Hi all,

Having researched which Fabia to buy I've come to the usual petrol v diesel, 1.2 v 1.4/6 and BHP questions, and as I haven't brought a car or even needed to drive for many years any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Considerations

1. Want something very cheap to run, insure etc
   
2. Don't plan on doing many miles or currently need to commute - Though an immanent house move could change this to a 3day, 20-30min each way commute (tops)
   
3. Not bothered about sports performance, but don't want to be slogging it out on the motorway for occasional trip either
   
4. Only 'luxury' I can think of is that I'd prefer alloys
   
5. Budget - Up to £9k. Would spend £5k if it was "smarter"
   

Thoughts ?

Edited 22 April, 201214 yr by Trevor33

Thought about which shape you prefer?

You can get a decent MK1 vRS for £6000 from the dealers - 1.9TDI PD engine, 130bhp 230lb/ft

Or a new shape 1.9TDI PD Sport for £7000 - £8000.

As you say a petrol would suit - look at the 1.2TSI Elegance, getting cloaser to the £9000 budget though.

All cheap to run and insure.

Skoda is currently doing 25% off on 1.2 SE, which is within your budget.

It's an OK engine, quite economical and more importantly chain cam, also drives like a diesel - so lots of low down torque, makes it feel quicker in town.

Thanks for replies.

@Ad Lav - Don't mind which shape but the RS trim etc isn't happening with the wife + the extra bhp feels wasted on our needs. As for TSI, when I used to buy cars, anything turbo was a money pit, this not the case now ? Ps - How many miles would I be looking at on say the TDI and TSI ?

@My_Yeti - Is that actually a good deal ? (Couldn't tell if it was total marketing, like cheap wine in supermarkets). Also, don't brand new cards depreciate the quickest ?

Thanks again and sorry to be the bare-essentials-car-guy.

Edited 23 April, 201214 yr by Trevor33

The TSI engines have only been around in Fabias for about 18 months, since the recent facelift, so any coming onto the market now will likely be less than 20K miles. I'm onto 15K now with no problems at all. They have good power and can be very economical, however they do prefer super unleaded.

The HTP petrols are a decent solid engine, not fast, but nippy enough for urban stuff and take standard petrol. They are a bit noisier than TSI's, and not bad on the motorway, though there's not much acceleration left at those speeds. The current SE offer is a good one if you want the HTP engine.

Otherwise a 1.9TDI or 1.4TDI in the pre-facelift would be cheaper to buy and has no DPF to be worried about.

Pop out and try a few at the dealers if you can, that will give you the best idea.

Go for the most expensive Fabia to own & run.

That way, it will use so much more fuel than the others, you will be more tempted to either walk more often, use public transport or even not drive unnecessarily. Then, when it comes to having to use the car, you'll enjoy it that much more and help the environment.

Yeah, go for the VRS

@MIke Wrightson - Thanks.

@jonny boy - Haha, sounds like the last 15yrs of government.

I had a 1.4TDI Fabia on loan for about a month a couple years back and I hated it. The 1.4 diesel really needed some revs (typically ~2000) to be happy and I found I constantly needed to be down in second gear on roundabouts etc where most cars were happy in 3rd. You were constantly up and down the gearbox trying to keep the thing happy. The 1.9TDI is a completely different engine and a far better proposition if you go the diesel route. My advice - avoid the 1.4TDI.

Edited 29 April, 201214 yr by Phil_P

Thanks Phil_P.

Managed to test drive the 1.2 SE (HTP) which was exactly as everyone described and going to try a new-ish Greenline as dealers with good after service don't really carry older 1.9's etc.

Ps - What's this DPF problem (?) that Mike mentioned above ?

DPF is the diesel particulate filter that all new diesels will have. They reduce soot from the exhaust by catching it in a filter and burning it off. However if you only do very short trips, the filter will quickly become clogged unless you deliberately take the car for a long enough run to allow it to clear.

If a DPF becomes completely clogged they are £1500 to replace.

Ahh, thanks Mike.

