Hello.

I hope I am posting this in the right section.

Right, here is the situation:

I'm 21 and I'm looking to buy a "sensible" daily car to share with the missus. It'll be her using it mostly for commuting as I work away and have an old Skoda to use. As I work away it has to be turn key reliable so that she isn't left stranded when I'm not about to sort it out and be dependable enough that she can just jump in it and drive 250 miles to see her parents should the need arise.

For several weeks I have been pondering the choice of MK1 Octavia vRS or MK1 Fabia vRS.

Octavia seems to be the higher performer and more practical. Also being available in estate is a benefit for carrying the dog/hauling parts.

However, the Fabia is a really smart little car and has that hot hatch feel about it - I'm not sure I want a "big" car as I quite like small cheeky cars. Fabia is also the missus' preference. But can a diesel really be an entertaining performance drive?

Thing is, I don't know what either model is like to live with and so I can't choose which best suits my needs. That's where you guys come in; what'd you advise me to do?

Many thanks.

If it were me I'd take the Fabia. Plenty of power, not too big (my missus occasionally struggles to park the Octy) and should/when fuel prices go up again you won't need to think about downsizing. Insurance for someone your age should also be a bit less silly.

Having had 2 of each, i'm inclined to say i prefer the Mk1 Octavia vRS over the Fabia.

Better comfort, quieter, nicer finish (IMO)

But,

the cheaper running costs of the Fabia make it worthwhile having, and the reason for me owning a Fabia again.

I couldn't justify the higher MPG, road tax and insurance with it being part of a 2 car family.

Can't comment on either car as I'm not an owners as yet, but when I first looked at Skodas I had a similar dilemma, what made me choose (fabia) was that my girlfriend is not used to drive big cars (KA and Fiesta) therefore a fabia would make her life easier (as well as me not speniding my wage at the body shop ).

Look around at what sort of figures some people run, Fabia can be very fun

I can't comment on the Octavia, but I found the handling of the Fabia to be quite roll-y. I went to one from a mk II Punto. That said, comfier, quieter and better spec. Would say rear passenger space was about the same, if not slightly worse in the Fabia though.

Guess a test drive would be needed to work out the subjective side of things, then just look at the costs etc. From a £££ POV, I'd take the Fabia - everything else, Octavia.

Funny you should say that TriggerFish my previous car was a Punto MKII Sporting - hence me not wanting to get a big car as I quite enjoyed the cheeky small car thing.

My dad did have a Fabia vRS but I was never insured on it so I've not driven both. I've always got the impression that the Fabia's handling is a bit sloppy. I guess this can be tightened up? Can a Fabia be fitted with a tow bar?

The missus isn't phased by the size of the car. Infact, it's her that is pushing for something sporty - I wanted a 405 diesel!!

We have looked at the mk1 Fabia vRS as our work horse, it would have to be an SE though as I'm really not a fan of the standard interior particularly the colour. My only real concern was size, although its general use would be 1up to and from work, it would be nice to have a 2nd car which is more practical. With 2 young kids and a dog imho a Fabia isn't suitable, however besides the dog from the sound of it, a Fabia would be just the ticket for you, and regarding the fun element, as standard they're great, but remapped they're brill'.....

Yeah I'll be looking for an SE. As a Skoda fan I can't resist the chance to own a limited edition Skoda!

I'm leaning more to the Fabia. No idea where to start with modifing these cars though. All these chips, remaps and ARBs?

Where do I put my Webber 40 DCOE?

I went for the Fabia SE because I like having a small "pocket rocket" with a balance of power and economy.

The Octavia is nice, but 99% of the time I'm going to be in the car alone plodding along getting good mpg. So it does what I want.

I got a bit carried away and it's off being tweaked at the moment.

Even heavily modified I should still get reasonable mpg... I'm not a fan of going into fuel stations every two days.

It's also a bit unrefined. Which I like as you have to actually drive it. More fun.

Fabia,

small, nimble, decent boot, four doors, plenty of power. Serves it purpose for just em and the missus as a commuting car. Can park it anywhere also...

Having five seats allows for others to get a lift if need be.

I've actually done a 500mile round trip with four in the Fabia. Both myself and the wife are over 6ft and were sitting in the front. No problems at all!!!!!!!!!!

Have you checked the insurance? I`m pretty sure that`ll make the choice for you @ 21 TBH

Matt

Insurance is reasonable on both to be honest. Fabia is cheaper, but not massively so. IIRC it was around £700 for the Fabia which is half what I paid to insure a 1.2 Punto last year!!

CT17 - have you got a build thread for your Fabia?