Looking to change my Civic for a Fabia II, I love the look of it and it's cheaper to insure, tax, run and service than the Civic!

I'm struggling to find the difference between the Level 3 and Sport model, I can see the Sport has a different front bumper, sports seats and doesn't have cruise or climate control as standard. Can someone enlighten me what else I've missed?

I've got a 2.2 Diesel at the moment and will admit I love the torque, so I'm looking at getting a 1.9 TDI and maybe remapping it. I'd love a TSI but the ones in my budget don't have any toys :(

1.9TDI Level 3 will get subtle upgrades,

better roof lining materials, climate control, cruise control, curtain airbags, maxi dot, 16" Atria Alloys, rear passenger roof light

I can't think of anything else.

I was also in the position of deciding wether to get a sport or a Level 3. I chose the 3 because of the spec and the speedo looked nice, plus the selling point for me was the climate control and heated seats!

The sport had -15mm 'sports' suspension fitted to later models. The earlier sport had the same suspension as a normal 1,2 or 3 trim.

edit: sport has a rear spolier

Edited 18 April, 201214 yr by fabia55

1.9TDI Level 3 will get subtle upgrades,

better roof lining materials, climate control, cruise control, curtain airbags, maxi dot, 16" Atria Alloys, rear passenger roof light

I can't think of anything else.

I was also in the position of deciding wether to get a sport or a Level 3. I chose the 3 because of the spec and the speedo looked nice, plus the selling point for me was the climate control and heated seats!

Ah a lot more than I could see then! Climate and cruise are the two things I really wanted, the bodywork extras I can retrofit myself... maxidot display seems like a good addition.

Were heated seats an optional extra in yours then?

The sport had -15mm 'sports' suspension fitted to later models. The earlier sport had the same suspension as a normal 1,2 or 3 trim.

edit: sport has a rear spolier

Thanks. I'm looking at pre-facelift models so no different to normal suspension, I'll likely lower it myself anyway.

Yes, join the Fabia guys. I had the 1.9 TDi engine in a Golf - what a terrific engine, loads of power, torque and economy in the late 40s to early 50s to the gallon.

I wanted a '3' spec but could only find a '2' spec in my budget. What I would really like is the cruise control, although you can retrofit, it costs about £4-500.

One thought about the '3' spec, though - does it have lower profile tyres which may adversely affect the ride? Also they could be more prone to wheel kerbing as the ally hits the kerb before the sidewall!

You have experienced legendary Honda reliability and, judging by this forum and 'Auto Express' survey, Skoda should not dissapoint.

Yes, join the Fabia guys. I had the 1.9 TDi engine in a Golf - what a terrific engine, loads of power, torque and economy in the late 40s to early 50s to the gallon.

Hi awfabia,

totally agree with the Golf & 1.9TDI comments, had one too as a company car.... only thing I would comment is the economy, if I drove it hard I would get 40-50's mpg, if I drove what I would call "normal" then it would be 50-60's & if I drove it with economy in mind I would get +60 and even if I really tried then.... (ok it was only once) 82mpg!!! I was impressed but mighty bored on that 300 mile trip! :think:

Only negative comment is after 3500rpm it just gets more noisy and not much more oomph but from 1700-2700 blimey for what it is its good!!!

Good luck with the search / purchase atomic!

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by sk8tergirl

Snap, I swapped my 2.2 Civic (here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/235061-2006-honda-civic-ek3-22-ictdi-ex-nice/) for a Fabia II as well.

It is a very different drive, really a whole world apart, but then mine is a 1.2 TSI DSG, so is to be expected. I think the biggest difference is the suspension though, the Fabia really is very comfortable, soaking up the bumps nicely where the Civic would be crashy and jiggly. Very quiet it is too, though I did go for petrol this time around it is a nice upgrade in terms of refinement.

I used to have a 2003 Fabia 1.9 TDI (my first car!), really loved that thing. The engine was great, really meaty. Coarse if you drove it hard, but you definitely won't feel short changed coming from the 2.2 iCTDI. The Honda diesel is good, but the Civic feels heavy where the much lighter Fabia TDI really can pick up and go.

I've a pre facelift sport and I beleive it's based on "trim level 2"

some of the added features are however

front splitter

front fogs

rear boot spoiler

rear bumper spoiler

chrome tail pipe on exhaust

tinted windows

sports seat/leather steering wheel and handbrake

tilt alarm sensor

16" bear alloys/low profile tyres

chrome style interior trims

One thought about the '3' spec, though - does it have lower profile tyres which may adversely affect the ride? Also they could be more prone to wheel kerbing as the ally hits the kerb before the sidewall!

You have experienced legendary Honda reliability and, judging by this forum and 'Auto Express' survey, Skoda should not dissapoint.

The wheels on the level 3 are smaller than the 18" I have at the moment so not worried about kerbing them! Honda dropped the ball when it came to the reliability on the 8th gen (spaceship), it wasn't that great - loads of failed clutches and dead dmf's. After having a read of the reviews, Skoda's seems much better!

totally agree with the Golf & 1.9TDI comments, had one too as a company car.... only thing I would comment is the economy, if I drove it hard I would get 40-50's mpg, if I drove what I would call "normal" then it would be 50-60's & if I drove it with economy in mind I would get +60 and even if I really tried then.... (ok it was only once) 82mpg!!! I was impressed but mighty bored on that 300 mile trip! :think:

Only negative comment is after 3500rpm it just gets more noisy and not much more oomph but from 1700-2700 blimey for what it is its good!!!

I only get low 40's from my Honda as half my commute is through a city. I'm hopeing the 1.9TDI will give me a better mpg The search is now on!

