Hi all,

I'm looking at changing car very soon. Selling big volvo V70 auto 2.4 that does 17mpg and want to save as near to a grand a year on fuel, tax insurance. I only do about 8K miles a year but my old tank likes to party in a big way.

I like cars that handle well, but more than that I like cars where I can feel what's going on so inspire confidence. The Volvo doesn't do this.

Just sold my second car due to baby and house move which was a 1990 Mk2 Golf Gti. I loved the way this drove - it handled well, with good, quick steering with a sharp turn in and lots of feel. It was not, however, a ultra-precise sports car but had a fairly smooth and comfortable ride. Handled bumps pretty well too. Not that fast, but fast enough to put a smile on my face. The V70 is the opposite of this.

My shortlist for cars are:

Ford Focus Mk1 1.6 Zetec

Skoda Octavia VRS mk1

Skoda Fabia VRS mk1

The Focus might seem odd, but I'd rather have good handling than mega straight-line speed. I know they drive well.

Octavia is probably a bit thirsty for the savings I want.

So, the Fabia. Being quite rare, test driving is difficult so I wonder if anybody out there has any experience of:

1) How the Fabia VRS compares to a Golf Mk2 GTi in handling, steering and feeling and general character?

2) Does the Fabia VRS really handle as badly as some/most/lots of the comments on the web make out. Opinion seems to be very divided. I've heard a rear ARB can help a lot but does this also shrpen the steering?

I want fun, comfort, economy, but most of all interaction with the driving experience. Oh, and I love B-roads. Is the Fabia the car to go for? I'm eager to see if you can help me out...

PS. Size is not an issue as we have another car in the family with a big boot and a diesel engine.

2) Does the Fabia VRS really handle as badly as some/most/lots of the comments on the web make out. Opinion seems to be very divided. I've heard a rear ARB can help a lot but does this also shrpen the steering?

I want fun, comfort, economy, but most of all interaction with the driving experience. Oh, and I love B-roads. Is the Fabia the car to go for? I'm eager to see if you can help me out...

PS. Size is not an issue as we have another car in the family with a big boot and a diesel engine.

Let me start from the bottom - if size/practicality is no issue I would not suggest a Fabia.. lol, there are much more fun cars than the Fabia if you went smaller,

100 -140bhp - Polo/Lupo GTi, Suzuki swift sport, Yaris t-sport, Panda sport.

150 - Fiesta ST, Colt CZT

170+bhp - Clio's, VXR's, type R, type S (168 bhp)

As you can see there are no diesels in this list.. lol thats because imo small diesel cars are pointless

Edit: to answer part two of the question, RARB really does help with the ride, not saying it transforms it into a go-cart though.. there is still lots of nose diving when braking when at pace.

Apparently springs sort that out says some on here.. :wonder:

Edited 10 August, 201015 yr by JLneonhug

Not an exact comparison, but I had a Fiesta Zetec S (99-02), which are renowned for being go-kart like, and the Fabia does not handle as well, but I do find it to be competent on B roads (I love them too). Personally, if you love the feeling of cornering quickly I'd go for one of the cars on the above list, I tend to find that I corner slowly, and then boot it out of the corners when on a brisk drive. The Fabia is a fun car to drive, and it does put a smile on my face, but not in the same way my Fiesta did.

I would suggest that you try one though, it's the best way for sure, or get somebody to take you out who is willing to push their car a bit and show you the limits and feel.

For me the cornering is adequate (and the car is standard so far as I know), and you can make up for going around the corners more slowly with all the torque provided by the turbo.

Hope this helps!

Hi all,

I'm looking at changing car very soon. Selling big volvo V70 auto 2.4 that does 17mpg and want to save as near to a grand a year on fuel, tax insurance. I only do about 8K miles a year but my old tank likes to party in a big way.

I like cars that handle well, but more than that I like cars where I can feel what's going on so inspire confidence. The Volvo doesn't do this.

Just sold my second car due to baby and house move which was a 1990 Mk2 Golf Gti. I loved the way this drove - it handled well, with good, quick steering with a sharp turn in and lots of feel. It was not, however, a ultra-precise sports car but had a fairly smooth and comfortable ride. Handled bumps pretty well too. Not that fast, but fast enough to put a smile on my face. The V70 is the opposite of this.

My shortlist for cars are:

Ford Focus Mk1 1.6 Zetec

Skoda Octavia VRS mk1

Skoda Fabia VRS mk1

The Focus might seem odd, but I'd rather have good handling than mega straight-line speed. I know they drive well.

Octavia is probably a bit thirsty for the savings I want.

So, the Fabia. Being quite rare, test driving is difficult so I wonder if anybody out there has any experience of:

1) How the Fabia VRS compares to a Golf Mk2 GTi in handling, steering and feeling and general character?

2) Does the Fabia VRS really handle as badly as some/most/lots of the comments on the web make out. Opinion seems to be very divided. I've heard a rear ARB can help a lot but does this also shrpen the steering?

I want fun, comfort, economy, but most of all interaction with the driving experience. Oh, and I love B-roads. Is the Fabia the car to go for? I'm eager to see if you can help me out...

