Help deciding

[GlacierNR]

Hi, this might sound off the wall, but I am looking for some help in choosing a new car.

I am interested in the New Fabia Combi and currently have a 2006 Elegance Combi.

I live in Colombia, so the options I have narrowed down may not be familiar to all...

They are:

New Fabia "Special Line" 1.6 (2?)

Honda Fit 1.5 (City)

VW Gol 1.6 (the new one, not Golf)

VW Jetta 2.0 (new Mk4 - Mexican)

Hyundai Elantra 2.0

Nissan Versa 1.8

Toyota Corolla 1.8

What would you choose and why?

Thanks,

Nate

[nickcoll]

The Fabia would probably deliver the best fuel consumption - 50mph plus is quite possible in any of the diesel-engined ones. Most of the others are a class higher and will therefore be heavier and so return less good fuel consumption. The Fabia Estate 1.9TDi (the heaviest engine) is only 1190 kgs in weight - check what this is for the others in your list!

[GlacierNR]

,,,safety and decent power are also a concern, but I haven't driven the 1.6 combi.

[nickcoll]

The Fabia is a 4 star EuroNCAP car, so it is pretty safe. If you get the level 3 then you also get curtain airbags, which would probably increase the safety rating further. I don't know what the specs are in your country, though.

In terms of decent driveable power you just can't beat a diesel. All that a petrol engine gives you is a slightly better 0-60 time, which is of use only when you are accelerating from rest (and then only at the expense of killing your fuel economy). All the rest of the time a diesel is MUCH better to drive. I used to drive petrol engined cars but I find them tedious now.

On that point, one of the reasons I ruled out a Honda Fit (Jazz in this country I believe) is that you can't get one with a diesel engine. Pretty good car otherwise, though.

[GlacierNR]

Well, it is now narrowed down to a Fabia Combi Special Line1.6: with maxidot, sunroof, small leather package, dance radio, 4 power windows, climatronic, etc.... and the Jetta Europe - new Mk 4 Jetta.

The Skoda has more room inside, feels just as well put together, has a better weight vs power spec (here the 1.6 has 108hp) and the brakes feel more direct, speed sensitive steering as well feels better than in the Jetta or in the last gen Fabia (I thought it was the same unit?).

The Jetta feels tight inside and has a little less headroom with the seat all the way down (in 6'3"), has 4 wheel disks, an aluminum trim package, nicer gauges, handles slightly better and has a few better plastic parts on the doors.

Anyway, we'll see....

[GlacierNR]

Well, this is a little out of left field considering my previous options... I bought a Metallic (?) White Zafira 2.0 petrol with climate control, power everything and a few other goodies. I take possession this next week. I test drove one and was pleased. It feels well put together like the Jetta and Fabia, but a lot quieter inside. The seats are more comfortable as well. It also comes stock with a better stereo.

Nate

[nickcoll]

There's nothing wrong with the Zafira - great car, although quite a bit bigger than the ones you were looking for (and quite a bit more expensive too?). But I wouldn't have bought a petrol one.

[GlacierNR]

Yes, its a bit more expensive than the others, but here in Colombia not by much. Maybe $4000 more than a loaded Fabia 2 Combi. Also, diesel is out of the question here because it is extremely poor quality - so much so that you can only get diesels in pickup trucks and in VW jettas.

Anyway, thank you!

Cheers,

Nate