Lets get one thing clear, there are a couple of reasons I didn't look at a Fabia Vrs or higher powered Fabia diesel. I'm a bit too old in my retirement to own the Vrs and a bit short on pennies to buy the diesel I would have liked.

I owned a BMW 528i. A fantasic car but boy did she like a drink?. 'Er who must be obayed was for ever moaning about the cost to keep it on the road so I decided to look at something smaller. I wanted a younger model,she had to look sexy and not be as demanding as the older one (you get these kind of thoughts when you get to my age)!!

Having had a Fabia 1.9Tdi last time I was a regular on this site SWMBO and I both fancied another. We had lots of problems with our previous Fabia but mainly Brakes related and as no one else seemed to have similar probs as ours, we put it down to us having bought a 'Friday model'. We loved the car in every other respect. So 2 weeks ago we plumped for a really nice Tangerine Orange Fabia hatch 1.2 HTP 2 2007 with just 14,000 miles on the clock. It has taken 2 weeks to take delivery as I had to wait for the DVLA to transfer my cherrished plate.

I was very apprehensive and wondered how I would make the transition from my 145 mph step-tronic to this little Manual Fabia. I need not have worried. Wow! What a lovely little car. The engine is so willing if a bit more vocal to what I'm used to and the driving position is superb. The steering is lovely and light and the gearbox is to die for. Such a light easy and fast gear change. We chose the light coloured interior and find this also to be really nice. Our BMW had all black nappa leather, classy but to the point of looking dowdy if you know what I mean. We love the little touches, great radio CD, MP3 connection, Trip computer, doors locking as you drive off and the handy storage inside and in the boot. The room inside is amazing for such a small car.

We are so glad we came back to Skoda. I would say to anyone wanting a small car, you must try the fabia and whatever you do, don't dismiss the small engine. It's a little cracker in so far it will do all the things most people want from a car and in style and comfort. Ah well..I just had to tell somebody.

Edited 25 November, 201015 yr by horkin

Had a 1.2HTP as a courtsey car whilst the octavia was in for some work. Its not a bad little car, nippy enough for around town and fairly good on the fuel. Also has a nice little engine note to it which makes you want to rev it.

If I wanted a cheap little run about I would give it a look.

Love the 1.2HTP have driven a Ibiza with this engine in the car and it's a nice wee drive as said it has a nice wee engine note and it's economical and feels as if there is more power wanting to be released from the little engine.

Mines done 17500 miles now and is so responsive and nippy. It puts my dads 1.6 Focus to shame I can tell you. Im getting an average of around 46mpg but can get low 50s easily enough if I stay below 3000rpm, which is hard! If I were to buy another Fabia again, Id seriously have another HTP 70hp, you can keep your oil drinking TSi and thirsty 1.6 TDis thanks!

Mines done 17500 miles now and is so responsive and nippy. It puts my dads 1.6 Focus to shame I can tell you. Im getting an average of around 46mpg but can get low 50s easily enough if I stay below 3000rpm, which is hard! If I were to buy another Fabia again, Id seriously have another HTP 70hp, you can keep your oil drinking TSi and thirsty 1.6 TDis thanks!

When I sold my 1.2 HTP it had completed 92,000 miles. Was at its best around town. Not quite so good at long distance motorway driving but in general a cracking car.

I always got close to 50 mpg out of it. It had some engine problems toward the end but I was driving it hard over long distances. If I wasn't doing long distances then I would certainly have another one.

When I sold my 1.2 HTP it had completed 92,000 miles. Was at its best around town. Not quite so good at long distance motorway driving but in general a cracking car.

I always got close to 50 mpg out of it. It had some engine problems toward the end but I was driving it hard over long distances. If I wasn't doing long distances then I would certainly have another one.

It feels solid on the motorway , cruises comfortably at 70mph, not as good if in a hurryi in town due to too much bodyroll on standard suspension anyway

Edited 25 November, 201015 yr by fabia55

I got around 48mpg average on my Mk1 - that was (still is) a super car (son has it), well balanced and smooth engine, excellent ride quality.

Mk 2 - different story, still only getting at best 35mpg after 8000 miles despite various attempts to "break it in" as the americans put it. Great around town - low speed torque is excellent. However very tiresome on long distance runs - engine too feeble - all mouth and no action at speed. I suspect the engine is really a motor out of a sewing machine.

Lots of road noise - nowhere near as quiet and serene as the Mk 1. Ride comfort a lot poorer than Mk1.

Wouldnt buy one again (I regret buying this one).

Climate Control should be avoided - its a poorly programmed unit with ridiculously oversensitive controls and in manual mode it still insists on doing its own thing (generally blowing a gale) irregardless of your manual input. Noisiest blower I've ever heard.

Well, I have no problems with performance on the motorway. I have the car fully loaded with gear in the back and seats down and it still pulls well. At 70mph it still pulls uphill with no downchanges and has more in reserve. Mine is the 70hp mind, I did find the 60hp a bit lethargic. Round town, not a lot passes me on the twisty dual carriageways we have round town... it may roll but doesnt let go ever.