PS. Size is not an issue as we have another car in the family with a big boot and a diesel engine.

Yes the handling on the standard Fabia vRS is cack - but I live with it because I like the diesel engine. All sorts of stuff out there will out corner it (incl my GF in her 1.2 Clio). If you want something small that goes and handles well then get a petrol Clio or Fiesta such as the 1.6 and save a bit of dosh on petrol/insurance/tax over say the 2.0 litre variants.

Personally I find the car (in standard form) is great. Yes it rolls if you are really going for it, and the damping doesn't have a totally rock solid grip on things, but in both respects it is far better than a mk3 Golf GTI (which I had when it was three years old). You can lower the car if you want but there will be a price to pay in ride quality. I don't feel the need to drive on the public roads like I'm on a race track, so I find the ride/handling compromise that Skoda made with the furbys settings is fine for me.

I think the best thing for you to do is to go and try one for yourself

Ride varies - my 2004 vRS was always very rough joggling over every little imperfection on the road. My 2007 vRS has a much better ride - I don't have to avoid all the manhole covers and drains now.

a mk1 Focus will be way better than a standard Fabia vRS. I find my Focus with Eibach springs stupidly nicer in bends than my Cupra with RARB, should be seeing what difference some decent coilovers make soon

My last car was a ford focus mk1 estate in ghia trim

Very good car, quite good for long journeys, good build quality, handled well and did 157000 miles by the time i sold it and was still going strong then.

Fabia vrs is a great car, economical yet nippy, get one with a rear arb and it becomes even better, not as comfortable as the focus to drive but has more grunt.

Id suggest taking one for a spin and see if you like it.

For what it is the fabia Handles well IMO. Yes it rolls a bit but theres plenty of grip. Tyres make a big difference for this car I find. But tbh a heavy diesel engine in a little car will means it will never handle like the list of cars above.

Test drive one and see what you think.

Thanks for the replies! It seems that opinion is definitely divided on this one.

Don't get me wrong, I don't treat the road as a racetrack and always drive safely and considerately, but on open b-roads with good visibillity I like to press on a bit. Ultimate cornering speed is not what I'm after - I'd rather go slower and have fun and get good feedback, than go quickly and feel detached. Golf Gti mk2 good for this. Nissan Primera mk1 Sri was brilliant at this. Skoda Rapid was incredible - could get back end out at about 10mph and felt in touch with the road!

I guess I'll have to drive a VRS to find out. Trouble is, there are about 50 Focus examples at the local garage, but not many VRS around here.

Sam.

To be quite honest the fabia in standard form handles like a dead dog, i threw everything in the way of money and parts at mine to get the feel i was looking for and failed, yes i got it to handle pretty well in the end, but i never got the feel i was looking for, or managed to cure the huge understeering problem, my mk2 16v is light years ahead in terms of handling and a fun drive, not as quick in a straight line, but will hold on to a standard fabia, if i'm honest the octy isn't a great deal better for feel in standard form

Thought i would add the suzuki swift sport is an amazing little car, bit rattly inside but i took one round castle coombe recently and lapped evo's scoobies and rx7's for fun only 2 cars came past a mad track spec evo(which spun so i got him back) and a mad rx7 and both struggled to pull away!!!!!!

Thought i would add the suzuki swift sport is an amazing little car, bit rattly inside but i took one round castle coombe recently and lapped evo's scoobies and rx7's for fun only 2 cars came past a mad track spec evo(which spun so i got him back) and a mad rx7 and both struggled to pull away!!!!!!

You lapped evos and scoobys with 123 hp? Wow you must be one hell of a driver!

You lapped evos and scoobys with 123 hp? Wow you must be one hell of a driver!

If only you knew, one day kid you will find out power is only 25% of the equasion

If only you knew, one day kid you will find out power is only 25% of the equasion

:p

25%? oh come on

I spose if they overtake you or do anything else you dont like you just run em off the road like you do in your truck eh?

:p

25%? oh come on

I spose if they overtake you or do anything else you dont like you just run em off the road like you do in your truck eh?

Stop being a ****, i seem to recall a thread where you were on about racing another member on the road,i have never run anyone off the road, tho with a little prat like you i would be sorely tempted to make an exception

Stop being a ****, i seem to recall a thread where you were on about racing another member on the road,i have never run anyone off the road, tho with a little prat like you i would be sorely tempted to make an exception

Did I hit a nerv? :S

No need for such violent threats and name calling now...

