My new car

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:46

Well after having it for a week I have finally got around to cleaning it and taking some pictures.

Its a 2004 Fabia vRS in Corrida red. Its only done 11.8k miles which isn't bad for its age.

Drives extremely nicely and its pretty quick. (quick enough for what I want) whilst still returning 50mpg + on my commute.

Anyway here are some pics: (linked as they are quite big)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/oweneades/carside.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/oweneades/carfront.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/oweneades/carback.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/oweneades/6c6de573.jpg

It is completely stock at the moment although quite a lot of people over on briskoda reccomend the Jabba rear ARB which I may look into. (makes the car less prone to understeer).

Anyway all round its a lovely car and the build quality is excellent for a car in its class. I really like it

Edit: I know my camera skills leave a lot to be desired.

Nazbit · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:51

Looks good, are you pleased with it?

How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

Joe T · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:53

Great cars!

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:56

Nazbit said:
Looks good, are you pleased with it?

How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

A tad over 10k which for around here from a skoda dealer basing on this cars age/ condition / mileage seems about right.
I have always wanted one though since they were released and I can definately say it has lived up to my expectations.

k3v · 23 Jun 2006 at 20:58

be nice if they did a 3 door....the boy racer still in in me thinks hot hatch = 3 door

DanTheMan · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:01

k3v said:
be nice if they did a 3 door....

I always view the new Skoda range as being function over form, which they've pulled off very well.

Lovely car mate. Shame about the colour

.

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:01

k3v said:
be nice if they did a 3 door....the boy racer still in in me thinks hot hatch = 3 door

Personally I don't see it as a hot hatch but I can see where you are coming from.

However I think they only made/make a 5 door as its skodas idea to make the car practical and exciting.

how rude about the colour comment

lol. A guy 2 doors down has it in black and tbh i prefer it in red. His always looks dirty.

At least its not yellow lol. The skoda garage has the demo car in yellow and its vile.

k3v · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:04

its the 1.9 pd diesel 150/160 engine from the vag range isn't it?

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:06

Its the 1.9 TDI PD130 (130bhp / 229lbs torque)

a lot of people over at briskoda have it mapped my jabba sport to 170/180 with only changin the air intake which is nice.

k3v · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:13

I see, I'm a golf man, got a vr6 at the mo. I hope I didn't offend you with the comment about doors... I can see past theadge but I can't see past the extra doors, albeit practical.

I need to get a diesel because of the mileage I'm doing, I'd like a golf gti diesel but I'm tempted with a seat ibiza diesel cupra

I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted but get it chipped, you won't regret it

[TW]Fox · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:15

Congratulations on your new car - good cars the Fabias

[TW]Fox · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:15

k3v said:
I need to get a diesel because of the mileage I'm doing, I'd like a golf gti diesel but I'm tempted with a seat ibiza diesel cupra

What sort of mileage do you do a year?

Rich · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:18

Identical to mine. In October i will have had it 2 years. I have done 22,000 trouble free miles in it. Couple of little niggles, rattles etc that were fixed under warranty. Fantastic little cars and deceptively quick. Between 40-70 they will surprise a lot of people.

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:19

k3v said:
I see, I'm a golf man, got a vr6 at the mo. I hope I didn't offend you with the comment about doors... I can see past theadge but I can't see past the extra doors, albeit practical.

I need to get a diesel because of the mileage I'm doing, I'd like a golf gti diesel but I'm tempted with a seat ibiza diesel cupra

I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted but get it chipped, you won't regret it

no offence taken I could see exactly what you were saying.

As for the chipping the PD engine up to about 200bhp doesn't need it. The power can all be had just with a remap.

TBh if I were you (and this isn't just a shameless plug for the fabia lol) I would try a vRS out and also try out a ibiza (although I don't think the Cupra R PD160 is out yet). There was a thread going over at briskoda where a guy was torn between the two. He eventually chose the fabia for its superior build quality (in his opinion after being in both) and also preferred the way the fabia drove.

Of course its all subjective.

If you want to chat bout it further I think I have my msn sign in in my trust info. Add me

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:21

[TW]Fox said:
Congratulations on your new car - good cars the Fabias

Cheers fox!

Rich - I know what you mean about them being deceptively quick.

50-70 in 3rd or 4th is ridiculous.

Also rich may I ask where the rattles you experienced were coming from?

My rear head rest seems to rattle but its being fixed tommorow under warrenty.

[TW]Fox · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:23

Whats also pretty staggering is the sensational residuals these are enjoying at the moment.

k3v · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:27

I meant remap really.....;

I know about the tuning potential, its actually fuel economy that interests me.... what do you get on a run? I'm om my phone at the mo but thanks for the msn offer

Unlight · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:34

These look good!

Was thinking about going for a Golf GT TDI, but these Fabias seem pretty cool for a lot cheaper (plus the insurance group is a lot lower!!)

Rich · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:39

oweneades said:
Cheers fox!

Rich - I know what you mean about them being deceptively quick.

50-70 in 3rd or 4th is ridiculous.

Also rich may I ask where the rattles you experienced were coming from?

My rear head rest seems to rattle but its being fixed tommorow under warrenty.

I had a couple since i bought it mate.

First one was the drivers side heater vent, the fixed jobby that blows onto the drivers side window. There was one behind the dash to the left, again, fixed under warranty.
Lastly, and EXTREMELY common on all skoda's, is a clunky rattle coming from the rear seats. If you go to the drivers side, pull the rear seat forward, there is a Rubber stopper, turn this so it comes out a few MM and then see if your rattle goes away

Other than that, no real issues to report. One other thing to watch out for though is the brake "honk" when reversing. It was fixed by Skoda long ago, but did affect 04 Fabs... basically it occurs when reversing and breaking at the same time.

www.briskoda.net for the pimpage. I dont really post there often but it is the best Skoda resource out there.

Enjoy the car! As Fox points out, they are holding value like nothing else.

oweneades · 23 Jun 2006 at 21:39

k3v said:
I meant remap really.....;

I know about the tuning potential, its actually fuel economy that interests me.... what do you get on a run? I'm om my phone at the mo but thanks for the msn offer

normal run according to the trip computer I am averaging 52-60mpg which in real world terms is anything above 45mpg. This is a combination of NSL and town driving so all in all pretty good.

unlight: Having been in a Golf GT TDI I can say they are excellent cars however personally (and I can see I am biased) I don't think they are worth the extra over something like tha fabia or even the octavia.

My dad recebtly picked up a brand new octavia sport 2.0TDI and it is an excellent car for the price he paid. All the kit of the golf in a car that I personally think looks better.

rich: Thanks for the advice on the brake honk. I havn't noticed anything like this yet and the car was given a full service before I picked it up so I think if at all this should have been picked up.