Hi there Folks,

I'm looking to order a Fabia 3 1.9 TDI estate in the next week. I live in a semi-rural area in the Yorkshire Pennines so need something that can cope with hills, country lanes and cold winters. I also need something that will be comfy and stress-free for about 25,000 miles a year - I spend between 2 and 4 hours most days in the car.

My options list is looking like:

Metallic Paint (probably Storm Blue)

Heated Front Seats

Headlamp Washers

Lowered Suspension

Curve Projector Headlights

ipod interface (I listen to a lot of work-related podcasts while I drive)

Bluetooth phone interface

Anyone got any experiences of these?

Is there any 'must have' option I've missed?

I've thought about ESP but I'm not convinced it's any help in the snow (the bulk of bad road surfaces I encounter) and in 24 years of driving cannot recall situations where it would have helped.

Thanks

Pete

Not quite sure why you are specifying lower and stiffer? suspension when you are driving through semi - rural areas on country lanes with bad road surfaces. ESP as got to be worth it for the one situation you haven't yet experienced

I find the rear disc brakes that come with ESP to be much better than the standard drums in terms of feel and force.

Pete

Thanks

The road surfaces here are actually quite good and stiffer, lower suspension is aimed at keeping more consistency in handling as weight of load varies.

I've read the debate here about ESP and 'the situation you've not yet met' - to an extent my decision may be based on what they have in the pipeline that's close to the spec I'm after. If I can get something close to my spec on earlier delivery, I'm prepared to be flexible.

Pete

i thought the AUX was standard on trim3? i have it and wasnt told it was "ipod interface"

i thought the AUX was standard on trim3? i have it and wasnt told it was "ipod interface"

Aux is standard, however there is a dealer fit option of a proper integrated ipod interface that is installed in the glove box. It gives you the advantage of track selection through the Dance Radio controls, and charging your ipod while you drive.

Pete

Hi there Folks,

I'm looking to order a Fabia 3 1.9 TDI estate in the next week. I live in a semi-rural area in the Yorkshire Pennines so need something that can cope with hills, country lanes and cold winters. I also need something that will be comfy and stress-free for about 25,000 miles a year - I spend between 2 and 4 hours most days in the car.

You sure you want a Fabia?

I've thought about ESP but I'm not convinced it's any help in the snow (the bulk of bad road surfaces I encounter) and in 24 years of driving cannot recall situations where it would have helped.

Thanks

Pete

It would only take one instance to make it worth it. You also would know where it can help you it just does. I'd have it over all the others

Rural, pennines, country lanes and lowered suspension dont go together.

ESP is typically for the unexpected fox, badger, pheasant, cow, horse. It can be switched off in case of snow.

Reversing sensors are always a good option.

Thanks folks,

Yes I am sure I want a Fabia Estate - it ticks so many of the boxes I haven't mentioned in the post (things like loads capacity, economy, etc.)

Fabia 3 comes with reversing sensors as standard but I'd rather not have them. If you need reversing sensors in a car then you should not have a driving license. They're really useful in something like a van where you have no central rear visibility but even then it's possible to reverse safely using mirrors. In a car they are generally unnecessary - especially one this small.

ESP I may consider - but that's as much to do with Pete's comments about the improved brakes as anything else.

It's interesting that no-one's commented about the headlights...

Cheers

Pete

Edited 7 June, 200917 yr by pete-d
typo

Thanks folks,

Yes I am sure I want a Fabia Estate - it ticks so many of the boxes I haven't mentioned in the post (things like loads capacity, economy, etc.)

Fabia 3 comes with reversing sensors as standard but I'd rather not have them. If you need reversing sensors in a car then you should not have a driving license. They're really useful in something like a van where you have no central rear visibility but even then it's possible to reverse safely using mirrors. In a car they are generally unnecessary - especially one this small.

ESP I may consider - but that's as much to do with Pete's comments about the improved brakes as anything else.

