I'm 18 haven't passed yet, i currently have a corsa but im selling it saturday and am looking to buy a fabia, most likely would be a 1.2 due to insurance reasons, but may get a 1.4 if i can afford it.

anyway few questions,

What should i look out for when buying one?

Should i check if certain things have been changed if they've done a certain amount of miles?

Do you recommend them?

What are they like on petrol?

Oh and how much would i be looking to pay the following on average?

Fabia VRS Seats - ??

Fabia VRS Front Bumper - ??

Fabia VRS Rear Bumper - ??

Octavia VRS Alloys - ??

Decent Set of Coilovers - ??

Cheers for any advice, Ben.

am looking to buy a fabia, most likely would be a 1.2 due to insurance reasons, but may get a 1.4 if i can afford it.

From what I've read, the 1.4 16v has piston ring issues ...

What should i look out for when buying one?

Leaky rear doors, and that it's been serviced on time (10k miles/1 year).

Should i check if certain things have been changed if they've done a certain amount of miles?

Brake fluid change every 2 years. I think the 1.2 has a timing chain, that isn't supposed to need changing? Otherwise, 60k/4 years for the cam belt.

Do you recommend them?

Yup, no problem with mine.

cheers for the reply, any idea on the VRS parts i stated?

...most likely would be a 1.2 due to insurance reasons...

Oh and how much would i be looking to pay the following on average?

Fabia VRS Seats - ??

Fabia VRS Front Bumper - ??

Fabia VRS Rear Bumper - ??

Octavia VRS Alloys - ??

Decent Set of Coilovers - ??

Only advice I can give mate is "don't fit any of that stuff if you're limited on insurance". Assuming you declare it (which I'm sure you will...) it's likely to affect your insurance premium nearly as much as buying a proper vRS. Once it looks like one, it becomes more desirable to steal, the fact you've modified it means you're lumped in (insurance stats-wise) with the 19 year old mouthbreathers who crash their Saxos into Halfords and see what sticks, etc. Personally I'd leave it standard until you can afford the real deal, but that's just me.

+1

What 'gavinchappell' say's is spot-on.

cheers for the reply, any idea on the VRS parts i stated?

Not really - not something I've ever looked into. I can't find a price for the 18" Neptune alloys (on the current Octy vRS), but the other 17" alloys are listed at ~£145 each RRP. If you mean the 16" alloy off of the Mk I Octavia vRS, then they're £117.44 RRP (each).

As Gavin said, I would not make any alterations to your car, as you will have to declare them to your insurance company (or risk having your insurance voided in the case of an accident, as they will argue that they would not have insured you otherwise, as you would present a different risk profile to them), and it will bump up your insurance ... a lot, given your age. Also, some insurers will not touch modified cars with younger drivers.

When I got my 1.9TDi Fabia, the difference between insuring it, a 1.2, a vRS, and an A4 2.4 (the last 2 were for a giggle - I wouldn't want one) was minimal (under £300) - first year insurance for mine was £1200 fully comp, in an "A" rated post-code, an in a job with a sensible risk profile (insurance-wise), and in my 20's.

Edited 13 April, 201115 yr by martinch

I'm 18 haven't passed yet, i currently have a corsa but im selling it saturday and am looking to buy a fabia, most likely would be a 1.2 due to insurance reasons, but may get a 1.4 if i can afford it.

anyway few questions,

What should i look out for when buying one?

Should i check if certain things have been changed if they've done a certain amount of miles?

Do you recommend them?

What are they like on petrol?

Oh and how much would i be looking to pay the following on average?

Fabia VRS Seats - ??

Fabia VRS Front Bumper - ??

Fabia VRS Rear Bumper - ??

Octavia VRS Alloys - ??

Decent Set of Coilovers - ??

Cheers for any advice, Ben.

dunno what your budget is but you could always look for a Fabia Sport, comes with the 1.2HTP engine and has the sporty look without the expensive insurance