tweenster

The deal has been done. A price has been agreed to PX the Fabia for a Suzuki Swift Sport. Although 40bhp down on headline bhp figures, the reality is that the Swift is some 20 bhp per tonne better off. And it's a manual 🙂 I will be sad to see the Fabia go as I have had some really good times with it, but the time is right to move on to something more modern.

It's that time of year again when the VRS is not getting used much and I start looking at newer alternatives. This year I actually went a step further and today I test drove a 2019 Suzuki Swift Sport. I've always had a soft spot for these and even got my son into the 2nd generation model as his first car - he loves it! To be honest, I was hoping the test drive would be a disappointment and I could walk away happy that I was still driving the VRS. But it wasn't. The car was immaculate and drove really nicely; the engine pulls strongly across the rev range, it feels agile and goes round corners really well. Amusingly, whilst I was out driving the Swift the dealer was checking our my VRS for PX value. He took it for a short drive and absolutely loved it, couldn't believe how much power it had across the rev range and how well it went. Sadly (or maybe not!) we couldn't agree a deal so I still own a Fabia VRS. But I could be tempted back for a second look at the Suzuki; it really was that good.

What a ridiculous car! Spent the last few days trundling around in steady traffic and it returned 49mpg! As I said, ridiculous!!!

Did a little over 100 miles in the VRS over the weekend, most of it in queues of traffic travelling between 40 and 60mph. Whilst there were only a couple of opportunities to use the performance, the other side of the car's nature was revealed, as at a steady speed in these road conditions the car was averaging over 42mpg. The new Bilstein/Eibach suspension continues to impress, with excellent body control and much improved bump absorption. It's now over 10 years old with 77k miles on the clock and whilst the interior is where it most shows its age (my 2016 Focus ST3 is a much nicer place to sit), and newer cars go faster and handle better, but I'm strangely attached to the 'little green monster'.

Thank you. I don't see it as a project, it's more looking after the car with a couple of well chosen modifications.

Well it seems the best 2017 1.6 Fiesta STs are sitting around £11-12k; strong money for a car that cost less than £20k new. As I would probably only get £3.5k or so for the Fabia I can't really justify that amount of money just to scratch an itch. Anyway, I've been driving the Fabia a little more and it really is fun on B roads; overtaking is easy and the improved suspension has really made a difference. Sure, a Fiesta ST would leave it when pressing on hard but would you really be going that hard on public roads? I know I wouldn't! So the Fabia has a reprieve.

I had a test drive in one a few years ago and really liked it, but Mrs T wasn't too keen; she really wanted an automatic which is how we ended up with the Fabia VRS. I'm not a boy racer and drive sensibly most of the time, but on the right road on a sunny day I still enjoy a drive. This would be my weekend fun car so no need for it to be too economical or practical as the Focus Estate handles those duties.

I can't really, it is somewhat illogical I know. I like the Fabia because you don't see many of them about but at the moment I just have a Fiesta ST itch that needs to be scratched.

I've driven the VRS a few times in the past few weeks and I'm not really feeling the love for it. I now have a Focus ST3 diesel estate for daily duties and it is a much nicer place to be and certainly far more comfortable, but not really any slower in the real world and returns around 50mpg. Yes, the VRS is certainly more nimble and really flies in kickdown (albeit it is a bit 'shouty' when doing that) and I can't help but think that maybe I have outgrown it now (I am 57!). So I've started looking for one of the last of the 1.6 Fiesta ST3s in blue to replace it with. So maybe I haven't grown up that much!

The car is now 10 years old and has just been serviced with no issues raised; 76k miles under it's wheels and I still enjoy driving it. I have been looking (again!) at replacing it but struggle to justify spending a wad of cash on something that might go just a tiny bit quicker. I was tempted by a Yaris GR but that would mean spending some £30k which I cannot justify - but I bet it would be fun and go quite a lot quicker!

MOT today, straight through with no advisories. Car is now on 76,300 miles with just 2300 completed in the last year. Even the MOT tester noticed the new Bilsteins!

Spent a few hours and a couple of hundred miles in the Fabia over the weekend, across A roads, B roads and dual carriageways. I can now confidently say that the new suspension is superb, and a quantum leap forward compared with the standard set up and even a vast improvement over standard shocks with Eibach springs. Most impressive is the significant improvement in ride quality, whilst still retaining excellent body control and handling. The more I drive it the more I like it - very impressed!

Completed another 100 miles with the new set up today. It really is rather good!

I have the car back! The following work has been completed: - New Bilstein B8 shock absorbers and Eibach lowering springs. - New top mounts, bearings and drop links. - During the work it was found that the front lower arm bushes needed replacing, so new Powerflex items went in. - New brake discs and pads all round, plus brake fluid change. - 4-wheel alignment carried out. The drive home showed a significant improvement in ride comfort and with the Braid wheels (each sitting 5mm further out than the standard Gigaros) and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres there seems to be plenty of grip available. Overall, very happy!

With the suspension and brake refresh happening next week, I thought I should pull my finger out and get the new wheels and tyres on. The wheels are Brimma's old Braid wheels and they have been fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres; I'm very happy with how they look.

I have a RARB already, one of the first mods I did.

Car is 9 years old now and has covered 75,000 miles so I decided it was time for a suspension and brake refresh. Car has been booked in for a suspension upgrade (Bilstein B8 shocks + new Eibach lowering springs, plus new top mounts etc) and new brake disks, pads and brake fluid. I'm hoping this will improve the ride a little and tighten up the handling. Looking forward to getting it done.

That's it, the Fabia estate has gone.

Today I agreed to part exchange the Fabia Estate so it is soon to be on its way. That said, I have had it for almost 4 years, covered a little over 50,000 miles in that time, and the difference between the price I paid and the part ex value is just £4550. I reckon that represents pretty good value.

Hi When we collected our Fabia vRS we were advised that it had had the Autoglym Lifeshine treatment and came with a very nice case of Autoglym products in the boot. As much as I enjoy looking at a nice shiny motor, I am completely uncommitted to the cleaning task so I'm after some advice about how best to care for a car that has the Lifeshine treatment. I assume that any vigorous (ie machine) polishing would remove the Lifeshine treatment, so would I be right in thinking that a good wash and wax treatment would be all that is required? If so, what wash and wax is recommended? I've read good comments about Sonax BSD; would that be appropriate? And if you want to know what's in the case I don't know - I haven't looked! Grateful for any help; thanks in advance.