Hey folks,

I have fallen for the Fabia VRS. First I ever looked at one properly was a guy going about my area locally with a hybrid turbo which never sounded like "ptsshhhhh" as the turbo dumped, but more like a "wwwWWHHOOOOOOSHHHhhh" which just had me!

Not only that, these things can do mega torque and still walk away with 50mpg? Where do I sign!!!

Basically I got a new job and I needed an economical car that wont eat my wallet, but still put a smile on my face like the MX-5 did. Previous owners I have spoke to have reassured me to the point I have been seriously looking for one.

My issue is that I have never purchased a car this young (current is 20 years old :p) and for this kind of money. I have a loan that is just waiting to be accepted by me and I will have the funds to get a VRS, but I am paranoid about buying both privately and from an independent.

I thought I would ask you guys for advice:

SERVICE HISTORY

I can't stand the idea of purchasing a car which I believe is mint, but could turn out to be a total wreck. I have been watching one recently that looks goof, and the independent has got back to me with the service history dates and details as follows:

17/12/07 - 10,327 Miles @ Silbury Skoda (Stamp)

05/12/08 - 19,893 @ Silbury Skoda (Stamp)

01/10/09 - 29,627 @ Silbury Skoda (Stamp)

17/03/10 - 35,930 @ Benfield Hyundai (Stamp)

16/08/10 - 40,231 @ Benfield Skoda (Stamp)

TIMING BELT - 28/03/11 - Corbridge Road Garage (Independent INVOICE ONLY)

20/07/11 - 50,210 @ Corbridge Road Garage (Independent Stamp)

15/06/12 - 60,085 @ Corbridge Road Garage (Independent INVOICE ONLY)

I have not seen the service history personally as this car is down south, but would you say that this is fine? Kind of leads me to my next point:

PURCHASING LONG DISTANCE

I have had one experience of purchasing a car long distance and over eBay. Was with a mate for a hyundai Accent Coupe for a banger to clock up motorway miles, we traveled down to Morpeth to get it which at the time was believed to be 19,000 miles, turned out to be 99,000 miles. Guy had picked us up from the train station and drove us to the independent garage, and basically said "Either buy it, or don't, I don't care." and wasn't taking us back to the train station. My mate bought it and drove back to Scotland, which took 100 quid worth of fuel, ran like crap and blew up when he got home. So yeah, full of confidence!

The car I am looking at is quite a distance away from me, and I don't want to travel all the way down to find yet another lemon. I know an ancient Accent Coupe is a bit different from an 07 plate VRS, but still. To aid the paranoia, I looked up the independent's address on google maps, and their premises is... not there. Yet they have been dealing since 1977... :/

Can someone tell me if the above is fine and I am just being stupid or am I right in what I see and hold out for something a bit more FSH'ish? What would be the main things to look out for in a Fabia VRS?

I know this is a million questions when I should just be saying hi, but I really want a nice example so I can start contributing to this forum and experience what I think is an awesome car!

Oh, and the names Ally.

Hi Ally, welcome to Brisky.

Personally, I think there's enough MK1 vRS's out there to not have to travel long distances.

Whatever happens, good luck with your search & enjoy it when you get it!

hey Ally, check out the for sale threads.... if you get one from a brisky owner it might have a history documented on here for years..

there's a cracking vRS "estate" for sle in there.... the build thread is on here too....

If you see a car that you like advertised through a dealer web site or autotrader and you are happy with service history, talk to the seller on the phone and check reviews on the internet for the car you are looking for.. then distance should not be a problem. I went from Plymouth to Peterborough for my 54 plate Octavia elegance 1.9tdi PD130 - saved myself about £1000 - ok had to have car serviced and had a sensor replaced locally but still saved myself about £500 after that. Look at more than one car is my advice. Have a look at one locally if you can to make sure it what you want.

I am so pleased with my car and if there are issues seek advice on here, there are many who will help. Great advice.

Drive a few. So you know what 'creaks' or 'bumps' are normal, and what are not.

Distance is a must to get a good deal!

That service history looks perfect - I was very fussy with mine, must be 12 months or 10k miles, anymore and I wasn't happy!

Also remember to HPI check. Buy a pack of 5 or do and get them checked!

Thanks for the awesome replies guys, they are a good help!

I have been keeping an eye on the "For Sale" section on this forum as I had seen many awesome MX-5's being advertised on the MX5Nutz forum that I wish I had considered first before actually buying mines, so lesson learned there!

It's just time really. There is a "drought" at this moment in time, but give it a few weeks and there will be one that pops along that fits the bill.

The only thing about distance that I dislike is that the dealer may offer a warranty or whatever and it would be hard to take them up on a parts and labour offer if you have to travel 300 miles to get something repaired. Buying distance is a given, it has to happen if you want what you want I suppose!

Purchased my very own VRS SE today!

In fact, it was advertised on this very forum!

Cheers to James, it's a pleasure to drive!

Congratulations!

how far did you end up having to travel?

Most of the dealer warranties are sold through third parties (RAC. Warranty Direct etc.), my sister for example had some work done under warranty on her 7 year old purchase more than 100 miles from where the car was purchased. A trip back to the supplying garage is not always required.

I traveled about 30 miles, minute I saw it I thought "it's the one."

I have taken note of that mannyo, I will be using my local dealership from now on

Hello Ally and welcome along, nice looking motor

where in Stirling are you mate, i'll need to keep an eye open for you

where in Stirling are you mate, i'll need to keep an eye open for you

I am in St. Ninians, always out and about so you will see me floating around town!

Do you own the Black VRS that has the HID's and hybrid turbo?

Hello Ally and welcome along, nice looking motor

Thanks very much alkip, I hope to keep it that way! :p

Hi & welcome nice one on the new vRS

I am in St. Ninians, always out and about so you will see me floating around town!

Do you own the Black VRS that has the HID's and hybrid turbo?

i've got a black vrs on a 56 plate