Ok, so i've been going through Pistonheads, Classifieds on here, Edition 38, Autotrader etc..

It seems there's a very very varied bunch of Fabiaz out there.

From 100% standard, to slightly, and heavily modified.

Overall, i'm looking to pay 7000 overall.

So my question is,

Do i buy a ready modified one for that price, with all reasonable mods.

Or do i buy a slightly lesser car, and do the same mods myself anyway ??

Or buy as new, and as low miles as i can, and keep it stock ?

Any advice ?

Hope this doesnt open a can of worms either.

Be gentle, i'm new

In my opinion, which may very well not be worth that much :yes: , i would buy low mileage and stock and then you can decide exactly what mods you want to do.

When i first got my Fabia it only had 17000 miles on the clock and no mods at all. I have kept mine looking stock and have only done the below mods to keep it looking as much standard as possible:

Shark remap

PD160 air intake

Aluminium footrest

Stubby aerial

Replaced headlight bulbs (dipped and main)

De-Tango'd all indicators

De-badged rear "Fabia" badge

To be done:

Whiteline RARB

De-chrome front grill

All my own choice and i didnt have to change any one elses mods.

It all depends on what you plan to do with the car and what you want from a car.

Personally I like to buy my cars standard and keep them standard.

Bear in mind that most mods do not actually add value to a car and many people will actually be put off by modded cars, so that puts you in a good buying position. Don't pay over the odds because it has been modified to the owners taste. That said if it's mods you would plan to do, then it could be a great way of grabbing a bargain pre modded car if they have been installed satisfactorily.

Just make sure it's got a full service history, that it drives and sounds well on the test drive, and that modifications aren't the result of dodgy crash damage repairs etc and you should be fine.

If you can find one with the sort of mods you want then you will save yourself a small fortune.

For £7k you could have a nice SE version witht the standard leather interior.

If you are going to mod it anyway then save yourself thousands and buy a modified one. As long as all receipts/invoices are there and shows work done at reputable garages etc... then its money well spent. Take that from me talking with experience.

IMOH I wouldnt go for heavily modded car as you dont know if a professional has fitted them or it has been carried out in someones mates garage who went on a weeks mechanics course.

Lower a car and it might look great but could handle like a pig, would cost you a few quid to put it right.

Big power figures might sound great down the pub but cost you a fortune replacing parts going wrong because they werent designed for that power.

Buy something straight and add your personal touch when time and money allow then you can feel or see the improvement you have made.

Cheers

flobadob

IMOH I wouldnt go for heavily modded car as you dont know if a professional has fitted them or it has been carried out in someones mates garage who went on a weeks mechanics course.

Lower a car and it might look great but could handle like a pig, would cost you a few quid to put it right.

Big power figures might sound great down the pub but cost you a fortune replacing parts going wrong because they werent designed for that power.

Thats why you need to see all receipts/invoices when you buy. Then you know exactly where and when it's been professionally fitted/modified. If it's not been done professionally then I'd agree with you. Walk away.

Thanks for the input so far.

There's an unlimited choice of cars out there that are standard, so that isn't a problem.

However i've seen 3 modded cars for sale,

Any opinions on these 3 ?

http://www.edition38.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=370051

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2582620.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2604844.htm

Thanks for the input so far.

There's an unlimited choice of cars out there that are standard, so that isn't a problem.

However i've seen 3 modded cars for sale,

Any opinions on these 3 ?

http://www.edition38.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=370051

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2582620.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2604844.htm

I would go for the first one if i were you ! I personaly looked at it myself, really am still temted but i need something a little bigger :( but it really does look a good one and i don't think it's been done very long !

The first yellow one i actualy done that, bought it standard on 19k and sold it on 27k after doing the whole hybrid treatment etc, but it's had several owners " at least four " since....and when it starts to get a few owners doing diferent stuff to it, things start to fall apart and abused

Everyone will know my answer For 7K get an SE with FSH and NO MODS and keep it that way. Would need to a private sale though, they are still fetching 9k at a dealer.

