Hi, I'm new here and in fact I dont actually own a Skoda. I'm considering changing my car from a ford escort 1.6 zetec which has done me proud for 6 years now and covered 120k miles.

I've considered the Fabia Vrs as i'm told its a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing, has quite a bit of torque, is reliable, economical.

Can someone please tell me what the differences are between the post 2005 vrs and the 2003 model as i read somewhere there were two versions?

Also realistically how good is the vrs? i am sick of being overtaken on motorways and lacking power, and am after something thats going to be alot quicker than my current drive. Have heard a few mixed things about the vrs...some say the main power comes in a very small burst and after that its slow?

have also considered the subaru imprezza 2 litre RX, hatchback as drove one lastmonth and the handling was great, although its not that quick.

Impreza Non-Turbo? Lame.

The facelift came mid-2004 and has deleted rear door pins, shorter 6th gear, slightly different dash material, different rear lights. New engine came in the 07 models I think to meet EURO emissions.

They are good cars I reguarly get 50+ MPG on mine.

They are nippy in standard form but not quick. You'll eat zetec s's, mini cooper's, vauxhall sri's - any "just below top spec" sub insurance group 11ish warm hatch.

Needs about 1000-2000 quid (new clutch, remap, etc) chucked at it to compete with 200ish bhp proper hot hatches

Impreza Non-Turbo? Lame.

The facelift came mid-2004 and has deleted rear door pins, shorter 6th gear, slightly different dash material, different rear lights. New engine came in the 07 models I think to meet EURO emissions.

They are good cars I reguarly get 50+ MPG on mine.

They are nippy in standard form but not quick. You'll eat zetec s's, mini cooper's, vauxhall sri's - any "just below top spec" sub insurance group 11ish warm hatch.

Needs about 1000-2000 quid (new clutch, remap, etc) chucked at it to compete with 200ish bhp proper hot hatches

Central 3 point seat belt was also a feature on the later models IIRC.

I disagree with the 50's and would say mid 40's to low 50's depending on how it is driven. You also won't eat mini coopers etc, sri's and zetec s, however you will give them a run for their money and be of a similar level. On the twisties the fabia suffers badly.

Only thing I would say is got take one for a test drive and see what you think and also to get insurance quotes before you buy. If you intend to modify ask for modified quotes and be prepared to get a painful answer.

In a straight line up to about 80, they would get mullered. The PD130 does run out of puff at 90 though, if you are into that sort of thing.

A rear anti roll bar sorts out the handling no end.

Hello,

I bought a 2004 Fabia vRS earlier this month and cannot tell you enough how satisfied I am compared to previous cars I've owned - Consider buying a second hand one then you'll have a couple of grand to spend on mods. I've got Eibach springs, Jabba Rear ARB, Sachs Organic Clutch and a Revo remap (soon to have a PD160 air intake) and honestly its a different car. Fuel consumption is probably a bit optimistic if driven enthusiastically but am definately achieving higher 40+mpg. Overall mine handles really well with not too much body roll and once you switch the Revo map on it has alot more punch with a better delivery of power. As a company vehicle I often drive a 2 litre Tdi Focus C-Max and I Know which one i'd rather drive- there is plenty of fun to be had with the vRS and you'll have no worry overtaking the general motorist and yes you will definately give the Cooper S's and low end hot hatches a run for their money. It will easily pull away in sixth easily up to a 100mph without any problem - most people who've driven it have an almost shocked reaction 'woh didnt realise it could do that". If youre not wanting to spend a fortune then its a no brainer in my book! Go test drive one and Im sure you'll be pleasantly suprised. I could be a touch bias though, All the best. John:thumbup:

In a straight line up to about 80, they would get mullered. The PD130 does run out of puff at 90 though, if you are into that sort of thing.

A rear anti roll bar sorts out the handling no end.

Stop talking ****, seriously it's a f**king fabia not a supercar.

The bloke wanted an honest view and I'm not slagging them off, they are nippy, but they won't leave warm hatch for dead. Those cars are of similar performance levels.

As a perspective owner they probably won't be disappointed with the performance of a fabia and it has a nice kick to it from the torque, but it won't be coming anywhere near a VXR/ST type car for drive ability or outright speed standard.

The SRI is a trim level anyway not an engine version and IIRC you can get a 1.2 SRi.

If you want a comparison the VXR corsa would eat the fabia for breakfast any which way at a similar price point too after deals.

The mini won't get mullered as proven on top gear esp with it's power gains since that test and the face lift. The Fiesta ST is also similar money and should do just fine.

So to summarise, the best thing to do it to drive it and all the other cars you fancy, as only you know what you like and want from a car.

