OK Hi all first please post be kind.

I have upto 6K to spend on a car, after a change in job location I need a more economical car. Looking for 5 doors, 50mpg+ and cheap to run.

For my pennies I can get an late Fabia Vrs Mk1 or 08 Fabia MK2 1.9 Tdi prefer the sport version for looks and the seats look better. I do like the vrs but I don't like the high price for a 6 year old car, I prefer the look of the newer fabia but not some of the penny pinching like rear drums and no traction control.

I have had a 10 minute test drive in a vrs and it felt really solid car, responsive and tight, interior looked a bit sparse but seemed screwed together well. I don't know about running costs and it may turn me into a throttle jockey so reducing my main reason for buying one.

Is the Fabia 2 big leap forward.

any advice appreciated.

Edited 18 February, 201313 yr by tyrekicker

What sort of commute will it be? Anything much under 15-20 miles each way you'd be lucky to see over 50mpg from a VRS (don't be feeled by the trip computer, it overestimates dramatically!). I only ever got 50mpg+ on one-off long steady motorway trips. They are exceptionally economical for the power they deliver, but really only deliver high figures on longer runs. Also don't underestimate the interior, keeping those seats clean is a nuisance so I'd try and find one with leather upgrade. Both the Fabias have really dull but functional interiors, and some elements of the Mk1 actualy feel more robust than the Mk2, it wasn't a huge step-up inside.

Also i found insurance is creeping up on the Mk1 VRS as it gets into the budget of the yoof! My mk2 VRS with significantly more power and technology was quite a bit less to insure which was a real pleasant surprise.

No rear discs is not a problem at all, in fact rear drums are more reliable and cheaper to maintain. The rear brakes only play a very small part in the stopping power of a car, I even had to change my rear discs due to disc corrosion due to lack of use, an extra expense that wouldn't have happened with drums.

Traction control on Fabias is pants. It's a really rudimentary system that electronically cuts engine power when it senses wheel slip. It barely ever activates in day to day driving, unless you're really heavy with your right foot and when it does it just feels clumsy, like the car bogging down. I'd only be keen to have it if it was matched with ESP stability control.

If economy is really your priority look at the 3 cylinder 1.4tdi. It pulls pretty well and some stunning MPG can be obtained, I'm talking 60-70mpg if driven with care and also very cheap road tax, and insurance. They do sound really clattery but then so does the 1.9, they're all old tech but generally reliable diesels.

Edited 18 February, 201313 yr by TeebsVRS

many thanks for the replyTeebs

My commute is about 30 miles, ending up in Milton Keynes lots of roundabouts, so 1.9tdi a bit more pokey than 1.4 for jumping out and also a bit easier for any motorway/dual carriageway work.

I did think the vrs interior was a bit of a liability especially with kids and I suppose over 50mpg is a asking a lot, just gets quoted on all the ads you see.

Edited 18 February, 201313 yr by tyrekicker

Not sure when it came in but the later Fabia II's have an redesigned front carrier, bushes and wishbone set-up. My lad's 59 plate Fabia 1 trim has it and the handling is an improvement over the Mk I. Early Fabia II's carried over the original Mk I configuration.

Would also agree the 1.4 TDI would give the best mpg and is a solid motor but avoid a Greenline with a DPF.

TP

have you canisidered the mark II 1.9 tdi, and a remap or TMC box? that would give you the newer car, with the power of the vRS

many thanks for the replyTeebs

My commute is about 30 miles, ending up in Milton Keynes lots of roundabouts, so 1.9tdi a bit more pokey than 1.4 for jumping out and also a bit easier for any motorway/dual carriageway work.

I did think the vrs interior was a bit of a liability especially with kids and I suppose over 50mpg is a asking a lot, just gets quoted on all the ads you see.

You might crack 50mpg if it's a 30 mile commute, although those MK roundabouts may bring it down a bit.

All I can say is, vulnerable and slightly bland interior aside, I really liked my 4 years with a Mk1 VRS, it was an absolutely perfect mix of performance and running costs. It sounds like you have a side of you that likes a bit of poke. Sharkrider's idea is a well worth considering too, a decent remap and a few subtle mods would make a 1.9 Mk2 Sport into a Mk1-style VRS. Personally I think the Mk1 VRS is a better looker, slightly less ungainly, but I still upgraded to a MK2 VRS despite admitting it's not a particularly good looker.

A low mileage, newest reg VRS would be worth a bit of patience to find, bearing in mind fettling a MK2 would add maybe £500 of mods to the price, plus any insurance hike as you'd declare it obviously It is a credit to the MK1 how well they hold their value, a local Skoda garage has an low mileage 07 plate SE for £8k. Even the one I traded in, an 06 reg with nearly 90k on the clock only lost about 4k in depreciation in the time I had it, 1k a year isn't bad.

Try a 1.4tdi, they're not as sluggish as you might think but a decent, well looked after Mk1 or a Mk2 with or without a remap sounds like what you're after.

I'd go for a newer mk2 sport - it is nicer inside and if it has maxi dot the dash is great.

Would suggest the Monte Carlo but its about £10k