I'm saying nothing as it's my car in the first link

I'm saying nothing as it's my car in the first link

Thought it looked famular!

I'm saying nothing as it's my car in the first link

little johnny i'll message you if that is ok ?

Everyone will know my answer For 7K get an SE with FSH and NO MODS and keep it that way. Would need to a private sale though, they are still fetching 9k at a dealer.

Good logic, but i want to have mods, so buying and keeping standard isn't something i want to do.

The second yellow was also owned by big jase on here and the third one has a thread about very recently

I personally like to pick and choose which mods I want myself. I also think buy as best you can and over time to what you want to do to it. If I were you I'd get the nicest specced one, xenon, cruise control etc etc then mod when you got the cash.

Matt

The second yellow was also owned by big jase on here and the third one has a thread about very recently

It seems odd that this is up for sale. The guy hasn't had it that long :wonder:

I remember he signed up asking questions - Interesting.

Just thinking about it, i know the biggest PITA on mine was coilovers.

Which set, then who to fit? i spend WEEKS deciding, so might it not be worth going for one with part of the mods you want to do already done.....

if there is anything on there you dont like then change it.

Look at lukes thread ('axOxa' or something like that sorry dude cant remember your sign in name)

He got a car part modded and adapted to what he wanted to do to it, it wasnt perfect as it had big mouth mod, he put the bumper back, changed the alloys, i would imagine selling the alloys paid for the replacements, things like that.

I would say as long as there is recipts for the work your pretty set!

Get a modded one.

I bought a completely standard one and i had many problems to begin with.

Leaky doors, replacing bushes, turbo boost pipe etc...

In February, an average mileage 06 plate Fabia VRS booked at £4250 for a trade in on Glasses. Dealers are struggling to shift them you will negotiate a good deal on one, and will certainly get a good one for way, way less than 7 grand.

i think its unfair to slate my old one tbh...

i spent a lot of wedge maintaining it, it has all new custom / forge boost piping from turbo to inlet less than a year old

new gearbox and new helix clutch and flywheel

has also had a new timing belt less than a year ago and 5k services, dare i say it but possibly i maintained it the best of all its owners

i sold it around 6 months ago with only 3k less miles so it should still be as sweet as a nut

the price is cheap for it as the roof and drivers rear door is a bit tatty, but just check the kit on it

I guess it's really down to the individual buyer.

I'll try not to be biased seeing as one of the above mentioned is mine...

But the way i done it when i was looking to buy was...

One that fitted the bill, IE age/mileage.

Good history, and all the mods i would've wanted. Plus it was bought from a known member which helps.

The only thing missing from mine when i bought it was a decent turbo etc, but then the original let go so it got the Hybrid etc put on anyway.

I guess it's down to what someone wants in a car really.

For me, i'd buy modded again if i was looking for that, if nothing else, for the overall savings.

i think its unfair to slate my old one tbh...

i spent a lot of wedge maintaining it, it has all new custom / forge boost piping from turbo to inlet less than a year old

new gearbox and new helix clutch and flywheel

has also had a new timing belt less than a year ago and 5k services, dare i say it but possibly i maintained it the best of all its owners

i sold it around 6 months ago with only 3k less miles so it should still be as sweet as a nut

the price is cheap for it as the roof and drivers rear door is a bit tatty, but just check the kit on it

I'm sorry Jase, I wasn't trying to 'slate' your old car. It just seemed odd as it's up for sale again so quickly.

I have just read the 'For Sale Advert' and seen that he is looking for an S2000 for the summer. Hence the reason for sale -

I'm sorry Jase, I wasn't trying to 'slate' your old car. It just seemed odd as it's up for sale again so quickly.

I have just read the 'For Sale Advert' and seen that he is looking for an S2000 for the summer. Hence the reason for sale -

yes some people just have lots of cars

i've had 11 in 5 years