I sold my Octavia Mk 2 CR170 VRS about a year ago as I got more than a little annoyed with its constant problems and bought a 2011 Mazda 6 2.2. Great car and very comfortable. However since then I have cut my commute significantly (200km round trip to 60km) and moved to a house where the Mazda cannot fit in the driveway so I was thinking of going for something smaller.

I noticed a Fabia RS for sale in a dealer around the corner from me, 11 reg and 22k km. Has a Columbus and paddle shift fitted but otherwise is standard. I have read reports on oil consumption that are worrying to say the least. So I have a few questions:

Has anyone moved from a larger car to one? How do they rate comfort/refinement?

What sort of MPG do you get?

Is the oil consumption a big issue?

Has anyone had air con problems? My previous 2 VAG cars (a Leon and the VRS) blew the air con compressor at exactly 2 years old.

How are the seats for longer stints at the wheel?

Thanks in advance,

Eoin

if you got fed up with problems on the Octavia, id steer clear of the fabia personally. Ive been the opposite and was considering going back to the Octavia again to have some piece of mind on reliability.

Mines quite heavily tuned, but i get 34-37mpg around town dependant on the traffic lights being kind. 42mpg on the motorway.

The paddles are standard.

There should be no oil consumption to talk of, so if there is, the engine might be suspect.

That will be an issue.

Do you only get a 2 year warranty in Ireland?

Depending on how and where you drive you should get 35mpg, and you may get 45-50 odd mpg.

Using it hard 22-25 mpg could be expected.

I like the seats and am comfortable for 4 or 5 hours of driving.

Only heard of one problem with the A/C and i think that was stone damage.

Others will have an opinion on refinement,

i just like it simple and black/dark inside.

george

Having had the MK1 Octavia VRS and downsizing to the fabia 2 years ago i must agree with vrsy. I looked at the Mk1 Fabia VRS 3 or 4 years ago but found it totally uninspiring and cheap and nasty to be honest. Having waited for the Mk2 and after a weekend test drive i was quite impressed. It is streets ahead of the Mk1 but in my opinion the Octavia is a better car. I have had my Fabia just under 2 years and so far a new battery and a new engine due to oil consumption but other than those minor glitches it runs well.

IMO buy the octavia.

Hi EoinM in answer to some of your questions

1. When I had my VRS I moved from a larger Honda Civic Type R and as for comfort and refinement I would say the VRS was much more comfortable than the type r also I didn't miss the space to much.

2. Around town I got around 32-33mpg and around 40-42mpg on a run. I ran it primarily on super unleaded however last time I was in Cork I couldn't find any but seem to run fine on standard (does recommend 98ron fuel)

3. I was unhappy that the car used oil tbh I had the breather pipe fix but was told it would continue to use oil but don't let this put you off. I was putting in 1.5-2ltrs of oil per 2000-3000miles.

4. Had no air con issues.

5. The seats are very comfortable and great on long journeys too.

The only reason I got rid was I fell out of love with the car for some reason and was a bit fed up with the dealer other than that it's a great car.

I sold my Octavia Mk 2 CR170 VRS about a year ago as I got more than a little annoyed with its constant problems and bought a 2011 Mazda 6 2.2. Great car and very comfortable. However since then I have cut my commute significantly (200km round trip to 60km) and moved to a house where the Mazda cannot fit in the driveway so I was thinking of going for something smaller.

I noticed a Fabia RS for sale in a dealer around the corner from me, 11 reg and 22k km. Has a Columbus and paddle shift fitted but otherwise is standard. I have read reports on oil consumption that are worrying to say the least. So I have a few questions:

Has anyone moved from a larger car to one? How do they rate comfort/refinement?

What sort of MPG do you get?

Is the oil consumption a big issue?

Has anyone had air con problems? My previous 2 VAG cars (a Leon and the VRS) blew the air con compressor at exactly 2 years old.

How are the seats for longer stints at the wheel?

Thanks in advance,

Eoin

1) 45 mpg average, 50 + on the way to work driving with economy in mind 28+ when wringing its neck.......

2) My car uses no oil AT ALL....

3) no aircon issues, and never heard of any, I run mine all the time though, never turn it off.. that is what I've always done, and never had an issue.... my old Grande punto sporting was as cold and fresh at 110k as it was when new

4) seats are as good as any I have tried, I would like a lumbar support adjustment though , but then I always have a bad back...

in short, the best car I have ever owned... I usually change cars every 3 years , I may actually keep this one, as I cannot think of a replacement!

Octavia but you knew I was going to say that