I can't think of another hot hatch I'd rather be driving, maybe bar the Golf R32. I'd much rather be driving a high performance saloon or estate, but I certainly wouldn't want a Leon Cupra-R, 147 GTA or Civic Type-R.

:iagree: ... although I am still a lover of Alfas and the 147 GTA would be stupidly fun (and also stupid given the quaility of Alfa servicing). However, if you get into the world where I had lots more money there would be plenty of other options to buy (i.e. a sports car and powerful estate).

Yes I agree the vRS is not a good day to day car. Effectlively we use the wifes Octy 1.6 as the day to day family car. The vRS is mostly used at the week end.

I disagree. I use the vRS for my daily commute and have racked up 45,000 miles in the last 16 months. I bought the vRS because it was practical enough for everyday use and still sporty, fun to drive etc.

The only drawback is the white upholstery but as long as you're reasonably careful it can be kept that way.

Yes I agree the vRS is not a good day to day car. Effectlively we use the wifes Octy 1.6 as the day to day family car. The vRS is mostly used at the week end.

I'll have to disagree with you there William...I use my RS everyday and find it pefectly acceptable.

I do around 250miles a week to/from work and have to fill up around every 380-400 miles. Admittedly I don't go hooning around but I still have some fun.

Have done 35k miles so far.....2nd Birthday tomorrow.

Would I have bought something else? Perhaps but......why pay more for less? There wasn't, and I would say still isn't, anything else available which gives the performance/economy/equiment for the money.

I had a Golf GTi before the Octy and (as already said) traded up to a Skoda. I love the car because it does all I need and SWMBO loves driving it, so everyone's happy!

I don't think there are that many cars that can pootle around town all day, eat up motorway miles in comfort and be thrown around a track lap after lap - and do it so well, (albeit with compromises) for the small initial outlay.

I love rally cars and if I had the money would have a Lancia Stratos, 037, Ford RS200 or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, but I don't have the money and I need something practical for my family - so I've got an Octy.

Another bonus is that it's still quite a good 'Q' car.

One day it will handle as well as the Lancia Delta Integrale EVO I used to have.

Andy

I wouldn't be driving an Octavia if I had the money for a 350Z and my company policy allowed it (we have a stupid 4-door only policy).

I bought the Octy on impulse because it was in the right price range and it had reasonable performance. I didn't know about chipping it until I landed on here - now I'm wondering about Eddy's bigger turbo advice ... :P

Don't plan to sell it just yet - have invested quite a bit of time and money into it and it's still going strong after 70k miles (apart from the occasional lumpy running thing). I don't spend a lot of money on cars - I should go over and answer the "one car or two" thread really as I've got 3 for far less than the money mentioned in there.

And I absolutely disagree about the vRS (although I don't own one) not being a day to day car - why ever not?! It's practical, economical, reliable, cheap to service - what more do you want?

I do not think a high 20's to low 30's mpg car is economical.

That all depends how you drive it - 35 is perfectly achievable. You don't have to thrash it all the time, although obviously the temptation is there. What do you get out of the 1.6? I bet it's not much better ...

Yes I agree the vRS is not a good day to day car.

Bolleaux!

My car, not standard, was used as an everyday car. OK, so I only did 138,000 miles in it in 30 months so I think I can comment on its everyday driveability, before anyone suggests that my comment is harsh.

Of course it will depend on the individual, but I never had a problem with it, be it commuting, blasting along A roads, camping and biking trips or even trackdays.

What do you get out of the 1.6?

In comparison with a, er, "non-standard" vRS, my 1.6 doesn't return as good economy, and the 1.8T is better to drive too.

Shame the difference in insurance is too large to be paid for in the fuel saving...

Rob.

Bolleaux!

Jon, for heaven's sake say what you mean, stop beating around the bush

Sorry Nick, I just can't seem to get across what I mean without prevaricating. As you can tell, I'm the sort of guy who'll just come out and call a manual digging implement a manual digging implement

I get about 38mpg out of the 1.6. When I just got it it was worse. I used to get 45mpg out of the 1.3i Felicia. I will be looking at a deisel next time around.

I think William misread what Lee said...Lee was pondering stripping his RS out like Paul but said into wouldn't be a good day to day car........

But in case he didn't misread.....I quote what my honoureable friend just said..

...bolleaux!

I think William misread what Lee said...Lee was pondering stripping his RS out like Paul but said into wouldn't be a good day to day car........

But in case he didn't misread.....I quote what my honoureable friend just said..

...bolleaux!

