonus. I'm sure Magicboy will be here soon to counter that argument..
 
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Could i reccomend a Grande Punto Sporting, 1.9 Multijet?

Used to own a Fabia and thought it was OK but that was coming from a fiesta zs.

I then moved on to a ST24 which has just recently had an epic fail on MOT which resulted in needing a new car.

After test driving a variety of different cars, including another Fabia vRS I thought the Punto was a great all round car. Much more modern looking on the inside & out, and find it very comfortable to drive, no squeaks or rattles and seems very well put together.

Just getting round the difference in power delivery & noise coming from the ST24, however both myself and my gf thinks it was a good purchase :)
 
What do you mean by getting on with an old cheap car.

Unless it keeps breaking down its the same as any other car with 4 wheels.

I have a feeling what you mean is its ''old'' as in I dont want to be seen driving an old car. And its ''cheap'' and I'm not cheap....lol.

I personally like the fab vrs.
 
Not really interested in Fiats, especially not a Panda.

We are willing to consider something bigger, the Fabia is the absolutely smallest car that would do.

With regards to driving an old, cheap car - if you had ever made the transition from a perfectly tight, drives "as new" car thats only a year or two old, to a 10 year old car, I'm certain you'd know what I/she mean(s). It ranges from the way it feels to drive, to the little niggles such as rattles and noises.
 
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MikeHiow said:
Not really interested in Fiats, especially not a Panda.

We are willing to consider something bigger, the Fabia is the absolutely smallest car that would do.
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Can I why you are not interested in Fiats? I was hesitant about getting it due to the 'reliability' however after reading around the new cars are proving to be very reliable. I was very very shocked about how they have turned themselves around.

Plus the Blue&Me is fantastic, not many other cars come with inbuilt bluetooth hands free & usb as standard.
 
guy in work has a fabia vrs and loves it. Does seem pretty nippy etc but does seem a lot of money but they do seem to hold price on the flip side now.
 
Fabia vRS is certainly a nice car, but they do need a good remap and they're quite often heavily overpriced.

If you can find one at the right price then go for it. But make sure you have enough left over for the map. And don't buy the one in the OP.
 
Tute said:
Fabia vRS is certainly a nice car, but they do need a good remap and they're quite often heavily overpriced.

If you can find one at the right price then go for it. But make sure you have enough left over for the map. And don't buy the one in the OP.
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He's got it pretty much spot on. Got rid of mine a week ago after owning it for 3 1/2 years. GOod cars, over priced for what they are and you need to get it re-mapped.

But decent little cars :)
 
MikeHiow said:
We're not changing because the Mondeo is expensive to run, we're changing because she's simply not getting on with an old, cheap car. The reduced running costs would just be a bonus - they are a very small factor in the criteria.
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The shape of Fabia you are considering is even older than the mk3 Mondeo! It is certainly no more modern, the only thing newer about it is the reg plate!
 
Well unless she really likes the look of the Fabia, or you are prepared to be patient and look around a fair bit, there's a lot better cars you can get for the money.

[Edit] For example, there are a load on PH for anything up to £2K less.
 
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MikeHiow said:
Who cares about how old the design is, I'm more interested in the condition associated with the age and mileage.
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Ah, you bought a shabby nail? I see now.

You do realise the fabia is getting on a bit? If you want something as new as possible look elsewhere.
 
[TW]Fox;16772208 said:
Ah, you bought a shabby nail? I see now.

You do realise the fabia is getting on a bit? If you want something as new as possible look elsewhere.
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That isn't it at all, but any 10 year old car will be worn in places that just aren't economical to address. Things like bushes, suspension, ball joints etc. as well as rattles that have accumulated over the years.

4 years old and 25k miles isn't what I'd call 'getting on a bit' either.

Janesy, the Fiesta is a good suggestion, but we want something a bit more interesting than a 1.2 Fiesta - A Zetec S wouldn't be too bad, but I suspect they'll be out of budget for a while yet.

Sure you can get a Fabia for £2k less, but if I wanted an old and worn 80-100k mile example, I wouldn't be buying one in the first place.
 
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