Hi folks, not been here for a while

I've had my 56plate 1.4 100 bhp elegance for 3 1/2 years now, and I have nothing but praise for it. I've only had it serviced, put two tyres on the front, and I only did that 'cos one was badly punctured. Other than that, it's been perfect. I'm getting about 49mpg in summer, and it drops to 44 over winter, so you see I'm quite gentle on the throttle.

Now I'm looking to replace it with a another new/very young furby. As I get my need for speed from my kawasaki, I am much more interested in getting good mpg from the car, also low VED would be a bonus. I was thinking of one of the diesels, but as I only do less than 9000 miles a year, it has been suggested that the extra expense in getting a diesel would not be economic, I'd be better off getting one of the petrols.

What's your thoughts, and if petrol is the answer, which one? Thanks for reading.

Cheers, Trev

rough rule of thumb I use, less than 10-12k per year and keeping the car for 3 years, petrol will be cheaper.

I run a Greenline II Estate and really rate it. Last two tanks I've averaged a smidge over 78mpg by driving gently, which if you are not going to do don't buy one!

Free Road tax too.

However I have to be honest and say that if I was doing the milage you are I'd go for the 1.2 TSI DSG. Fantastic combination with the 7 speed bx and should still average 40mpg+. 50mpg if you drive economically and avoid the urban conditions.

With the Fabia the only problem on the normal models is the lack of basic kit, so you need to spec them up a bit.

Greenline II comes with extra speakers, crusie control, ESP etc...

I'd never buy a car without ESP and it's a big safety feature, so I find it very bad of Skoda not to include it on most cars. Fortunately they do add it in for the DSG models though. Otherwise they ask for several hundred pounds if you go manual.

As said above, with your annual mileage the petrol will be better value, plus if you do short journeys the TDi engines are so efficent they take ages to warm up even though once they are warm they do get pretty awesome MPG, especially the Greenline.

I'd agree with suggestion of the DSG, more power than you've got now, a LOT more torque. Plus the 7 speed DSG is a joy. You'll get better fuel economy out of the new TSi DSG than you get out of the current 16v Fabia.