Evening all this may be a bit lengthy but hang in there.

Im hoping sharng my opinion my help others decide.

The Buying Process -

We approached a dealer local to me called. sherlodge garage in Gillingham Kent.

Its only a small dealer but thisnFabia had nearly the perfect Monte i had been searching for.

The salesman approached us and seem friendly and genuine. Not pushy, was happy to just generally chat. Rather then focus only any particular details of the car unless we asked.

After the test drive the dicussion of the deal started. I didnt barter very much as they suprised with £1300 for my Corsa (id never got that selling privately) they also agreed to rectify a couple of issue including refurbing all 4 wheels.

The deal was pretty easy the salesman was more then helpful. And carried out what he promised no issues what so ever.

Preformance/Handling

I will start by saying that the little 1.2turbo has really impressed me. The sound the torque. Quick enough to have fun with. Im not sure what I can really add it just gets on and does it job its never missed a beat in the last two months doing 60miles aday as part of my commute to work.

As for the handling side of things, despite the Sports Suspesion, big wheels and thin tyres, the ride is suprisingly comfy, on most roads its nice and smooth. Its only when you come to those poorly maintained roads round the UK where it can become a bit crashy and banging, thats not a suprise. Cornering wise. It just seems to grip and has very little bodyroll, it really gives you confidence to chuck it in to the bends, ive yet to find it out of its depth. The car still sits on Contis and they seem to have plenty of grip in wet and dry, imo. id gomas far as saying on a twisty backlanor A-road you could probley "punch above you weight" and give cars youmwould dare to race away from the lights runs for there money.

Comfert/practicality

The sports seats are nice and deep and wrap round you quite nicely, holding you in place quite well.

I do however find the seating posistion a compremise. Im 6ft3in and personaly would prefer the seat to go back and down a bit. Dont get me wrong its not uncomfy and headroom isnt issue just more personal preference.

In the rear the leg room is pretty generous if you have an average sized adult in the front (i do some times need to move my seat forward a tad if some sits behind me) the head room is a plenty in the rear. I can sit up stright in the rear and still have a couple of inches clearene of the roof.

Storeage i think the storage with the cabin all very handy and more pratical then ive had in previous cars.

The Fabias practicality excels in the boot, where most manufacteurs are happy with spare wheel and a bit of carpet. You get the bag hooks. Lashing eyes bag strap/holder plus two little cubbys either side of the boot opening (plus a slot for the emergeny triangle) all have been handy and used in the last two months, when buying the car i also added a platic bootliner to protect the carpet and a boot bag.

The bootbag has been very handy it fixes to the side and is rather big with a carry strap. Its very handy when chucking the odd item in the boot .

Design/Styling

Starting with basic desgin. I really like the front end, but the rear has always been a bit uninspiring, whats more annoying is I cant put my finger on why :/ its just seems if the designers got a little bored lol,

Now focusing on the Monte Carlo Side of the Styling. The red on black works best imo, the black skirts and arches, mirrors and defusers and headlights all work so well, i can only imagine someone at Skoda is kicking themselfs for nor doing this to the VRS. Ive even had some ask if it was a VRS.

Now from a interior side of things, on the most part its nice my only real complaint is interior door handles. I think this the only part i can find which doesnt seem to be Very VAG. They are flimsy and dont feel nice at all lol.

I also feel the Climatronic controls stop the dash looking cheap and give it a upmarket feel.

I.C.E - il do a sepreate review for this as i Have the Kenwood system.

Summery.

Well to sum it up its a good mix of VW and Skoda lol, VW quality and reliablity and skoda thinking and design. Then fabia seems to have style yet the polo is very german lol

Its playful and fun everything a hatch like this should be, its pratical and a pleasure to own.

To top it off is the looks a reaction. I have not had one negitive comment.

What i consider to be priceless is the watching people walk past it, stop nose around and see the Skoda badge.

Average MPG

Playful - Mid 30's MPG

Normal - mid 40's MPG

Careful - Max (so far) 54.4MPG

Hope this coversit all any questions Please ask :

Ive got the black and 2bh wish I had the red now so much easier to look after, at least if I ever choose to be a undercover detective or something I can hide in the night. I drive around sittingbourne a lot (stay the gfs there) and have seen a lot of these black and grey but never red, my plate starts with LV12 if you ever see it!

Nice review! Would you mind getting some more photos? Maybe one of the rear, side, interior and maybe under the hood?

I def agree with you regarding the handles inside the car.. I dont like the plastic look or the feeling when trying to open the door.. But aside from that i really like the Fabia.

Im waiting for my Fabia TSI 86 with basicly the same gear as the Monte carlo, except i have my car 1colored. But im really looking forward to the first drive from the dealer and driving it next spring on the curvy roads..

Ive got the black and 2bh wish I had the red now so much easier to look after, at least if I ever choose to be a undercover detective or something I can hide in the night. I drive around sittingbourne a lot (stay the gfs there) and have seen a lot of these black and grey but never red, my plate starts with LV12 if you ever see it!

Not seen yours to my knowledge there is a another red one floating around, i have also seen a white and grey one in sittingbourne

Thanks for the review and photo's

Although we have a TSI 85 Fabia were still looking forward to getting the Monte, should be that little bit different to to Elegance spec.

Oh I like the Kenwood installation, fitted by the dealer before or after you bought it :wonder:

Will be keeping ours with the standard radio, as neither of us are great stereo or navigation aid users, although we did briefly toy with the idea of the factory sat nav but considered it far to pricey in the end.

TP

Its was spec by previous owner, its kinda pointless in the monte, i would of prefered the amunsden and maxi-dot, i can only guess this was a stock car and a deal was struck on buying. The kenwood renders the aux socket and MDI useless. Instead you have to use sockets in the front of the unit :(

I considered red but opted for anthracite.. which I'm glad i did, Red is Ok but too many red uns about!

Lol understandable but buying used limits choice lol

I've got the vRS but for some reason think the Monte looks better (especially in red/black guise). If they hadn't dropped it, I would have been really, really tempted by a 105PS with DSG instead. I can't put my finger on why it looks better though...better balanced?

The problem with the VRS is to look at one its a fabia with a different bumper. The Monte has a little more going on all round.

The Monte does look more aggressive than the vRS. People coming to our house will always pick the all black Monte over my blue/white vRS even though it boast almost 100 bhp of more power.

I have just ordered a black one through work and cant wait to get it, I have been running round in an old knacker for the last few years but seen a deal we had on these and some reveiws about the car an thought its time for a new motor.

Should have it within 2 weeks though as they are in stock so just a matter of getting the paperwork though the leasing company and then getting it through the dealership PDI, ect

Edited 23 October, 201213 yr by John Eva

Not had one negitive comment everyone saysit looks the part

I cant help thinking they should of used the 1.4tsi 122BHP lump from the octavia using as a lower tier preformance fabia as such

Hi, I know this is for 85ps but.....

I just picked up my new Monte 105ps and I am well impressed. I would recommend this to anyone. Oh if you order a brand new one the maxi dot display and heated seats are a must.