We've had our Fabia for some 4 months now. I have to say, it never ceases to impress me. Over the years I've owned and driven a considerable number of new vehicles of all sizes and as a tech, worked on many of them too. The car seems well constructed and solid from what I can see...really well built. It's also been trouble free without even a squeak of rattle. Oh...did have an 'A' pillar seal missing...now replaced.

In the main, I use my 1000cc motorcycle for everday transport. I'm a bike freak...even at my age, the wrong side of 50! I find cars generally boring...been there done that if you know what I mean. But when I drive the Fabia, I must say it's an engaging experience...pleasurable even. Not something you would necessarily expect from this type of car. I even love the solid dependable sound the diesel engine makes. I drove it last night with a car load of people and it just gets better and better. The power delivery from the 1.4TDI is fantastic and getting better as the miles go on. My wife mostly uses it now and has only covered 2400 miles. But it's faster and quieter now.

We had some way to go last night and the car just took it in it's stride and maintained a comfortable 75mph indicated all the way (dual carriageway). Hills don't bother it and the accelleration is superb...with it not appearing to notice the extra weight of the passengers and luggage. Handling and roadholding are another good point of the car. The estate feels a bit more planted and secure on the road than the hatch I feel especially when fully loaded. Although the hatch is not at all bad I must say. But I just feel you can throw the estate about a bit more without body roll. Fuel seemed to level out for the trip at around the 57.6mpg mark. With less weight in the car and more gentle approach to the throttle I've achieved 70.9mpg on the same trip...but not exceeding 65mph.

I just love this car! Does anyone else feel this way? Or...am I becoming dull and boring? Errr...don't answer that last one if it's yes! Drive safe everyone.

We've had our Fabia for some 4 months now. I have to say, it never ceases to impress me. Over the years I've owned and driven a considerable number of new vehicles of all sizes and as a tech, worked on many of them too. The car seems well constructed and solid from what I can see...really well built. It's also been trouble free without even a squeak of rattle. Oh...did have an 'A' pillar seal missing...now replaced.

In the main, I use my 1000cc motorcycle for everday transport. I'm a bike freak...even at my age, the wrong side of 50! I find cars generally boring...been there done that if you know what I mean. But when I drive the Fabia, I must say it's an engaging experience...pleasurable even. Not something you would necessarily expect from this type of car. I even love the solid dependable sound the diesel engine makes. I drove it last night with a car load of people and it just gets better and better. The power delivery from the 1.4TDI is fantastic and getting better as the miles go on. My wife mostly uses it now and has only covered 2400 miles. But it's faster and quieter now.

We had some way to go last night and the car just took it in it's stride and maintained a comfortable 75mph indicated all the way (dual carriageway). Hills don't bother it and the accelleration is superb...with it not appearing to notice the extra weight of the passengers and luggage. Handling and roadholding are another good point of the car. The estate feels a bit more planted and secure on the road than the hatch I feel especially when fully loaded. Although the hatch is not at all bad I must say. But I just feel you can throw the estate about a bit more without body roll. Fuel seemed to level out for the trip at around the 57.6mpg mark. With less weight in the car and more gentle approach to the throttle I've achieved 70.9mpg on the same trip...but not exceeding 65mph.

I just love this car! Does anyone else feel this way? Or...am I becoming dull and boring? Errr...don't answer that last one if it's yes! Drive safe everyone.

I think it will get quieter as the miles go on the clock. I am impressed by the brakes. When I was driving through Glasgow the other week on the M8 the traffic came to a standstill while I was doing 65mph. I jumped on the brakes and just managed to stop in time. The car behind which was a Fabia1 was sliding between two lanes.

If I had have been in my ex Doblo I would have smashed into the back of the car. I don't think my Panda would have stopped in time either.

I love the 1.4 TDI in 80 bhp spec. Pulls brilliantly for a 1.4 and I like the sound and character from the 3 cyinder configuration. Cars sound so dull nowadays but this engine (and the 1.2 HTP as well) is a pleasure to hear singing away.

sorry to hijack the tread

but does the 1.4 TDI 80HP spec have a engine dampner

if so can i have the model number

Can't really fault the car (1.4 TDi Level 2) and I've covered 30,000 miles in it! No problems (other than those caused by driver error) and not a squeak from any part of it. Easily holds its own when setting off from traffic lights...!

I'm finally taking delivery of mine (3 Estate in Brilliant Sliver) Wednesday after ordering on 28th July!

