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I refuse to use speed limiters on cars after driving on a dual carriageway doing about 60/65 when the car picked up the 30 limits on an adjacent service road. If I'd been using the speed limiter it would have braked abruptly risking a rear end shunt and abusing the car. It's also picked up lower speed limits from side roads. The signage and technology isn't of sufficient standard for these systems to be used safely in my book.

Had a test drive this morning, well my wife did, I didn't bother swopping in the end. I rode in the back and at 6' 1" was impressed with the amount of space. It was the 1.0 TSI which goes very well but we're sticking with the 1.5 - wife found it easy to drive and enjoyed driving it. Did the deal and car ordered. Skoda are doing an additional discount of £750 for taking a test drive as well as the £1250 finance contribution this month.

Both trips were for weddings so a good excuse to go. First time was 7 years ago and we toured North and South Islands. This time we stayed in the Queenstown area and were able to do boat trips, including the jet boat, that we didn't do last time. Arthur's Pass is stunning - trouble is going round every corner presented a new photographic opportunity! One of the great things about NZ is that you can park easily (and usually free) in beautiful spots e.g. down by a lake and often they'd be few people there - over here it would be rammed!

Welcome. We're not long back from our second trip to NZ. How I envy you, great roads, great scenery and once away from towns and cities hardly any traffic. We had a Kodiaq for the time we were there which was good.

Useful articles for me as well and have reinforced our decision to go for a Fabia.

It's a lovely colour and good choice for the Colour Edition as without the black roof and trim it would be too much.

I asked the dealer last week when we popped in to have a look and he reckoned 4 months. That would be good but I wouldn't be surprised if it increases.

Yes, that matches with what I found on the configurater a few days ago. Looks like I've been timely with looking to get a Fabia.

Same colour as my 10 year old Audi TT though it's called Samoa Orange on that. Never looked right on Audi and Seat SUVs but suits your Fabia especially with the black roof and trim.

Good to know you are happy with it, well apart from the volume.

No better in the Volvo! And with the latest Android Auto version you even have to download an app to even play music via USB! Progress!!!

Thanks offthewall that's really positive. BTandSid - I'll post my comments later as I'm decorating my son's flat at the moment. Chris

Thanks for the replies. It's the SE L trim with a few extras. We will have the built-in sat nav and won't be using our phones for that etc. so won't be an issue for us. We're older drivers and I can't see the Fabia being a problem compared with our Volvo when it comes to complicated and electronics! Have ordered the rear camera so good to hear that's great. Never ordered Park Assist on any of our cars as wouldn't use it. What's your problem with the DSG? My experience of them has been good.

The Yeti went, being a diesel, over 4 years ago when I retired and my annual mileage dropped significantly. Was considering a Karoq but the 1.5 petrol was experiencing problems at the time and the 2.0 was only available with things I didn't want, so I looked elsewhere and bought a Volvo XC40, in fact I've recently bought another one. My wife drives the Volvo but often says it's too big (she misses her Mini) and so we've being thinking for awhile to get another car again. Thought about a Polo but I hate the new corporate front on VWs and so looked at the Fabia. One reason for returning to VWG is that we intend keeping the car for quite a few years and their engines are still relative simple, unlike my mild-hybrid Volvo. I know, like most cars nowadays, the electronics are complicated, but there's no escaping that really. We had a look at one last week and really liked it, it has a very nice interior. Looking at a 1.5 DSG and having finalised the spec and obtained prices are on the verge of placing an order.

What about my predicament! My TT has a CD/DVD but only single player and even worse than that for the sat nav you have to leave the disc in so can't play a CD at the same time! Fortunately, even though I have a decent Hi Fi in the house and play CDs I'm happy with the quality of music copied from CD to USB when I'm driving, phew! The XC40 doesn't even have a CD/DVD! Chris

Surprised at the comment that the difference in 10 years is huge. I don't think cars have moved on that much in that period as they were refined then and I think it comes down more to the model/trim level. Surprise for me is that when I drove home after test driving the XC40 is that my Yeti still felt good! And that isn't a negative for the Volvo as that is a nice drive. Only car I've owned that is a cut above the rest was my 2013 Audi A6 Avant Black Edition. That was lovely to be in and very quiet even though it was a diesel. Thing is that you soon get used to a different car as long as they come from the same market segment. Chris

Yes, buying a new car can be more of a headache rather than a joy. Was considering a Karoq at the time but due to the 1.5 engine problems kicked it into touch. The XC40 is more expensive but by the time I'd specced up a Karoq with reasonable extras including a tow-bar it was well over £30k. and an XC40 2.0 petrol similarly specced wasn't that much more. And parked side by side it's no contest! We've had the Volvo for 2 years now and love it. It's bigger and rear visibility not as good as a Yeti but you get used to it, though I did spec. the rear camera. I think we bought at the right time as the closest petrol in now mild hybrid (and fuel consumption isn't that much better) and prices have gone up. Also they have removed some of the details from the R Design and are using them on the electric variants now. If I was changing the Volvo I don't think I'd have another one now as it would be over £40k. and I wouldn't know what else to go for. So will probably pay it off and keep it for a few years as it is just what we want. May return to the VWG at some point when forced to go all electric as there won't be their engines and gearboxes to worry about! Chris

They will obviously wait until there is a greater take up of EV but I keep wondering how the government is going to recoup the massive amount of duty currently collected from petrol and diesel? Chris

Hi - to be honest I try and avoid situations like that as I did with the Yeti but still managed to pick up some scratches and dings. Both cars don't leave much room either side in most of our outdated car parking spaces. Excluding mirrors the Yeti is 1793 and the XC40 is 1851 so not a great difference, even the Karoq is 1841 but looks small compared with the Volvo because of the higher bonnet line etc. Like many cars the rear view is more restricted than the Yeti. I specced the rear view camera as a check but mainly use the side mirrors for reversing. The Yeti certainly is a hard act to follow! Chris

That sort of use will be right up the T3's street. Mine had only done 4k. odd miles when serviced recently which is lower than expected even though retired and allowing for Covid. I put £40 of BP Ultimate in and it lasts for weeks! I think I read somewhere as well that Volvo are bringing out a smaller SUV, that will be interesting. I do like the size of the XC40 though. Chris

Certainly have, that's not going anywhere! Even that will do 40 plus on a run with a bit more power but less weight. They compliment each other nicely on the drive! Chris

Hi - average from when bought is 33.3 mpg (mainly short journeys) according to display and will exceed 40 mpg on a run which for a 2.0 litre petrol with a torque-converter auto and a heavy SUV body is fine for me as not doing the miles anymore. Didn't try the T3 as was already set on the 4 cylinder (I'm still old school!) but from what I've read the T3 would be fine for our use. Glad we got the T4 though as it's effortless. The hybrids are now being picked up by customers (too expensive) and already there's been a couple of issues with power delivery when it switches between petrol/electric. If you haven't looked already XCForums has plenty of discussion on mpg with the diesels getting a bit of a slating. What sort of mileage do you do? Chris

Hi - have had the XC40 for just over a year now. Yes, it is a bit bigger than the Yeti but not a problem for us and the bigger boot is very useful as is the long flat load area when the seats are dropped which takes seconds. Like the Yeti absolutely love it and if it wasn't for the XC40 I don't know what we would have done, probably kept the Yeti longer, because as said there is no real alternative. I still look at Yetis with affection! Chris