It's equally tiring when people constantly claim DSG is the perfect transmission capable of doing everything perfectly, including making a cup of tea suited to each driver without asking them if they want sugR, or how they take their milk...

Mine knows I take sugar and milk. 

 

Again, carry on.

Mine knows nothing about tea or in fact any hot beverage.

 

It's too busy being just like an F1 Car

 

Nyeeeeoooooowwwm

 

edit:

 

 

But I do understand some people like to play with the paddles and just go quickly.

There is no denying that for a 1.4 small car it is quite rapid.

 

Am choosing to ignore the condescension of the first line of this and focus on the second

 

and again Nyeeeeoooooowwwm.............

 

Morning all

Horses for courses OzFabia.

 

As per my earlier post.

 

I just prefer a manual.

I actually had a mk2 Fabia VRS for 4 days, but then got a bit bored of it and traded it.

 

But I do understand some people like to play with the paddles and just go quickly.

There is no denying that for a 1.4 small car it is quite rapid.

 

But I think people sometimes confuse speed and fun.

Quite often the faster car isn't more fun because it has do certain things to achieve the speed, such as a swift changing DSG box which removes the driver's ability to compromise it.

I've had just as much fun on track in my Yeti as I have in my GT-R.  Because you have to drive the knackers off the former and the latter is too easy to go quickly.

A car you have to work more can be more fun, more of the time within the speed limit too.

 

Well that's my take anyway.

 

This was my point earlier in the post.

 

There's no denying the fabia is a very quick car for the money, and I enjoyed the 'pace' for a good few months before realising that fast doesn't always mean fun.

 

Its a personal preference of course but I could never get away from the feeling of not being involved in the process with the DSG. Point and go just wasn't enough (for me that is).

 

My Ibiza with the tuning box is more fun to me as I have ultimate control of how I want to drive it even though its still not quite as 'fast' as the fabia and I do miss the skoda brand'.

 

The Ibiza has never had to be topped up with oil either although truth be told if the fabia was a manual I would still be driving it now (even with the little niggles).

If you are after swapping the vRS and want a small, manual, quick, cheapish and fun handling alternative it might be worth trying an Abarth 500.

I ran one for 6 months and it was an absolute hoot! Most grin-inducing car I've ever had. The noise and handling were spot on.

The Ibiza is good but I'd think there is a high chance the diesel tractor engine noise and limited rev range might spoil the fun after awhile and get you looking to change again.

If you are after swapping the vRS and want a small, manual, quick, cheapish and fun handling alternative it might be worth trying an Abarth 500.

I ran one for 6 months and it was an absolute hoot! Most grin-inducing car I've ever had. The noise and handling were spot on.

The Ibiza is good but I'd think there is a high chance the diesel tractor engine noise and limited rev range might spoil the fun after awhile and get you looking to change again.

Yep, I second that  - the 500 in sportier guises is a hoot to drive. Mine is the N/A 1.4 100 hp but brings plenty of smiles - loves to be revved, great little close throw 6-speed box and sounds wonderful. Perhaps a bit small as a direct replacement for a vRS but great fun nonetheless. The standard Abarth would be fab but I bet the 695 Competizione (180 bhp) is amazing...

The 500 is fine if you're Alan Carr.

As much as I like the 500, I won't be getting one

The 500 is fine if you're Alan Carr.

Why is that then Brian? ;-)

Lets be honest, i think we know the answer,

especially if we have driven them.

you have to not care what people think, a male does look a bit of a Plonker in them. 

as though they are driving their partners car to the petrol station from the Nail Bar.

It happens in many cars, but the 500 is much like a White Vitara Soft Top more than most other cars,

 

And then when built like me, Sumo, it looks even more ridiculous exiting the 500, even if it is an Abarth.

A Vauxhall Adam looks more butch!

George, a Vauxhall Adam is as butch as a Hyundai i10, the Adam is aimed at the same people as the 500 but the i10 is aimed at the blue rinse brigade, what colour's your hair!!!

My wife has a Fiat 500 and it is a proper woman's car, even in Arbarth guise and yes, I only drive it to the petrol station.

Lets be honest, i think we know the answer,

especially if we have driven them.

you have to not care what people think, a male does look a bit of a Plonker in them. 

as though they are driving their partners car to the petrol station from the Nail Bar.

It happens in many cars, but the 500 is much like a White Vitara Soft Top more than most other cars,

 

And then when built like me, Sumo, it looks even more ridiculous exiting the 500, even if it is an Abarth.

A Vauxhall Adam looks more butch!

I guess I'm one of those who care not what people think - I just love driving it! Anyway, I think mine (well strictly speaking it belongs to SHMBO) doesn't look all that girly with its metallic black paint, rear tinted windows and spoiler.

