Quick review on my 2009 Fabia 2 1.2HTP 70 bhp with Function pack

Car is now 2 years old and has done 11,000 miles. I bought this car on the strength of my experience of owning a Mk1 Fabia Comfort SE 1.2 HTP which was (and still is) a great car thats very refined and economical. Unfortunately this revised model is not in the same league.

For:

Unlikely that anyone wants to steal it.

Good low speed torque for a petrol engine

Better than average interior space

Against:

High depreciation

Very poor fuel economy (upper 30’s at best)

Lots and lots and lots of road noise

Noisy, whiny engine thats also lumpy at idle

Poor performance, breathless above 50 mph.

Jiggly ride at times

Bridgestone tyres are incredibly dangerous on snow/ice.

Loud drone from ventilation fan even on lowest setting

Incredibly frustrasting climate control that doesn’t respect your manual input.

Dealer getting more arrogant, costly and unfriendly.

Lots of rust on brake drums, rear silencer and some exhaust bracketry within weeks of delivery.

No plastic protection shields under floorpan as was on the Mk 1.

Doors freeze closed in winter due to faulty design

CD player very fussy about discs and make loud bursts of noise on slightest scratch.

Boot too narrow.

Summary:

Not a patch on the Mk1 Fabia I had for refinement or economy. I deeply regret buying it.

Edited 22 July, 201114 yr by xman

Quick review on my 2009 Fabia 2 1.2HTP 70 bhp with Function pack

Car is now 2 years old and has done 11,000 miles. I bought this car on the strength of my experience of owning a Mk1 Fabia Comfort SE 1.2 HTP which was (and still is) a great car thats very refined and economical. Unfortunately this revised model is not in the same league.

For:

Unlikely that anyone wants to steal it.

Good low speed torque for a petrol engine

Better than average interior space

Against:

High depreciation

Very poor fuel economy (upper 30’s at best)

Lots and lots and lots of road noise

Noisy, whiny engine thats also lumpy at idle

Poor performance, breathless above 50 mph.

Jiggly ride at times

Bridgestone tyres are incredibly dangerous on snow/ice.

Loud drone from ventilation fan even on lowest setting

Incredibly frustrasting climate control that doesn’t respect your manual input.

Dealer getting more arrogant, costly and unfriendly.

Lots of rust on brake drums, rear silencer and some exhaust bracketry within weeks of delivery.

No plastic protection shields under floorpan as was on the Mk 1.

Doors freeze closed in winter due to faulty design

CD player very fussy about discs and make loud bursts of noise on slightest scratch.

Boot too narrow.

Summary:

Not a patch on the Mk1 Fabia I had for refinement or economy. I deeply regret buying it.

I am trying to like my Mk2 Fabia Greenline as much as I did my Mk1 HTP but its a struggle. I agree the fan is too noisy. Road noise is higher but then mine has high tyre pressures. Interior to me seems more cramped than the MK1 and my major bugbear is the reflection of the dash in the front screen that never happened on the MK1.

The Mk1 also looks better externally than the Mk2 IMHO.

I think my Mk2 Greenline is ok but I will try something different next time. The Mk2 isnt better, its just different. Were there a Mk1 available new with the engine thats in my Mk2 I would have snapped it up !

Regarding your poor performance, I guess it depends what you are comparing it with but the HTP70 engine is not one I would describe as breathless or short on performance above 50mph. In fact the ones I've had have been positively bursting with energy and very lively. Given that you are experiencing poor mpg and lumpy idle (some are a bit lumpy but it's easily fixed) I'd say you probably need to get yours looked at by someone that knows these cars as you may well have something not right. An interesting review!

Regarding your poor performance, I guess it depends what you are comparing it with but the HTP70 engine is not one I would describe as breathless or short on performance above 50mph. In fact the ones I've had have been positively bursting with energy and very lively. Given that you are experiencing poor mpg and lumpy idle (some are a bit lumpy but it's easily fixed) I'd say you probably need to get yours looked at by someone that knows these cars as you may well have something not right. An interesting review!

I was comparing it with the HTP 64bhp (AZQ) engine in the Mk 1 which is quieter, smoother and has much more top end performance although less low speed torque (for maneuvering/parking).

