I was looking at a Seat, which has a very straightforward choice of diesel engines. My wife sat in it and wasn't too comfortable. She likes the seat in the Fabia, so that is what we'll be getting to replace the civic.

I am looking for a 1.2 greenline with grey cloth and leather wheel because it has the kit I want but they aren't too common as stock in any colour other than white and I'd like it quicker than the 12 week factory order time. I could get an SE with a 1.6 engine for the same pennies but the 1.6 is more expensive on paper, except for the initial purchase. However I could get a slightly used 1.6 for less money when all the used greenlines are the same price or more with the current vat discount offer.

Is the 1.2 that much more economical in the real world? The basic 1.6 has the same power output. What is the physical difference in the engine bay between the different 1.6 power outputs?

Sorry for a rather long winded post. I'm just after users opinions to help confirm my ideas.

TIA.

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What mileage are you doing?

I've done 18-20k/yr for the last five years.

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The best figures bounded about here seem to be something like 67 for the 1.6 and 74 for the 1.2, so based on that or even on a more achievable 60 vs 67 the difference is about £200 pa at 20k pa.

So really depends what's worth it to you. For that mileage personally I'd go for a more powerful 1.6.

Here Here

1.6 TDI 90 - an ideal choice :yes:

I was looking at a Seat, which has a very straightforward choice of diesel engines. My wife sat in it and wasn't too comfortable. She likes the seat in the Fabia, so that is what we'll be getting to replace the civic.

I am looking for a 1.2 greenline with grey cloth and leather wheel because it has the kit I want but they aren't too common as stock in any colour other than white and I'd like it quicker than the 12 week factory order time. I could get an SE with a 1.6 engine for the same pennies but the 1.6 is more expensive on paper, except for the initial purchase. However I could get a slightly used 1.6 for less money when all the used greenlines are the same price or more with the current vat discount offer.

Is the 1.2 that much more economical in the real world? The basic 1.6 has the same power output. What is the physical difference in the engine bay between the different 1.6 power outputs?

Sorry for a rather long winded post. I'm just after users opinions to help confirm my ideas.

TIA.

Not from an iPhone

Hum what you need is somebody who has owned and driven both cars and I might just know that person.

I drove a GL2 Estate that kept breaking down for 15 months and have just replaced it with a 1.6 105PS Elegance.

The answer to your question is not quite that simple both cars have their merits if you get a good one.

I use my car as the only family car and it spends a lot of the time full with all the family and gubbins. I will start with the 1.6 which I have only put 600 miles on at the moment and when I can put my foot down . The MPG figures for the 1.6 105ps seem to very a lot and some people are getting around 60 MPG cruising at 70. My engine is too new to tell what MPG it will give but looking at the new to new between the two cars the MPG is about the same at the moment 45 for the 1.6 and 48 for the GL2 mainly town driving for both cars. The GL2 ended up averaging 58mpg.

If you are prepared to trundle along at about 60 then the GL2 will return up to 78MPG. At 70mph my GL2 returned an indicated 60 to 65 MPG and would then breakdown.

The 1.6 is a little bit quieter than the GL2, I presume down to more sound deadening, different tyres and four cylinders.

The Gl2 comes with a much better spec than a lot of the other Fabias and the lowered suspension is defiantly a plus.

What little driving I have done on the motorway with the 1.6 and lots with the GL2 both cars are capable of keeping up with the traffic with the GL2 you need to keep it between 1800 and 2200 RPM and it's fine, my 1.6 between 1500rpm and 2200 and it just goes.

Based on engine spec I would not look at the 1.6 75ps the engine power output is very similar to the GL2 and without the weight saving of the GL2 the fabia might be a bit under powered, I would look at the 90 or 105PS.

The SE Plus has similar spec to the GL2 and in 90PS version is £13,965 less VAT and the GL2 is £13,805 the GL will have ESP.

Above all else I would try and give both a good test drive and see what you think.

A very good post by Dempsek there.

My Greenline 2 estate has done 18k miles in a year and averaged 72mpg in that time, but I do mostly long runs.

Best mpg (I was trying very hard) was 78mpg for three whole tanks.

Worst was 61mpg over a tank when I pushed it quite hard with no thought of the economy, to see the best and worst I could get in my typical commute.

As said above, the GL2 is noiser, about 10% more economical, slower (than a decent 1.6 CR) and has a slightly better spec.

If going for a 1.6 I'd have to have the 105 version.

A 75 is slower and less economical, so is a bit pointless IMO.

I've enjoyed the year in the Greenline II.

The extra noise doesn't bother me because like many things, when it's always there you get used to it. A bit like the older 1.9TDi.

The lowered suspension means you can really keep the momentum up through the corners, much less roll than a standard Fabia. If buying a regular Fabia I'd have to add it.

The lowered suspension means you can really keep the momentum up through the corners, much less roll than a standard Fabia. If buying a regular Fabia I'd have to add it.

Wish I had added it to my Elegance only £87.50 allowing for the VAT.

Yes the 105PS can be a bit of a beast in the little Fabia at 10.9 0-60, not that much slower than the old VRS 9.6.

By 'lowered' you mean what Skoda calls 'sports'?

From what has been said I'm still tempted to go for the GL2 however I'm going to drive a 1.6 90PS and see how I feel then.

Out of interest can the door protection mouldings be removed from the Se+ / elegance models easily? I've always hated these things because theyre a pain to wash around. Usually they punch files in the door skin and use pasture clips but with most of the range not having then I wondered if they were just glued on?

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Have just been looking for a customer and have since seen your post.

There are plenty of Fabia GL2's (both Hatch and Estates) in a wide variety of colours, some with additional spec (rear sensors etc).

All are around a 2 - 3 week delivery, as long as this snow doesn't fall!!

Hope this helps.

It's a shame you're so far away.

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Edited 3 February, 201214 yr by loud_pedal

Where abouts are you based?

Hampshire

I thought you was going to say The Outer Hebrides!

Let me know how you get on. If you have any more questions or want to know what is available immediately either post back or email me directly.

Thanks

Lee

By 'lowered' you mean what Skoda calls 'sports'?

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Yes

Just so you know, these Preston guys are not in Preston, but East London!Nice guys to do business with. I got my 59 plate Greenline from them.

Just so you know, these Preston guys are not in Preston, but East London!Nice guys to do business with. I got my 59 plate Greenline from them.

Coincidence, I got my 60 plate Greenline II estate from them.

Good service in my experience.

Here Here

1.6 TDI 90 - an ideal choice :yes:

Well I drove one and to be honest I'm not sure it is for me. I much prefer the Ibiza: in the Fabia I felt like I was rummaging around on the floor for the gear stick and hand brake like I was sat far too high, even with the seat all the way down.

Aside from this I did some sums today because the price of petrol and diesel seems to be diverging. For some time they were only a few pence difference, but it is now 5%. When I factor in the purchase price difference a 1.4 petrol is cheaper overall for the first three years compared to a greenline 2 (18,000/yr neglecting depreciation and if I bought all the fuel at todays prices) and I've never had a car quite that long.

Thanks to everyone who contributed but as a result of my findings/thoughts I think my short time here is up.

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