Ok then lets start.

We've run a 1.9TDi Mk1 Fabia for 8 years and had a 1.2TSi DSG for a few months. Also had a 1.4 16V Fabia for a few weeks waiting for the TSi.

My Past? 23 cars including Subaru Impreza Series McRae 260bhp, Saphire Cosworth 240bhp, 3.0V6 Mondeo 200bhp, four other V6 saloons etc. etc. Currently own a 2.0CR Tdi DSG Passat Highline with lots of toys (Remapped 185bhp).

But.....

Bought a 1.2 12V HTP 70 a few days ago for my wife and I just can't stop going out for a drive in it. It's just such a great urban drive, light as a feather, feels like it just wants to rev and has an off beat sound similar to a mini Impreza.

I can't believe how different it feels to the 1.4, the 1.4 is a little quicker but has no character.

The HTP is a cracking little unit and for short trips and urban driving I would choose it over any of the more expensive stuff I've owned.

If you've never driven one, ask for a test drive the next time you are in for a service, it's one of the most suprising cars I've driven.

So here's a few pics of her new car. 3 years old but just 9k miles. She may find it missing off the drive quite often though.

Cheers

Lee

I'm running a 1.2 HTP (70) too

I can't say whether or not it's as good as you say it is since it's my first car.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it though.

I wish the acceleration was a bit faster though - but I can't complain since the engine is only about the same as a Ford Ka.

Damn high insurance premium for young drivers.

I'm running a 1.2 HTP (70) too

I can't say whether or not it's as good as you say it is since it's my first car.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it though.

I wish the acceleration was a bit faster though - but I can't complain since the engine is only about the same as a Ford Ka.

Damn high insurance premium for young drivers.

I've got the same car, been driving less than a year, and am a young driver (24 - it's all one bracket up to 25/26).

Paying circa £600 - yours shouldn't be any more.

I've got the same car, been driving less than a year, and am a young driver (24 - it's all one bracket up to 25/26).

Paying circa £600 - yours shouldn't be any more.

£850 approx. here. I've got the sport package on mine though, O.P's car is standard, maybe that's why.

I had one for a day and I have to disagree with you I'm afraid but then again I was comparing to my vrs which was having some warranty work done. The car itself was ok but I wouldn't buy one myself.

My son has same engine in his Ibiza. Got to agree it has a lovely throaty sound to it and revs very freely. My wifes 1.2 (105) 4 cylinder Monte, although quicker, Sounds nowhere near as good.

My son has same engine in his Ibiza. Got to agree it has a lovely throaty sound to it and revs very freely. My wifes 1.2 (105) 4 cylinder Monte, although quicker, Sounds nowhere near as good.

I think that's the point really, it isn't a fast car but lets face it what's the point of a 150mph saloon for city type driving when you struggle to move at more than 40mph. It's the character and feel of the little Fabia that gives it the fun factor at low speeds.

Would I have one as an only car, probably not as I do 15k miles a year and 50% of that is on the motorway but as a 2nd car that spends 90% of it's life doing short shopping trips and school runs it's perfect.

Cheers

Lee

I'm running a 1.2 HTP (70) too

I can't say whether or not it's as good as you say it is since it's my first car.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it though.

I wish the acceleration was a bit faster though - but I can't complain since the engine is only about the same as a Ford Ka.

Damn high insurance premium for young drivers.

Yep it's a shame all young drivers get stung because of the idiots out there. I'm 42 but when I was 18 I drove an XR3i and at 19 I swapped it for a 2.9 V6 turbo charged 4x4 Sierra. The price I paid for insurance would be the same as around £600 today.

The 1.2 12v isn't a quick car, but I think it's character and price means its perfect for urban driving.

My wife didn't want to consider a htp after driving a 1.9tdi Fabia for 8 years but after a long test drive she decided to have one and now loves the htp.

One issue she had with the tdi was the warm up time in mid winter, a couple of miles was not long enough to get any real temperature in the tdi and economy suffered. The htp should be better for her this winter.

Cheers

Lee

I've done a few posts on here regarding how much I love my Fabia HTP 70. I am an old guy with a bus pass!! I swapped my BMW 528 (great car) in the interest of economy. I have been amazed how much I love driving this little car. Of course it's not fast, it's a tiny 3 pot but in town and on twisty roads its so light and responsive with great torque. I thought I'd miss my big Beemer but not at all. I've had the Fabia a year now and still enjoy driving it. Yes you have to allow a bit more time for overtaking and yes you will kill the mpg if you push 80 mph on the motorway...it's a 3pot!! Learn to live with it and use it for what it is and you won't be disappointed with this little beauty. The other huge advantage is that all aspects of the engine are simplicity itself so not much to go wrong really. Glad you are loving it as I do...ENJOY!!

I've done a few posts on here regarding how much I love my Fabia HTP 70. I am an old guy with a bus pass!! I swapped my BMW 528 (great car) in the interest of economy. I have been amazed how much I love driving this little car. Of course it's not fast, it's a tiny 3 pot but in town and on twisty roads its so light and responsive with great torque. I thought I'd miss my big Beemer but not at all. I've had the Fabia a year now and still enjoy driving it. Yes you have to allow a bit more time for overtaking and yes you will kill the mpg if you push 80 mph on the motorway...it's a 3pot!! Learn to live with it and use it for what it is and you won't be disappointed with this little beauty. The other huge advantage is that all aspects of the engine are simplicity itself so not much to go wrong really. Glad you are loving it as I do...ENJOY!!

I agree, it's not fast and not that economical at high speed but it's very rare now days that a car blows your expectations away.

I paid £25k last year for my Passat and it does everything I thought it would very well.

The TSi DSG is a great little car but I knew how good the 1.2TSi is and I'm already a DSG fan so again it's as good as I thought. Before I bought the Passat a did consider a Fabia VRS Estate, I'm used to fast cars and I was trading in a 150mph Mondeo, the VRS twin charge unit and dsg made me smile but the high speed refinement meant it was a non starter for me, too much wind and road noise, so the VRS didn't meet my expectations.

But when trying a 1.2 12V I went with the expectation of driving something that was flat, breathless, feable and dull, something similar to a small engined Yaris or Corsa and how wrong could I be. I'm so glad we tried it, we very nearly just bought another Fabia diesel, instead she has a cracking little motor that is more suited to the journeys it will be used for and more fun too. Also saved a fair bit on the purchase price too.

Cheers

Lee