Whats this easy fix for lumpiness?

I reported everything to the dealer and asked them to check including if any software updates are available.

They, predictably said no software updates for my car, no faults found on computer diagnostics and everything is fine, fine, fine....

As for the fuel consumption I've had a year old example of this very model on loan for a couple of months now, on my 20 mile daily commute, a mixture of A & B roads and motorway I can easily get an average of over 49mpg on the readout. By checking it against the odometer from an empty to fully brimmed tank it works out at just under 48mpg in reality. It seems to make quite a difference keeping to about 65mph on the motorway as opposed to going over 70. I think it drives quite nicely, although I agree the engine is gutless.

Edited 22 July, 201114 yr by Beerbelly

I was comparing it with the HTP 64bhp (AZQ) engine in the Mk 1 which is quieter, smoother and has much more top end performance although less low speed torque (for maneuvering/parking).

Whats this easy fix for lumpiness?

I reported everything to the dealer and asked them to check including if any software updates are available.

They, predictably said no software updates for my car, no faults found on computer diagnostics and everything is fine, fine, fine....

Mine was the 70HP HTP. Back when I bought it there were two versions of the engine. A six valve 64HP or the one I had the 12valve 70HP. Doesnt sound much but may have made enough of a difference to not be labelled 'gutless'. Bit surprised they still put the 64HP in the newer cars.

I'd agree re the Mk1 HTP 1.2, I had one for the day whilst my TDi was in for servicing and was pleasantly surprised, mpg wasn't very good (but compared with most diesels I wasn't surprised!) but the engine in that car (a Mk1 estate) was impressive, especially compared with my daughters 1.4 60bhp Polo...

Sorry you dont like the car. I have no experience of the model/engine you have but when that car is mentioned on hear I have often read people can't believe how nippy/perky it is for the BHP it has.

Concerned on your comment re depreciation. Whats it worth after 2 years ? 50% ? Let us know as I am sure a lot of us are watching this due to the VAT deal thats been going on.

Mine was the 70HP HTP. Back when I bought it there were two versions of the engine. A six valve 64HP or the one I had the 12valve 70HP. Doesnt sound much but may have made enough of a difference to not be labelled 'gutless'. Bit surprised they still put the 64HP in the newer cars.

You're getting confused Raisbeck (is it old age?)

in 2004 the choce was a 54bhp 6 valve and 64bhp 12 valve variant

in 2009 the choice was a 60bhp 6 valve and a 70 bhp 12 valve variant.

I have the 70bhp 12 valve variant and IMHO its a worse engine than the 64bhp 12 valve (AZQ)

As far as I can see a lot of the changes to the Mk2 were to reduce costs and to make it less competitive with the Polo as the current VAG policy, well known, is to stop Skoda eroding VW sales.

Concerned on your comment re depreciation. Whats it worth after 2 years ? 50% ? Let us know as I am sure a lot of us are watching this due to the VAT deal thats been going on.

It is in immaculate condition (I even painted the rusty rear drums and rear silencer and those mild steel brackets) and bearing in mind it has metallic paint and the function pack (climate control, trip computer, electric rear windows, rear parking sensors plus leather wheel and gearknob, door strips) plus it has a full set of dealer fitted brushed metal genuine skoda sill kick plates and skoda mats.

I paid £10,000 for cash (not a scrappage deal). I think the "retail" price was about £11,200

I asked to trade it in after one year and 4500 miles. The dealer offered a part ex price of £7000 and no doubt would screw me on the new replacement car. I, of course, told them where to put their generous offer...

An internet search at 2 years and 11,000 miles gives me a part ex value of between £5400 - £5800.

I have often read people can't believe how nippy/perky it is for the BHP it has

It is nippy around town as low speed torque is quite good. But on the open road get to 3000 rpm and it goes all OAP, asthmatic and vocal. In contrast, the old 64bhp model used to buzz sweetly up to the redline no problem.

Edited 22 July, 201114 yr by xman

Thanks the answer.

Wow 2 years and only worth 50%. Not sure this bears well for any of us on hear with the VAT deal helping to buy but maybe biting us when we sell.