Glad to hear from someone who's used it in anger. I thought it was a great car on the test drive and pulled really well.

I tried both the hatch and estate and agree the estate handles better. The hatch rolled a bit much for my tastes but the Estate was fine.

And it's such fabulous value for money too.

Roll on Wednesday!!

Nice to hear you guys enjoying your Fabias!

Have to say I agree with your comments on this great little car. Although, mine is not an estate I have to say my Fabia 1.4tdi 80 now with 6k on the clock just gets better and better. I really find it hard to equate my motor with some of the cristism levelled in these forums. I guess its like everything else, its down to preference, but some of the reports just seem miles away from my experiences. Poor brakes, poor economy and noisey just don't make sense to me. The brakes appear better and more flexible than my MKI even though that had discs all round, economy is touching 60 mpg on average and peaking in the low seventies in ideal conditions. As for noise, like you, I think its a lovely reassurring rasp that you just don't get in run of mill hatchbacks these days. The car seems just as happy 'poddling' around as it when you call for extra power. This was my first diesel and once I adjusted my driving style slightly for the different power bands I've not looked back.

Full marks Skoda

It's interesting to hear the comments...good or bad. I know what you mean about some of the comments/complaints etc that you read about on forums such as this. As a biker I'm on a bike forum. My make and model of bike is one of the best you can buy in it's class, reliable, rugged, high quality, never goes wrong etc but you wouldn't think it when you read some of the posts on the bike site. It just boils down to the fact there's a lot of cars and bikes out there and although 99.9% of us don't get any problems...0.1% does and thats a few people who need to be heard. I notice also that a good few complain about things that are not actually a fault with there cars, but something they are doing or not doing quite right as a driver.

This is a great site for getting information and advice. I spent sometime on here lurking and learning before actually buying a Skoda, my first. Anyway, I'm off to lurk somewhere else now...better put the mack on as it's raining!! Drive safe everyone.

Perhaps the estate has slightly uprated rear suspension(stiffer springs?) which gives the better handling posted above.If I remember rightly,having a stiffer set-up at the back reduces understeer.A similar difference was noted when the old Marina estate was introduced(for those of us-like me-old enough to remember).

I am impressed by the brakes. When I was driving through Glasgow the other week on the M8 the traffic came to a standstill while I was doing 65mph. I jumped on the brakes and just managed to stop in time. The car behind which was a Fabia1 was sliding between two lanes.

If I had have been in my ex Doblo I would have smashed into the back of the car. I don't think my Panda would have stopped in time either.

Surely car not able to stop in time = driving too close. Nothing to do with the efficiency of the brakes?

Surely car not able to stop in time = driving too close. Nothing to do with the efficiency of the brakes?

I was definately too close in Glasgow when it happened but to be honest I don't think I would have drove that close in the Doblo. I had learnt from previous experience that the brakes were not the best. The wheels locked to easily and skidded on anything but a dry road. The car obviously had no ABS.

Fab...you stopped! That's the main thing. I notice there are more and more driving schools buying the Fabia 2 for teaching. Initial reports I understand from talking to an instructor are that it's a superb school car...brakes included...eg: they do several emergency stops a day in the normal course of work with no ill effects on the vehicle. If driving schools start using them, you just know it's a robust car, they take a pounding!

And yes...I understand the Estate Fabia has a stronger rear suspension setup which does reduce body roll to next to nothing even when loaded.

I'm very pleased with the Fabia estate the only slight niggle I have is that there is no coolant temp gauge. One of the good things I like about it is the variable speed on the wipers.

i have got the 1.9tdi, i found the 1.4tdi ok on power but just to loud round town, gave me a head ache

My 3 Estate has done about 1,200 miles now and is beginning to loosen up nicely - it's definately getting less gruff when accelerating from standing.

Re performance - My wife has a 1.9TDi Fabia hatch (Mark 1) and yes it is better on initial grunt at low speed but there's hardly any difference once you're up and running. The 1.4 TDi s not a rocket ship and as long as you drive it accordingly it does exactly what it says on the tin.

I chose the 1.4TDi on tax / cost grounds as a company car and haven't regretted it at all - still in my opinion the best value Estate on the market.

Hope to post a full review before Christmas as will have about 2,000 on it by then but so far it's all good.

Not a rocket-ship? Maybe a mini-rocket ship. It's surprisingly quick.

Not a rocket-ship? Maybe a mini-rocket ship. It's surprisingly quick.

Agreed! And I look forward to the 'Skoda Family' review.