Hi Everyone,

 

I've been a lurker for a while on Briskoda but I am need of a replacement Fabia Estate so thought I would make a post. Unfortunately SWMBO had a minor ding in ours today and I suspect the insurance company will declare it a write off.

 

Our (written off) car is a 52 plate fabia 1.4mpi estate. Not a huge fan of the engine as it seems quite noisy and still has a £200 tax band on it. Also the head gasket went on it twice (I believe this is quite common on that engine).

 

What is the best Fabia estate to go for. Don't need it to be particularly quick (although don't want a slouch either). Low tax band and reliable please. We only do about 5000 to 6000 miles a year.

 

I usually spend no more than £4000 and to be honest the budget is ideally £2500 or less.

 

I realise that everyone's views are different but just looking for a sturdy, reliable, family car that is cheap to run.

 

Thanks

 

Jim

Edited 5 August, 201312 yr by nobkins

Either the 1.4 tdi or the 1.9 tdi. Both good engines

Day

Thanks Day,

 

Are those engines still worth going for even with the low mileage we do (less than 6000 a year)? I only ask as I was under the impression that diesels are better if you do quite a lot of miles (in terms of cost to run).

 

In case anyone knows of a good Fabia estate that fits the bill I am in the Leeds (West Yorkshire) area.

 

Jim

Hi Everyone,

 

I've been a lurker for a while on Briskoda but I am need of a replacement Fabia Estate so thought I would make a post. Unfortunately SWMBO had a minor ding in ours today and I suspect the insurance company will declare it a write off.

 

Our (written off) car is a 52 plate fabia 1.4mpi estate. Not a huge fan of the engine as it seems quite noisy and still has a £200 tax band on it. Also the head gasket went on it twice (I believe this is quite common on that engine).

 

What is the best Fabia estate to go for. Don't need it to be particularly quick (although don't want a slouch either). Low tax band and reliable please. We only do about 5000 to 6000 miles a year.

 

I usually spend no more than £4000 and to be honest the budget is ideally £2500 or less.

 

I realise that everyone's views are different but just looking for a sturdy, reliable, family car that is cheap to run.

 

 

Although all the diesels are great engines, with your annual mileage, diesel is probably not the way to go....especially if you want to keep the purchase cost down. 

 

Probably another 1.4 8v is the best choice. You could get a 1.2 or 1.4 16v, but I suspect the 1.2 would be a bit gutless in the estate, and the 16v 1.4 is not without it's issues.

 

Don't forget the 2.0 petrol. They are rare, but tend to be low mileage and are high spec (usually Elegance), for a low purchase price......at the expense of running costs......although they won't be an awful lot higher than the 1.4 8v.     

1.9sdi

Cheap

Bullet proof

Torquey

Good for long journeys + ok for around town (dont have to warm them up like the tdi's because they dont have a turbo to worry about damaging )

Although slow.. they are as fast if not slightly faster than the 1.4 you had before. And will feel faster and smoother in the motorway

Edited 6 August, 201312 yr by mattvrestate

SDI.

Cheap, steady,bulletproof, legendary economy, cheap tax.

uncomplicated, no turbo, no dmf. Just not sure they did the top Elegance

trim spec on the SDI. Ours was an Ambiente.  

SDI is a fine choice. 

 

But with his budget of £2500, he'll only get a SDI with over 100,000 miles on it. 

 

A quick look on autotrader reveals the same money buys you a 1.2 or 1.4 petrol estate with very low mileage. There is one on there for £2550 with 36,000 miles on it.   

Im in leeds to and got a fabia estate, i went for the 1.9sdi £105 tax for year, dont see under 55mpg and definately been the best car ive owned out of golfs, ibiza's etc

Thanks for all the help everyone. Very much appreciated. I have my eye on a couple of 1.9 TDI's. One with 46k and one with 56k on the clock. Will have to stretch my budget to around 4k but that is not impossible. Might be going to see one in Manchester tomorrow if I can get off work with enough time to spare.

 

Any pointers on what to watch out for on the 1.9TDI's with approx 50k on the clock. They are both the top Elegance versions and a little concerned that all the extra gadgets might just be more things to go wrong. Is all the traction control, cruise control, parking sensors etc reliable kit? I would happily drop to a less well equipped 1.9TDI but right now I can't find one for the right price / mileage.

 

Thanks once again.

 

Jim

Any pointers on what to watch out for on the 1.9TDI's with approx 50k on the clock. They are both the top Elegance versions and a little concerned that all the extra gadgets might just be more things to go wrong. Is all the traction control, cruise control, parking sensors etc reliable kit? 

 

Don't hear of many issues with that kit......don't forget to check the heated seats on the Elegance!

 

Just the usual Fabia problems to look for. Leaking doors, broken alternator signal wire is an issue on the Diesels (look for the battery light when you turn the ignition on....if it's not on, the alternator signal wire is broke....easy fix) Check for good service history on the PD engine....cam belt is due every 4 years etc etc.

 

But, if you have £4000 to spend, you are into Mk2 Fabia territory if you go for a petrol.   

Edited 6 August, 201312 yr by booke23