I've been thinking whether to get a Fabia VRS but been put off by the 10 yr old design and road tests talking about the understeer and the brakes which fade quickly. Compared to bigger and newer models such as the Golf Mk5 2.0TDI, Focus 2.0TDCI and Civic CDTI, is the Fabia much quicker than these cars and are any of the others better in the handling stakes due to their newer design?

The current price premium the VRS has is also a worry as this may not last when the new model comes out. I don't really need a family sized car but there don't seem to be many smaller rivals for the VRS at the moment.

Thanks

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by Ultima

You quote four negative issues so don't buy one. The understeer and brake issues are from reviews by people who drive like idiots for a living, and aimed at people who drive like idiots who think the car should be able to compensate for poor driving skills.

Price premium is there for a reason. Clever little car, very economical, well built.

But yes it does understeer. Heavy derv lump made of iron and rock out front doesn't help!

However, I loved mine (besides the engine ). Was a comfy cruiser, awesome seats and it looked good from the factory.

Compared to bigger and newer models such as the Golf Mk5 2.0TDI, Focus 2.0TDCI and Civic CDTI

Surely the Skoda match for the above is the Octavia - not the Fabia !!

The Fiesta, Ibiza, Polo & soon to be released Audi A1 are the Fabia sized cars.

Moggy is right. Just about every road test of every road car compalins about brake fade, but that only really applies to track driving. Driving properly on the road to the conditions doesn't place the same demands on the brakes. The Fabias brakes are more than up to the job of stopping you quickly in an emergency. Most front wheel drive cars will understeer to some extent, and diesels are more prone to it due to the weight of the engine. Provided your car is fitted with a decent set of tyres and you are driving to the conditions you shouldn't really find it to be a big problem on the road.

The only way you'll know whether or not you'd prefer a Golf , Civic or Focus to a Fabia is to try them all and see what you think. If you're looking for more natural competitors for the Fabia I'd have thought a Mini, Renault Clio 182 or Fiesta ST would be closer than the Golf, Focus and Civic.

You need to roadtest the shortlist you've selected and decide for yourself. Don't go on the magazine/online reviews and the feedback of others

But the contenders you've posted aren't direct Fabia rivals...

Steve

The fabia is aimed at the small hatch market of the polo fiesta ect, technicaly it is a polo just better (my opinion) those are the cars you need to compare against it.

If you are looking for a comparison for a 2nd hand vRS, then look no further than Evo Magazine.

The vRS is a 'Supermini' which are classed by Evo as follows:

Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 TB

Citroen C1

Citroen C2 VTS

Citroen C2 HDi VTS

Citroen C2 VTR

Citroen C2 GT

Citroen Saxo VTR

Citroen Saxo VTS

Fiat Panda 100HP

Fiat GP Sporting 1.4

Ford Ka 1.2 (Mk2)

Ford Sportka SE

Ford Fiesta Zetec-S

Mazda 2 1.5 Sport

Mini One

Mini Cooper

Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart

Nissan Micra 160SR

Peugeot 106 Rallye

Peugeot 106 GTI 16v

Skoda Fabia vRS

Renault Twingo GT

Renaultsport Twingo 133 Cup

Smart Fortwo Brabus

Suzuki Swift Sport

Volkswagen Lupo GTI 6-spd

Toyota iQ 1.33

Make a comparison against these and make a decision based on that. IMHO vRS wins hands down due to diesel power, decent enough standard spec, ease of modification, suprisingly roomy for a supermini and VAG engine. Lupo runs a close second.

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by Sausage Roll

Good comparison list that, although Evo do persist in putting the Octy in the saloon section (despite correspondance from me ) - so you can never be 100% confident that the magazines are right

I understand all the cars I mentioned are from the next class up but there doesn't seem to be many newer diesel rivals from the same sector. I don't want an all out hot hatch mainly due to the high insurance as I only have 1yr NCB and the low mpg.

The Fiesta TDCI might be the best to drive but only has 90hp. The Corsa 1.7CDTI isn't meant to be that good to drive and seems to be like gold dust to find. I'm not fussed on the Punto due to previous experience with Fiats. Latest Polo only has 90hp and is expensive due to the spec. I'm not a fan of the previous Ibiza FR130 and the Cupra160 is too high on insurance; the new Ibiza 1.6 diesel only has 105hp. Mini doesn't have enough space. Are there any other's I've missed ?

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by Ultima

Nail on the head there really. Lack of 'next generation' offerings is a problem. One of the reasons I bought another 'old shape' Fabia...

MiTo AirJet is an interesting one to ponder over. I was impressed by the build quality... didn't feel Italian, but looked it - plus you get an ultra efficient powerplant with near diesel levels of economy. Worth taking a look at...

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by Wardy

I understand all the cars I mentioned are from the next class up but there doesn't seem to be many newer diesel rivals from the same sector. I don't want an all out hot hatch mainly due to the high insurance as I only have 1yr NCB and the low mpg.