At least Furbytom admitted to owning one when he did, & very nice to, and they are great to drive.

And many care not a jot what others think of what they are driving.

 

Personally i mostly drive a Picanto. 

(Hair colour not an issue, there is none)

At least Furbytom admitted to owning one when he did, & very nice to, and they are great to drive.

And many care not a jot what others think of what they are driving.

 

Personally i drive a Picanto. 

(Hair colour not an issue, there is none)

I've long been a fan of small cars - cheap to run, frequently nippy, easy to park, squeeze through gaps, etc. The little Kia is an excellent supermini - was on our short list as a replacement for our 18-year-old Mk 2 Micra (a paradigm of reliability) before the 500 came along (bought from an emigrating friend at a very low mileage and a fantastic price).

Hair colour ain't an issue with me either!

At least, for a small car, the Fabia isn't really too "girly". Maybe because it's too ugly...   Actually, I think it looks pretty tough.

 

Back on topic, I'd second the recommendation for the Fiesta ST. I've just had a refresher drive in Mrs Oz's base model Fiesta, and I couldn't swear it doesn't handle better than the Fabia. I can only imagine the ST is even better in the handling department, as well as significantly up in the power stakes.

Edited 4 January, 201412 yr by OzFabia

At least Furbytom admitted to owning one when he did, & very nice to, and they are great to drive.

And many care not a jot what others think of what they are driving.

 

Personally i mostly drive a Picanto. 

(Hair colour not an issue, there is none)

Yeah I didn't really care what others thought when I was hooning around in the Abarth as I was having a lot of fun. Gave plenty people in more manly cars trouble keeping up lol. Having said that I did start to feel abit of a muppet in the 500 twinair that I had before that.

To be fair I got waaay more complimentary comments about the Abarth than I have ever had with the new Beemer. And people used to let me out of junctions!

When I bought the vRS I got a hell of a lot of stick from my mates - driving a 1.4litre auto skoda was not cool. Not cool at all! :-)

re the Fiesta ST.  Nice lovely etc.

 

Just read an odd comment in an article in this weeks 'Auto Express'.

 

" i do think it lacks visual impact, though. and i might add the £275 ST Style pack.

Its grey alloys and red calipers would pump up the Q car feel."

 

That is someone with no understanding of what a Q Car is. Understated and not Obvious.

(debadging, painting red calipers to silver, taking off alloys and putting on steel wheels and wheel trims)

Go without show, or advertising its potential or performance,  ie 'A Sleeper'.

Not something that needs to Feel Pumped with cosmetics. the Speed is already there.

The Fiesta ST should be a major contender for Grapo, methinks. I recently drove my Mother-in-law's brand new 1.6 titanium (a bit different to the ST I know, but no slouch) and was massively impressed with the driving dynamics and ride. Brilliant steering feel. Not so sure about the facelifted front with the 'Aston-esque' grille though, think I prefer the front end look of the pre-facelift version.

If you want a 3 door without much room.

 

You can get the engine in a Focus, and space if required, & its more of a Q Car.

Available at pretty good prices.

I'm not knocking the Fabia too much, and didn't mean to offend. I just think the DSG ruins the car for me. In D it always changed up too early and in S it holds the gears too long and is un drivable IMO. Manual mode just doesn't have the feel I want without a clutch.

 

I have to agree with this actually - driving around in D makes the car seem very sluggish, completely undermining the 180bhp on tap. I know it'll kick down and hold gears longer if you accelerate harder etc but it doesn't seem to react completely inline with your inputs, you almost have to exaggerate throttle inputs to get what you want. Also S is just a bit mental and redlines everywhere. I know there is a manual option too, but I've never clicked with that either. 

 

Grapo, you're not in a village near Gravesend/Rochester are you? There's an identical grey VRS near where I live and it looks great, really suits the car I think.

Hah yes that grey VRS will be me, I've seen a blue one nearby, is that you?

Test drove the FR this morning and will be picking it up Wednesday. Has a great spec on it too.

Hah yes that grey VRS will be me, I've seen a blue one nearby, is that you?

Test drove the FR this morning and will be picking it up Wednesday. Has a great spec on it too.

 

Yes, often filthy blue one with white wheels and roof (winter steels at the moment) up the top of the village. Mutual spotted!

Yes, often filthy blue one with white wheels and roof (winter steels at the moment) up the top of the village. Mutual spotted!

I will give you a wave next time I see you. I will be in a blue ibiza from Wednesday

Thought I spotted your fabia vrs today - did you get a good part ex against the Ibiza eventually?

Thought I spotted your fabia vrs today - did you get a good part ex against the Ibiza eventually?

Yeah Russell sorted it out. Shaved a bit off the car I was buying and a bit more on the fabia so I basically swapped the fabia for the ibiza.

We shall expect pics and an in depth review Grapo!