My Elegance 2.0L will be 3 years old in March. I have been very happy with it and always planned to replace it with another one - but the VRS is now in the picture. Insurance is only one group higher. Until a few days ago, the price difference was only

The economy is only better if you cover about 12000 miles a year. Diesel is currently about 5p a litre more expensive than petrol, so you have to factor in this cost.

I've looked at the specs for each car and they're pretty similar apart from the economy on the vrs and the price of the other one.

If you're worried about the environment, the Toyota prius is a good car but expensive, or you could wait around for hydrogen power to come along. Aparently Peugeot have developed a diesel engine that doesn't chuck any carbon particulates oot the back, but why anyone would actually buy a 307 is beyond me.

Go for't vRS, you know you want to.....

I am in the same dilema with my TDi. Now three years old, but what do I replace it with? I like the VRs but can't justify it over the TDi... hmm?

I am in the same dilema with my TDi. Now three years old, but what do I replace it with? I like the VRs but can't justify it over the TDi... hmm?

But you are OK with diesels?

Elegance 2.0 TDi for me, with optional 17" wheels, maybe in Sahara Beige...very nice.

But you are OK with diesels?

Yeah, bit noisey on tickover but once on the move you would'nt tell!

Ross, "Elegance 2.0 TDi for me, with optional 17" wheels, maybe in Sahara Beige...very nice." if they did this spec on a furbie I will be behind you in the que!

My Elegance 2.0L will be 3 years old in March. I have been very happy with it and always planned to replace it with another one - but the VRS is now in the picture. Insurance is only one group higher. Until a few days ago, the price difference was only

Have you looked at the 1.9TDI Elegance?

No. If were to go for a diesel at all, it would be the VRS. My main concerns are about diesel/petrol and pollution. I know a few asthmatics who have difficulty with diesel fumes. And it seems to be the case, more often than not, that I have to switch my air vents off behind a diesel just for my own comfort.

Mike

Its a difficult one, as the particulate output on most diesels (apart from the ones with super-duper particulate filters) is certainly an issue if that is your key concern rather than running costs. In all other respects, the 1.9 PD (100 or 130) is excellent.

I sourced a low mileage 2.0 Fabia prior to the facelift for my parents, buying and delivering the car to them. The rationale was that whilst the TDi Elegance had great economy and mid-range acceleration, as a like for like used purchase, the price was roughtly

I looked at both, to keep the peace - with the options we wanted, the vRS was 50 quid more expensive, but WAY more powerful and with a 6 speed gearbox.

Against it counts the stupid lack of options on the interior 'cloth', I got a LOT of grief about that, plus potentially the front seat shape. Definitely try them out, some people hate them, others love them, but it could influence your choice

I have to say that having driven the 2.0 and the TDi in the Fabia , the 2.0 petrol is vastly under-rated as a combination for the Fabia range. It's quiet, unstressed, torquey low down (for a petrol!!!) and suits the car's relaxed nature. The MPG has been far better than the official urban figures lead us to believe as well, because it doesn't need revving like the 1.4 16v does.

I am very happy with my 2.0. I have just over 30,000 miles on the clock and I have averaged 34.6mpg. As you say, it drives very well. Relaxed, smooth and quiet, it behaves like a big car. I don't understand how What Car can say this is the one to avoid in the Fabia range. I think it's more torquey than turkey. However, the VRS would cost me less to run and could be fun.

NO contest it has to be vRS all the way. Don't forget pleasure of ownership is a factor, will you really be happy when you get passed by a smiling vRS driver ? When it comes to sell the car, you'll see that picking the vRS was the smart choice - always buy a car based on how popular you think it will be to the next buyer. The 2.0 Fabia is a nice car but it is strictly in 'that' sector. The vRS is a giant killer in so many ways that it is fast developing cult status and major respect, its the smart choice.

The vRS is a giant killer in so many ways that it is fast developing cult status and major respect, its the smart choice.

So when you come to sell it, the market will be saturated with them and second hand prices will plummet?

Chris

Oh dear myopia strikes ! The vRS will always only be a small seller in the UK despite its many great points, demand will always outstrip demand in a similar fashion to the BMW Mini. If you have any doubts about this go to the http://www.Autotrader.co.uk website and see for yourself how firm the re-sale values are. By the way avoid PD90 and PD100's as they suffer from bore trouble latter in life due to injector problems that develop after 80,000 miles and if left unattended will eventually become real oil burners (check out the Telegraph's Honest John motoring agony uncle's website http://www.honestjohn.co.uk).

If you have any doubts about this go to the http://www.Autotrader.co.uk[/url'] website and see for yourself how firm the re-sale values are.

Websites say lots of things - has anyone actually got any figures they've been offered for a 3 year old Fabia vRS? Didn't think so...

Rob.

Try to buy one, you'll soon see. Try to find a dealer with a second hand one, they just don't have them to demonstrate new let alone for sale second hand. For now the market is very much buyer driven and this holds values up whether its a vRS or any other car for that matter. Thats basic economics my boy ! My point is that if there is an underlying demand then residuals will be good. I see no reason to expect this not to be the case with the vRS.

Thats basic economics my boy ! My point is that if there is an underlying demand then residuals will be good. I see no reason to expect this not to be the case with the vRS.

Because if everyone's buying them, the market will be flooded sooner or later - simple economics! As they become more desirable to people, the higher the chance of them getting nicked - up go the insurance premiums. Market is then flooded with lots of cars which people have had to sell because they can't afford the renewal, and no one can afford to buy and insure. Hence they get heavily discounted.

Not saying it will happen, but it's a possibility - predicting that the vRS is all well and good, but counting on it really isn't too smart.

