Due to a recent change in circumstances my mileage has now gone from 20k a year to probably 5k, so I might not benefit from owning the diesel Fabia. I don't want to get rid of it as I absolutely love the car, but after hearing a modified 1.8t I am really considering getting a new toy.

I want to stay VAG and would preferably like to stick to Skoda. The only problem is that would only leave me the Octavia , which is too big for my needs

My other choice would be the Seat Ibiza FR/Cupra. Does anyone have experience of these?

Failing that I would love to make a Fabia 1.8t :-)

Are there any other cars that you would consider and what would you do in this situation?

I drove an Ibiza FR with the view of buying one and was a little underwhelmed myself. Wasn't a fan of the light steering or the engine characteristics. They're obviously subjective, though, so I doubt of much use to you.

If it was me, and I could afford to run a lower MPG car like that, I'd get something loud and RWD - S2000 or something, but I know that sort of thing isn't to everyone's tastes.

hmm hadn't really thought of that. Did like the look of the S2000 when they came out.

Not really looking for a sports car but thanks for the suggestion :-)

Didnt they also put 1.8t in polo's aswell

In standard trim the 1.8t engine isnt that quick but even a remap turns them into what they should be from factory.

Do your research before buying as certain engines are more tuneable than others

They did yep. K03s's I think.

1.8t Bam engine in the Fabia, bolt on a slightly bigger (but not laggy) turbo and 300 bhp+

Job done!

1.8t Bam engine in the Fabia, bolt on a slightly bigger (but not laggy) turb and 350(ish) bhp...

Job done!

That's what I have been considering :-)

Would love the dark blue metallic/ pearl Fabia with some go :-)

I know where you are coming from.

Also wanted a quick car, to stay Skoda (for shock value and because I like the brand) and the Octavia is too big.

For the driving I do I don't need to lug round all that weight or have such a large car.

For real performance you need power to weight, the lighter the base car the better. Cheaper performance.

So you either have to make something that ticks the boxes or buy a car from another manufacturer and forget the Skoda bit.

The latter is too easy and it's not then something special in my view.

Couldn't have said that better myself Richard :-)

What route were you going to go with on your Fabia project Richard? Did you have an Elegance as a base car?

No, I bought an 07 plate Classic.

My logic was as late as possible with a base car as light as possible with minimal extras.

Hence the carbon fibre boot, bonnet, seats and lexan glass. A bit too extreme for daily use probably...

It would have been nice to do a VRS, or have one looking like a VRS, but at the time I had my 09 plate one and just couldn't do it to the car as it was possibly the last ever registered.

don't blame you. I was definately going to have it looking like a VRS, just not a standard colour :-)

Did you buy any of the carbon fibre panels?

Yes, I bought the bonnet, boot, two Tillet front seats and also the lexan glass kit for all windows other than the windscreen.

Other than the boot (which I sold) they are all knocking around the depot.

5K a year? I'd be having something with 6 or even 8 cylinders. Petrol, naturally. BMW 330i or an old Audi 4.2 V8 S4.

I had a 1.8t Octy vRS and when it was spanked (i.e. all the time) it managed 27MPG.

My old BMW 335i did 25MPG, so not much difference really.

YOLO

Ibiza is a noisy ****e on big wheels. Drove me and SWMBO nuts.

If you're gonna get a toy get a toy. S2000, MX5, Boxter, many options.

Yes, I bought the bonnet, boot, two Tillet front seats and also the lexan glass kit for all windows other than the windscreen.

Other than the boot (which I sold) they are all knocking around the depot.

Got any pics of the bonnet?

5K a year? I'd be having something with 6 or even 8 cylinders. Petrol, naturally. BMW 330i or an old Audi 4.2 V8 S4.

I had a 1.8t Octy vRS and when it was spanked (i.e. all the time) it managed 27MPG.

My old BMW 335i did 25MPG, so not much difference really.

YOLO

Could be an idea, but I'm still in the younger folk category for insurance :-(

Got any pics of the bonnet?

No, but I'm only in East London if you want to pop in one day and have a nose around...

Otherwise I'll take one.

Yeah can do, could you pm me with the postcode? I'll work out how long it will take to get there :-)

Could be an idea, but I'm still in the younger folk category for insurance :-(

Tough break, insurance is a killer like. Although saying that the 335i was £200 per year less to insure than the Octavia. It doesnt make sense, I think they just pull the insurance premium figures out of thin air.

Wow that really doesn't make sense.

Ibiza is a noisy ****e on big wheels. Drove me and SWMBO nuts.

If you're gonna get a toy get a toy. S2000, MX5, Boxter, many options.

All of those toys seem to lack a roof! I'm not quite ready for a midlife crisis

What about a audi S3,

sort of wolf in sheeps clothing with abit of luxury

Had considered that and an r32, even briefly thought about a focus st, but I'm still drawn to skoda

BMW Z3M?

You might even get to run it on classic insurance