I'm just about to order my new company car and am looking at a Fabia Estate 1.6 SE 105 CR. My previous car was a Seat Leon Cupra R, and whilst I was looking at the Fabia vRS and had a great test drive, I found that I only get money back from the company car scheme if I buy a diesel. I haven't driven the diesel yet,but the Fabia is the only reasonable estate option that saves me well over a hundred quid a month, and I'm happy with the handling, layout and comfort. Having half the BHP of my previous car is a bit of a fall from grace, but I've coped with a (wobbly) Corsa 1.4L for the last few months, so I'm sure I'll live..

I don't actually drive as much these days, but was thinking an estate with a bit of poke would be great for sticking my mountain bike or a kayak in the back.

I was thinking about the SE Estate 1.6 CR 105 with :

ESP Plus (I'm not entirely convinced about the Plus, but I suppose the tyre pressure monitor and hill hold might be useful). Worth saving the cash and going for standard ESP?

Sports suspension (the Fabia is good, but it does roll a bit..)

Cruise control

Front armrest

Rear parking sensor

Spare Wheel

That's it! I'm not used to a car with toys (the Cupra R basically only had a radio, fogs, ESP and climate control). I've never seen the point of fogs (even under <10m visibility, they're not much of an improvement), I don't need radio controls on the steering wheel and I suspect the standard trip computer will be alright. I'm almost tempted by the headlight washers, but I'm sure a damp cloth after a trip is a better solution. Something sensible that can occasionally do a load of miles to the Lakes/Scotland, but usually just does a few miles locally for shopping and can grab a full size bookcase from Ikea..

I was thinking about Corrida Red. Having seen a white Fabia recently, I think that's rather smart, but realistically I won't wash it often enough (in fact : ever, probably - cars are there to be used, not washed). Not taken with the blue or yellow.

Anything missing from the above? Over specced?

Do your maths carefully - are the options you mention above available as a pack? Also, I've just ordered an Elegance hatch (for maximum toys); it was just over a grand more than the SE but comes with SO much more for the money.

I test-drove the 1.6 TDi 105bhp today and it was a pleasure to drive. Decent acceleration, very smooth ride. Yes, not as powerful as your Cupra, but equally it's no slowcoach. I liked it, though I've gone for the 1.2 TSi 105 as I do more town driving and I wanted the DSG box.

I wouldnt bother with the parking sensors, the estate is a doddle to park and you get a good view all round.

I wouldnt bother with the parking sensors, the estate is a doddle to park and you get a good view all round.

Ta, worth knowing!

I had a quick look at the packs; they seem to be a bit more expensive than the options I wanted, but I may ponder again.

I would have preferred the petrol, but due to oddities of the company car scheme, I only get money back if I order a diesel. I'm generally not a fan of automatics, but thought the DSG box in the vRS was superb, especially in traffic.

Heres pictures of my Corrida Red SE 105 CR Estate. Mine has front fogs with built in DRL`s. A rubber boot mat is great for the dog. I also have door protectors and underseat storage. parking sensors are unnecessary as quoted and I dont believe in them anyway!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20279230@N02/?saved=1

Grahame

I have to say that i woudn't be without parking sensors now. I had a courtesy car this week which didn't have them and I forgot that you have to turn your head when you reverse. It's one of those things that once you have it's difficult to do without.

The main option that is essential to me though is the sunroof. It's so pleasant to have in all sorts of conditions and I can't understand why so few cars have them - air conditioning is a useful addition but no substitute. My last Fabia didn't have one and it was a great relief to have one again in my present fabia. I wouldn't buy another car without one.

If you dont want the extra items in the Elegance spec then that seems to be a pretty good spec to me, you haven`t gone mad with the options and that would be the things I would add to the SE myself. Dunno what the diesel is like with its gears but my TSi hauls from 30 to 100+ (Skoda`s "top speed" for the elegance is waaaay off) in 5th as mine is a manual and not the DSG.

