justjames

Thanks Rich. Will have to try this. Can't believe the cost of a new bumper :eek: Furthermore, DVLA just sent me a letter telling me I didn't notify them that I had sold my old vehicle - what a load of bull. The sales guy wrote out the slip and the envelope and I posted it. Just can't believe my luck sometimes!

Just phoned the local Skoda dealer. Basically £118 for the bumper and underside spoiler and then the cost of spraying. Recommended by the garage was Ivybridge Body Centre. Here's the lowdown: Bumper: £126.90 Paint: £ 58.75 Labour: £123.38 Total: £309.03 That's one expensive bump and just realised they didn't include the cost of the bumper's spoiler which will easily be £10 + VAT. Is this the real cost of having a new bumper fitted and sprayed? James

Hi there. Plymouth area, but often around Exeter, Taunton as that's where my parents live. I should think your right. It's still attached just I'm concerned at where the crack is as I think the fog light cover will work its way out. Thanks for your advice

Guys! I can't believe my luck this week! Driving back to the gym tonight very late for a dinner date, I managed to smack the bottom front of my Fabia going up a hill which had a rather large dip in. It's cracked the front bumper just where the front fog lights should be. Don't quite know what to do. Or where to get a replacement. I am guessing my dealer is going to charge an arm and a leg for this. Any advice would be very much appreciated. I think the colour is Brilliant Red. Thanks James :(

Ohh sport would be hot. Glad I didn't have the option - hadn't been mentioned at that point. Only in Jan did I find out. lol Just the entry level - couldn't be waiting for delivery as back at uni now so just took their showroom demo ever so slightly reduced of course . Doesn't feel entry level though. Would love to see how the others handle.

How are you finding it? I'm all settled in now...truly superb and so, so comfortable. Not to mention the fun-factor.

That's very competitive...been looking into reverse sensors, £150 list price in the Fabia brochure with a little spanner suggesting a fitting fee. Enquired at the Skoda dealer and they came back to me saying £75 for the sensors and a total of £300 after fitting fee. You've got to be joking!

I've got seriously muddled. It is indeed an increase of £100. Mine was a special deal coming in at £7k, have looked again in brochure and it does say £7,990 not £7,090. Do we think the price will continue to rise? Is this to increase profit margin or some new governmental charges, maybe an increased VED and first reg fee?

Oh I like that idea - not so great at wiring though and a little apprehensive about routing behind the dash, £35 in Halfords pocket has to be better than a big hole or crack after I've had my hands on the interior....

You failed to mention the annoyance of having the 12v accessories port right next to the handbrake and thus the gear lever. I find myself getting hocked on my TomTom's power lead. Maybe I'll have to take it to Halfords and get it hard wired.

Just thought I would browse the Skoda website to see what has happened to the prices after Christmas (as my brochure was valid till 31/12/07) - seems as if I got mine just at the right time. They seem to have added a grand to the OTR price, Fabia 1 base model coming in at £8,090 instead of £7,090. What's this about? :confused:

My Fabia 1 appears to have the standard fit lights as shown in the first pic and the high-beam seems most acceptable. Dad's Octavia has the lens lights (pic 2) - what exactly is the difference? Same bulbs with the addition of a lens, or a bit more complicated?

Glad your liking the Octavia, they are superb. My dad has one and when we went to go and test drive it, the dealer stomped down his foot and we were thrown into our seats in such astonishment. These cars guard a close kept secret. Only had I ever felt so much enjoyment before in the likes of the BMW's. Skoda and VAG for that matter certainly have the upper hand where German meets Czech engineering at a more realistic price point. Hope you enjoy, just getting to terms with my new Fabia - such an exciting drive. ;-)

Hi Kev, nice to meet you. My old boss had a Bora and he loved it. Didn't know they had the same engine as a Fabia.

Mattbeef, just tried to upload some photos. Have been lazy. Took some on the first day just in case I crashed it - lol. It's freezing out there right now but managed to get a few more. When I go to upload though under galleries it says I do not have permission to post? Have for the meantime uploaded to Flickr: Skoda Fabia - a photoset on Flickr

It was indeed a scary affair. Not soon after leaving the garage and attempting to use the indicators proved problematic with me signaling to the right and then left and back to the right. I hadn't quite grasped the sensitivity of the stick - the fact that there is the change lane option as well as the continuous mode. Silly me! Then there was the problem of reverse! Now I know to push down over to the top left. Will get there in the end, already feeling comfortable and secure. Would be great to meet sometime. Cheers.

Hi Sicknote Thanks for letting me know about gap. I'm popping back into the garage this week to sort that out. They mentioned it on the day but I was in a rush to get going. Sounds like a good idea though. The Fabia has far surpassed my expectations. Took it on a drive to Wales a few days back to visit my girlfriend. Extremely comfortable, no back pain as in my old Matiz and plenty of ooomph even with the boot laden. I get excited about driving now days, I really hope this novelty doesn't wear off. Thanks all for being so welcoming ;-)

The entry level. So, Fabia 1 1.2 60 HTP. Think it will do me fine until I finish uni. Would have preferred an extended test drive. Was initially registered to the garage as a demo/showroom car, so they brought it down to £7k which I think is rather competitive in comparison to some of the smaller, small cars out there

What's gap insurance? Is that from the garage themselves? I've already phoned Tesco and notified them as of the change from 3PM today.

Haha! Yeah nearly 2 years back, I did pass on my 4th go though :eek: Only 2 hours now...

Oh I will indeed try my hardest. Little nervous about driving it away tomorrow. Fingers crossed for no bumps!

Hello all! Counting down the hours till I pick up my Fabia 1 tomorrow. This will be my first Skoda. Convinced my dad to buy a new Octavia a few months back and he loves it so much he's just bout my Fabia as a Christmas present - just can't wait. Test drove it and knew instantly it was for me. Convinced the garage to sell it to me even though they're supposed to keep showroom cars for 3 months (it had been registered for 4 days by that point - lol), bargain. Somewhat of a novice when it comes to motoring terminology - please go easy on me James