I have 2 fabias, my 2006 vRS, and a later mk2 1.2 70hp 2009 for the missus

Mines the vRS, I think its the sprint yellow now 80k miles, religiously serviced and still neat all round and always been reliable and a solid car, and been the very best car I have (and still) own.

I've never been particularly impressed with the standard brakes though to be honest, and they are still on the standard discs which are looking a bit long in the tooth but still useful.

I have had the standard consideration like the rear seals on the doors which I've have a go at sealing, done the standard hesitation fix, and installed cruise control retrofit. Otherwise totally unmodded.

So now, Im not sure whether to keep or sell with its age creeping up, as I was interested in the octy either the vRS or the 18TSI !

(By the way, Im not using this thread to sell by the way, but if anyone indicates interested then I will happily be prompted to shift this into a more relevant for sale ad in the relevant places).

What prompted this for me to think of selling/trading in both cars, was the missus had a very minor bumper bender on her newer mk2 1.2 (18k mikes), a nice motor, and I was hanging out to see what Skoda was doing with their vat offers and now starting considering trading both in, as the missus doesnt need to rely on the car to get to work.

But this is the dilemma.

The dealer would only give us about £4k for either car. Surely that isn't enough.

I reckon I could get closer to £5500 for either car, having looked up Parkers. Does that sound about right ?

They have some cracking 0% and no vat deals on the octy (and fabia), but I reckon the octy represents best value.

Is it worth me swapping, or am I just being a big girl about the age of my vRS and it has plenty life left in it and I should just improve on it by making the brakes like new etc ? Or is now the time to strike what with good offers ?

Help me consider what to do, as the octy especially the vrs would be a cracker, but would it be worth the £6k ish extra after recovering the cost of 2 cars...which I have and can spend by the way.

I hasten to add that my miles have been put on purely on motorway miles only, min 30 miles each way at fairly constant speeds / cruising - I think this does a lot to retain the life of a car, does it not ?

So the 80k whilst apparently high, may not be quite as bad as it seems. Hence maybe given it is looking after me well at the moment (and cruising easily past a lot of others cars!) stick with it ?

The trouble is a new car temptation is very isn't it !!

Glasses Guide puts your vRS at around the £4k mark with 80k on it's back I'm afraid. Personally I agree with where you're coming from, you are in a spot. 80k is about where many people (incorrectly) start thinking cars - particularly smaller ones - are getting to "worn-out" territory so they devalue them in their heads before giving them a fair chance.

A trader acquaintance of mine tells me he won't touch anything smaller than a Mondeo with 80k+ on the clock as it's too hard to sell on for a good return.

So you need to decide whether to twist (and sell) or stick (and fix the brakes). I'd stick, if the car is good and owes you very little then as the economy clamps down you may be pleased you didn't blow cash on a depreciating asset (which is all a car is). Then again, if that little whisper inside is saying "you want a change" you may be the sort of person who needs to listen to it before it turns into a shout and drives you bonkers

Why not get the missus a new car, lets face it a Mk2 Fabia is an ugly so and so after all.

Edited 3 August, 201114 yr by cooliospoolio

Hmm sound advice, very much appreciated

Not sure I agree with you about the mk2 though, I think it has some cute style cues ! Wouldn't trade my diesel vrs for a petrol one though, I would be thinking the Octy.

Also if anything I would be looking to trade down !

I kick myself that I upgraded her previous 2002 mpi, it was good as gold too apart from the few knocks she had in it, and we still see it about.

I like your thinking, there is so much uncertain....also what with changing directions on motoring, whose to say what is best.

As they are pushing the petrols only, maybe this isn't a grand idea either with the possible future fuel crisis looming and increasing new fuel ideas.

I was just getting a little worn on the colour yellow as well, and maybe going for a slightly more comfortable ride, but that isnt the end of the world ! (just thinking, next time, could I go for the 195 tyres for slightly increased tyre profile on the same wheels if the insurance would allow it ?)

I might save further quids and do the brakes myself for a bit of entertainment, or just pay to have them done.

They aren't even really worn down though its more that the discs are now quite well worn in and I haven't even been advised to change them yet,

but I do think it would bring the like new feel back a bit and hardly an expensive job either, for parts alone.

Edited 3 August, 201114 yr by dominorising

The best car you ever had? and you want to sell it? Just do the bits that are annoying you and keep it, it will be good for another 100k miles.

No car dealer is going to give you what you thought it was worth.

By the way fitting 195 tyres will make it a firmer ride.

TBH I'm not sure want you want. :think: