Had my Mk1 for over 7 years and just like OP above, really wanted to hang on to it but started to notice the ravages of time and distance beginning to work through even though the car was well cherished and maintained above the normal schedule. Do miss that solidly built feel, combination of punchy grunt and optional extreme economy if driven gently. Head overruled heart and pocket got seduced by the currently megavalue run out model Octavia vRS's. Have some photo's and great memories of storming 300 mile runs down the length of the country.

The petrol Octy has all the grunt and more horsepower, smoother delivery, albeit at a price (a touch cheaper per gallon but thirstier however you drive it!). Being 7 years older & nearing one of life's significant milestones, the space and comfort of the Octy are welcome 'improvements' but the Fabia was a tailor made fit for me with everything just falling to hand. Best, most reliable most entertaining fun daily driver I ever owned.

Hope that in 7 years time the Octy has lived up to that.

I do miss the mpg every so often. I sold mine to a family member so i get to see it once a week shame its getting ruined slowly though :( Love the power of the golf though and the fact that ive only ever seen another 2 on the road in 12 months. I also looked at a Mk2 Fabia Vrs but it wasnt for me, gearbox was the main reason.

I do miss the mpg every so often. I sold mine to a family member so i get to see it once a week shame its getting ruined slowly though :( Love the power of the golf though and the fact that ive only ever seen another 2 on the road in 12 months. I also looked at a Mk2 Fabia Vrs but it wasnt for me, gearbox was the main reason.

What version of the golf have you got to only see another so rarely?!

In his avatar - GTI Edition 30 (in fact, don't think I've ever seen one - but then I haven't been looking).

In his avatar - GTI Edition 30 (in fact, don't think I've ever seen one - but then I haven't been looking).

Ah ok - I can't see anyones avatar when I'm using briskoda on my phone :-(

GTI ed 30 are nice, not that rare where I live -tend to see at least one or two each week :-)

Edit - I can see a tiny pic of a golf as an avatar/profile pic but it's so tiny on my screen looks like normal golf gti. Can't see anyones signatures at bottom of posts like can on laptop/pc tho!

Edited 26 November, 201213 yr by Furbytom

Drove my old MK1 vRS saturday - was lovely to drive as I remember and the wave of torque and MPG is great!

Jumped back in mine and just feels alot more refined, handles better too.

I would expect (hope!!) the MK3 vRS to be a diesel and petrol with DSG and Manual option to keep everybody happy!

I'll let you know when my mkII arrives later this week... :peek:

Well, had a 160 mile round trip with work today - 41mpg on the OBC on the way there (lots of stop-start motorway and steady 50-65 stretches) and 45mpg on the way back at a steady 50-70mph motorway cruise. This is running V-Power. Very pleased with that, fantastic to know it can be economical if driven with some care, making the hooligan moments all the more pleasurable!

I'll let you know when my mkII arrives later this week... :peek:

How big is your driveway lol.

How big is your driveway lol.

It's OK, I cheat by leaving stuff at work. 8000sqft secure and undercover.

Sometimes I even manage to get a few minibuses in there too!

Any plans with it?

Just to drive about, bought it for a sensible price 2nd hand.

It won't be able to tow the Citigo on a trailer, so knowing me I'll have a play with it and sell it on before the warranty runs out in Spring 2014.

Oh, yes, it's an Estate!

The Jabba map is pretty good

Just to drive about, bought it for a sensible price 2nd hand.

It won't be able to tow the Citigo on a trailer, so knowing me I'll have a play with it and sell it on before the warranty runs out in Spring 2014.

Oh, yes, it's an Estate!

So that's a:

GT-R

Citigo-go

Citigo

Fabia VRS

Still got the Yeti?

So that's a:

GT-R

Citigo-go

Citigo

Fabia VRS

Still got the Yeti?

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/257519-fabia-vrs-estate-daily-drive-the-car-that-wont-be-modified/

Thought I'd update after nearly 3 weeks and 1500 miles of the new VRS.

Looks-wise the car has grown on me a lot. My colour scheme, race blue white roof and wheels, is more in your face then the black Magic mk 1 but I think it's particularly flattering to the slighly gawky styling. The new black pack lights and grill give it that added edge at the front and help to blrnd in the slightly awkward headlight shape. The white wheels obviously don't stay white for long, but really emphasise the 17" wheels and make them seem better proportioned to the boxy body shape. I simply love the colour, and just gives it that extra sporty edge to a car that could otherwise blend completely in to bland hatchback hordes.

Performance and handling wise it is definitely a step ahead. Firstly it's more welcome than I thought not to hear that clattery diesel anymore. The engine is a little gem, although the tech in it and the dsg box make me certain I wouldn't want one out of warranty. It's a very eager little thing, and compared to the TDI's "here's all my power in one kick" delivery it's great to have something that'll happily rev to the limit, but also prove impressively torquey down at the lower end. It's mentioned in all the reviews but it's a proper split character car. It'll pootle about happily and not feel different from any other runabout. Floor it or put it in sport mode and it'll make you smile in incredulity. How can this be less to insure??! I suspect a remapped Fabia would be on a par with it, and the lack of that tdi shove doesn't make it feel massively quicker, but DSG box is probably it's trump card. It handles noticeably better, much sharper steering feel and quicker turn-in just on a par with something like an older model Focus, still my benchmark of a family hatch. It does roll a bit, and the ride is firm but compliant, only really proving a tad too harsh on particularly rough surfaced roads rather than bigger lumps and bumps.

Inside it feels like a more modern car, with cruise, bluetooth, rear sensors and mdi link stereo. The stereo is pretty good as standard and everything feels solid. Yes it's a bit dull inside without even the little chrome handle touch of the mk 1, but having normal dark seats again is very welcome, and they feel a touch more supportive in this car. One disappointment for me is you still can't fold the rear seats completely flat without mobing the front seats a little forward first, losing your driving position unless you memorise the seat rail notches!

Finally the dsg-only move. Would I prefer a 6 speed manual? If I didn't have a little MX5 tucked in the garage for summer fun then possibly yes. As good as the DSG is, changing gear even in manual mode does feel like a detached digital process. There's no sense of any mechanical human/vehicle connection. Driving to work everyday in traffic this is welcome, as clutch dipping and endless gear changes does become a chore. Driving fir fun is a different matter though and quite simply the VRS is so easy, it's point and squirt. The box is very clever though, changing up eco-early when your being light on the accelerator and returning nearly 45mpg on a long leisurely cruise. Show a bit more urgency or aggression even in D and it'll hold the revs enabling good progress. Only slightly sluggish feeling is full throttle kickdown, there's a noticeable lag before the box jumps down a couple gears. I haven't noticed much stop start hesitation as criticised by some, after some initial throttle feel adjustments to your driving style.

It's inevitably going to cost more to run in fuel than a mk1, especially if honouring the super RON recomnendation, and purely going on everyday performance it doesn't quite have the value for money touch of a mk1. It does however, when considered as a whole package and combined with a favourable sales deal including free services and reduced insurance and tax costs, I'm very happy I made the change. Due to all the complex tech I doubt she'll be a keeper for more than the finance schedule, but I feel I have both quick petrol car and (as good as) new car ticked off the bucket list!

Oh and yes it has needed some oil, but not an overly concerning amount. And the alloys have crap lacquer finish. And the wipers don't have the little bonus anti-smear wipe. And the lights are notably poor beam pattern in the pitch black. Not too bad on the negatives list...