stonyb

The golf 1.6 gearing is (slightly) lower than that of the Fabia (and Polo).

If it's coming out next year perhaps that, in part, explains the current 'no VAT' offers. For better or for worse I have abandoned the 'long geared' Fabia idea, and settled for a new Golf .16 tdi - not what I wanted in some ways - as I wanted something more compact (and quieter) than my Mada3, which is why I was seriously looking at the Fabia with its very competitive price (also the Polo - with its relatively very uncompetitive price). However having just had an extremely good offer on a new golf I have settled for that - now just a 'minor' question of finding the cash, whilst beating my brain to death about whether its the right decision for me. Must remember not to change my car again - the agonising isn't worth it.

As a lot of my driving is on A/B roads where traffic is usually in the 40-50 mph region I will have to rethink -am so used to lazy driving in my Mazda3 1.6 tdi where I can drop it into 5th at anything above 40 mph - don't know that I would be able to come to terms with what is effectively a 4 speed box. Not sure what, if any, are my options as tall gearing and inflexible engines at low revs seems the norm these days.

Am currently tempted by the 1.6 crdi 105 and with the no VAT offer at the moment it's seems an attractive proposition. However the present model has been about since 2007 and I presume that a new generation is on the near horizon. As I have a couple of personal reservations about the 1.6 - firstly the long gearing in 5th which means that you can't really use is at anything less than 50 mph, and then the DPF issue - then I am thinking (??) that it maybe better to wait for the next generation given that technology has moved on considerably in the past 5/6 years. Any comments welcomed.

Would be pleased if somebody could advise me on either - mph @ 1000 rpm in each gear, or, the gear ratios for each gear. Thanks in anticipation.

thanks for the above - reinforces my instinct for a 1.9 PD which is more my 'natural' driving style but given that they are no longer available new then it's now only 1.6 CR diesel.. I have tried a test run in a 1.2 TSI 105 but could not come to terms with the six speed box - 5 is quite enough for me - six just means more work and I don't need more gear changing - yes I have tried with a DSG as well and although it got rid of the 'work' I did not feel in control in the way that you can with manual boxes - so ruled it out. Think I will have to rethink my options and forgo the more 'compact' car and go for a 2 litre diesel with both more power and much more torque (maybe a Golf 140 bhp although that means a 6 speed box - HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Is the DPF on the new diesels of a different design to previous DPF's. I ask because I currently have a Mazda 3 1.6 tdi but am considering changing to a Fabia (more compact). My Mazda 3 has a DPF and although most of my mileage is short runs I have never had any problem in the 6 yrs I've had it. But the current reports on the Fabia diesel DPF are making me think twice about buying one. Any comments welcome. I should add that being used to 'torquey' cars for the past 15 years my driving style is quite relaxed and I would rarely go above 2.5k rpm.

And one more lost customer - I was on the point of ordering a Fabia vRS when I came across this thread which I have followed for the past couple of months. Skoda's response in dealing with this problem is clearly unacceptable, so I am now Toyota or Mazda bound.