The wife is tired of her DERV Fiesta and likes the Fabia. I only bought my Octavia a few months back so don;t really know much about the Fabia, it's trims, its engines etc.

I'd have liked her to get one of the TSIs but they don't seem to have been available for long in "standard" specs so that's out of the window as it's just too much money.

She's looking at around £7k max.

Ta!

Its probably worth using 'Autotrader' as an easy way to see whats being offered for sale in your area and see what Spec they show.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk

My suggestion is

When selecting a the model within 60 miles of your postcode

Go £500-£1000 Max price more than you intend spending to get cars included with daft asking prices .

Just gives an idea of what your money might get you around your area with some astute bargaining from some of those sellers or from other

local places

and the fact that 'Cash is King',

'Buyers market' and do not let Private sellers or Dealers tell you otherwise.

World is overflowing with cars for sale.

(Obviously when selling reverse that & 'your vehicle is like hens teeth and it is a bargain at what you are asking for it!')

have fun researching & buying.

george

EDIT, Good Choice of some nice cars 60 miles from CR5 1YA, between 6-8 grand.

Should give an idea of Spec and Engines types available in your budget.

Edited 14 June, 201213 yr by sk4gw

To have a chance of a TSI at that budget you'll need to wait at least another year when the first cars reach 3 years old.

So, you are looking at the ancient 1.4's and the 1.2 HTP's. The 1.4 comes in 75bhp or 100bhp. The 75bhp is pretty gutless and not particularly economical. The 100bhp needs to run on super unleaded, still not particularly economical, but goes better.

The 1.2HTP is either 60bhp 8v or 70bhp 12v. Do not bother with the 60bhp, the 70bhp is far better at everything, and also better than the 75bhp 1.4 at everything too. Quicker, more economical and sounds nicer, also uses a cam chain rather than a belt.

The Mk2 Fabias come in 1,2 or 3 trim levels which are equivalent to S, SE and Elegance now, there is also a Sport trim with nice seats and a little body kit.

Unless she wants 100bhp, I would go with the 1.2HTP 70bhp 12v every time.

I have a 1.2 12 valve 70PS Fabia. I'm no speed merchant and the little engine is good enough for me. Simple too. As others have said on this forum, it beats the 1.4 hands down and makes a great sound. Happy car hunting.

Surely you will get a TSI for 7k? Paid just over 10 for our Estate new two years ago.

You would certainly hope so,

There are 21 nationwide showing just on 'Autotrader' from around an asking prices of £7,495-£8000 with 2010-11 plates.

*mostly up North, only 4 within 100 miles of you tho.*

So a purchase @ £7,000 is easily achievable.

george

Edited 14 June, 201213 yr by sk4gw

Thanks for the comments folks.

The cheapest TSI on Autotrader is £7,500 and is 187 miles from my house!

There is a 2010 at Allams where I got my Octavia from but that is £8,000. £7,000 is pretty much the upper limit if it's a good deal so going an extra £1000 isn't really going to happen unless she gets more for her Fiesta than I'm expecting.

The only two we currently have down to look at are a 1.2 6 valve and a 1.4, I'm just looking at the 12v now to see what is available.

I travel any distance to buy a car once i know it is right..

£1 Mega bus or fly with Easyjet, Ryanair or Jet 2 for about £15,

and petrol back home to allow for..

You get £500 off for a cash buy without trade in, or at the least £350.

george

PS.

The car in Ayr is about 10 miles from Prestwick Airport and there are cheap flights,

Ayr is full of garages that are overflowing with Second Hand cars that are not selling.

Usually much cheaper than Aberdeen area, 200 miles north,

hense i look that way for a bargain.

'Ingrams' Ayr,

Use postcode KA26 9LZ and 20 miles

Obviously nearer to you is better for you,

unless you want a Family Holiday in 'Sunny' South Ayrshire.

Mid Week Bargains to be had at 'Craig Tara' Holiday Park.

Edited 14 June, 201213 yr by sk4gw

The 75 and 100bhp 1.4 do not feature in the mark 2 fabia.

Options include: 1.2htp 60bhp (6 valve), 1.2htp 70bhp (12v), 1.4 86bhp, 1.6 105bhp, 1.4tdi 70bhp, 1.4tdi 80bhp, 1.4tdi 80bhp (with dpf), 1.9tdi 105bhp.

