Hey all, just trying to get the opinions of those in the know! My vRS which I have had since 2004, is starting to feel a little tired, I don't think anything significant is actually wrong, it just need s a bit of TLC to get it back up to spec. The worst part is some knocking from the front suspension on less than smooth roads! I have spent many many hours pondering over a suitable replacement but am struggling to come up with anything that can match the fun to quality to running cost to practicality of the old chap! What makes it harder is my car is pretty well fully upgraded with cruise, sunroof, xenons and a full history! The question is, is it worth spending a bit of money on the TLC and sticking with 'old faithful' or is there something out there that could tempt me away? By the way it has 87k on the clock. Thanks all.

If your looking for new and similar to the Fabia (I know it's not to everyone's taste) but they do make a seat Ibiza fr tdi cr140 2.0 tdi in the new shape quite a nice car same kinda concept of the Fabia but newer

Did I misread that or are you suggesting swapping cars over something as potentially trivial as new drop links or console bushes or perhaps a new ARB bushes or a replacement ARB altogether and bushes? Non of those items cost more than a tank of fuel in parts and only require the most basic of tools and skills. Certainly a lot cheaper than the amount you'll loose as soon as you buy something else.

If you want to change cars plenty of options exist, just be honest with yourself and us

if your buying a new car then the new golf looks absolutely stunning in my opinion but if your buying second hand then you could end up in the same situation .... if it was my car i would spend the few quid put it right and run it til something major dies

Apols for confusion! Not thinking of changing BECAUSE the old Skodal needs some TLC, been considering a change for a while, but every time I come back to sticking with the vRS as the best option! I did test a new 1.2 105hp Monte, which although nice, felt a bit of a backward step.

I swapped my 2004vRS in 2010 for a 2007vRS SE. Since my 2004 one had leather, cruise and CD changer, the new one was pretty similar - in fact the colour was the main difference. Too similar I'm afraid - and I can't really say I'm happy - particularly since the later one suffered from lots of water ingress which didn't (unusually) affect the older one - and I've had to pay out to replace the front bushes! However although I've been looking at lots of other possibilities, I'm stuck as to what might replace it. And it only has 40k on the speedo. Problem is I usually PX cars and I suspect I'll get a very low offer, especially if I go elsewhere than VAG.

Totally agree with you that if you are trying to replace a Fabia VRS what do you get ?? The car is such a brilliant compromise of fun and practicallity all round.

I've got an SE and think I will be keeping it for a long time as I love it so much. Its just had the major service along with new front discs and pads and like yours the bushes were knackered due to our great smooth roads (lol). also 4 new tyres so totally broke but when I picked it up felt just like new again a joy.

The only thing I have seen which may tempt me later is the Audi A1 if I start saving pennies although not quite as practical.

Give it some loving care and hang on til it dies !!

The question is, is it worth spending a bit of money on the TLC and sticking with 'old faithful' or is there something out there that could tempt me away?

Doesn't rather depend on the factors you value in a car?

Currently, for me, economy trumps pretty much everything else but I also want a car that can be a challenge and enjoyable to drive, so ended up with a Mk1 Octavia PD130, and the first one that was OK turned out to be an estate. If I had pots of money I'd get my '87 GTV6 restored and drive that. Maybe get a 911 instead - I like the normally aspirated 3.2 Carrera through to 993. Otherwise, for driving fun, I'd look for a more modern rwd petrol engined car. Cheap end of the range might be an MX5. Upping the power but staying with soft-tops I'd look at a Boxster as even with the smaller engines they're stonking fun. The 'S' versions are crazy madness. If I also needed carrying capability I'd look at BMWs of various ages. Perhaps a 1-series if you want to stay with a smallish car?