Hi everyone. I'm looking to buy a skoda fabia... I've got about a 1000quid to spend! And need something cheap on insurance. Which engine is most reliable? My last car was a ford ka! That rusted before my eyes so I did a bit of research and found that the fabia is a decent car and quite cheap for the amount of car you get. Any help would be really appreciated. I'm a 27yo woman and I know a bit about cars but nothing about skodas

Hi everyone. I'm looking to buy a skoda fabia... I've got about a 1000quid to spend! And need something cheap on insurance. Which engine is most reliable? My last car was a ford ka! That rusted before my eyes so I did a bit of research and found that the fabia is a decent car and quite cheap for the amount of car you get. Any help would be really appreciated. I'm a 27yo woman and I know a bit about cars but nothing about skodas

£1000 wont buy you a Fabia ?

Yes it will, just not a very good one...

On that note of "good", I'm still no closer to making a decision between these two options (lets say they are essentially the same spec 1.2 Fabia);

1. £9,000 - Brand new (current deal)
   
2. £5,000 - £7,000 - 20-40k Miles, 2-3yrs old
   

In people's opinion is it really worth £2,500 more for a brand new car ? Many thanks, almost there.

Erm, in my book yes - 3 years piece of mind (warranty) and that new car smell.

Plus you know how its been treated from day one...

Theres no denying the enjoyment of a new car! I am trying to keep my Fabia spotlessly clean despite having a dog who occupies the boot! I guess it all depends on what you can afford, the only reason I got a new Fabia was the VAT free offer two years ago.

Having said that, my partner has bought a 2 year old Toyota Yaris and its great and the feeling when she got that was almost as good as a new car! Mind you the dealers customer service was excellent! And the Yaris is so much a better car than her previous Ford Fusion...........

I too have a dog confined to the boot (only on travel, not all the time!) and manage to keep the car spotless inside and out. Every week without fail, rain or shine = no dog hair or smell or mud

Personally I have my eye on the new Skoda Rapid due out next year. Looks good.

On that note of "good", I'm still no closer to making a decision between these two options (lets say they are essentially the same spec 1.2 Fabia);

1. £9,000 - Brand new (current deal)
   
2. £5,000 - £7,000 - 20-40k Miles, 2-3yrs old
   

In people's opinion is it really worth £2,500 more for a brand new car ? Many thanks, almost there.

Option 2 every time.

It's not like you can't afford to be picky, there is plenty of choice out there.

£2,500 in the bank, worse case scenario you have to spend a bit of it on repairs but as I said, be picky, buy from a franchised dealer with a warranty and you'll likely get goodwill contributions for major faults outside of warranty.

That new car smell doesn't last very long and certainly ain't worth 2.5K!

Approved Skoda, £6995.

Skoda Fabia Hatchback 5-Dr 1.2 HTP (70 BHP) Sport 5dr

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201135413272479/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/7000/model/fabia/make/skoda/page/5/postcode/sl13yd/radius/1500?logcode=p

I've been going through the same process as yourself, buy a 3-4 year old model at around £6k max (depending on model) or go for a new or nearly new with warranty still left. Looked at an '11' plate 1.2 TSi Elegance yesterday and liked what I saw and apart from a test drive would have most likely tried to to a deal, if I had the money. Anyway too close for my holidays now and her indoors wouldn't have been too pleased if I'd spent the holiday fund. So better position next month and just hope I can find a 1 year old model as above in the colour/condition and money which suits me fine. I'm sure I will as there is loads out there to choose from.

Mick

Hi all,

Having researched which Fabia to buy I've come to the usual petrol v diesel, 1.2 v 1.4/6 and BHP questions, and as I haven't brought a car or even needed to drive for many years any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Considerations

1. Want something very cheap to run, insure etc
   
2. Don't plan on doing many miles or currently need to commute - Though an immanent house move could change this to a 3day, 20-30min each way commute (tops)
   
3. Not bothered about sports performance, but don't want to be slogging it out on the motorway for occasional trip either
   
4. Only 'luxury' I can think of is that I'd prefer alloys
   
5. Budget - Up to £9k. Would spend £5k if it was "smarter"
   

Thoughts ?

For short journeys go for the 1.2 petrol, cheaper to buy than a diesel, chain drive for the cam & no DPF. The 1.2 HTP 12v 3 cyl engine is good and should be fairly cheap to run. The 1.2 tsi is even better, but hasn't been around that long, so prices will be higher. I would go for a good used Fabia form a Skoda dealer and save yourself a couple of grand.

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful.

Theres a nice 2010 Fabia Vrs DSG mk2 on ebay in white colour for a good price looks the business