The other reason I do not consider it a practical day to day car is it is too attractive to thieving scrotes.

i had a Golf VR6 before the Fabia VRS... I wanted to swap for a TDI.... as i do 70miles a day communting and after 2 years in the VR6 at 30mpg I thought I could save money on fuel and put that into finance and get a newer car....

I started looking at MK4 Golf GT TDI's, 110bhp ones.. and almost bought a T-Plate for 8500.. then read the long term test on the Fabia VRS in AutoExpress (or some other), I looked at the finances, new Fabia VRS (no MOT, no AA, full warrenty) v 5 year old Golf and the new Fabia looked like a sensible choice... so one test drive later the decision was made... more power, 6spd box, better seats and costs me about as much per month....

and here I am now with the Fabia and definately not regretting it....

however, if I did not drive so far for work, I would not have the Fabia, and I would not have an Octavia either.... I`d be after something sporty, petrol and still small, Leon Cupra, Ibza Cupra, Civic Type-R, Celica VTI 190....

OR even go back to my original plan for this car, Jap Coupe, rear drive....

Nissan 200SX S14a, Mazda RX-7 Gen 3, Toyota Supra Twin Turbo etc (UK cars only)

Agree on the diesel, overall I'm averaging 46mpg Much better than the RS which came in at 29. Having said that, the RS did do a lot more track miles which brought the average down. 11,000 miles at 10mpg or less doesn't help with the averages

At least with the diesel I get 50+ with normal commuting type driving, mid 30s with spirited driving and about 12-14 on track

At least my diesel goes round corners, its about 10-15 mph faster round bends on track than my old black one :eek:

Perhaps I am a Skin Flint. I have a good job with good salary, I earn extra as a reservist and my wife is an EO with the Civil service. Yet I drive a Skoda and complain about fuel prices.

I love my vRS and have a lot of fun with it at week ends and for longer jouneys etc, but I am happier with the 1.6 for slogging through rush hour city traffic and parking in West Belfast, where there is a damned good chance the vRS would walk the chalk within a week.

Agree on the diesel' date=' overall I'm averaging 46mpg Much better than the RS which came in at 29. Having said that, the RS did do a lot more track miles which brought the average down. 11,000 miles at 10mpg or less doesn't help with the averages

At least with the diesel I get 50+ with normal commuting type driving, mid 30s with spirited driving and about 12-14 on track

At least my diesel goes round corners, its about 10-15 mph faster round bends on track than my old black one :eek:[/quote']

TaviaRS, please tell me a little about your car. You claim it is a 1.9SDi but I get the feeling it is not standard??

Yet I drive a Skoda and complain about fuel prices.

I think the issue is less about how much things actually cost and more about value for money. And 80p a litre for fuel really isn't good value for money.

I object to paying

It's a taxi - he takes it out on track at weekends

I think the issue is less about how much things actually cost and more about value for money. And 80p a litre for fuel really isn't good value for money.

I object to paying

It may have had minor fettling ( ) done to it.

Search Results

Results displaying Unleaded within 8km (5miles)

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There were 51 petrol stations reporting sales of Unleaded fuel within 8km of Belfast in the last week. Here are the 5 cheapest/nearest.

Brand Forecourt Dist. km (miles) Last update Price (p)

1 SAINSBURYS SAINSBURYS HOLYWOOD EXCHANGE Details |Map 3.9 (2.43) 7/9/04 78.9

2 SAINSBURYS SAINSBURYS FORESTSIDE Details |Map 6.8 (4.25) 7/9/04 78.9

3 ESSO CHERRYVALLEY SERVICE STATION Details |Map 7.7 (4.81) 5/9/04 78.9

4 JET GILNAHIRK FILLING STATION Details |Map 7.9 (4.93) 5/9/04 78.9

5 TESCO TESCO KNOCKNAGONEY ROAD Details |Map 5.4 (3.37) 7/9/04 79.5

Postcode(BT ) Average 82.23

UK Average 81.74

The highest known Unleaded price in the BT postal area is 89.9

Weekly saving*

It may have had minor fettling ( ) done to it.

So what kind of fettling can you do to a SDi, I though that remapping only worked with a turbo engine?

Of course I'm not familiar with the geography of Belfast, and all of these may be in "no-go" areas, but it does seem to be available for quite reasonable prices.

None of them are near me. I filled up at Esso cherryvalley last Saturday cause I was past that area, but the stations on my usual routes are at 83.9 with deisel a bout a penny dearer. What really ****es me is that Tesco Knocknagoney is cheap, yet tesco Abbey Centre (where I shop) is 83.9 .