As for the Mk1, I never really liked them and after test driving one I didnt buy it but I did the Mk2 so that says it all.

I got around 48mpg average on my Mk1 - that was (still is) a super car (son has it), well balanced and smooth engine, excellent ride quality.

Mk 2 - different story, still only getting at best 35mpg after 8000 miles despite various attempts to "break it in" as the americans put it. Great around town - low speed torque is excellent. However very tiresome on long distance runs - engine too feeble - all mouth and no action at speed. I suspect the engine is really a motor out of a sewing machine.

Lots of road noise - nowhere near as quiet and serene as the Mk 1. Ride comfort a lot poorer than Mk1.

Wouldnt buy one again (I regret buying this one).

Climate Control should be avoided - its a poorly programmed unit with ridiculously oversensitive controls and in manual mode it still insists on doing its own thing (generally blowing a gale) irregardless of your manual input. Noisiest blower I've ever heard.

Okay, you obviously have fallen out with the model but to say the ride is poorer than the Mk 1 is wrong IMHO. I had the Mk1 1.9TDI PD and it was a cracking car but the MK 11 is superior in every way. This opinion is also born out by every Review I've seen which all say 'a good car just got better' and praise the quality of the ride. My Mk 1 had huge braking problems and the brakes would bind on giving blue smoke until the pedal was pumped and the calipers let go again! New calipers, a master Cyl and a new servo unit then it was sold!! But it can happen and I loved it in every other way. Your views on the climate control baffle me as I have no such problems at all whilst 35 mpg is of course possible with a heavy right foot but not generally claimed by others.

the loan car on trip read averaged 41.2 when I had it and dropped to 29.8 when I was ragging...................erm....................I mean keeping within speed limited and traffic

I have to say when they handed me the keys I was not impressed a 1.2 I said.................but after driving it I can say its not a bad car at all.

Your views on the climate control baffle me as I have no such problems at all whilst 35 mpg is of course possible with a heavy right foot but not generally claimed by others.

Had the CC unit replaced after complaining, but the the replacement is no better. Starting the car on a cold morning, the fan speed always defaults to 3 - freezing on days like today. Turn it down and after a couple of minutes its ramped up again. Heap of sh*te. It eventually settles down, but only when the car is fully warm. Trying to select a fan speed requires a super delicate touch - each notch is about 1/50th of a rev of the small knob. Sometimes the setting will shoot off the opposite way to that selected.

It is the 70bhp engine, I daren't rag it, as it wont get me there any faster and the mpg will plummet below 30mpg.

When comparing with the Mk 1 - I'm comparing like for like models - mid trim 1.2 12V.

One thing I have noticed after driving several Fabia's and Polos over the last few years - they are very variable - I once drove a 1.4Tdi Mk 1 that was silkly smooth, quiet and went like a bat out of hell. The next example I tried was like a Massey Ferguson Tractor with a bag of old spanners attached somewhere.

Cost cutting on the Mk2 is very obvious.

What temperature do you use on the climate control. I found that on my new car if i set it at 20 degrees it blew air at full pace all the time and it was annoying but since Ive changed it to 22 degrees as recommend in the manual have had no problems the fan speed never goes above the 4th setting on the fan and as soon as its warm settles down to around second speed. Seems to be set and forget.

I used to own A Skoda Fabia VRs mark 1. TERRIFIC car, still miss it.

Had to downgrade to a 1.2 Mk2. To be honest, although i miss the "shove" of the VRs, i do REALLY like the 1.2 htp. It's surprisingly gutsy.

Went to Cornwall from Leicester and back again on Holiday, it never complained, cruised comfortably and returned 48MPG over the trip.

I'm very pleased with it.

horkin, glad you are pleased with your new car. They are a cracking motor. I'm a diesel fanatic but if I were to need a petrol, that would be the one to go for. I've driven several now and each time I find it fun. The last one was a courtesy car and I had that for 3 days. I had no problems with the Air Con, it worked perfectly. I agree the ride is so much better than the previous Mk1 version, and you are right about the mags saying that too. The engines are bullet proof. Enjoy...and keep posting to let us all know how you are getting on with it.

horkin, glad you are pleased with your new car. They are a cracking motor. I'm a diesel fanatic but if I were to need a petrol, that would be the one to go for. I've driven several now and each time I find it fun. The last one was a courtesy car and I had that for 3 days. I had no problems with the Air Con, it worked perfectly. I agree the ride is so much better than the previous Mk1 version, and you are right about the mags saying that too. The engines are bullet proof. Enjoy...and keep posting to let us all know how you are getting on with it.

They arent bullet proof. My 1.2 HTP had its head go at 68000 miles. Problem with the valve seats manifesting itself as failure to start and very poor idle. Ended up having a new head. The replacement head was redesigned due to a fault with the old (mine) causing this issue. This is my one poor dealing with Skoda. They agreed to pay half after much wrangling but I had to fight for it. All the later 1.2 HTP engines had this modified head. Mine was a 2003 model so anything after that would be ok I guess.