Again sorry you do not like the car.

It is in immaculate condition (I even painted the rusty rear drums and rear silencer and those mild steel brackets) and bearing in mind it has metallic paint and the function pack (climate control, trip computer, electric rear windows, rear parking sensors plus leather wheel and gearknob, door strips) plus it has a full set of dealer fitted brushed metal genuine skoda sill kick plates and skoda mats.

I paid £10,000 for cash (not a scrappage deal). I think the "retail" price was about £11,200

I asked to trade it in after one year and 4500 miles. The dealer offered a part ex price of £7000 and no doubt would screw me on the new replacement car. I, of course, told them where to put their generous offer...

An internet search at 2 years and 11,000 miles gives me a part ex value of between £5400 - £5800.

It is nippy around town as low speed torque is quite good. But on the open road get to 3000 rpm and it goes all OAP, asthmatic and vocal. In contrast, the old 64bhp model used to buzz sweetly up to the redline no problem.

Shopping around can produce amazing differences in trade in value and it does depend on what you are trading in against too but you prolly know that. Book prices are just a guide and business hungry dealers will bend over backwards to do a deal usually. Actually, £7k on a part ex after one year is pretty good on that model. Remember, you take the biggest hit on depreciation in the first year. I've been in similar positions to you with Ford cars that were just one year old and in immac condition. But by shopping around I got a huge increase in my part ex allowance.

I'm surprised at the issues your having I've had 4 Fabia's now 2 mk1's which had a number of niggles and 2 mk2's have to say the mk2's have been a lot better. My brother now has my 1.2 level 2 57 plate Fabia and no matter how hard driven (and believe me he has 0 mechanical sympathy) gives 40mpg and if your careful 50+ mpg is pretty achievable never had any issues above 50mph either pulls fine and thats comparing to a 1.2 tsi. Yes its no ball of fire but more that adequate.

I do agree about the tyre noise and wind noise can be pretty loud though I do wonder if there is less sound proofing on th 2/ se models as the elegance models seem a lot quieter. Also the bridgestone tyres are very noisy and give a poor ride compared to others plus they are not designed for optimum performance on snow and ice.

I'm really surprised at your trade in prices when I came to trade mine in last year was offered between £4,250 - £5000 and that was for a 3 year old car with 40000 miles only paid 9k to start with, however trade is normally always a lower value that selling private and can depend on the dealer/ time of the month for bonuses etc.

Also regarding your freezing doors putting some rubber care liquid on the seals and the felt part normally stops this but can affect any car my mums Yaris and dad's Cayenne had the same issue with the extreme weather we had last winter just needed a bit of tepid water if they did freeze or a fairly firm tug.

Then again it may be a Friday afternoon car.

Edited 23 July, 201114 yr by Fabia00

we have a 12 fabia sport 2008 and a 2010 vrs (owned both cars since may 2011) just came back from holiday and done over 500 mile in the sprot, have to say what a great car avg mpg 41 that was mostly motorway driving at 70-80mph 3rd geat seems a little slow but other than that no problem.

You're getting confused Raisbeck (is it old age?)

in 2004 the choce was a 54bhp 6 valve and 64bhp 12 valve variant

in 2009 the choice was a 60bhp 6 valve and a 70 bhp 12 valve variant.

I have the 70bhp 12 valve variant and IMHO its a worse engine than the 64bhp 12 valve (AZQ)

As far as I can see a lot of the changes to the Mk2 were to reduce costs and to make it less competitive with the Polo as the current VAG policy, well known, is to stop Skoda eroding VW sales.

Old age...more than likely. I just remember getting the higher powered version which I incorrectly assumed was the 70bhp.

One change from the Mk1 I dont like is having to unscrew the light cluster to change a bulb. Is this a better way to have a light cluster re reliability or just cheaper to produce ?

I waded into this post without looking at the O.P. As soon as I read the long list of " against" comments I thought eh up ( in my Yorkshire roots thinking voice) This MUST be Xman! sure enough on checking I was not wrong. I would say to all the owners of the magnificent 1.2 HTP 70 don't despair! Xman is well known for his criticism of this car whilst most other owners, including myself love it and certainly do not recognise those criticism's at all. Enjoy your cars guys, you'll be hard pressed to buy better for the money.

