Apologies for intially posting this in the wrong area.

I have come across the opportunity to get a Skoda Fabia 1.9 SDI Classic on a 52 plate for a good price, and was wondering if some people could give me some honest reviews. I am not looking to race around, just a good reliable commuter for pootling about.

Regards

m0nk

Edited 27 June, 200917 yr by postmanpat
title altered and thread moved

the mark 1 is a very good quality car, better build quality materials than the mark 2 imo, the only thing is the short 6000mile service interval between changing oil

Go for it I am now on my second SDi and have had 8 years trouble free motoring.Perfect car if you don't want to get every where in record time ,bit slow on acceleration but I can live with that getting great MPG and low insurance.Do about 9000 miles a year including annual trip to Scotland,a long way from Norwich

I've a '01 classic SDI and it's grand. If it's thrifty you're after it's a super buy - it's not as desirable as a TDI and has no bells or whistles to drive the price up and is a very economical engine to boot.

Just look out for the usual things, like if the timing belt needs doing soon, and if not, was the water pump changed when the timing belt was done? Also, check for wear on the inside of the front tyres, and if it knocks or creaks if you go over speed bumps, that might point to problems with the anti -roll bar and/or the console bushes, both of which on older motors are prone to failing.

As far as oil changing, I do it myself twice a year, and I find I can do it handy enough without even needing to jack the car up, so personally I don't find it a problem.

SWMBO has W reg SDI. 85K wouldn't swop it for anything.

Hey Guys,

I went ahead and bought it . Paid £1200 for it. It has about 127000 miles on the clock , but most of them are motorway.

Have to say, I am lovin the drive on it . AC and Sunroof as well .. very handy for yesterdays heat.

Funny you mention the short oil service intervals.. as the "oil service" indicator has just flashed up .. Have that booked in for Wed.

It has a few eccentricities .. Rear wiper starts for no reason for a few seconds when ignition is turned on and it stops whereever it feels like :P .. Driver side window can be a bit fiddly to open .. ( probably a worn switch or something similar) .. The engine does emit some weird noises ( I was warned before I purchased ) .. A belt sounds like its slipping, but the garage cant find anything wrong there .. and there are a few knocks and noises in certain gears .. So all in a car with character

Regards

They are supposed to be mega slow ... but as I'm used to frogeyes/smarts etc it's no problem to me.

I think the phrase that describes the driving style required with an sdi is "momentimism" the art of keeping rolling at all costs !