Hello guys,

A while back I posted about getting a Felicia but have now decided I want a Fabia instead. Reason being that once my insurance has come down a bit (18 years old) I'll be getting a faster car and a family member wants the Fabia when I'm done with it.

Now, I went and had a look at one today that looks really tidy. It's a 2003 1.2 Fabia Classic hatchback in metallic blue. Generally condition throughout was very nice, seemed very clean. 67k on the clock with a bunch of service history, had it's last service at 61k so that seems okay. It also goes through a service + MOT before being sold so will come with 12 months MOT. Tread on the tyres was very good including the spare.

Tried to start it, *click* battery was dead, the dealer brought out the jump start and it roared into life first try, no coughing or spluttering. Idle was constant with no tapping or knocking. The car looks like it's been sat there a while, think the battery has died because of that or a problem? It's my first car so I wouldn't have anything against having to drive it for 6 hours the first day :p

Two main concerns.

1) The oil indicator was on amber on the dashboard. We questioned the dealer about this and he said it's because it's been sitting there for a long time so the oil is cold? We checked the dip stick and it was fine, the engine also ran fine but I'll let you guys with the knowledge tell me whether that's worrying or not.

2) It hasn't rained in a while here so the rear footwells were completely dry, but I did notice the bottom half of the door was damp on the inside of the car. I guess this is the leaky door seal problem, which I've no problem fixing myself as I've seen the video.

They want £1,995 for it which I think is pretty good considering it comes with 12 months MOT and a 3 month warranty. I'd like to get them to budge to £1,800 ideally so will give that a try but will take it at the asking price if we have to. I asked if there was any room for movement on the price and he said "That's pretty much it if you want the warranty and MOT." so make of that what you will.

We'll be going back again on Monday to talk a bit more seriously and give it a test drive. Is there anything in particular you would recommend checking out whilst it's there?

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Matt

Edited 19 November, 201114 yr by Mattbot2

1) The oil indicator was on amber on the dashboard. We questioned the dealer about this and he said it's because it's been sitting there for a long time so the oil is cold? We checked the dip stick and it was fine, the engine also ran fine but I'll let you guys with the knowledge tell me whether that's worrying or not.

From the manual:-

The warning light ï¥ lights up red (low oil pressure)

The warning light ï¥ lights up yellow* (oil quantity too low)

Cold oil is thicker, therfore greater pressure is generated in the pump which would put the light out.

The fact that you say amber would indicate low level, so could just be a sensor, but I would want that correcting.

The battery reason sounds plausible. After a run it should be OK but often a dead battery will never take on as much charge again so I would be prepared to have to get a new battery.

Get them to do an oil change as part of the final deal. If its what they say it is, it'll be fine after an oil change.

Don't buy until your happy. They may not want to shift on the price, but at the end of the day they want it gone as its been there for a while, so they'll be willing to negotiate. An oil change is not gunna affect them one way or another.

hi mate great choice of car i have the 1.2 fabia classic htp 2006 (56) reg and is a great car but in my opinion thats too much to pay on a 2003 with that millage .saying that the car will easly hit 100k if its been looked after but regarding the oil light thats would slighly put me off i would want that sorted before the car moves i think more around the 1500 mark with tax and mot is more realistic the 3 months warrenty isnt realy that important as AA cover for a year 99pounds best thing ever me personaly i would haggle a bit more and try get the best deal possible also i would not buy a car from a dealer any way not trying to put you off but that car probably owes him 1000 on a trade in deal if you search private sales your more likely to get a better deal i hope you do find the right car and enjoy it the little 1.2 classics are realy good group 1 insurance all the best

Bought it, picking it up on Thursday.

Need a stereo though. I want to make sure I've got everything I need to replace the stereo on my Skoda mk1.

Official Skoda Trim Fascia

Removal Keys

Pioneer DEH-2300UB

Aerial/Antenna VAG Active DIN Adaptor

Is that everything?

Bought it, picking it up on Thursday.

Need a stereo though. I want to make sure I've got everything I need to replace the stereo on my Skoda mk1.

Official Skoda Trim Fascia

Removal Keys

Pioneer DEH-2300UB

Aerial/Antenna VAG Active DIN Adaptor

Is that everything?

Sounds about right unless your stereo has a surround but that would come with it if it did

Bought it, picking it up on Thursday.

Need a stereo though. I want to make sure I've got everything I need to replace the stereo on my Skoda mk1.

Official Skoda Trim Fascia

Removal Keys

Pioneer DEH-2300UB

Aerial/Antenna VAG Active DIN Adaptor

Is that everything?

Did it not come with a radio!?

If you're interested I'm considering upgrading my Sony GTX-GT23 to a Bluetooth model so if you want the old one maybe we can sort something out? It's fairly basic but you've got aux in , cd, and radio. You'd still need the other bits though!