I do think mine was an isolated incident but Skoda should really have coughed up for the whole lot really. I could have gone to court and probably won but there you go.

Prior to this and after the replacement I found the engine superb. Really torquey low down and had a nice sound. Pretty efficient as well.

If I sell my Greenline due to working closer to home I would definitely have another HTP. Some would say I am a sucker for going back to Skoda after such an engine issue but I do believe the brand is essentially sound. I think what I had was a poor dealer who didnt really care and wouldnt fight my corner. My new dealer is really good........ so far.

I will add, my HTP never drank a drop of oil, cant say the same for the new breed of petrols apparently Is Skoda losing its way a little ?

They arent bullet proof. My 1.2 HTP had its head go at 68000 miles. Problem with the valve seats manifesting itself as failure to start and very poor idle. Ended up having a new head. The replacement head was redesigned due to a fault with the old (mine) causing this issue. This is my one poor dealing with Skoda. They agreed to pay half after much wrangling but I had to fight for it. All the later 1.2 HTP engines had this modified head. Mine was a 2003 model so anything after that would be ok I guess.

I do think mine was an isolated incident but Skoda should really have coughed up for the whole lot really. I could have gone to court and probably won but there you go.

Prior to this and after the replacement I found the engine superb. Really torquey low down and had a nice sound. Pretty efficient as well.

I will add, my HTP never drank a drop of oil, cant say the same for the new breed of petrols apparently Is Skoda losing its way a little ?

That's unfortunate Raisbeck that you had that problem. However, since then, they are bullet proof. My sister has one with 135,000 miles on the clock and never had a single problem of any kind. It's a 2005. She canes the backside off it and it doesn't use any oil, doesn't rattle, and goes like sh*te off a shovel. I must say I too am impressed with it. It should cover at least another 100,000 before needing spannering. The new breed of petrols...nah...I'd never buy one. But I can see lots of interesting posts about them coming up!

As with any car, reliability can only be judged by looking at a large sample or logging complaints. We can't say a brand is unreliable because of isolated cases. Obviously a recurring problem indicates a fault with a brand. Surprisingly I found far more evidence of this with BMW. My E39 528 model was prone to Radiator failure, with water pumps and thermostats a real problem. Head gaskets failed as a result of these coolant problems. Furthermore anyone who knows BMW will know about the Nikasil problem they had resulting in engine failure at around 40K.

It's a pity some are disappointed with their Skodas but no brand is perfect and certainly no brand suits everyone. I love to read about the experiences of the VRS guys on here. It's not a car for me at my age but I can feel your excitement. They do seem to be such great value for money and from what I've read the performance of the new car is a step up from the previous diesel model. (hope I haven't started a row there!). But it's nice also that we old gits can enjoy our cars too and although we may be talking about a totally different animal it's still good to hear of so many satisfied 1.2 owners both guys and gals. They are a fun little car. Lets keep that fun element going and feed back our experiences. Thanks to all for replying to my thread and I'll post again soon.

I got around 48mpg average on my Mk1 - that was (still is) a super car (son has it), well balanced and smooth engine, excellent ride quality.

Mk 2 - different story, still only getting at best 35mpg after 8000 miles despite various attempts to "break it in" as the americans put it. Great around town - low speed torque is excellent. However very tiresome on long distance runs - engine too feeble - all mouth and no action at speed. I suspect the engine is really a motor out of a sewing machine.

Lots of road noise - nowhere near as quiet and serene as the Mk 1. Ride comfort a lot poorer than Mk1.

Wouldnt buy one again (I regret buying this one).

Climate Control should be avoided - its a poorly programmed unit with ridiculously oversensitive controls and in manual mode it still insists on doing its own thing (generally blowing a gale) irregardless of your manual input. Noisiest blower I've ever heard.

disagree with everything u said about the mark 2 apart from cc as i don't have it

i've owned both mark 1 and mark 2, both 1.2 3 cylinder 12v engine.

mark 1 was more economical, perhaps smaller tyre circumference made the difference?

both have road noise but it depends on the tyres, u can make either one noiser buy fitting low rolling michelin energy saving tyres.

ride comfort similar, not a lot poorer on mark 2.

End of the day, Mk1 and Mk2... its the same car, different frock thats all. It rides the same and feels very similar. I love mine, its been great and the engine is its best point, it has character and goes well. Ive had it loaded up with people in Spain and my dad wouldnt have it that it was only a 1.2, it leaves his 1.6 Focus for dust.

End of the day, Mk1 and Mk2... its the same car, different frock thats all. It rides the same and feels very similar. I love mine, its been great and the engine is its best point, it has character and goes well. Ive had it loaded up with people in Spain and my dad wouldnt have it that it was only a 1.2, it leaves his 1.6 Focus for dust.

yeah after all they are both essentially based o n the same chasis with the same wheel base