Hello,

I bought a 2004 Fabia vRS earlier this month and cannot tell you enough how satisfied I am compared to previous cars I've owned - Consider buying a second hand one then you'll have a couple of grand to spend on mods. I've got Eibach springs, Jabba Rear ARB, Sachs Organic Clutch and a Revo remap (soon to have a PD160 air intake) and honestly its a different car. Fuel consumption is probably a bit optimistic if driven enthusiastically but am definately achieving higher 40+mpg. Overall mine handles really well with not too much body roll and once you switch the Revo map on it has alot more punch with a better delivery of power. As a company vehicle I often drive a 2 litre Tdi Focus C-Max and I Know which one i'd rather drive- there is plenty of fun to be had with the vRS and you'll have no worry overtaking the general motorist and yes you will definately give the Cooper S's and low end hot hatches a run for their money. It will easily pull away in sixth easily up to a 100mph without any problem - most people who've driven it have an almost shocked reaction 'woh didnt realise it could do that". If youre not wanting to spend a fortune then its a no brainer in my book! Go test drive one and Im sure you'll be pleasantly suprised. I could be a touch bias though, All the best. John:thumbup:

1) Hope you have declared that lot to the insurance as modified fabia are expensive and getting harder to insure due to a lot of "on roof" incidents.

2) It won't eat a cooper S, not in a month of sundays. Not the old one, not the new one. The topgear video where it just won was a standard cooper and since then the cooper has had a facelift and a power increase.

What is it with giving a straight, but factual, opinion these days.

How about an Octavia 1.8T Elegance estate?

PistonHeads.tv: Skodas do battle

As you can see, they're a bit faster than a Fabia VRs.

Stop talking ****, seriously it's a f**king fabia not a supercar.

Mark, when did you own a Fabia? The truth is a Fabia vRs will easily 'muller' a mini cooper on the move, Around twisties then the cooper will catch up but thats about it. It as even been proved on two seperate motoring programmes, from a standing startand round corners.

Mark, when did you own a Fabia? The truth is a Fabia vRs will easily 'muller' a mini cooper on the move, Around twisties then the cooper will catch up but thats about it. It as even been proved on two seperate motoring programmes, from a standing startand round corners.

I didn't but the an ex's father owned two and i have driven them and others on plenty of occasions. The new cooper has more power than the old one as i keep saying and IMHO even the old mini would catch up once the derv has run out of revs.

The cooper S claim is just silly as it weighs less and has more power. Stats for the old mini's and the VRS:

Cooper S:

MINI Cooper S - 1.6 Checkmate 3d - Facts & Figures - Parker's

Cooper:

MINI Hatchback - 1.6 Cooper 3d - Facts & Figures - Parker's

Fabia vRS:

Skoda Fabia vRS - 1.9 TDI PD (130bhp) 5d - Facts & Figures - Parker's

Those figures show that the cooper should win in a straight line but that it will be close. Much more down to the driver etc. The cooper S will "muller" both.

I'm just plain sick of people going on about how a fabia will muller this that and the other. It will beat it maybe, as there are lots of variables, but it won't leave it for dead, it just won't.

Two separate programs?

I wouldn't say it mullered the cooper on TG just beat it.

The second posters claim was for a copper S which it didn't beat.

As for the other I assume that is 5th gear?

YouTube - Skoda Fabia Vs Mini Cooper

In the real world none of the mentioned cars will "muller" any of the others.

I can't find a link to the TG test on youtube, but have a video of jasons car at JKM

YouTube - Skoda Fabia TDI-Diesel Dyno run at 260bhp! 4th not top gear

Edited 18 July, 200817 yr by cheezemonkhai

depends on your deffinition of 'muller' :P I agree a std fabia won't touch an 's' but given the guys is modded... I know a few modded fabias that would eat an s.

depends on your deffinition of 'muller' :P

Does this help? :confused:

Gerd Muller, German Soccer Player, Gerd Muller Pictures, Germany Football Players, Famous German Football Players, Famous Soccer Players in Germany

I agree a std fabia won't touch an 's' but given the guys is modded... I know a few modded fabias that would eat an s.

Back OT, the OP was asking about a standard car and I did point out a "standard" fabia would not muller those cars.

Sure a "modded" fabia may "muller" a standard other car, but then a modded other car might "muller" the fabia.

Apparently it's a common mod to a cooper to bolt on the supercharge from the S and they are not exactly expensive.

I'm not saying the fabia is ****, I'm not saying it will or won't beat it, I'm just trying to give the bloke a balanced view, such that he will not be disappointed when he test drives them.

After all, as I've already said, the only way is to take your options for a drive and see what you think.

I'm not saying its a supercar.

I'm saying it will quite easily hand it out to cars similarly marketed.

Namely, the Fiesta ZS, Astra 1.8 SRI, basically small petrol hatchbacks, N/A with around 100-130bhp, weighing between 1000-1300kg.

The Focus ST, Astra VXR, Ibiza Cupra, Octavia VRS, are aimed at a different market.

How about an Octavia 1.8T Elegance estate?

PistonHeads.tv: Skodas do battle

As you can see, they're a bit faster than a Fabia VRs.

