![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
'felt'
key word there.
What does in gear mean? I tend to find that out of gear there is zero acceleration. Is it another meaningless dieselfan phrase?
Fabia VRS (mk1) Yay or Nay
- Thread starter Brookert
- Start date
'felt'
key word there.
What does in gear mean? I tend to find that out of gear there is zero acceleration. Is it another meaningless dieselfan phrase?
Depends. The diesel will effectively have a close ratio gearbox, which when combined with a turbo means that, typically, you can accelerate faster from a point where you are driving normally.
What I mean, in practical terms, is that if you are plodding along at 1750 RPM in a diesel and 1750 RPM in a petrol, the diesel is probably better placed to accelerate from that point if you don't change gear. This makes them feel faster when driving them around. The reality is that the petrol can shift down more gears than the diesel and accelerate faster as a result, but it requires more effort.
A lot of it comes from the fact that most diesels are turbocharged.
Last edited:
Associate
- Joined
- 26 Jan 2009
- Posts
- 848
- Location
- Amsterdam
Indeed. If you can get an Ibiza Cupra TDI in budget than that's even better; it has a specially-made FMIC from Audi and is a fairly nippy wee car, especially if you're up for mapping it a bit.ibiza sport tdi's have the same engine and there are quite a few more to chose from, worth a look imo.
Still, it's a warm-hatch at best. Oh and you'll either love or hate that dag-dag-dag diesel noise.
Edit: Front-Mounted Intercooler Intercooler, d'oh.
Last edited:
Thanks for that, would have saved me a tenner for seat cleaner. The white seats mark so easily - water marks mainly.
Does the octy have silly colour seats too?
[TW]Fox;19096442 said:
Ah come on Fox, I know you hate the car but you're almost as bad as the fanboys but on the opposite end of the spectrum
Having owned one for 3 years (now sold), they are no rocket ships, they are front heavy and that comes across in the cornering and braking. They did suffer a lot from extreme "fanboyism" although reading the owners forums this seems to have died down a little.
As for the "feel quick" comments. They do tend to give a sensation of "shove" and move at a decent enough pace but I think people get carried away with the whole "its a skoda and a diesel but its quick" thing.
I commuted 60 miles a day for 3 years, it returned reasonable mpg and was quite happy at speeds suitable for the outside lane etc. My current petrol Octavia returns slightly less mpg, is far more comfortable at the same speeds and far more rewarding to drive on decent roads. It would take a massive change of circumstances to convince me back into diesel, even more so a small diesel hatch.
In short, they are not as good as a lot of people make out but maybe not "quite" as bad as Fox thinks.
In short, they are not as good as a lot of people make out but maybe not "quite" as bad as Fox thinks.
To be fair, they are everything Fox hates in a car - diesel, small, unrefined, crap badge.
I've not driven one but it seems to be similar in terms of appearance - poor quality interior but reasonably well put together, small, and functional.
Best thing about the new one is that you can get it for circa £13K new with the "No VAT" offer. It's a hell of a lot of car for the money, and it's got the fantastic 180bhp 1.4TSI engine.
Best thing about the new one is that you can get it for circa £13K new with the "No VAT" offer. It's a hell of a lot of car for the money, and it's got the fantastic 180bhp 1.4TSI engine.
I have a 55 plate that I've done several 100k miles in. Apart from servicing its had an alternator belt and a clutch.
I have a slk55 amg and the fabia shocks me every time I pull off from a junction the power is like a switch makes me giggle.
Overrated.............
Its a bloomin 1.9 diesel how can it be overrated. 1.9 Diesels are meant to be crap just these arn't. 60 mpg 60 in 8 secs. Its people in much more expensive cars or proper hot hatches that **** em off. Probably miffed at the VFM factor
I have a slk55 amg and the fabia shocks me every time I pull off from a junction the power is like a switch makes me giggle.
Overrated.............
Its a bloomin 1.9 diesel how can it be overrated. 1.9 Diesels are meant to be crap just these arn't. 60 mpg 60 in 8 secs. Its people in much more expensive cars or proper hot hatches that **** em off. Probably miffed at the VFM factor
It don't see the point of it, personally, although I've not driven. For me the key selling point of the VRS was the combination of diesel efficiency with a healthy dollop of fun; the new VRS is petrol only.
Plus the Mk2 Fabia is not a nice looking car.
I have had one since 2004. To sum up, they are decent all rounders. Comfortable, economical, quick enough for what they are, cheap to tax and service/run. Good on the motorway too for a small car.
Done 74,000 miles in mine and its been nice. Looking for something else though.
I earn more than 3x what I did when I bought it so can afford to roll around in something nicer. Pretty much the only reason Im considering getting rid.
Done 74,000 miles in mine and its been nice. Looking for something else though.
I earn more than 3x what I did when I bought it so can afford to roll around in something nicer. Pretty much the only reason Im considering getting rid.
Totally agree. And I prefer the mk1 fabia vrs over the seat ibiza fr.
Last edited:
The equivalent diesel engine would get better economy.So yes surely.