In the 2010 face lifted models: 1.2 60bhp (12v), 1.2 70bhp (12v), 1.4 86bhp, 1.2tsi 85bhp, 1.2tsi 105bhp, 1.6tdi (in 75, 90 and 105bhp guises), 1.2tdi (with stop start)

1.6tdi, 1.2tdi and 1.2tsis will be out of budget for a low mileague good example.

best bet 1.2htp 12v imo

Spoke to the wife and it's not going to be the 1.2 TSI due to costs. Looking only at the 1.2 70hp 12v now then. Thanks for the help folks.

Spoke to the wife and it's not going to be the 1.2 TSI due to costs. Looking only at the 1.2 70hp 12v now then. Thanks for the help folks.

I love my 1.2 12v 70 HTP which I've had for 18 months and although it does not have the performance of the HTP it does cost peanuts to buy and run and is simplicity itself. I recently took mine on a 300 mile round trip mainly A roads with 4 adults and all their luggage and the car drove perfectly. I'd recommend the '2' version as you get a better interior with a proper glove box. Just one thing as we have often said, the fuel consumption dies to around 35mpg at motorway speeds of over 70 mph.Other than that economy is good and it's a pleasure to own and drive.

Thanks for that Horkin.

We have found 5 in the area which the wife has narrowed to 2.

All are the 1.2 12v HTP 70bhp model

The first 2 are 2010 "1" trims with about 15k on the clock. Both £6k

3rd is a "2" trim from 2007 with 27k on the clock, £5,000

4th and 5th are both "Sport" trim from 2008. One is £5,500 with just 4,800 on the clock and the second is £6k with 23,000 on it.

She's narrowed that to one of the "1"s and the low mileage "Sport". We are going to look at both tomorrow, she had a look at the "1" today on her own.

I reckon the Sport will probably be the better option of the two despite being a couple of years older. Apparently she asked the garage about the mileage and it's all been checked and no 0's have been left off.

Even my previous Fabia MK1 MY '06 1.2 65Hp was a fantastic car. I think 1.2Htp is a fantastic bulletproof and nippy engine that can be used to cover very long distances. As about trims I suggest to see both '1' and 'sport' and then buy the one that makes you / her feel beautiful when sitting in.

Seriously don't go for the '1' you get a lot more spec for not a lot more money going for anything '2'+.

Phil

I reckon the Sport will probably be the better option of the two despite being a couple of years older. Apparently she asked the garage about the mileage and it's all been checked and no 0's have been left off.

Sounds the best choice personally, but remember to buy on condition and not mileage. Strange as it may seem, the lower mileage car is not always the best. At that age it has hardly been used and cars need to be used. The other one is hardly high mileage either, don't worry about going for that one instead.

if you are looking at £6-7k

finance costs on 2-3 year old car via a loan is similar to costs of a new car

have a look at the citigo new, skoda are throwing in 3 years servicing, or until end of month the new fabias are VAT free (20% off list)

worth a look if nothing else, depends if you have cash or loan

Still strongly recommend you buy the '2' version over the '1' which in my view looks very basic. Remember too that the '2' glove box comes with air conditioning, great for your Yorky bars or a few of those Roses chocolates you keep buying for wifey

Would support he Finance comment. With the 0% deal at the moment a new one will probably cost you less than a second hand one over three years.

The purchase will be p/x and cash, no finance. The wife is just about to start a new job and we already have a loan for my Octavia so she is reluctant to get into any further arrangements at the moment.

I'll have a look at it regardless

I know it is not for everyone and a divisive thing on forums. If the dealer is big enough and they have a used and new car sales team you can sometimes play them off against each other to get a good deal.

If you can stretch to £7600 I would consider the citigo, if it's got the offer on the servicing seems a good deal, i've seen an ad today in the papers, looks good spec, with air con too. can seat 4 adults and boot space is only a touch smaller than the fabia (250 litres vs 300 litres or 315 for fl)

i'd avoid the '1' trim unless you can live with no air con.

Well we went out today and came back with the signed paperwork for a 2008 Black Fabia 1.2 12v 70hp Sport.

We got £2500 for her Fiesta which needs some work and we got a couple of hundred knocked off the Fabia as well.

Nice little car, it looks like an Albatross has done a crap on the boot cover but aside from that it is in great condition.

Very happy wife, now I just want Wednesday to come and be over so that the car is hers and the Fiesta isn't!

Now I'd better see if there is anything that VCDS can do to it (I think I read not) and find as much else out as possible!

Nice!!

Well done I hope she will enjoy it for a long time to come.

Pics?