I have to say that i woudn't be without parking sensors now. I had a courtesy car this week which didn't have them and I forgot that you have to turn your head when you reverse. It's one of those things that once you have it's difficult to do without.

UNBELIEVABLE you forgot to turn your head???? Exactly why things like parking sensors shouldnt be on cars... so the day your sensors fail some poor sod gets a damaged car

If you dont want the extra items in the Elegance spec then that seems to be a pretty good spec to me, you haven`t gone mad with the options and that would be the things I would add to the SE myself. Dunno what the diesel is like with its gears but my TSi hauls from 30 to 100+ (Skoda`s "top speed" for the elegance is waaaay off) in 5th as mine is a manual and not the DSG.

Sounds good.

I've thought about it further and revised my thoughts very slightly. Now looking to add maxidot (for the minimal cost, I'll count it as a toy I'll allow myself, and I would quite like the ability to modify the lights on/off settings) and pondering 16" alloys for better roadholding and a firmer ride (which is what I'm used to). That seems to mean I'll have to go for a spacesaver rather than an alloy wheel (the Skoda car configurator doesn't seem to allow a full size 16" alloy spare wheel)

That's it, though. Definitely not going for climate control - did that in my Cupra, and ended up having to fiddle with the temperature and keep telling it to turn the aircon off. Manual is better.

UNBELIEVABLE you forgot to turn your head???? Exactly why things like parking sensors shouldnt be on cars... so the day your sensors fail some poor sod gets a damaged car

..........and I just hope I'm not that poor sod !!!!!!!!!!!

I have parking sensors and I always look behind when reversing, after all they are just an aid to assist you.

Sounds good.

I've thought about it further and revised my thoughts very slightly. Now looking to add maxidot (for the minimal cost, I'll count it as a toy I'll allow myself, and I would quite like the ability to modify the lights on/off settings) and pondering 16" alloys for better roadholding and a firmer ride (which is what I'm used to). That seems to mean I'll have to go for a spacesaver rather than an alloy wheel (the Skoda car configurator doesn't seem to allow a full size 16" alloy spare wheel)

That's it, though. Definitely not going for climate control - did that in my Cupra, and ended up having to fiddle with the temperature and keep telling it to turn the aircon off. Manual is better.

Maxidot and alloys on top of your original armrest, cruise and parking sensors are all in Elegance spec, and you're close to spending the difference between SE and Elegance. And you probably know you tend to get little at resale for any extras (I know it's a company car, but this may influence you fleet manager!). there are generally slightly better disconts on Elegance spec too.

Maxidot and alloys on top of your original armrest, cruise and parking sensors are all in Elegance spec, and you're close to spending the difference between SE and Elegance. And you probably know you tend to get little at resale for any extras (I know it's a company car, but this may influence you fleet manager!). there are generally slightly better disconts on Elegance spec too.

You have a point. I wasn't going to go for the Elegance, but then I realised that my 'that's it' spec didn't include a leather steering wheel, and plastic wheels aren't always that great in the summer.

It's only about 12 quid a month extra, I think I'm being swayed in that direction..

UNBELIEVABLE you forgot to turn your head???? Exactly why things like parking sensors shouldnt be on cars... so the day your sensors fail some poor sod gets a damaged car

I couldn't agree more...I wonder how fast the parking sensors would pick up a child walking behind your car Harry...my personal opinion is that if you can't park without sensors, you shouldn't be driving! Sorry if that's a little harsh but your comment made me shudder.

I didn't mean to spark such controversy. Have you ever wondered how vans reverse? By using the mirrors. Have you noticed how modern cars have much less rearward vision because of bulkier rear bodywork, shallower rear windows and muliple headrests? It makes reversing by looking out the rear window much more risky because of all the blind spots. The upside is that modern mirrors are far better. The answer to how quickly the parking sensors pick up eg a child behind the car is immediately and far more relaliably that trying to peer out the back window. So the safest way to reverse a modern car is by using your mirrors and the sensors. Happy driving!