I am selling my fabia due to money issues, decided on something like a fiesta zetec s in imperial blue around 2000/2001 mark.

Anyone had one of these? i love the colour and dont look old for there age, how much slower are they?

thanks

Depends really as they probably handle better out of the box and depending on the engine might be quicker in many cases, just less of a punch in the back.

FWIW make sure it has been run on the correct oil or the engine will die and if you can go for the newer shape (2002 onwards) model, as it's a lot better car.

get the tdci zs... nice lil run around cars! plus economic....

Depends really as they probably handle better out of the box and depending on the engine might be quicker in many cases, just less of a punch in the back.

I can't see it being quicker in any situation - unless Kevin or Wayne has really gone to town on it.

Edited 10 June, 201016 yr by Wee Bri

I can't see it being quicker in any situation - unless Kevin or Wayne has really gone to town on it.

That's fine in a straight line, however put some corners in and the fabia vRS tend to run away all scared and get wallowey and hence slow.

The other popular option, experienced by enough people on here, is the "on it's roof mod" where the fabia ends up on it's roof.

An example I have is that I left a fabia vRS (who I'm fairly certain was trying) completely standing around some twisty back roads in a mini one. (yes the low powered version)

It took the fabia a good while to catch up once we hit the straights, but then he had to go past, as fast as he could.

Come the next stretch of corners he was all over the place and easily overtaken out of one of them.

Next chunk of straight roads, I knew what was going to happen when he caught back up, so pulled into the pub for some food and watched him go past as I got out of the car.

So, is the fabia quicker in a straight line, sure, absolutely.

However straight line speed isn't everything and sorted handling does count for a lot.

I'd go as far as to say on the UK roads handling is more important than raw power.

Anyway, I think this is probably going OT a bit, and as per my original comment to the OP, look at a 2002 onwards car if you can afford it.

That's fine in a straight line, however put some corners in and the fabia vRS tend to run away all scared and get wallowey and hence slow.

The other popular option, experienced by enough people on here, is the "on it's roof mod" where the fabia ends up on it's roof.

An example I have is that I left a fabia vRS (who I'm fairly certain was trying) completely standing around some twisty back roads in a mini one. (yes the low powered version)

It took the fabia a good while to catch up once we hit the straights, but then he had to go past, as fast as he could.

Come the next stretch of corners he was all over the place and easily overtaken out of one of them.

Yes, a Zetec S will be able to take corners quicker but it's a tad dangerous to overtake someone going round one. The vRS isn't a particularly quick car - however, many moons ago I used to have a Lupo Sport (briefly), which is similar in power and weight to a Zetec S (on paper anyway it's actually quicker 0-60 and top end) but as long as someone in a vRS was in the right gear coming out of a corner I'd never have been able to get past him / her - the difference in mid-range accelaration will be significant.

Yes, a Zetec S will be able to take corners quicker but it's a tad dangerous to overtake someone going round one.

Depends if you can see if the straight afterwards is clear or not...

Depends if you can see if the straight afterwards is clear or not...

It doesn't even need to be a straight - if you have a good enough view through the corner (to make sure it's safe) then why not use it to overtake slower cars

I quite like the Zetec S - feels a very involving car to drive with a willing engine, although power delivery is much smoother and longer so you' may miss the spike of torque you get in the Fabia, but in reality, you'll be travelling at equivalent speeds.

Chris

If you can see round a bend then it would need to be shallow enough so as not to make any really difference.

From my own perspective I used to own a Lupo Sport (briefly) a number of years ago, which is similar in terms of performance to a Zetec S - I know from my own experience that a vRS would leave a Lupo Sport trailing, so I just imagine it would be the same story with a Zetec S (not that a vRS is particularly quick.

I like the Zetec S so I'm not going to knock it - it's quick enough and handles well enough to be fun - a well looked after one would be excellent value for money.

I recently sold my zetec s in easter, had a lovely mark 1 imperial blue example with colour coded bumpers etc. Gorgeous little cars and had a world of fun in one! Definately recommended now considering you can pick one up for about £1500 for a good example now!