Sounds like a good car you've bought though! The fabias seem to be holding quite reasonable prices at the moment, too.

Did it not come with a radio!?

If you're interested I'm considering upgrading my Sony GTX-GT23 to a Bluetooth model so if you want the old one maybe we can sort something out? It's fairly basic but you've got aux in , cd, and radio. You'd still need the other bits though!

Sounds like a good car you've bought though! The fabias seem to be holding quite reasonable prices at the moment, too.

It did come with the OEM radio but wanted a new head unit so I could use CD / AUX and USB. Though there may actually be a CD changer under the passenger seat I didn't realise that was there! Parents had a 1.4 Fabia Comfort in 2001 and of course that didn't come with CD.

Am I okay using it without a fascia for a couple days? The stereo will be arriving before the fascia adaptor I think.

Am I okay using it without a fascia for a couple days? The stereo will be arriving before the fascia adaptor I think.

Of course, it's a piece of plastic.

I hope your car turns out to be a good buy for you. We Fitted a new stereo the other day in my 2003 Fabia and ordered the same type of removal keys shown in your link but they did not fit the original radio on my Fabia.

Hopefully the removal keys will be OK for your model, if not these ones worked OK for my car Keys

Of course, it's a piece of plastic.

Thanks, wanted to make sure it wasn't stopping something from shorting on the radio.

I hope your car turns out to be a good buy for you. We Fitted a new stereo the other day in my 2003 Fabia and ordered the same type of removal keys shown in your link but they did not fit the original radio on my Fabia.

Hopefully the removal keys will be OK for your model, if not these ones worked OK for my car Keys

Thanks, have seen some keys at a place nearby that should work so will probably pick them up tomorrow.

Just got the stereo in the post and am picking up the car in a couple of hours.

On the ISO > pioneer head unit adaptor I have connected the red to the yellow now so hopefully that should be it.

There is a blue lead which says 'system remote control' and there is also a yellow and black 'mute' lead, I don't need either of those do I?

Just got the stereo in the post and am picking up the car in a couple of hours.

On the ISO > pioneer head unit adaptor I have connected the red to the yellow now so hopefully that should be it.

There is a blue lead which says 'system remote control' and there is also a yellow and black 'mute' lead, I don't need either of those do I?

I think you should be OK without those leads, just connect it up and test it out before pushing it all back into the housing.

Picked up the car, 2 main problems really.

1) http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/220139-fabia-reverse-light-issue/

2) Windows misting up, which is due to the door leak, which I'm fixing on Saturday hopefully.

Minor annoyances

1) The red lights on the inside of the door have been removed

So basically, the two questions I'm asking are,

1) What's up with the reverse light issue in the thread above ^

2) Can I get replacements of those lights? Would quite like them, even though it's only cosmetic really.

With the door seals, where will the water drain to once I've sealed it? Want to make sure I won't be carrying a lake around in my doors.

2) Can I get replacements of those lights? Would quite like them, even though it's only cosmetic really.

They are only reflectors on the classic, should be available easily, scrappy or dealer.

Reverse light, I have the same issue but it is intermittent. Push the gearstick and the light comes on. I think it just needs the reverse light switch renewing. Got a new one but not bothered swapping them yet.

Water drains out of 2/3 small holes under the door. Make sure that these are clear of debris blocking them by poking something through.

2) Can I get replacements of those lights? Would quite like them, even though it's only cosmetic really.

They are only reflectors on the classic, should be available easily, scrappy or dealer.

Seems odd, I have the reflectors in the driver door pocket, they've been taken out. I can also see a bulb on the floor under the seat, think perhaps someone's tried to fit them as I can also see some wires coming to that point inside the door.

Reverse light, I have the same issue but it is intermittent. Push the gearstick and the light comes on. I think it just needs the reverse light switch renewing. Got a new one but not bothered swapping them yet.

Water drains out of 2/3 small holes under the door. Make sure that these are clear of debris blocking them by poking something through.

Thanks for that, will give the gearstick a go and see what happens. Where did you get your new reverse light switch?

Thanks for that, will give the gearstick a go and see what happens. Where did you get your new reverse light switch?

From Jorily on Ebay, who are sponsors on the site - was about £10 I think. Yours may use a different switch though if the 1.2 is paired with a different gearbox.

A friend of mine is going to fit it as he's a mechanic and can use the ramp at work and stuff. Skoda are going to get it in for me as my mate can only do this on Tuesday, hopefully it'll be alright.

Sitting here in the car at the mo, can't get the radio out! Keys go in nicely aglow the way but it won't budge!

Okay, got it out but now the new one won't go in, it goes half way then hits the cage on the new stereo

All good now