That kind of proves a point really IMHO. It's quick, but no mustang slayer (Supercar to the OP).

Ultra was talking about a std car and imo was pretty honest and accurate. From 30 to 90 a std fabia vRs will eat a std cooper. IMO and experiance of my car I wouldn't say it ran out of puff at 90 either, nd 50 mpg is easily acheivable at legal speeds.

That kind of proves a point really IMHO. It's quick, but no mustang slayer (Supercar to the OP).

What point? A 220 nd 230 4x4 octy will beat a 170 bhp fabia from a standing start?, If I owned either octy i would be pretty ****ed if they didn't.

I'm not saying its a supercar.

I'm saying it will quite easily hand it out to cars similarly marketed.

Namely, the Fiesta ZS, Astra 1.8 SRI, basically small petrol hatchbacks, N/A with around 100-130bhp, weighing between 1000-1300kg.

The Focus ST, Astra VXR, Ibiza Cupra, Octavia VRS, are aimed at a different market.

The fiesta ST and the corsa VXR, not the larger cars you talk about are in the same class as the VRS for size only they weigh a lot less.

The fiesta ST and VXR can both be had for about the same money and also the 1.8 N/A engine in an astra is a complete dog and as said the SRI is not sporty, just sporty trim.

I don't want to slag, but the OP stated their needs and I'm just making sure they get a tempered and hopefully more balanced reply.

Depending if the OP wants new or used, you can't get a new fabia any more, however this could be an entertaining buy:

Mitsubishi-Motors/Colt - Key Features

What point? A 220 nd 230 4x4 octy will beat a 170 bhp fabia from a standing start?, If I owned either octy i would be pretty ****ed if they didn't.

One of those octys was standard and beat a one click or similarly modded fabia IIRC

The point being that if the OP doesn't want to be overtaken on the m/ways (as stated in post #1) then the fabia VRS is not the car for that.

Was that a real 50 or a computer 50mpg? I am saying it wont get a real 50.

Anyway, just go drive the cars in question.. oh and realise that whatever you drive something faster *will* always exist and *will* overtake you if it wants to.

The Fabia VRS is not aimed at the same market as the VXR and ST, if it was they would have put the 1.8T engine in it.

The Fabia VRS is not aimed at the same market as the VXR and ST, if it was they would have put the 1.8T engine in it.

Similar size, similar price so same class.

The astra is a competitor to the Octy/VW Golf as they are in the same class, ditto for the focus.

On the 1.8T note, has the OP looked at the ibiza?

One of those octys was standard and beat a one click or similarly modded fabia IIRC

If you follow the link the quoted figures for the octy's are 220 bhp and 230 bhp, afaik no mk1 octy came with either of those power outputs :P

The point being that if the OP doesn't want to be overtaken on the m/ways (as stated in post #1) then the fabia VRS is not the car for that.

Well advise him to get a Veyron and have done

Well advise him to get a Veyron and have done

OP :iagree: :P

One of those octys was standard and beat a one click or similarly modded fabia IIRC

The point being that if the OP doesn't want to be overtaken on the m/ways (as stated in post #1) then the fabia VRS is not the car for that.

Was that a real 50 or a computer 50mpg? I am saying it wont get a real 50.

Anyway, just go drive the cars in question.. oh and realise that whatever you drive something faster *will* always exist and *will* overtake you if it wants to.

hi thanks for all replys

truth is from my point of view I dont want to be over-taken on the motorway. At least as much as can be avoided.

I did look at the Mitsubishi turbo and even suzuki sport swift but they are very small 3 doors.

my only other car considered is the toyota corolla t sport 189bhp. Although not drivenyet but will in next couple of weeks along with the VRS.

1) Hope you have declared that lot to the insurance as modified fabia are expensive and getting harder to insure due to a lot of "on roof" incidents.

2) It won't eat a cooper S, not in a month of sundays. Not the old one, not the new one. The topgear video where it just won was a standard cooper and since then the cooper has had a facelift and a power increase.

What is it with giving a straight, but factual, opinion these days.

My mods are most certianly declared, I consider myself to be a responsible motorist and cannot stomach the di#kheads who cause accidents and shaft innocent people through no or inadequate insurance. I'm also not some max power idiot who goes horsing round streets and challenging little chavs in their rusty Novas SR's and XR2i's (taking it back a bit there). One of the reasons I like my car is because it does appear to look pretty average but I know its not going to roll over and wheeze to a halt! A proper hot hatch it is not but lets be clear the Fabia vRS is both practical, economical and can be a lot of fun to drive with enough power for mr Average but with a few tricks you can have a bit more fun.

I dont think my original review was too far off the mark but lets be real if I could afford an Astra VXR or a Focus ST (and the insurance) I'd be rollin round in one of them but the fact is I cant so I'll make do with my Fabia and enjoy it, It has the ability to put a smile on my face and gives me an interest so I'm happy.

Edited 19 July, 200817 yr by geordie_21