And it took me 3 months to source a set of carpet mats for my Octavia - demand wasn't high and they weren't fantastic, the only reason it took so long is because Skoda couldn't supply them from the factory. So what may be perceived as high demand might just be low supply...

Rob.

Oh dear oh dear. Skoda are not importing them in any numbers, apart from anything else they can't be making much on them so whats the point - it could well be a loss leader for them. Besides, you have heard of the Morgan have you ? Not a great car by any standards but supply limitation insures that there's more demand than supply and they retain their 'value' in legendary fashion. Also I don't see BMW having a problem with the long running 3 series despite the numbers on the road mushrooming, they are still the best BM to own for depreciation. Insurance rates will reflect the claims history of car but hopefully the nutters will be put off by the diesel element and the still questionable street cred of the 'Skoda' badge. Leaving us to enjoy real motoring pleasure. I still can't see much downside to the vRS.

Besides, you have heard of the Morgan have you ? Not a great car by any standards but supply limitation insures that there's more demand than supply and they retain their 'value' in legendary fashion.

The fact that they're handbuilt in a shed by a man called "Alan" is probably more to do with the low production volumes, rather than wanting to maintain the exclusivity.

Also I don't see BMW having a problem with the long running 3 series despite the numbers on the road mushrooming,

Because BMWs happen to be popular at the moment - Skoda aren't an "aspirational" brand, and trying to trade-in a Skoda anywhere other than a Skoda dealership still gets an offensively low price. If none of the other models in the range can turn this around, why would a small, modestly-quick hatchback be able to do it?

If it's popular, it will become attractive, and people will want to start nicking it.

It it isn't popular, no one will want to touch it come resale time.

Rob.

Perhaps you did not see John Harvey-Jones expose of the Morgan Car Company some years ago - limiting supply was central to their business strategy.

As for popularity resulting in nicking, this does not follow in my opinion. There are plenty of cars that are desirable without being easily or often nicked. I also think your comments about 'trading in' a Skoda are well out of date, the brand is now well respected for offering what is in effect a VW at a cut price. Second hand models are appearing on other franchise forecourts as second hand dealers are not stupid, they can see a brand rising in the public's perception and are happy to cash in on the trend. I contend that in general Skoda equals a smart purchase.

Perhaps you did not see John Harvey-Jones expose of the Morgan Car Company some years ago - limiting supply was central to their business strategy.

No, must've missed that one. But they're still a "shed industry", they don't have a mass-production factory, and their numbers are genuinely limited.

As for popularity resulting in nicking, this does not follow in my opinion. There are plenty of cars that are desirable with being easily or often nicked.

Yeah, I guess basing my argument on cars Mk1 Golf, XR2, Subaru Impreza (which have all seen a sharp rise in theft as popularity increased), is a bit flawed, as they were all either fast or proper "hot hatches"...

I also think your comments about 'trading in' a Skoda are well out of date, the brand is now well respected for offering what is in effect a VW at a cut price.

Yep, things might've changed since last week when I got a Vauxhall dealer to give me a valuation, which was significantly lower than the Skoda dealership gave me...

Rob.

Nicking level are a function of two factors desirability yes but also ease of nicking. Thats why increasingly, older cars such as Mk1 Golfs, XR2's etc are being nicked in preference to newer better protected cars . These older models were poorly protected. Besides immobilisers etc. Skoda offer a comprehensive tracking service linked to etched window glass making their cars less desirable to those who wish to sell on their swag. Thieves look elsewhere. Plus you can't have it both ways, if as you infer, owning a Skoda is only second to suffering from incurable halitosis then why would anyone want to nick it ?

The second hand market for cars is somewhat awash generally at present - talk to any dealer. Thats why its so important to pick a car with genuine latent demand. You will never get a Vauxhall dealer to out bid a Skoda dealer for a Skoda on trade in, come on get real !

Plus you can't have it both ways, if as you infer, owning a Skoda is only second to suffering from incurable halitosis then why would anyone want to nick it ?

So what did I mean by:

"If it's popular, it will become attractive, and people will want to start nicking it.

It it isn't popular, no one will want to touch it come resale time."

The second hand market for cars is somewhat awash generally at present - talk to any dealer. Thats why its so important to pick a car with genuine latent demand. You will never get a Vauxhall dealer to out bid a Skoda dealer for a Skoda on trade in, come on get real !

Yes, but I've been intermittently visiting dealers for quotes over the past year, and none of them have given a quote that's actually book trade price, except for the Skoda dealer. And that includes manufacturer-neutral dealers, who have always offered book-trade on any other car I've approached them with.

I'm not saying owning a Skoda is a bad thing...just that the vRS isn't necessarily the best buy, and just because a website says the residuals will be strong doesn't mean they actually will. And it's relative - the residuals on Skodas are generally poor anyway, so if it really is a concern, a Skoda isn't the right choice.

Rob.

Ok, well we will have to agree to disagree I think, but I would say that even if my car loses half its value over the next two years thats only

Personally I'd assume the car is worth about 5k after 4 years, with 60k-ish miles on it. If it's more, than great, if it's less, less great.

Cars are not an investment that will give you a profitable return generally now, are they Bought the vRS as it's excellent value for money, it's fun, and I generally enjoyed the drive. A few years ago I would probably have avoided Skoda, not for the badge, but for the reliability issues. A lot of things have happened since then (might have been longer ago, so please don't flame me for that )

It's a 5 door, it's economical to drive, and yes, it HAS gained a vastly improved reputation. Arguably most car manufacturers tend to produce a reasonable compromise of a car to get at a lower price point. For us, the Furby was the right choice, for others the Octi might be better, or a different brand. At the end of the day it's a personal choice IMHO, and people may at any point change their minds anyway so I'm not going to worry about it