Hi all,

I've got it down to a choice of four cars now, the four listed above, and stuck as to which one to go for. I'm drawn towards the C4 for its level of toys, and it's looks. The FIAT as it's cheap to insure, and a lovely car inside and out IMO, although reliability is a doubt with each of these. The Golf as it's well, a desiel Golf (either PD130/150) or a Fabia vRS as I had a standard Fabia and loved it. Also think I've become a bit disillusioned about their speed to spending too long on here. Speed and ecomony wise they're all pretty much the same on paper.

Just wondered if anyone had any views either way or experiences of the non Skoda cars. It's mainly used for A roads, and I'm after comfort with a decentish turn of speed if needed.

Thanks, Joe.

Which Fiat are you looking at?

If its the Grande Punto, I would vote for this one.

Edited 16 October, 201015 yr by chrisw880

Sorry, yeah. The Grande Punto 1.9 Mutli-jet like sharkrider is selling.

The reliability of the Grande Punto is very good.

I test drove the Grande Punto and didn't like it, the ride was smooth but i found it gutless.

C4 and fiat will fall to bits.

Skoda or VW would be my choice. Golf is an excellent allrounder, much more space than a fabia - depends if you need the space or (vrs) pace really..?

Regular golf tdi is a bit dull to drive unfortunately.

How many miles do you do? Did you do the maths to work out that the diesel is actually worth it? Smelly hands when you fill up, sounds like a tractor etc? Could you not get a proper petrol engine?

:p

Hmm, votes seem to be echoing my gut instint so far. Tried driving a Punto, went all the way to London after checking it would be there to test drive, only to arrive to a flat and punctured tyre. Shame, as it seemed a really nice car.

Space really isn't an issue, but the speed is just nice to have. Mileage is about 200 or so a week, not done the maths but doubt it'll be much cheaper if at all. I just figured it would be nicer to cruise with a desiel, rather than being at 3-4k rmp all the time. Having seen the Ibiza FR 1.8t is cheap enough to buy, I'm considering that, although would expect it to cruise badly rev/noise wise.

Ask should I buy a either Skoda or another car on a Skoda Forum, you will bound to get the same answer. :think: I'm sure if you asked this on a Fiat Forum you would get a different one.

I'd stick with VAG for reliability and Build quality, as Fiat and not renowned for theirs (although SharkRider's Punto has not let him down yet), the same with French build quality being not as good as VAG.

If you want a car the same size as your Polo, then go with the Furby (it's the same Chassis). If you need a bit more space then the Golf is bigger (next class up).

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by Jim H

Golf.

I know several people with Mk4s with well over 100k on the clock and the cars still only need wear and tear items.

You'll be able to sell on an old golf no problem but an old Citroen or Fiat?

From personal experience of a high spec French car it's the toys that break first and they're too expensive to fix.

C4 and fiat will fall to bits.

Skoda or VW would be my choice. Golf is an excellent allrounder, much more space than a fabia - depends if you need the space or (vrs) pace really..?

Regular golf tdi is a bit dull to drive unfortunately.

How many miles do you do? Did you do the maths to work out that the diesel is actually worth it? Smelly hands when you fill up, sounds like a tractor etc? Could you not get a proper petrol engine?

:p

I know its not the same car but I ran a ZX 1.4 to 236k no faults no leaks and cheap to run. It was also a great car to drive. As for what I would choose I will get back to you.

I have only driven the Skoda VRS in this collection. So the first thing I would do is drive them all.

Steve.

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by Mr Bountyfull

reliability of the fiat is no problem...

