Hello.

Been viewing in here for a few months as I'm on the look-out for a vrs. Is there a good buyer's guide around for what to look for - specific parts to check that usually require attention, not your general service book stuff but more specific areas on a car itself. Can't find anything in here to help

Thanks.

When I was looking for mine, AutoTrader's web site had a link on the advert to a "buyer's guide", provided by UsedCarExpert.co.uk, that listed all of the common faults to look for (it required free registration, but that was it) - both ones common to all cars, and those for just Fabia's. I can't find it on there now, but it might be worth a quick look for it?

I think there used to be a 'what to watch out for thread' in the Fabia section, but I can't find it just now.

Honest John's website has good points and bad points for virtually every car, and the write-up for the Fabia seems pretty accurate apart from a few inconsistencies like saying there's no external boot release, which only actually applies to cars without RCL, and misquotes on the output of diesel engines. A lot better than nothing, in the absence of our very own buyers' guide, though!

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/

Thank you.

The fabia write-up is here for anyone else: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=368

Looking through the problems encountered I'm guessing that's more the early models that suffered and the later ones have had some of the major issues sorted and may not even be associated with the vrs model.

Some but not all - leaky doors can still affect newer ones for example, but with something like that, it's more a case of knowing how to fix it and using it to haggle on price, rather than taking it as a sign to walk away...

That's true. Something like waxoil in the doors is common sense - well it is to me and prob most other car enthusiasts. If a drain hole is blocked then clear it.

Thanks

Edited 2 February, 201016 yr by rsshawn

There can be a bit more to it than that actually, but all the same it's not worth walking away from an otherwise sound car because of it...

What's people's take on the earlier models compared to the later ones - 2004 against 2006.

Are the later ones worth looking and waiting for the right one to come along. Haven't snotcied much difference really bar the xenon headlights - do the xenons make much difference at night over the earlier style? I work alternate days/ nights so good lights are important. Can these be retro-fitted to the earlier models easy enough?

Seen and driven a few over the last couple of weeks and none so far have fitted my bill for overall condition against history and the all important pricing.

I don't think the Xenon's were later model standard fitments, still an option I believe.

TBH, the standard units are pretty good, and even better if you upgrade the bulbs.. they have a pretty good throw and light pattern.

What's people's take on the earlier models compared to the later ones - 2004 against 2006.

Are the later ones worth looking and waiting for the right one to come along. Haven't snotcied much difference really bar the xenon headlights - do the xenons make much difference at night over the earlier style? I work alternate days/ nights so good lights are important. Can these be retro-fitted to the earlier models easy enough?

There's very little difference - and even then the change was gradual - mid 04 cars have some of the changes that late 04 cars had. And the price rise occurred after the upgraded model was launched - mine was at the "old" price. And there were changes before that of which the gearbox change in late 03 was the most significant.

Xenons have always been optional haven't they?

Differences mid 04 > late 04 from memory:

~ Rear lights - different but same functionality

~ Rear door lock buttons deleted

- struggling to remember anything else...

The newer cars had colour codes door handles and the BLT engine which has the infamous 'stutter'. All the BLT cars should by now have been modified with revised EGR bypass plates to stop it, but there could still be the odd one out there.

The general concensus is that the BLT engine is putting out significantly more than 130bhp in standard tune. 140bhp is very common, mine did almost 150bhp on a rolling road and I have seen people claiming 160bhp without the car being remapped, but all rolling roads are different.

If you do a lot of motorway miles the early 'long' gearbox is worth having although the 'short' gearbox is much nicer to drive (the accelleration available at 70mph in top has to be felt to be believed).

Personally, I'd rather have a car that had done 20,000 miles per year than one that had done 2000 miles per year, but that's just me.

A lot of cars have been modified so look for evidence that it's been done badly. The wheels are shocking for corrosion - you'll almost certainly need to budget £150 for a refurb. The optional xenons seem to be worthwhile having but the standard headlights are excellent.

Oh, and they all seem to be highly optimistically priced - and yet, they still sell. Try buying an '07 plate vRS SE for under 9K. That's 75% residual value at 3 years old. Porsches don't hold their value that well.

Edited 16 February, 201016 yr by wja96

The newer cars had colour codes door handles and the BLT engine which has the infamous 'stutter'.

The facelift car was launched in September 2004 - the BLT engine wasn't fitted until October 2005

The wheels are shocking for corrosion - you'll almost certainly need to budget £150 for a refurb.

Depends how you look after them - mine are perfect at 62,000 miles and 5.5 years excepting a little corrosion coming out of a valve stem - presumably through careless valve replacement. No corrosion at all elsewhere apart from some discolouration of the centre caps...

The electric mirror switch changed too - the older cars have a confusing L+R action...

The radiator grille is different on the later model - the vanes are angled whereas the earlier ones are straight...

The facelift car was launched in September 2004 - the BLT engine wasn't fitted until October 2005

The post I responded to specifically asked about 2004 vs. 2006 models.

I don't think the Xenon's were later model standard fitments, still an option I believe.

TBH, the standard units are pretty good, and even better if you upgrade the bulbs.. they have a pretty good throw and light pattern.

Oh, ok. Thought it was standard fit on the later models. Glad the non-xenons are good units. Has anyone fitted the xenons - are they plug and play items?

Oh, and they all seem to be highly optimistically priced - and yet, they still sell. Try buying an '07 plate vRS SE for under 9K.

You're not wrong. All the dealer ones seem to be well over £6000. As for the SE, I think that is the one I want. Mainly for the colour more than anything if I'm honest (over the non-SE alternatives) but my budget is nowhere near £9k so I will be more than happy with one of the others and save the extra.

Perhaps next year when belts are due and people have had them a few years the prices will drop on the '07s as they look to newer cars where things don't need replacing at service / mot.

Thank you for your help.

The post I responded to specifically asked about 2004 vs. 2006 models.

The problem is people think there was just the Mark 1 up to September 2004 and the Mark 1.5 from September 2004 - in fact the specification changed all the time over the years.

You can't just compare "2004 vs. 2006" because several changes happened in 2004...

Ok, sorry. That's my fault as I didn't realise it was a rolling upgrade like it seems. I have been looking at mainly 54 and 06 cars for sale so thought that was the easiest way to describe the early and later models and ask differences between 2004 and 2006.

Oh, ok. Thought it was standard fit on the later models. Glad the non-xenons are good units. Has anyone fitted the xenons - are they plug and play items?

Far from it i'm afraid. I could be wrong but I think it's been worked out at over £1300 just in parts alone.

3rd party lights are available but from what I can tell it can be hit and miss when going this route.

The standard lights really are up to the job and with upgraded bulbs I don;t think you'd miss having Xenons, but that said I've never had Xenons.

I think Wardy (Steve) may have had both Xenon and Non-Xenon cars now so he would probably have the most informed opinion on how much improvement the Xenons offer.