Evening all!!

Lad i work with is going to have a look at this tomorrow as his first car. Anything special i need to tell him to look out for when he gets there?

2001 SKODA FABIA Comfort

Cheers in advance

If thats a 1.4 16v (will say on the back/engine cover) as opposed the the 8valve, it could have a problem with high oil consupmtion from piston ring issues. It's a common issue on that engine unfortualty. Look for blue smoke under heavy power/pulling away fast etc. Personally, I would rather have the 1.9 TDi, same performance, power etc, more economical, and more reliable engine.

Also, the console bushes can go (problem on all Fabias), so check for play/wear in those.

Otherwise general things, cambelt (4years or 60k), damp carpets from leaking rear doors (again, common issue, but an easy fix) etc .

doesn't the 8v unit have the chain and not a belt?

Yeah, it does sorry. Totally skipped my mine. Based on the old 1.3 I think. The 16valve is a belt though, and the advert doesn't say either way which engine it is.

thanks lads

Hi All, I'm the "Lad from work"

The place that has the above car, also has this FABIA Comfort 1.9 SDi

What are your thoughts on that? the mileage is 140k

Same as the other one really, although the engine in that will keep going long after the 1.4 is dead. However, it is mighty slow, but has good mpg. If both are in the same place, drive/look at both, see which is better.

To add to things to watch for, check the gearbox works freely, and doesn't spit it out.

In terms of testing the suspension bushes in a test-drive situation, just make sure it doesn't creak and groan over speed-bumps. Based on experience, other things to watch out for are the condition of the backbox and rear bumpstops (you shouldn't be able to see the chrome rod on the shock absorber). Make sure the air con blows cold, even after the engine's warmed up, and on that note, make sure the temperature gauge moves up to the vertical position and stays there.

In terms of which is better, as long as the SDI has had its timing belt done, the extra miles won't matter. Given the age of the petrol, I'll bet it's an MPi, so as long as it doesn't sound like a bag of nails, that should be OK too. In terms of which is better, the diesel will cost less in terms of fuel, but quite a bit more to maintain. Neither are exactly 'high performance', so it will really come down to what colour you prefer in the end, I reckon!

Are they both estates?

Either engine should serve well as long as it has been serviced/maintained well. If there is a history of what work has been done on the car the better equipped and more knowledgable you will be about the vehicle.

If it hasn't you can haggle a lower price and when stuff goes wrong/and fixed you can keep your own records.

See if you can test drive both and see which one you like.

I like the screenname, are you really a hippy though? :P

He had the SDI in the end, it's very nice as well from what i can gather. I'm trying to get him to fill that big boot full of subs now lol

Hi guys,

the SDI is an estate, the petrol isn't.

as Zero said I went for the SDI! I went and had a look and drive, and it is in really superb condition for the mileage, hell it's in superb condition full stop!

it has a full service history, it's been done at regular intervals of 10K (approx) and has had all the appropriate things changed at the right times.

I checked everything on the dash and all is working, the interior is very clean, it rained over night and the carpets weren't wet so that hopefully means that the doors aren't leaking, also it was cold and the engine started like a dream! I didn't actually get to drive it, my dad did - the guy said they had a new policy of not letting recently passed drivers test drive because not long ago they had someone total a KA...in the court-yard! :eek: - but he said it ticked all the boxes, clutch and steering were all fine etc, and the ride was smooth as anything - I was in the back. it even has a second key which isn't a lot, but very handy lol, and also a brand new spare + a jack set in the boot.

the dealer is going to service and MOT it all before handing it over - at no charge - and i got 45 knocked off the price, every little helps right?

so to sum up, I got the Fabia 1.9 SDI Estate, 140K on the clock, but in perfect running order and 12 months MOT for 1250!

I'm very pleased with my purchase!

(I don't actually pick up the car until Wednesday/Thursday next week because they're putting it through the MOT, and I've gotta get the cash in to one place!)

And Sisko, many probably would consider my lifestyle up to my late teens "hippy" - Home Educated - so, at heart yes though my name's not Jack!

Your comment on the second key, ever try to replace one and you'll soon retract that!

That new driver thing is quite annoying, had the same issue myself, but understandable.

Hope it does you well!

SDI maybe slow but there economical had one as a company car for a month whilst waiting new company car and put a shed load of mileage on it. I was so impressed that when the missus needed to change her car some 5 yrs later it was on the shortlist to find for her.

Acceleration is not too hot but a friend of minhas this engine in a Polo saloon and once up to speed it is quite relaxed on the motorway: bombproof as well. Glad you are happy and stick around Hippy Jack!