It is a very different drive, really a whole world apart, but then mine is a 1.2 TSI DSG, so is to be expected. I think the biggest difference is the suspension though, the Fabia really is very comfortable, soaking up the bumps nicely where the Civic would be crashy and jiggly. Very quiet it is too, though I did go for petrol this time around it is a nice upgrade in terms of refinement.

Good to hear that I'm not the only one moving away from the Civic. I wanted something a bit more soft after having 18" alloys and sports suspension and the Fabia fits the bill nicely.

Taking a Sport out for a test drive on Saturday to see what the engine is like, it's the only thing local I can find with the same engine. Will be good to get a feeling of what the car is like, typically I can't find many Level 3's with the 1.9 for sale anywhere near me!

Thanks. I'm looking at pre-facelift models so no different to normal suspension, I'll likely lower it myself anyway.

The sport only come in pre fl (There is no face lift sport trim yet). The 57 and 08 plate had 'normal suspension. I think it's around 58 or 09 onwards?

The sport only come in pre fl (There is no face lift sport trim yet). The 57 and 08 plate had 'normal suspension. I think it's around 58 or 09 onwards?

Disagree with you mate. I have a 57 Fabia Sport and my car is has lower suspension than standard Fabia. However I'm thinking about lowering my car even more in the future

Matty

Disagree with you mate. I have a 57 Fabia Sport and my car is has lower suspension than standard Fabia. However I'm thinking about lowering my car even more in the future

Matty

Yes they lowered the suspention (57)plate onwards. Sorry it was 1st october 08 my (58) was. Sports are 2 trim. Montys are (se) trim as it says below

Skoda's UK arm announced today that it has made the Fabia Sport edition a tad sportier by lowering its suspension by 15mm. Unfortunately the modification will see an increase of £290 per vehicle with the new prices applicable to orders placed from 1 October. The Sport edition is available with two petrol engines, 70HP 1.2L (£10,880) and 105HP 1.6L (£12,035) and two diesel units, 80HP 1.4L (£12,340) and 105HP 1.9L (£13,025). All Sport editions boast 16-inch alloys and a subtle bodykit as standard.

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by skoda1982

No post face lift sport?

Surely that will be a Monte Carlo. Lol.

1.9tdi is a cracking engine, reliable, economical without even trying and due to it's torque delivery and more sensible gearing it feels much stronger than the newer 1.6tdi

Cheers

Lee

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by logiclee

Disagree with you mate. I have a 57 Fabia Sport and my car is has lower suspension than standard Fabia. However I'm thinking about lowering my car even more in the future

Matty

How do you know its lowered? Does it say in the manual?

Maybe it's the very early models that didn't come with -15mm suspension, or that Skoda did not state it on the spec list in the brochures when the sport trim came out. I have 2 brochures for the pre fl, and in the later brochure (with the level 3 estate on the front cover) it says -15mm for blue line and spot trim.

The early brochures did not state that the sport came with lowered suspension but later brochures did.

edit: I've just had a look at the brochure and it says its an option for all models. but in the earl brochure it's not even an option. the only lowered model is the greenline.

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by fabia55

Skoda's UK arm announced today that it has made the Fabia Sport edition a tad sportier by lowering its suspension by 15mm. Unfortunately the modification will see an increase of £290 per vehicle with the new prices applicable to orders placed from 1 October. The Sport edition is available with two petrol engines, 70HP 1.2L (£10,880) and 105HP 1.6L (£12,035) and two diesel units, 80HP 1.4L (£12,340) and 105HP 1.9L (£13,025). All Sport editions boast 16-inch alloys and a subtle bodykit as standard.

How do you know its lowered? Does it say in the manual?

I parked mine next to the standard one and it was quiet obvious that mine is lower than standard Mk2. Matty

might it be shag over time?

You'd have to do some proper damage to lower the car an equal amount all the way round, if it's low it's gonna be springs/shocks rather than them being 'shagged' (lol)

I'm more interested in the differences in toys and interior than the bodywork, if I could get a 3 spec with Sports seats I'd be super happy!

Edited 20 April, 201214 yr by atomic

After spending the last 4 years away from a fabia it looks like I'm coming back. I've currently got a seat toledo (the altea based monstrosity) and I'm looking to downsize. Loved my mk1 fabia estate TDI elegance so I'm looking at the mk2 estate 3, maybe the 1.4 TDI this time and get it remapped (cheaper tax, better mpg) Like the look and layout of the instruments more than any other car I've had since my old fabia.

Do the 3's come with heated seats standard? My old elegance had them as does my toledo and I'd like them again.

no, heated seats were (and still are even on the top spec Elegance) an optional extra. Not very hard to retrofit either OEM heated seats or a heating kit to your existing seats though.

Why dose anyone need heated cloth seats can't see the point myself maybe on leather seats, I have them and never turned them on.

They're good if you have a bad back!

They're good if you have a bad back!

Thats a good point

They're good if you have a bad back!

Yep, I've been known to have the heated seats on full for my back and the aircon on full to try and keep cool. lol

Cheers

Lee

1.9TDI Level 3 will get subtle upgrades,

better roof lining materials, climate control, cruise control, curtain airbags, maxi dot, 16" Atria Alloys, rear passenger roof light

I can't think of anything else.

I was also in the position of deciding wether to get a sport or a Level 3. I chose the 3 because of the spec and the speedo looked nice, plus the selling point for me was the climate control and heated seats!

3 spec also gets rear parking sensors and armrest as standard - don't think the sport had these. It's a pretty good spec overall. I've also got rear electric windows, fancy door sill plates and headlight covers in my ex-demo, but I don't think these are standard.