i currently have a felicia estate, considering upgrading and want to know size wise is a fabia estate similarly sized to a felicia estate, the boot space is essential really, and passenger space is also quite important, i cant find any locally to look at for myself however am considering a longer trip up country to look at a couple if they are appropriate. i've driven a hatch fabia and was happy with comfort handling performance etc so how does the estate compare to the hatch as well. want to make sure travelling 150-200 miles to look at one is worth it.

has anyone any recommendations of other good similarly sized estates not necesarily skoda? the fiancee is going on about 406 estates but i think they are too big really.

The Fabia Estate is essentially the same as the Hatchback just 30cm longer at the back. You will notice a big difference from a Felicia (I had two), I went from a 1.3 Felicia Hatchback to a 1.9TDI Estate and it is a much more comfortable and smooth drive.

Not sure what the Felica is like, but I found the back of my estate to be quite limited for rear passengers. That said, I have the seat quite a long way back, but depending upon the size of passengers might be a concern.

Performance is the same really, it only weighs 45kg more think it's about .1 seconds slower to 60, but with a higher top speed (less drag I presume?). Also heard people say it rides better than the hatch, not sure how true this is, but the different weight distribution may make a difference I guess.

Boot space I found was great, could get 2 MTB's in the back with comfort, even had a motorbike in their before with the wheels out. It's not very wide, but is pretty deep for the size of car.

Alternatives: Pug 206 SW 207 SW, Clio touring, MK4 (6n) Polo estate, Golf estate? (Not sure on budget though).

I part exchanged my 2001 1.4 estate at the weekend for £1150, the guy said he may make a small profit if he's lucky, so they're getting quite cheap now.

i forgot to mention that i'm expecting a baby and the boot space needs to get a push chair in, and our particular pushchair will not fit into a hatch fabia,

just 30cm longer at the back.

Apparently ... Size matters ....

Dean

Ah noisy days, i well remember thrashing my felicia estate ( 1.3) along

You will find that the front is more comfortable, ( and modern lol) footwells a just as long perhaps a tad narrower. Rear seat legroom definitely less but i'd say not enough to make any practical difference. in the boot however is noticeably smaller all round in the Fab estate, i notice the lack of width the most although i suspect its only a matter of a couple of inches or so i just notice more i think.

If the money is sensible id say go for it you wont regret it imo, one thing try for a 2003 or younger if your considering the 1.4 16v. earlier engines AUB have known weaknesses with early bore and ring wear :no: later BBZ engines dont seem to suffer. as for the diesels im sure someone else can fill you in.

as for push chairs and baby accoutrements, I dont think any car is big enough not to have its boot filled up by a mamas 'n' papas thing, ours always seemed to eat most of the back of the ancient Citroen BX estate we had when the kids were small and they are hooge in the back.

Edited 18 March, 201016 yr by Todd Unctious

On the basic Fabia models (even on my blackline special edition) you have to open the driver's door and pull a lever to open the boot. I think the seats go further back than in the Fav/Felicia which impinges on rear passenger space. If you don't need the seats far back then rear space should be ok.

On the basic Fabia models (even on my blackline special edition) you have to open the driver's door and pull a lever to open the boot. I think the seats go further back than in the Fav/Felicia which impinges on rear passenger space. If you don't need the seats far back then rear space should be ok.

Eh? - All the Mk1's have an electronic release button on the hatch above the number plate between the numberplate lights...

Eh? - All the Mk1's have an electronic release button on the hatch above the number plate between the numberplate lights...

Probably only on the models with central locking. In the position you mention mine just has a plastic handle, and there is no lock barrel on the tailgate. Guess this is another reason to avoid "poverty spec".

Probably only on the models with central locking. In the position you mention mine just has a plastic handle, and there is no lock barrel on the tailgate. Guess this is another reason to avoid "poverty spec".

2001 Y model Confort here so central locking but no remote - Either way there is no lock barrel on any Fabia Mk1 boot as far as I know, regardless.

You will find that the front is more comfortable, ( and modern lol) footwells a just as long perhaps a tad narrower. Rear seat legroom definitely less but i'd say not enough to make any practical difference. in the boot however is noticeably smaller all round in the Fab estate, i notice the lack of width the most although i suspect its only a matter of a couple of inches or so i just notice more i think.

Aye, I would tend to agree. The inner wheel arches really detract from the usable volume in the boot. And I'd also agree with the other comments about the early 'classic' variants, unless you're willing to retro fit remote central locking like I did, the lack of a boot opening mechanism at the rear of the car is a bit of a pain in the rear.

All that said tho, I'm really happy with mine.