I'm thinking of having a look at one and wondered if it was a good drive? By that I mean that I like to drive spiritedly from time to time but most of the time I just cruise to and from places at, or around, the speed limit so wondered if the engine was powerful enough to handle the auto box? Does it have enough torque to be able to plod along at 30 in top etc etc.

Edited 27 August, 201015 yr by alkip

It's quite nippy, big engine for a small car. We considered one. But the emissions are quite high for a small car, which means road tax is not cheap compared to other models. And it's not very economical in town.

We currently have an older 1.4 petrol auto and that is fine. MPG varies between 25 (city) and 50 (run at 60mph). Soon to be replaced by the 1.2 DSG Yeti.

I'm thinking of having a look at one and wondered if it was a good drive? By that I mean that I like to drive spiritedly from time to time but most of the time I just cruise to and from places at, or around, the speed limit so wondered if the engine was powerful enough to handle the auto box? Does it have enough torque to be able to plod along at 30 in top etc etc.

Hi

as CT17 says, quite a big engine for a small car, but not very economical. Also, there is some loss of performance over the manual.

i don't know if you're committed to buying used, or would consider new, as the 1.6 is now only avialable second hand. It has been replaced by the 1.2tsi dsg, which costs about the same, has more torque and which delivers better performance and economy. Unlike conventional autos, the dsg doesn't use some of the engine's power and torque to operate it.

I hope this helps

Alkip, is this a used car, or have you been lucky enough to find one of the last new ones in a showroom somewhere? Ideally, take one for a test drive to see for yourself. I found it a good car to drive, althought I drove the manual version, but lacked the power, particularly the torque of even the 1.4TDI that I now own. I suspect however you maybe better off with one of the new 1.2TSI's with DSG box if you are set on buying a petrol engine. The guys are raving about them. They are much more powerful than the 1.6 you are talking about. And I mean much more torque afforded by the supercharger which kicks in at low revs, and the turbocharger which operates at higher revs. Downside is more complexity mechanically (in spite of what the manufacturers sales blurb says) than the old 1.6 and the huge cost of fixing it if it goes wrong out of warranty. I know this because my ex-colleague who is a VW technician has just completed his factory courses on the TSI's. But in theory it shouldn't go wrong for a long time. But the upside is it's cheaper to run and nicer to drive and more economical.

One other thing, have you tried the new diesels...whisper quiet, clean and punchy, out gunning the petrol engines in real driving terms with huge amounts of torque and performance. But the big thing is the mpg, and compared to the new TSI petrols engines in the Skoda range, mechanically very very simple...the diesels are supreme. Most sales guys go on about...if you are low mileage then it's not worth buying diesel! But that's only a tiny part of the story...there is much more to it than that. Try one before you decide. I declare I am a total diesel convert and heavily biased towards diesels having now driven all the engines in the skoda range, both petrol and diesel. All good engines I would add whether petrol or diesel. The choice is yours...but come back to us with your thoughts and decision you make if you can. Good luck with your choice.

UPDATE: the 1.2TSI doesn't have the supercharger, my error. Thanks to 'The Plumber'. And yes...I've been made to stand in the corner by Mrs Estate woman!

Edited 29 August, 201015 yr by Estate Man

And I mean much more torque afforded by the supercharger which kicks in at low revs, and the turbocharger which operates at higher revs. Downside is more complexity mechanically (in spite of what the manufacturers sales blurb says) than the old 1.6 and the huge cost of fixing it if it goes wrong out of warranty. I know this because my ex-colleague who is a VW technician has just completed his factory courses on the TSI's. But in theory it shouldn't go wrong for a long time. But the upside is it's cheaper to run and nicer to drive and more economical.

Hi Estate Man,

the 1.2TSI only has a turbo, the twin blown set up is reserved for the high bhp output 1.4TSI's only. The 1.2 could be considered quite a simple engine mechanically with a 8 valves and a single cam. The engine's performance stems from improved inlet and outlet designs, liquid cooling of the charge air and an electronic servo actuated waste gate control.

Regards,

TP

Hi Plumber, yeah...I'd just realised my error and was about to post back. Steve my mate who is the VW tech is just here now and just corrected me. Damn!!...now everyone knows I'm a stoopid twit which is something I was hoping to avoid!! Interestingly, 'What car' in one of their online reviews of the 1.2TSI state it has the supercharger and turbo on the 105bhp which I thought was not right at the time. I guess I had that in my mind along with what Steve told me about the 1.4TSI. So, the 1.2TSI doesn't have the supercharger...sorry everyone and inparticular to alkip! Thanks Plumber.

Edited 29 August, 201015 yr by Estate Man

Had the 1.6 Tiptronic Fabia 3 hatch which was a fairly responsive unit but not that refined. It was partial to the unleaded and poor on the emissions front.

The 1.2 TSi (105ps) DSG is its replacement, which I have not experienced. The 1.4 TSi (122ps), although in the Octavia, is a far superior unit with better performance, greater refinement and advantages in both mpg and emissions - all in a larger, heavier car.

I would imagine the 1.6 Fabia Tiptronic's replacement, the 1.2 TSi DSG, is also far superior all round - as it should be being a more modern turbo petrol unit.

Given a choice between a tiptronic and a dsg, I'd go for the dsg and agree with other posters above. Been out in the new vRS and as it's DSG only, you get a good grip of what a turbo and supercharger are like working together.

Thanks for the feedback folks, much appreciated. The car had gone which as it turns out was a good thing.

Today I've had a quick test drive of the new Fabia vRS and am having an extended test drive on Friday, I went to Hobin to look at a Yeti Elegance 4x4 which will be coming up for sale soon but quite quickly decided against it and, when in discussion with Gary I think it was, he said have you thought about test driving the Fabia vRS I had but not seriously, we went for a 20 minute run out and I was very very impressed and it is a better size car for my needs than the Octavia that I was going to get.

I'm off to look at colours and options now in the hope that on Friday I still enjoy the car as much as I did today