I have now done over 100,800 miles in three and a half years, still original engine/turbo/clutch/flywheel/gearbox ect, and it still feels brand new (although the suspension is feeling a bit more soggy, no knocks and bangs though, flew through its first MOT no advisories , unlike the vRS I had where my gearbox fell out at 40k, and the suspension fell apart at 60k, and skoda refused to replace it under warrenty, saying it was normal wear and tear, funny that they now have a "modified" part for it!)

things replaced in that time on mine under warrenty

drop links, door handle, seat base, top mounts, EGR valve, wheel bearings.

since its been out of warrenty, I've had a new wire put in to the OS ABS sensor.

not bad for over 100k in my opinion, and more reliable than my skoda was, this has never broken down!

and mine was mapped by angel at 4,000 miles... I will be at the RR day at RS tuning on 30th oct, if anyone wants a look, or a drive!

things to look for though triggerfish.

personally I wouldn't buy one thats been mapped by reddot. they have been known to blow turbos, reddot often claim a map produces 190+bhp, this is either lying, or too much for the standard turbo (mine is 158bhp) just watch out for the modified ones, the reddot induction kit is in the front wheel arch, and can pick up water from flooded roads (fatal to the engine as I'm sure you know!) very low ones will often bottom out, the front is very low to the ground anyway, I would go for standard suspension, or coilovers on the highest setting! otherwise no real issues. engine and gearbox are indestructable, standard clutch is good on just a remap, no flywheel issues.

in short, try to get an unmolested one (if you go that way!)

note: I do like the citroen! I nearly bought a C4 sebastian loeb special edition with the same HDI engine, and although the car was great, the engine was too weak....

I see you are down south triggerfish, and I'm up North, you are welcome to drive mine anytime, I will be down south for the weston supermare meet in a few weeks time

From personal experience of a high spec French car it's the toys that break first and they're too expensive to fix.

Yeah, that's my main concern. We also had an old ZX (I think) although this was a 1.9 na derv, and while mechanically it wasn't too bad for it's age, most of its eletrics failed, which does make me wary of a car where everything is meant to be automated/eletric.

reliability of the fiat is no problem...

things to look for though triggerfish.

personally I wouldn't buy one thats been mapped by reddot. they have been known to blow turbos, reddot often claim a map produces 190+bhp, this is either lying, or too much for the standard turbo (mine is 158bhp) just watch out for the modified ones, the reddot induction kit is in the front wheel arch, and can pick up water from flooded roads (fatal to the engine as I'm sure you know!) very low ones will often bottom out, the front is very low to the ground anyway, I would go for standard suspension, or coilovers on the highest setting! otherwise no real issues. engine and gearbox are indestructable, standard clutch is good on just a remap, no flywheel issues.

in short, try to get an unmolested one (if you go that way!)

note: I do like the citroen! I nearly bought a C4 sebastian loeb special edition with the same HDI engine, and although the car was great, the engine was too weak....

Thanks for that. I got that impression of Reddot when looking on the FIAT forums, that they seemed to be a bit. . . optimistic. Modifications aren't something I'll be doing as insurance will the too prohibitive at a guess.

Thanks for the offer of a drive, but WSM is still 3 hours-ish away from me, but thanks anyway.

I also thought that about the HDi, seemed a bit sluggish, but could just be as it's so different to what I'm used to, but then again, a vRS felt nippy enough.:S

As I currently own a Grande Punto Sporting I'm gonna say get the Fabia vRS...

Ive had nothing but problems with the GP and have always found myself wishing I still had the Fabia, possibly why I've just bought the new one

As I currently own a Grande Punto Sporting I'm gonna say get the Fabia vRS...

Ive had nothing but problems with the GP and have always found myself wishing I still had the Fabia, possibly why I've just bought the new one

bugger sorry to hear that! lol.... just goes to show, mine has been better than my fabia vRS..... guess sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get a bad one

mine has been better than my fabia vRS.....

My Fiat has been more reliable/had fewer issues than my Skoda also - all manufacturers (possibly barring the very high-end) have inconsistent build quality, so you could end up with a duffer from any of them. I wouldn't let reputation put me off buying from any manufacturer these days...

It's got to be between the Golf and Fabia, and the Fabia is a genaration newer.