Hey.

I'm not that familiar with the Fabia so I have to ask: now that the new Polo is out will this mean that a new generation Fabia is coming soon? Or does the Fabia have anything to do with the Polo in the first place?

New Polo looks good and the size would be just fine for my use - I just would like it to be a Skoda.

2010 is rumoured for the facelift.

No, the new Polo is based more or less on the current Fabia. If you want a bit of 'new', hang on until the Spring when a facelifted Fabia arrives.

Thanks for the answers. Just have to wait and see what it'll look like.

There are a few threads on here about the facelifted mk2, there are some spyshots on the AutoExpress website and other forums. Just do a search on here.

I believe the present Fabia is based on the previous generation VW small car "chassis". To get the new generation "chassis" you have to get either the new Polo or the Seat equivalent.

I believe the present Fabia is based on the previous generation VW small car "chassis". To get the new generation "chassis" you have to get either the new Polo or the Seat equivalent.

This is correct, the current Fabia has exactly the same chassis as the previous mk1 and even shares a lot of the same running gear. The facelift next spring is just that, some minor tweaks on the current model and not a completely new one. SInce the current Fabia is not even a couple of years old we wont see a totally new one for some years yet.

Theres a lot of confusion about this, some say its the Mk1 chassis and others say its a new chassis that the current Polo and Ibiza share... is there any concrete evidence to back either view up?

Theres a lot of confusion about this, some say its the Mk1 chassis and others say its a new chassis that the current Polo and Ibiza share... is there any concrete evidence to back either view up?

It's the old chassis. Compare the dimensions (wheelbase, width e.t.c.)

As I understand it though there isn't a massive amount of difference between the new and old platforms.

The facelift Fabia should get some of the new engines though hopefully to bring it more up to date with the Polo.

It seems to me that the biggest problem with the Fabia is how it looks - frumpy, old fashioned and boring! Compare it with the new Fiesta, Polo, Seat etc, and it just seems so, well, OLD!

If the photos of the update are to be believed then the update does little to address this. The Octavia, Superb, Yeti etc all have some design interest and flair yet the Fabia looks like it was designed by a committee left over from the 1960's Skoda team.

I am an Octavia driver looking to downsize and preferring to stay with Skoda but I just can't bring myself to buy a Fabia - back to VW?

The base model Fabia 2 looks a bit dull but with well chosen colour and options it's a great little car. Side rubbing strips and alloys make a huge difference. I've had two Mk1 Fabias a 1.4TDI Comfort and a1.9TDI Elegance Combi, but have to say my parents Mk2 is equal in most respects and better in some. The styling kind of grows on you.

JON

Plus, have you seen how expensive the new polo is? Nice car and everything, but *way* overpriced.

And I'm speaking as a moderator on uk-polos!

No, the new Polo is based more or less on the current Fabia. If you want a bit of 'new', hang on until the Spring when a facelifted Fabia arrives.

New polo = new fllorpan.

Fabia II = old floorpan

As has been said before, the looks are subjective and personal... I think the Fabia 2 is a decent looker, especially the estate... yes the new Polo looks fab, but IMO the Seat range and Fiestas are pure ugly and overstyled. So, theres a place for a smartly styled car like the Fabia.

Not many cars with such an adorably cute and characterful face, im a man and I resorted to using those words:eek:

Shame about the old platform though, big question is why. When the Fabia was launched it was first to get the new platform before the Ibiza and Polo, and I cant beleive there's talks of facelifting already, only been around for about two years. Maybe thats the price you pay for starting out with an old platform in the first place.

No biggie though, Ford still sell cars to the Americans with the same fundamental chassis from the early 70's

I think the Fiat 500 has a cuter face than the Fabia, and also the smart fortwo is more cutesy as well. I reckon the Fab looks a wee bit boss eyed:)

I think the Fiat 500 has a cuter face than the Fabia, and also the smart fortwo is more cutesy as well. I reckon the Fab looks a wee bit boss eyed:)

Speaking as someone who currently runs a fleet of 45 FourTwos there is little to compare them to a Fabia, other than the four wheels!

I had one myself before the Fabia... and yes no comparison except to say the smarts Mitsubishi 3 cylinder sounds a lot healthier than the VW 3 cylinder:O

I had one myself before the Fabia... and yes no comparison except to say the smarts Mitsubishi 3 cylinder sounds a lot healthier than the VW 3 cylinder:O

They do sound good TBH. Up to about 50mph...

Not many cars with such an adorably cute and characterful face, im a man and I resorted to using those words:eek:

Shame about the old platform though, big question is why. When the Fabia was launched it was first to get the new platform before the Ibiza and Polo, and I cant beleive there's talks of facelifting already, only been around for about two years. Maybe thats the price you pay for starting out with an old platform in the first place.

No biggie though, Ford still sell cars to the Americans with the same fundamental chassis from the early 70's

i agree about the platform. Unlucky timing with the mk2; first use of the original platform meant first need of a mk2, by which time the new platform wasn't yet available. To compound this "marketing" and development costs require a facelift (so existing platform again) before a notional mk3 around 2012/13. The effect of this is that Skoda will have used the same platform for c.12 or 13 years by then (whereas Seat will have used the original platform for about 7). i wonder if the comparitively early facelift for the Fabia is to allow a relatively early mk3? in any case i agre that continued use of an old platform is not necesarily a big deal. Many so called new platforms are evolved existing ones and changes can be made within a platform

I think the platform angst is overdone. The Mk2 chassis is a fine one and very few people would complain about the difference between the two in real life.

Well said that man, it really doesnt matter how old it is as long as it works well, and it does.

I think the platform angst is overdone. The Mk2 chassis is a fine one and very few people would complain about the difference between the two in real life.

I agree totally, I have a 2003 Fabia Mk1, and I regularly visit our VAG dealer, they sell VW Skoda and Seat cars.

Comparing the new Polo, I like the shape of it, but in reality, I find it even smaller then my MK1 Fabia, not to mention the MK2.

The legroom in the back, and the insight height both in front and back is much smaller in the Polo. Boot is also much bigger in the fabia M2k.

So this new platform makes almost no difference at all. The only, and the bigest problem with the Fabia Mk2 is, they tried to maximize the shape of it, but the old platform is a little narrow, and they made the car too tall.

The only real advantage with the new platform is its widthness, that way the cars look much better.

The tallness is exaggerated by the really high suspension, at a sensible drop level the Fabia Mk2 looks good!

A lot of people like the Fabia's tallness. It's actually a USP. A lot of Fabia drivers tend to be a slightly older demographic than Polo/Ibiza drivers and many like the commanding driving position. Polos and Ibizas sit quite a bit lower. That's why my Dad brought his - the great straight-head visibility.