Missus has a Fiat 500 1.2 thats nippy enough, but the Sport 1.3 diesel aint bad, a remap would do it wonders though.

The dealer who is doing a remap on new cars is us..

Dennis Horton and Son Skoda | Skoda Dealer Based In Lincolnshire

GPS 1.9 m/jet... can be bought for less money new than a fabiaII sport, has more power, handles better, has more equipment, the right size, NCAP 5 ESP ect ect ect

but then I'm biased

dragged their feet with a vRS MkII. I understand this is because of heat issues with using the 2.0TDi unit.

Can't see heat being an issue on the diesel tbh, but I also can't see them using the 2.0 TDi in the Fabia. The PD is being phased out now for the new common rail engines and the Octavia and Superb will get these before the Fabia does. However there is a range of smaller common rail engines coming out shortly. IF the vRS does come out I suspect it will use one of them. But remember the Fabia 1 was out 4 years or so before the vRS came about.

Yes, I reckon it has to be a Fiat but as I haven't driven one lately I'll have to reserve judgement.

But you can't open the boot from the outside!

...However there is a range of smaller common rail engines coming out shortly. IF the vRS does come out I suspect it will use one of them. But remember the Fabia 1 was out 4 years or so before the vRS came about.

So it sounds like we'll have a long wait for anything with the flying arrow on its bonnet.

Looks like the Fiat Grande Punto 1.9 Multijet will need to be seriously considered as the replacement as and when then.

I'd say Ibiza FR/TDi Cupra. They still make those and come with the even pokier 150bhp Diesel!!!

The FR TDI is 130bhp and the Cupra TDI is 160bhp.

I'd say CupraTDI+remap=200bhp

Out of interest mate why did you noy go for the 225 F1 (not R26)??

Second hand Audi A3/S3?

German build quality and some nice engines, and look amazing on the larger alloys.

I know it's not that cheap to buy - you might have to fork out a bit more getting it, but it'll hold it's value much better than a Fabia, or for that matter most other marques!