I've never "raced" as such just driven briskly with a bit of company somtimes when conditions permit as for you never running anyone off the road its not what you said a little while back... :

As a hgv driver i see this week in week out, broke my hand the other year when i was involved in a punch up with one of the morons after he abused me for turning right in front of him, i had actually seen him coming too but thought screw you, your in the wrong overtaking on blind bends on double white lines, somehow he managed to avoid my trailer and put his crotch rocket in the ditch, he emerged screaming at me, so a scuffle broke out lol

From this thread: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/167303-3-bikers-nearly-didnt-go-home-alive-today/

Edited 10 August, 201015 yr by Thirdtimeluck

And your point is? Does it contribute to this thread any? unlike many others on hear you have never met me, seen me drive or have any idea who i am, i post things based on actuall expieriences, if you don't believe it thats fine, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you are blatently trolling for an arguement like keyboard warriors tend to do, i have a suggestion for you, step away from the keyboard, book some trackday lessons and learn a little who knows you might have fun and start to understand exatly how much imput the driver has on track

Edited 10 August, 201015 yr by oilburninnut

And your point is? Does it contribute to this thread any? unlike many others on hear you have never met me, seen me drive or have any idea who i am, i post things based on actuall expieriences, if you don't believe it thats fine, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you are blatently trolling for an arguement like keyboard warriors tend to do, i have a suggestion for you, step away from the keyboard, book some trackday lessons and learn a little who knows you might have fun and start to understand exatly how much imput the driver has on track

I was just a joke really I did'nt expect you to fly off your handle like that and start cursing me so I thought I would go and find your quote to back it up. No it doesnt really contribute to this thread much but lets be honest neither does "if only you knew, one day kid you will find out power is only 25% of the equasion" now does it? Unless this is a "how much does driver skill come into powerful car vs not so powerful car comparisons"

You seem a pretty angry and voilent man tbh... not someone I would particularly like to meet or know let alone watch drive.

Edited 10 August, 201015 yr by Thirdtimeluck

You can tell all that from one post you disagree with, screw the amount of times i've gone out of my way fixing other members cars, countless meets and shows, even fixing the mongrels boost leak at the nurburgring, your right tho, i'm hot headed and prone to going off on one, not that different in person either, as for my driving only will didn't like it at the ring, he felt a little queesy when he got out after a lap, and that wasn't even one of the 9 minute dead ones

Oh and one little omision the swift was quite a long way from standard, tho the engine was only mildley modded

IIRC SSS is 135 bhp std no? tuned lightly can see 145-150bhp, also on the SSS forums, with SC it can hit 170+bhp.

Was my very close 2nd choice if it weren't for the vrs

In the end I opted for little more practicality, fuel, tax and image..

Also much preferred this forum than SSS uk forum...

Edited 10 August, 201015 yr by JLneonhug

Who would have thought a few years ago anyone would buy a skoda for image?

Hi,

Right, I took the advice of many people and got me a test drive of a Fabia VRS. 04 plate, red, 67K miles.

Remember, I'm looking for something fun, economical that is rewarding to drive and hopefully is a good replacment for a MK2 Golf Gti.

After a 15 minute test drive along b-roads, all I can say is I must be getting old as I thought it was brilliant!

Many reviews have slated the handling. I'm sure it doesn't handle as well as an Elise, but my word they must push it hard to find it wanting. In normal brisk driving I found the suspension setup to be near perfect for UK roads. Rides well - firm but supple, just enough body roll to give good feel as to what's happening but not enough to be uncomfortable, and great steering - direct, quick and sharp enough to really chuck it into corners with good feedback. Good grip to and no understeer apparent in the dry. It has got 4 Micheli Pilots on though.

Compared to my old Golf, it's a similar ride, better steering with lots of lovely feedback and less body roll. Just about the same size too. A perfect car for me.

If people think the damping is bad they should drive just about any Volvo - they handle bumps really badly and just can't seem to get the suspension right. I must have got used to it.

Brakes seemed great. Slight dive when really pressign hard but nothing major.

As for the power, well it is nippy, but not fast. I reckon a lot of the reviews that are astonished by the power have come from fairly mundane cars, but after riding fairly average motorbikes that do 60 in under 4 seconds, 100 in about 9 and the standing qurter in under 12, no car really feels fast. I've had plenty of experience with 2 litre turbo petrols and they would out perform the Fabia, but that isn't the point. The amount of power is perfect for the chassis and I never found it wanting for more urge and the engine is very easy to drive.

Overall, I think Skoda have done a great job in balancing power, handling, confort and economy. Do I want one of these or a Focus? I'd have the Fabia any day and will hopefully get one soon.

Thanks for all the advice peoples!

What a great little car.

A couple of questions on the one I saw.

1) Big puff of black smoke when first started. Has been at dealer a month but had been started earlier that day. Did not notice excessive smoke when driving. Is it normal?

2) Distinct whistling from the turbo when on boost. Are the turbos quite loud, or is this a problem with the turbo or the pipes?

Edited 14 August, 201015 yr by sthodgson

have you had a similar go in a mk1 Focus? to me, it just feels much more planted and the steering noticeably more direct than my Ibiza

Sthodgson: Puff of smoke on start-up is normal as is a small amount of smoke when accelerating hard.

I actually came to the VRS from a Focus 1.6 Zetec and I can confirm that the handling on the Focus IS superior but as you found out on your test drive the extra shove of the turbodiesel is a lot of fun, and to be honest you really need to be a very enthusiastic driver to complain too much on the VRS's handling in everyday driving. It rides bumps more comfortably than the Focus which has quite a firm ride in Zetec form, hence the sharper handling. How about something like a Focus ST170, that might be a good combination of higher power and handling, although fuel consumption will be lower I'm sure. The new VRS feels a lot more planted, like the Focus, so Skoda have improved things.