12 hours ago, DieselMonte said:

How come you never moved this onto the projects section? Loving the car btw.

 

Thank you. I don't see it as a project, it's more looking after the car with a couple of well chosen modifications.

On 17/05/2021 at 11:33, tweenster said:

 

Thank you. I don't see it as a project, it's more looking after the car with a couple of well chosen modifications.

More of a project than either of mine!

Did a little over 100 miles in the VRS over the weekend, most of it in queues of traffic travelling between 40 and 60mph. Whilst there were only a couple of opportunities to use the performance, the other side of the car's nature was revealed, as at a steady speed in these road conditions the car was averaging over 42mpg. The new Bilstein/Eibach suspension continues to impress, with excellent body control and much improved bump absorption. It's now over 10 years old with 77k miles on the clock and whilst the interior is where it most shows its age (my 2016 Focus ST3 is a much nicer place to sit), and newer cars go faster and handle better, but I'm strangely attached to the 'little green monster'.

What a ridiculous car!

 

Spent the last few days trundling around in steady traffic and it returned 49mpg! As I said, ridiculous!!!

It's that time of year again when the VRS is not getting used much and I start looking at newer alternatives. This year I actually went a step further and today I test drove a 2019 Suzuki Swift Sport. I've always had a soft spot for these and even got my son into the 2nd generation model as his first car - he loves it! To be honest, I was hoping the test drive would be a disappointment and I could walk away happy that I was still driving the VRS. But it wasn't. The car was immaculate and drove really nicely; the engine pulls strongly across the rev range, it feels agile and goes round corners really well.

 

Amusingly, whilst I was out driving the Swift the dealer was checking our my VRS for PX value. He took it for a short drive and absolutely loved it, couldn't believe how much power it had across the rev range and how well it went.

 

Sadly (or maybe not!) we couldn't agree a deal so I still own a Fabia VRS. But I could be tempted back for a second look at the Suzuki; it really was that good.

8 minutes ago, tweenster said:

It's that time of year again when the VRS is not getting used much and I start looking at newer alternatives. This year I actually went a step further and today I test drove a 2019 Suzuki Swift Sport. I've always had a soft spot for these and even got my son into the 2nd generation model as his first car - he loves it! To be honest, I was hoping the test drive would be a disappointment and I could walk away happy that I was still driving the VRS. But it wasn't. The car was immaculate and drove really nicely; the engine pulls strongly across the rev range, it feels agile and goes round corners really well.

 

Amusingly, whilst I was out driving the Swift the dealer was checking our my VRS for PX value. He took it for a short drive and absolutely loved it, couldn't believe how much power it had across the rev range and how well it went.

 

Sadly (or maybe not!) we couldn't agree a deal so I still own a Fabia VRS. But I could be tempted back for a second look at the Suzuki; it really was that good.

 

I have a Swift...   only a 1.0 boosterjet hybrid SZ5 as the Sport wasn't available when i bought bt i love it...   lightweight, revvy, pulls great and handles really sprightly.  The sport is more powerful and has a bit more torque (the hybrid adds 50lbft to the engine) and different seats but the tech and general feel is similar.

 

The deal has been done. A price has been agreed to PX the Fabia for a Suzuki Swift Sport. Although 40bhp down on headline bhp figures, the reality is that the Swift is some 20 bhp per tonne better off. And it's a manual 🙂 

 

I will be sad to see the Fabia go as I have had some really good times with it, but the time is right to move on to something more modern.

Sad to hear the Fabia is going, but the Swift seems like a solid choice. Is this going to become a 'Non-Skoda' Project in the respective section?

11 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Sad to hear the Fabia is going, but the Swift seems like a solid choice. Is this going to become a 'Non-Skoda' Project in the respective section?

 

It's a 2019 model and will likely get a stage 1 map, coilovers or lowering springs, and new wheels and tyres, but that will be it (at least to start with). I may post some pictures here but I'm not sure there will be the love for a Suzuki here. 🙂 

Just now, tweenster said:

I'm not sure there will be the love for a Suzuki here. 🙂 

Don't be too sure on that as a few members also have them in their fleet!

1 hour ago, tweenster said:

 

It's a 2019 model and will likely get a stage 1 map, coilovers or lowering springs, and new wheels and tyres, but that will be it (at least to start with). I may post some pictures here but I'm not sure there will be the love for a Suzuki here. 🙂 

 

There will be!

 

Are you browsing the Japanese sites or 

 

https://www.ctc-performance.co.uk/

Edited 28 December, 20214 yr by skomaz

On 28/12/2021 at 12:55, skomaz said:

 

There will be!

 

Are you browsing the Japanese sites or 

 

https://www.ctc-performance.co.uk/

 

I have been virtual shopping on CTC's website already, the prices are very reasonable compared to the Japanese sites.

This morning I took the Fabia on it's last journey with me to part exchange it against a Suzuki Swift Sport. Lots of good and amusing memories of the Fabia but definitely time to move on.

 

Edited 4 January, 20224 yr by john999boy

Sneak preview of the new car; only managed to drive the 10 miles or so home today as I was working. And yes, I do need to tidy the garage!

Just need to paint it skoda ryalle green now 🙃

14 hours ago, tweenster said:

Sneak preview of the new car; only managed to drive the 10 miles or so home today as I was working. And yes, I do need to tidy the garage!

 

Oooh - you went for the Blue!  I just missed out on one that colour with a silver roof and mirror caps but eventually ended up with the Burning Red and was really pleased with it.

 

Any extras on it or is it just standard?

 

Enjoy!!

On 05/01/2022 at 11:22, skomaz said:

 

Oooh - you went for the Blue!  I just missed out on one that colour with a silver roof and mirror caps but eventually ended up with the Burning Red and was really pleased with it.

 

Any extras on it or is it just standard?

 

Enjoy!!

Well it was standard when I collected it on Tuesday, and still is. But...

 

Ordered 170PS remap, coilovers and new wheels from CTC Performance on Friday! 

On 04/01/2022 at 20:49, tweenster said:

Sneak preview of the new car; only managed to drive the 10 miles or so home today as I was working. And yes, I do need to tidy the garage!

 

Topic now created in non-Skoda projects.

50 minutes ago, tweenster said:

Well it was standard when I collected it on Tuesday, and still is. But...

 

Ordered 170PS remap, coilovers and new wheels from CTC Performance on Friday! 

Jesus you don't mess about do you?

I've just met the new owner of the vRS, an enthusiast who is loving the car and has already added a new backbox with large tailpipes! Glad to see it has gone to a good home, and remains local so I should still see it occasionally. He's not a car forum person but I pointed him to this thread to get the story of my car ownership.