Hi everyone.

As you've guessed i'm considering a mk1 Fabia as a first car. As i'm 16 and starting driving next year, i'll have to stick to the lower models. Either the 1.2 Classic, 1.4 Classic or 1.9 SDI Classic, as they are group 1 and 2 insurance.

First questions. Have any of you had a Fabia as a first car at 17? And how much was the insurance with what company?

I was doing a couple of quotes with confused.com and i was getting £2500+. The lowest i got was £1500 TPFT with Swift Cover.

Also, how easy is it to get parts e.g bumpers, side skirts? I've done some googling and couldnt really find anything. Most of it was too 'chavvy'. Basically something simple like the body kit of a VRS (See pic). Would it be OK to put a body kit from a VRS onto a normal Fabia?

Thanks in advance.

I had one as a second car, but got it about 2 months after passing my test (wanted something with ABS).

As a first car I don't think its too bad, nice and easy to park, easy to drive, versitile seating position. However, you will get mocked by friends at that age.

To insure it, (1.4 16v Comfort) on my dads policy for the 1st year was £1,300 (inc. protected no claims) and now I have 1 year NCB, its £1,500 in my own name. Mine is group 6 however, not the 1-2 of the ones you proposed.

RE body kits - these are Skoda parts and nice IMO, but you will need to tell insurance about them.

?koda Accessories

Compared to the Punto I had, its a much better 1st car and one you could keep for a while without getting too bored or fustrated IMO.

I don't really care what people will think and it will look better with alloys etc.

What company was it for insurance on your dads policy?

I had a 1.4MPI Comfort at 17 and I loved it. Solid and dependable, decent spec for a first car, quite easy to work on (I did the head gasket, and decided to do the timing chain, water pump and thermostat at the same time). I even convinced my friends that Skoda's really are good

Can't remember the insurance details unfortunately. Have a look at superskoda.com for body bits. A lot of it is very chavvy, but some of it (such as the darker Milotec grilles, like I have) can work very well indeed.

Above all, have fun and pick a good'un, we're here to help You've already done the right thing by coming here. I didn't discover Briskoda until I had my second (and current) Fabia.

I don't really care what people will think and it will look better with alloys etc.

What company was it for insurance on your dads policy?

No, the image isn't something I care about either - mines an estate!

Errrr - it was Directline so I had a named driver discount for my own policy afterwards.

However - the discount isn't transferable to other firms and, if its in your name, or you are the main user, and the policy is in your parents name, it is technically fraud, and in the event of the claim they can/will refuse to pay out.

You may be able to claim as a learner you can't be the main driver as you can't drive alone, but I wouldn't be too sure. Use caution if you take this approach.

I got my 1st Fabia less than a year after passing and it was AMAZING! everything was so light and easy to drive (I'd had a 93 Escort.. no power steering.. it's highlight was the velour seats)

So I whole heartedly recommend a Fabia as your first car..

www.superskoda.com/

These guys sell pretty much everything from replica OEM, or real OEM to insane chav-tastic after market... and at the minute thier price on Alu vRS peddles is STUPIDLY low!

Cheers guys.

did they do a 1.2 in the mk1?

the fabia i use is my mums and as said its very easy to drive and to an extent you can throw it around once you get to know the car.

Built solid and will last for ages. They seem much better made than similar cars of its age

Ooo, one little bit of advice I just thought of.

If you do plan to put vRS parts onto a non vRS then try to buy either a silver or black Fabia. And to a lesser extent Red.

Why? Well, there the most common vRS colors and if ya lucky second hand bumpers can be had on ebay in the right colour and that'll save you a packet in re-spray costs!

Rob

did they do a 1.2 in the mk1?

Yeah, the HTP engine! I read it was actually designed for the mk1 Fabia and was so good the Polo inherited it! It's a 3pot I think.

did they do a 1.2 in the mk1?

Yes, I had one as a Hire car. It was very nippy around town and it sound great when you revved it, like a V6 (only having 3 cylinders). It was a shame about the poor performance out of town.

I had a 1.4 mpi (arn't they insurance group 3?)

My first years insurance was about a grand 3rd party F&T.

Second year went up. with a claim and 3 points to 1200 3rd party F&T

3rd year I with no new claims or convictions I was told it would be going up to 1500, something about student discounts >.< and no longer being a student. Fortunately fully comp was cheaper! at 1200. That's what I'm paying at the moment

I don't really care what people will think and it will look better with alloys etc.

I'd check with whichever insurers you get quotes from whether cosmetic mods like alloys and bodykit parts will affect your premium.

Off topic but had to say - great user name

I'd plump for the 1.2 HTP or a 1.4 tdi? - get very good write ups

How much do think alloys will affect the insurance?

If you went for VRS alloys, I doubt most insurers would charge anything - just tell them theyre "upgraded official skoda alloys"

I do quite like the Fabia, currently looking at a few 1.2s for some cheap motoring!

My son had a 1.4 and insured it through direct line ...about £1,400 for the first year I think

Had a 1.2 HTP as a courtesy car whilst mine was in for warranty work and I must say it can be chucked about a bit easier than the vRS, no weight on the front!

Not as much grip as the vRS though...

Go for a 1.2 or the 1.4TDI, both great little cars and cost little to run!

Thanks everybody.

You didn't say how much you are looking to spend on the car itself but if can afford it go for a 1.4 TDi, think you can get them in 70, 75 and 80bhp. Great torquey little motors, cheap to insure and seriously easy on fuel. Good luck

I was doing some browsing on AutoTrader and there's some good ones for under a grand. As cheap as possible really. I am a student don't forget

i am in exactly the same boat! have you still got this car, if so how are you getting on with it? the model im looking at is a skoda fabia 1.4 comfort so i dont have to deal with the peasant windows! but hopefully getting a black car and putting just the front bumper on to improve the look of the car!

I feel sorry for you wippersnappers. My first car was a Nova SR which i insured FC for £740 and then had a Pug 1.9 GTi at 19 insured fc for £820. These 4 figure tpft quotes for a Fab are astounding :(