It's interesting that no-one's commented about the headlights...

Cheers

Pete

Economy figure lie by the way, you'll probally get 50mpg average consider hauling mass and the areayou're in. Prob 56mpg on motorways.Something to consider as well mate If you want better a 1.4TDi or Greenline will be better, and is much better on hills then paper suggests I climed steep mountains in my 1.4tdi 75 with lots of ease

Timelord

id just buy a skoda superb if you want comfort, second hand ones are a bargain.

Fabia 3 comes with reversing sensors as standard but I'd rather not have them. If you need reversing sensors in a car then you should not have a driving license. They're really useful in something like a van where you have no central rear visibility but even then it's possible to reverse safely using mirrors. In a car they are generally unnecessary - especially one this small.

Would you rather be without power steering and central locking as well?! They're just there to make life easier, that's all!

Fair point Guinness - though recent experience (less than 12 months ago) tells me that I'm happy driving a car without power steering or central locking (an old Volvo 340).

For me, there's a distinction between things that make life easier but don't reduce the amount of judgement required (e.g. central locking, air con, etc.) and those which do reduce the amount of judgement needed (e.g. parking sensors). Maybe I'm just a grumpy old(ish) man - or maybe I've just driven enough difference vehicles in enough different circumstances over the past 24 years to know what I think is important in my vehicle!

As for the Superb suggestion - yes I'd love one but as this is a company lease vehicle it has to be something brand new and the 140PS Superb TDI is out of my price range.

Thanks again for your comments. I'll be confirming the order today or tomorrow - then you'll just have to wait and see what spec it is when it's delivered (probably September as it's likely to be a factory order).

Pete

Hehe, I was just playing devil's advocate really - you're right that parking sensors do make you lazy. I'm so used to mine being there, I've had one or two scary moments driving my wife's car (which doesn't have them). Fortunately always remembered just in time!

Back on topic, I vote ESP as well. You can't put a price on the fact that it might save you or your family just once, not to mention the fact that it is fast becoming standard kit on many cars so should help at resale time.

Enjoy your new car!

I would not buy a new car without ESP.. I would also skip the curve projector headlights and choose the projector headlights without the turning function. I've got the curve ones on my car, and it's not that useful. The output of the normal projector lamps are just as good, and the fact that the reflector part of the lamp doesn't move makes it easier to install a Xenon aftermarket kit.

Have you considered waiting for the Fabia Scout? It looks good, doesn't it?

Enjoy your new car !!

Thanks guys.

Order confirmed today.

Interestingly my dealer has been told by Skoda UK that although lowered suspension is listed as an official option and is standard on the Greenline estate, it's not available as an option on a non-Greenline estate.

Pete

Hi

I would insist on a Chocolate Fountain and a chilled Mini Bar

Timelord

I would insist on a Chocolate Fountain and a chilled Mini Bar

Are they factory options or dealer fit accessories?

Pete

Are they factory options or dealer fit accessories?

Pete

Dealer Fit I believe, you can get the Choco Fountain and a Popcorn Makers half price at the moment

Timelord

Dealer Fit I believe, you can get the Choco Fountain and a Popcorn Makers half price at the moment

Timelord

Sadly the Choco Fountain/Popcorn Maker deal will have finished by the time I take delivery. Being a factory order it's going to take a while - probably early September before I get my hands on it!

Pete

Sadly the Choco Fountain/Popcorn Maker deal will have finished by the time I take delivery. Being a factory order it's going to take a while - probably early September before I get my hands on it!

Pete

That sucks :( PersonallyI willforce it so they get a sell.... buyers market after all at te moment

Timelord

Collected this yesterday - about 11 weeks after placing the order.

I have driven about 140 miles in it and am very happy with it.

Pete

Congratulations and enjoy! I rate mine as the most complete car I've ever owned.

If you are happy now...wait until you have covered a few thousand miles. More power, quieter, a joy to drive. Enjoy!