I had an '02 plate Ibiza Sport PD130 before my Fabia and found it almost identical to be honest.

I banged a plug and play map from Forge on it good for around 165bhp in a big spiky lump.

Good fun if you like wheelspin but not much else.

The only real difference i found after the swap was the fabia has air con rather than climate control and the (2 door) ibiza had the biggest freaking doors i have ever experienced!

 

I only bought the Fabia cos the platform was the smallest and thus the cheapest (and we didn't really need anything larger) and the PD130 engine does pretty much everything i need. Frugal enough to keep my wallet happy (I get annoyed or have been having a proper blat if i see less than 40mpg) and still has enough shove entertain when the mood takes on on track days.

I drove from Gloucester to Oulton Park, did 250 miles on track and got home with a combined mpg of pover 30!

 

Yes it's never going to handle that well thanks to the pig iron under the bonnet (the mk2 Ibiza Gti 8v I briefly had was much more tied down) but i spend 99% of my time on the roads in traffic and the remaining 1% going hell for leather so i can't honestly justify spending more to enhance that tiny one percent.

 

That said i'd do longingly look at "sports" cars often - there's an '55 RX8 up the road for under 2 grand which has me tempted but then £430 a year tax instantly puts me off.

 

Back on topic if it was buying something again i'd be plumping for an early Ibiza for exactly the reasons you state, the same mods but a much cheaper starting price

 

2002 or 2003 plates seem to be around £1500 with 100k+ miles and if you're planning on replacing suspension/clutch/turbo etc with performance items then the wear and tear of that mileage shouldn't be an issue

 

Super early '51 plate - 144k - £1500

 

I vote ibiza only because I have one but in a facelift fr also pd130!

Pretty well decided on an early Ibiza pd130 and as pointed out by Pastyboy I may as well look at the cheaper end of the market on the basis that most of the tired components will be swapped out anyway.

I quite like the understated look of the early sport model without the adornments fitted to the later sports/FR etc and this includes the oem wheels which I think are probably 16" although someone will correct me if I am wrong here. Can anyone confirm as to whether 312 Brakes fit under these wheels?and if so the best donor car eg mk1 TT. Also what brake components are needed other than (new) discs&pads and the donor calipers?

Sorry for the questions but I am now hunting for a car and would like to be prepared at least info wise when I find one,so much the better if I can also have started sourcing parts.

When you do you "must" start a project thread.. Oh, and have a nose over on www.SEATCUPRA.net too.

 

Personally, I think for "fun" car, with a 1.9PD, I'm thinking conversion into a Corrado or similar. An Elise has been done as has the odd Arosa or Lupo.

When you do you "must" start a project thread.. Oh, and have a nose over on www.SEATCUPRA.net too.

 

Personally, I think for "fun" car, with a 1.9PD, I'm thinking conversion into a Corrado or similar. An Elise has been done as has the odd Arosa or Lupo.

Vindaloo I'm already a regular on SCN and will definitely start a project thread ASAP.

I will also continue to visit this place as much as possible as the Fabia will be my main car & I find it the most helpfull and friendly VAG oriented site there is.

Pretty well decided on an early Ibiza pd130 and as pointed out by Pastyboy I may as well look at the cheaper end of the market on the basis that most of the tired components will be swapped out anyway.

I quite like the understated look of the early sport model without the adornments fitted to the later sports/FR etc and this includes the oem wheels which I think are probably 16" although someone will correct me if I am wrong here. Can anyone confirm as to whether 312 Brakes fit under these wheels?and if so the best donor car eg mk1 TT. Also what brake components are needed other than (new) discs&pads and the donor calipers?

Sorry for the questions but I am now hunting for a car and would like to be prepared at least info wise when I find one,so much the better if I can also have started sourcing parts.

Yes the standard wheels are 16", and the 312mm brakes fit under just fine without spacers like you say donor cars are a mk1 tt or an octy vrs, and you just need discs, pads and calipers. Standard lines should be long enough. The for sale section on here is good and sets sometimes crop up

And carriers

Thanks Chris & Matt.

After brakes I think tyres. So I would appreciate advice on both size and make.

Dave

Tyres are 205 45 16, make depends on if you want decent road tyres (I like hankook v12's which are well priced and handle track work ok) or semi-slicks?

It'll be 95%road & 5%track use. So really I'll be looking for the best road tyres rather than semi slick track day specials(this May change over time but is the initial plan at least)

Thanks for confirming the size Chris. Is there any benefit to a subtle alteration in the tyre size?