Looking at getting a fabia for the wife , not much more tha 2/3k , do i need a diesel or is the 1.4 ok and when did the polo engine become std .

just a brief idea what to look for will help please guys , when it gets to the actual car then no doubt wardy or faboka will be happy to check it out , theyve forgotten more than i know

If you can afford a diesel, it's an altogether better ownership proposition than a petrol Fabia. The petrols are all a bit rubbish really. The 1.4l diesel is OK, but the 1.9's are best in my opinion.

As far as I'm aware the Fabia got the new platform before the Polo so it's kind of when did the Polo get the Skoda engine rather than the other way around?

If you're not too fussed on space then the Audi A2 is a very good buy these days as well.

1.9 Mate, no contest

My preference would be for a 1.9 PD100 TDi at this budget Pete. But depends on usage as well, annual mileage and Jac's like of the devil's fuel

On the petrol side, something like this might be suitable. At the very least it provides an example and starting point of what's available:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1480287.htm

Give me a shout if you find any decent contenders and I'll try and come look at them with you.

Also, would the estate be a consideration? Might alleviate some issues?

Steve

Just seen the other replies. On the engine side that's correct, they should all be 'shared platform' units, especially as the Fabia was using the Polo 9N platform for 2yrs before that came out.

Steve

Driven both a 1.4 mpi and 1.4 tdi in the last few months, the diesel is so much nicer to drive... nippier & better fuel consumption

Ta guys seems thars answered then , estate would be preferable steve , more versatile , just not quite given up on the stilo but getting there really quick , theres a 16v in sheffield that appeals .

Could have got you Jackie's old 55 plate last year for 2K.

Oh well, good luck looking mate

Could have got you Jackie's old 55 plate last year for 2K.

Oh well, good luck looking mate

AAAAAghhhhh just kick me lol.

And yes Len , i am

Edited 10 February, 201016 yr by pete8tch

The 1.4 MPI is a Skoda modified engine, the 1.4 16V is a VW engine. The MPI version is a bit thirsty, the 16V version had some problems with piston rings, the AUB engine type, so I would try to get one with the later BBZ engine(they require also 98 RON petrol). There is also the 1.2 12V engine wich is better I think than the 1.4 MPI. The 1.9 TDI is quite nice, the 1.9 SDI is quite slow.

AAAAAghhhhh just kick me lol.

And yes Len , i am

Full leather too.....

That would have been a great buy for the age of it! Just go back in time Pete, easily done...

The 1.4 MPI is a Skoda modified engine, the 1.4 16V is a VW engine. The MPI version is a bit thirsty, the 16V version had some problems with piston rings, the AUB engine type, so I would try to get one with the later BBZ engine(they require also 98 RON petrol). There is also the 1.2 12V engine wich is better I think than the 1.4 MPI. The 1.9 TDI is quite nice, the 1.9 SDI is quite slow.

Thanks for that , that helps lots , just need a delorian and can buy jackies

The 1.4 MPI is a Skoda modified engine, the 1.4 16V is a VW engine. The MPI version is a bit thirsty, the 16V version had some problems with piston rings, the AUB engine type, so I would try to get one with the later BBZ engine(they require also 98 RON petrol). There is also the 1.2 12V engine wich is better I think than the 1.4 MPI. The 1.9 TDI is quite nice, the 1.9 SDI is quite slow.

Some good info there. And yes, echo that - avoid the SDi if you want to go anywhere. I drove one, including one in a Polo and thought it was properly broken... until I remembered it didn't actually have a turbo

I followed an SDI Polo and it made rather rapid progress, but there again, it may

have not been an SDI............. Might fit one to my car

Unless it was a route upon which a local could maintain progress, I suspect it was a misleading badge Len

Could have got you Jackie's old 55 plate last year for 2K.

Oh well, good luck looking mate

Or you could buy two X-reg ones for 2k. Never hurts to have a spare

Or you could buy two X-reg ones for 2k. Never hurts to have a spare

Show me where, I could not even find a Felly cheap enough to

buy for my daughter. She ended up buying a Polo.....

My 2p.

The MPI (Skoda 1.4) is a more reliable engine than the earlier 16v VW 1.4's. It's also chain driven so no belt changes.

All the problems with the 16v AUB units seem concentrated between launch untill 2002. is this when the updated 16v took over?

The 1.9sdi is a bit slow, but those that have it on here seem to love it, so it has found a market, it's very economical over high miles.

Just to throw in, my neighbour's relative has a 1.2 petrol, which they really like - although they normally go for large engines, they were given a decent offer by the dealer (they've had it from new), and they said it's surprisingly pokey for a 1.2. They've done a decent amount of miles in it, and reckon fuel consumption's pretty good. Having said that, if you're looking for an estate, it might be a bit on the underpowered side with the extra weight..?

I think for the question do you need a diesel, the answer depends on if you do enough miles to offset the price difference at purchase (I assume that the general trend of diesels costing more than petrols still holds?). Also, do you (or the wife) prefer driving a diesel, or a petrol? I've only ever driven diesels, but apparently there's a big difference in how they "feel" - the answer may mean yes, you really want a diesel, or no, you really want a petrol.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Jackies stilo is 1.9 jtd and is decently quick , she likes the torque and where it is and its mainly town work , we have tried small petrols but she wasnt taken really , i think she has forgotten the need to rev having had the fiat 5 yrs.

Rather depends what the sparky says on monday as to which way we go , if its an ecu problem its not worth doing i dont think .

Petrol

1.2's are quite good actually, mate.

Thanks for all the advice guys, actually bought a car today , its a 1.2htp estate and its mint only 34k on a 53 plate , the vast majority of jacs useage is town so its fine and the room is brilliant , actually quite suprised at just how nippy it is.

Just realised i have agreed with Babs , thats gonna cost me i would think at some stage.