I waded into this post without looking at the O.P. As soon as I read the long list of " against" comments I thought eh up ( in my Yorkshire roots thinking voice) This MUST be Xman! sure enough on checking I was not wrong. I would say to all the owners of the magnificent 1.2 HTP 70 don't despair! Xman is well known for his criticism of this car whilst most other owners, including myself love it and certainly do not recognise those criticism's at all. Enjoy your cars guys, you'll be hard pressed to buy better for the money.

+1 on that!

I would say to all the owners of the magnificent 1.2 HTP 70 don't despair! Xman is well known for his criticism of this car whilst most other owners, including myself love it and certainly do not recognise those criticism's at all.

I was so looking forward to hitting the 50 mpg but according to the OBC it only managed to return 39.1 mpg.

hmmm.....blinded by the fanbois light?

hmmm.....blinded by the fanbois light?

Sorry Xman you only appear to post in order to have an argument and how sad is it to look back over old posts to try to glean more ammo for your hate campaign? Now that my car is properly loosened up at 17k it returns a very acceptable 40-45 mpg around home and much more on a run. I really do wonder what the point is of you posting on here is apart from being a complete PITA. :moon:

Rather than deride me in your immature way (despite your apparent age), which you and a couple of others seem keen to indulge in, why not stick to FACTS. I have always stated that my MK 1 was an incredibly good car and good value. This Mk2 was much more expensive and yet falls down in many areas compared to the Mk1. As far as I read on THIS FORUM, many people (not all) post disappointment at real world mpg and excessive road noise.

I accept estateman's statements about once you've done 20,000, 30,000 or more miles you're likely to have improved economy. But the FACT is that MY MK2 Fabia - 1.2 engine - has been terrible on mpg and a lot of family sized cars, and even much larger cars can return significantly better figures in the REAL WORLD. My Mk1 returned and still returns between 50 and 55 mpg average, despite having a higher CO2 rating!

Mpg is just one point I fetch up in my review.

This is not a hate campaign thrown at you or others - I state the FACTS as I experience them. I will not stoop to throwing insults at you or others.

If you can't accept any negative review just because it grates with you, then I suggest you resist the temptation to throw back insults. People can make their own mind up without the sales patter.

Edited 25 July, 201114 yr by xman

Against:

High depreciation

Very poor fuel economy (upper 30’s at best)

Lots and lots and lots of road noise

Noisy, whiny engine thats also lumpy at idle

Poor performance, breathless above 50 mph.

Jiggly ride at times

Bridgestone tyres are incredibly dangerous on snow/ice.

Loud drone from ventilation fan even on lowest setting

Incredibly frustrasting climate control that doesn’t respect your manual input.

Dealer getting more arrogant, costly and unfriendly.

Lots of rust on brake drums, rear silencer and some exhaust bracketry within weeks of delivery.

No plastic protection shields under floorpan as was on the Mk 1.

Doors freeze closed in winter due to faulty design

CD player very fussy about discs and make loud bursts of noise on slightest scratch.

Boot too narrow.

Summary:

Not a patch on the Mk1 Fabia I had for refinement or economy. I deeply regret buying it.

The Wife's had her 1.2 Blueline for a year now and I would say that the Bridgestones are noisy, but I have never found them dangerous. Have you reported this to Bridgstone?

What do you mean by the climate control not respecting manual input. We normally set the temperature and sometimes adjust the fan.

The engine idle is smooth unlike the lumpy 1.4mpi she had before, Performance from the 3 cylinder motor is fairly lively and the economy is usually in the low forties around town and better on a run.

Steady xman...no one is dissing you or your review, but I believe just expressing surprise at some of the things you have put in it. None of us who know this delightful little car seem able to recognise some of the 'cons' you list. Facts don't seem to count. It reads not like a review, but just a list of things you hate about your car.