The Fiesta TDCI might be the best to drive but only has 90hp. The Corsa 1.7CDTI isn't meant to be that good to drive and seems to be like gold dust to find. I'm not fussed on the Punto due to previous experience with Fiats. Latest Polo only has 90hp and is expensive due to the spec. I'm not a fan of the previous Ibiza FR130 and the Cupra160 is too high on insurance; the new Ibiza 1.6 diesel only has 105hp. Mini doesn't have enough space. Are there any other's I've missed ?

I had the fiesta zetec s 90hp and it was very good to be honest. Not much power, but handling wise is probably one of the best cars i have ever driven, it was like been in a go kart. Although i wouldnt class this in the same class as the Fabia vRS is a bigger faster car.

IMHO vRS wins hands down due to diesel power, decent enough standard spec, ease of modification, suprisingly roomy for a supermini and VAG engine. Lupo runs a close second.

I had a Lupo GTi prior to my vRS - cracking little car - had it for four years and not one bit of bother (although I overheard a cheeky git in a car wash describe it as girly!). vRS is more practical though - you even get a glovebox .

I had the fiesta zetec s 90hp and it was very good to be honest. Not much power, but handling wise is probably one of the best cars i have ever driven, it was like been in a go kart. Although i wouldnt class this in the same class as the Fabia vRS is a bigger faster car.

I too had a Fiesta Zetec S, and although it was slow, it handled really well!

I would, however, class it in the same band as the Fabia vRS, it is priced the same and is the same size.

Skoda just shoe-horned a huge engine with very good power into a small car, handling not so good but powerrrrrrrrrr!

The Fabia vRS is a special car. There is nothing like it - even today. Why it is special is hard to define, but it is partly looks (chunky and slightly sharp), discreet but known vRS (performance) badge and a good stance on the road. The materials are nicely finished (more recent cars really do have some cheap plastic exterior parts). Every time I look around for something produced now that has the same quality, performance and affordability I draw a blank.

When I am out in my standard (but shiny) silver model I get passengers of passing cars screwing around in their seats to get a better look. People approach when I fill the car and comments are positive.

So, based on my findings there is nothing to quite match the vRS and the vRS has so much going for it that it will stay strongly competitive for a good while yet.

I've been thinking whether to get a Fabia VRS but been put off by the 10 yr old design and road tests talking about the understeer and the brakes which fade quickly. Compared to bigger and newer models such as the Golf Mk5 2.0TDI, Focus 2.0TDCI and Civic CDTI, is the Fabia much quicker than these cars and are any of the others better in the handling stakes due to their newer design?

The current price premium the VRS has is also a worry as this may not last when the new model comes out. I don't really need a family sized car but there don't seem to be many smaller rivals for the VRS at the moment.

Thanks

As per other replies, the cars yo mention are really a class above the Fabia.

I tried a Focus TDCi with the 1.8 115bhp engine before the Fabia. Although it was very quiet (I think it's a common rail 16v engine) it literally had no torque at all compared the TDI 130 engine in the VRS fabia and lots of othre VAG group cars.

My wife has an Octavia VRs TDI 170 and that thing goes like stink, has a hge boot and handles like no other car I have ever driven. The grip limits are huge and the car corners very flat. I find the seats a bit of a problem over 4 hour drives but other than that it's a great car.

I think also for me its not just a car that makes me buy one its the whole experience, dealers, other owners how i feel in the car ect ect and skoda cant be beaten on that as far as im concerned, the dealers ive spoken to have been great and reali friendly, parts are fairly cheap espeacily so for VAG parts, very good build quality, cheap car for what it is and the driving experience is great your in a fast car but nobody expects you are and its a very comfortable enviroment, all in all a win for me

I'm not even going to comment on the possibility of a new VRS but the old car is something of a cult hit because it is well built, has plenty of grunt and is cheap to run and is very easily tunable being a Diesel. IF a new car bearing that badge comes out it will be a totally different car to the old Fabia VRS. My only critism of my car is the handling which is pretty awful to be honest. I am personally happy with the premium the car attracts as it was a good investment for me but can't afford a new car for a year or so. I would not have another Diesel though now for various reasons. Clio Cup or the new Toyota coupe due in a year or so are tempting. If you have £16K handy and want an off the wall choice try the DSG only Seat Ibza Cupra.

Yes if you judge the car by the reviews you'd be put off. But in real life the handling is only an issue if you're trying to go round a corner quicker than you should (solution, do the corner slower, and use the sheer grunt of the car to make it up on the straight bits!!), I've no doubt newer cars will be a generation ahead in terms of ride quality, I have never had an issue with my brakes though. I do sometimes wonder if car reviewers find most modern cars are actually quite good but that would make boring reading so they pick various minor flaws just to try and pad it out. At the end of the day it's all subjective, so go and drive them all and see what YOU think.

Totally agree with Pete on the above. Standard set up will understeer if you are going too fast for the corner you are taking. Most FWD cars should always be slow into the corner and then accellerate out.

Spend a few quid on the fabia's handling though.............Lowered 25mm on eibach springs and shocks, Jabba rear ARB, Momo front strut + good rubber = one of the best handling cars I've ever owned!!!

I find it difficult to make it oversteer now. It feels like it will actually roll rather than oversteer......not planning to find this out anytime soon though.