Hi, I've currently got a Renault Clio, it's only a 1.2 16v on an 03 plate, but it does the job.

However now I need a bigger car. Is a Fabia for me? I hope so.

When my Clio went in for repair (first of many), I had a Fabia Estate 1.4. I really liked, I was so suprised.

What I really like is the VW build quality. I need a car to last. But with diesel economy. I'm thinking of the 1.9TDi, second hand. What I need to know is, what do I look for? Any common problems? It may be out of warranty (51 reg has appeared locally), so what do I check except usual things like brakes, suspension, gearbox, service history?

What kind of prices are good? One I saw today, 51 reg, gold colour, Comfort trim level, unknown miles (dealer didnt have that info to hand but I'm going back tomorrow), 1.9TDi. They wanted 6k for it, is that a reasonable price? It seems it to me.

Any advice and help is more than welcome and grately appreciated.

Check the service history is all there. If it is and the miles aren't to mental than 6k sounds good to me. The Gold colour Comfort will have the yellow (ish) Streetlife upholstery so just check that you can live with that!! I have a Comfort with the 1.4 TDI motor and I love it to bits. The build quality and refinement will be on another level from your Clio too.

Thats one thing I did notice, the interior is a bit bright. But not hugely really. The colour is ok, my Clio has green interior as it's the Billabong trim.

I've had a Smart too, so weird interiors is normal to me.

As it's 3 years old and the miles are average (36k), are there any things that should have been done? Any checks? I think 36k means 2 services?

what ever you choose just remember your the king so to speak. If you dont like the price then walk away there will be another car and anoher dealer.

Fabia's seem to hold there price fairly well against the usual french bunch.

Do some research on whatcar or alike and just keep looking about in here for info.

Service I'm guessing will be 3 at 3 years old and 36k on the clock, I could be wrong though.

Ask questions and I'm sure peeps will answer

I'd say that 36,000 is probably on the low side for a TDI FAB so no probs there, but service intervals are 10,000 miles so it should have had 3 by now. I had my 30,000 service at the weekend and it was just a standard inspection one so I don't think there would have been any additional job done yet. I think the cam belt is at 80-000 but will need to check the schedule.

[flame suit on] Have you thought about a SEAT Ibiza, there are plenty of 100bhp variants around for reasonable money, similar quality, just a bit unusual in the styling stakes which isn't necessarily a terrible thing [/flame suit off]

I think a Seat Ibiza may be a little small for my liking. I do carry some weird stuff about for old friends whom have old Fiesta's. Bonnets, sills plus a shed of tools. I can bearly fit them all in my Clio. I'm hoping I'll have the room needed in a Fabia.

I've checked the company website www.cdg-cars.co.uk and it says the colour is bronze which sounds correct. Same age and trim. 31k miles. Which is under average. I'm going down there at 9am!

The TDi 100 is very good and has the PD engine in it which is extremely refined for a diesel, I would consider test driving petrol & diesels to see which you like, but i'm sure if your not after 0-60's etc then the mid range of the diesel will attract you to no end.

EDIT --

Found this:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=SKODA&model=FABIA&variant=tdi&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=3&agerange=&postcode=yo8+9lf&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=32&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200501177604952

Seems like a good price for a 53 reg with below average miles.

I think a Seat Ibiza may be a little small for my liking.

Its the same size as a fabia.

and clio boot is bigger than the fabia iirc

What I really like is the VW build quality. I need a car to last. But with diesel economy. I'm thinking of the 1.9TDi, second hand. What I need to know is, what do I look for? Any common problems? It may be out of warranty (51 reg has appeared locally), so what do I check except usual things like brakes, suspension, gearbox, service history?

I have an '01 Elegance which I picked up almost a year ago with 53k miles on it. Things that have gone wrong with mine are track rod arm worn out, air con evaporator sensor packed up (no air con in August!), poorly adjusted tracking which caused premature tyre wear and the clutch pedal snapped a couple of months back! Apart from that, I've covered 15k of reliable motoring

Chris

Now I see these.

Well, I went down there. 31.5k miles,

Yea!!!! Well done

So do we have another convert then ?

Are you going to stay with us ?

Steve

I will stay!

My girlfriend is moving to France for 9 months as part of her uni degree. Thats the main reason for getting a diesel. A quick engine is just a bonus.

Sorted the insurance out already, from now until 5th April, my increase is a huge 22p. I'm 22 btw with just 1 NCB. Not a bad price from Norwich Union.

I've no doubt that I'm going to have problems, I'm sure you guys and girls will help me out. In time, I'll be able to pass the knowledge on.

Just so you know what I got for my

Sounds like a cracking deal to me!

Do you know if they're going to put OEM tyres on, or tyres of your choice? Only ask because I've just changed my fronts from budget to mid-range tyres and the difference to grip, particularly in this weather, and road noise is amazing!

Chris

I'd guess it's just bog standard cheapies really.

I do a lot of motorway miles so grip shouldnt be an issue, I think I'll see how I go, if it's quite bad then I'll get then changed. Some monkey on ebay will want some cheap tyres for their chavmobile (aka Citroen Saxo).

A good price and choice indeed.I always had soft spot for ibiza till took wife to seat garage and forced her to sit in one .it really did feel cramped and a lot smaller than fabia even if it is the same size .neither of us could take a shine to it.

So happy non claustrophobic and enjoyable fabia motoring

Richard - your mission should you choose to accept it, is to make your car look like this one within the space of a couple of months. (assuming it's silver ) And I may have those 17" alloys up for sale soon.

It's gold/bronze. Any idea what shade it is? I'll get a pic up next week.

Do those wheels slide straight on? Or is it under-arch hammer time?

Straight on, no messing. Although you may wanna consider lowering it as these wheels look a little odd when the car is on its original suspension, see below to see what I mean. That gap really makes it look like its on stilts.

Where can you get things from? Like suspension, brakes? I ask as some places are still not listing Skoda? And those that do don't list the 1.9TDi yet.

Have a look in the link section as there are a few that do. Some though you may have to phone up and have a word with.

I would quote names but some poeple might have issues with a few of them

The eibach suspension I got from another Briskodian, however if I were to find out where to get some tasty coilovers from

(hint hint alex_ninja )

I might be persuaded to part with my complete set of eibach suspension (matched up dampers and springs, rated for the TDI) along with those 17s.

Ok, picked it up!

It's Sahara Beige. Options added on at new were aircon, asr and I think door mirrors were an option in 2001.

Drives nice, one thing that I did notice is the mpg calc showed 313mpg at one point while it was getting used to my driving. 313! Wow!

A couple of marks here and there but nothing unusal. Rear seats have a mark and bodywork is still good bar 1 tiny mark.

Oh and they put Firestone tyres on, not a bad brand by a long way.

I'll get a pic up later.