I realise it is how you feel about your car, the things you like and dislike. Fine, but some of your statements seem a little dubious...I mean 'the boot is too narrow!' You mean, the boot is too narrow for you. I would have thought you could have checked the size of the boot before you bought it. The doors freezing closed in winter due to 'faulty design'...really! That just indicates you haven't read the cars manual on how to treat the door seals in winter....it's the same on all modern cars. My neighbours brand new BMW doors froze up last winter because he hadn't read his manual either. With regard to the underfloor plastic shields, they add weight to a car, frankly...weren't needed, and could under certain conditions amplify drumming, so are not fitted. If tyres are a bit noisy I don't think you can necessarily blame Skoda. If you are using scratched cd's then you can often expect interference on playback. Mile per gallon is usually down to how the car is driven, but can also indicate how the vehicle has been run in and used, or can indicate a fault. I doubt you have a fault but there are many easy things you can do that would probably solve it. But I don't feel offering you any advice is in any way appropriate. I seem to remember offering some car advice to you a good while ago and your response was to be extremely rude back to me and throw a hissy fit saying you wouldn't post again.

At the end of the day this is a Forum for Skoda owners and enthusiasts who want help, want to talk about their car, and other stuff. So if you come on to a site like this saying negative stuff that isn't the norm, you will get responses questioning your experiences to find out what's going on/wrong etc. That doesn't mean they are having a go!

Your attitude is often immature and rude, but you fail to see how that provokes the responses you so often get. Can't imagine why your dealer is getting less friendly, can you? Seriously, just chill out...everything is good.

Edited 25 July, 201114 yr by Estate Man

What do you mean by the climate control not respecting manual input. We normally set the temperature and sometimes adjust the fan.

The engine idle is smooth unlike the lumpy 1.4mpi she had before, Performance from the 3 cylinder motor is fairly lively and the economy is usually in the low forties around town and better on a run.

Climate control:

During the first 10 minutes or so of first using the car the fan setting has a habit of changing in a way that is annoying to put it mildy.

For instance: In winter - its cold outside and last time the car was used it was set on manual fan setting 1. On start up it usually ramps straight up to at least setting 3 (moderate galeforce) and occasionally 5 (severe galeforce). Sure I need an artic blast. I turn the fiddly control back down to 1 and within 1-2 minutes its back up to 3 or more again. And so on for at least 2 attempts.

In summer it seems to do the opposite! I turn the fan up, the unit decides within a minute or two to ramp down to 1!

Occasionally I try to adjust the control by one notch (about 1/64 of a turn) and the fan speed either goes the wrong way or ramps up several notches.

Its not just me. All my kids complain of the same problem. I complained to the dealer at its 1st service - first they said I'm doing it wrong - press auto and leave it alone - sure. But then they supposedly changed the unit, 1st for faulty one that didnt work at all, and then another thats exactly the same as the first.

Estateman - I am still waiting for a reply to my earlier question about your statement.

Whats this easy fix you claim for lumpiness? Perhaps some real technical advice for once would make me appreciate you more.

Climate control:

During the first 10 minutes or so of first using the car the fan setting has a habit of changing in a way that is annoying to put it mildy.

Estateman - I am still waiting for a reply to my earlier question about your statement.

Whats this easy fix you claim for lumpiness? Perhaps some real technical advice for once would make me appreciate you more.

Hi xman, I would certainly get the fan thing looked into further. Your dealer will get it sorted if you follow it up in the proper manner. It's pointless just moaning about it if you don't. The lumpy idle is something that others on the site have covered previously. The newer MK2 three cylinder motor is not a particularly lumpy unit at idle...normally. But, if yours is, many of the things that may cause it do not show up on a fault diagnostic. However I feel It's pointless me speaking further about it as some of your responses in the past have been completely dismissive or you have just ignored requests for more information. And that's fine...but I don't have anything further to say on the subject, although others might of course. I'm not looking for appreciation, but I do normally enjoy a good technical discussion based upon facts as we know them...with anyone on the site, including you. It's just at times some of your responses are less than helpful and positively inflammatory. However, I hope you get your issues sorted...and as usual, keep posting to keep us all informed. Good luck.

Play nice, the lot of you!

This is an interesting thread with plenty of decent information in it, if it keeps spiralling downwards after this it will be closed and moderation of users posts will kick in.

Cheers.