What's it like? I've seen a 2003 Fabia "Silverline" for sale locally which I thought would be a perfect 1st car for my brother. It's reasonable to insure and with 68bhp should be enough to enjoy but not too much to get him into trouble. It's a fairly basic car but should be good enough for a first car. It's had one owner from new and full service history. It's done 56k but on the ad it said that the timing chain kit had been done. Is this a worry? How often do chains go or was it changed as a precaution? The garage that's it for sale at has done it. Is there any definate ways of checking it has actually been done? It's a small garage that's been there for years and seems to be reputable.

Back to my original question are there any common faults with the engine? I used to have the 1.4 16V (AUA) engine in a Polo and that was awful. Had throttle body problems and had starting using oil by the time I got rid. I was thinking with less valves to worry about and am I right in thinking an older engine design it should be a good engine. I just wanted to know people's opinion on it.

I also noticed one of the bump stops on the passenger rear had perished and the other wasn't far off. But as far as I know this is a simple problem to fix.

Thanks in advance.

Martyn

If you have a search of peoples thoughts about the MPI it's a strong reliable engine. The 16V 1.4 is awful. I looked at them ages ago but there are floods of reports about piston ring wear, eating oil and failing MOTs for emissions on this forum.

The only thing that I tend to notice is its not overly fuel efficient (have a search but I think people report 30-35MPG) which for a 1.4 isn't overly exciting.

The timing chains last longer than belts from what I gather. Timing belts are due for replacement every four years/60K as a precautionary measure to avoid expensive engine damage occurring if the belt snapped. I know people who've had chains for 100K and not had to replace but they can become loose and noisy and ultimately break. Then again, the 1.4MPI may have a belt rather than a chain but either way, I'd look positively about it if the garage has replaced it.

The chain doesn't need to be replaced ever, in theory. However if it's been done it shouldn't rattle as much.

I had a 1.4 16v, and as a new driver it was £1,100 or so to insure when I was learning in my dads name (this price wouldn't have changed after I passed either). It then went up to £1,500 in my own name after I had 1 years named driver discount (although if he is the main user it's technically illegal, google 'fronting').

Both 1.4's have the same torque or so thereabouts, however it comes in several thousand rmp sooner in the 8v, which apparntly makes it better/easier to drive. The 16v has to be revved to make it move (which then tore the piston rings to bits). However, the 8v is meant to be very heavy on fuel, so be wary of that - the 16v is better in this respect. Otherwise meant to be quite bullet proof (a bored out 1.3 from the pre-VAG era).

Common faults seem to be a luppy idle, and thats about it really, and the other Fabia faults like dodgy temp sensor etc.

Would it be better to get a Felicia or a Fabia? I've been looking at a 1.3 MPi 'Y' reg with 60K, I haven't had time to find out about it's service history but I do know it has all of it's old MOT's. Parkers says it is a bit quicker than the 1.4 mainly down to the weight difference but what I don't get is why both the 1.4 and 1.3 have the same power outputs. The Felicia has a higher insurance group though. Is it hard to get parts for Felicia's and are they reliable. In theory it should be but i'd thought i'd ask.

I'm considering the Felicia because it is a cheaper car to buy (£1,100) over the Fabia (£3,300). These prices are without haggling of course. I'm thinking the less my brother has to spent on his first car the better. Give or take £200 it is around 2k to insure third party fire and theft.

Would it be better to get a Felicia or a Fabia? I've been looking at a 1.3 MPi 'Y' reg with 60K, I haven't had time to find out about it's service history but I do know it has all of it's old MOT's. Parkers says it is a bit quicker than the 1.4 mainly down to the weight difference but what I don't get is why both the 1.4 and 1.3 have the same power outputs. The Felicia has a higher insurance group though. Is it hard to get parts for Felicia's and are they reliable. In theory it should be but i'd thought i'd ask.

I'm considering the Felicia because it is a cheaper car to buy (£1,100) over the Fabia (£3,300). These prices are without haggling of course. I'm thinking the less my brother has to spent on his first car the better. Give or take £200 it is around 2k to insure third party fire and theft.

The Felicia comes with a 1.3 which is generally reckoned to be even more bombproof that the 1.4 8V

Definitely an underrated 1st car !

Rick

i must say touch wood both my 1.3 mpi felicias have been ultra reliable, only thing that has gone wrong on either is the thermostat, which funny enough has packed up on both of them, the other negative is the surface rust, which was the downfall in the first one i had, and second one is a t reg and starting to rust on wheel arch and under front indicators, which from looking around other felicias is a common rust spot! felicias obviously being older arent quite as good a drive, but easier to work on being far more basic.

As a first car and everything it maybe something to consider:

how does the Felica do it crash tests?

I imagine the Felicia isn't so good as the Fabia in terms of crash safety tests. I think there's some vids on youtube, but doubt there was ever an official ncap test done. The Fabia is definitely a much stiffer body.

The Felicia comes with a 1.3 which is generally reckoned to be even more bombproof that the 1.4 8V

Definitely an underrated 1st car !

Rick

This is what I was thinking. So where are the obvious rust spots on Felicia's? Arches is one. I read something about suspensing problems. Something rusting away?

Lower spring mounts on suspension can rust enough for them to collapse. Check also tailgate (inside and out) and front inner wings bearing in mind metal is covered with polyurethane sealant and can be rusted underneath..