I test drove a Spaceback for the weekend & decided I wanted one went for Corrida Red, glass roof, style pack & 17" Ray wheels I got right to the point of ordering it then had second thoughts as the Monte Carlo took my eye on the net, then I thought do I need a bigger car than I have now (Fabia Monte Carlo) we take driving hols with the MG so the Skoda is the everyday car, then to add even more uncertainty I started looking at the Citigo Monte Carlo but was a tad disappointed that its only available in 60bhp form but I would still like to try one just to see what they're like? 90% of the time there is only 2 of us in the car.

The Spaceback is good in 1.4 Tsi format. I borrowed one for a few days from Skoda and apart from the low rent interior, liked it a lot. Depends how much space you need and the cost to change or buy outright or pcp/hp or whatever way you're financing it.

They both look very nice cars for sure. 0% finance and free servicing are back but I don't know if these will extend to Monte Carlos. The Citigo is fun to drive and you probably don't need more - it will also be better for depreciation and obviously cost less to insure and run. I do like the way the Rapid drives though and you have all the space you need in a car that is still fairly easy to park. Try them out. The Citigo has better seats in my opinion but if you like a relaxed driving style the low-rev torque of a Rapid is more relaxing but less 'fun'.

I'd wait for the Fabia mk3 due within a year if you don't need the Rapid's bigger boot.

It's going to be a better car on a newer platform with more tech.

The Rapid is based on the mk2 Fabia in several ways to keep development costs down, which is why the interior tech is already seven years old etc...

I'd wait to see the new Fabia too (should see official photos by end of July and should be on sale here late this year or early next).. like bossfox says it will have the new engines and infotainment.

Still wouldn't discount the rapid though, and also consider the rapid will get the new engines and infotainment at facelift time too..

Mrs VRSbilly will be getting a new Fabia. She doesn't yet know this...

Sent using my right thumb

I am optimistic about the new fabia but I suspect it will share a great deal with the rapid under the skin (and in turn the polo - lightened and strenghened over fabia2 but with exteneded wheelbase and different rear axle). As indicated above, you would have to wait at least 6 months for the new fabia and it will gain the Citigo engine and new infotainment of the facelifted polo.

I would test drive the Citigo as you'll be quite suprised how nippy it is. My Sport is only a 60bhp but it's perfect round town and great on the motorway at cruising speeds

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I would test drive the Citigo as you'll be quite suprised how nippy it is. My Sport is only a 60bhp but it's perfect round town and great on the motorway at cruising speeds

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Thank you that's what I wanted to hear!!

You're welcome Neil

Also are very spacious inside. More roomy in the front than my Octavia was but has a small boot which is quite deep though. I find with this engine it shows it's colours after 2000 rpm it's very nippy after that and still returning over 60mpg

This is the best I've had so far

I didn't think I'd like it after my Octy tdi but I actually like it more.

Good luck.

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Test drive in a Sport booked for Tuesday so I'll see how I get on with it?

I test drove a Spaceback for the weekend & decided I wanted one went for Corrida Red, glass roof, style pack & 17" Ray wheels I got right to the point of ordering it then had second thoughts as the Monte Carlo took my eye on the net, then I thought do I need a bigger car than I have now (Fabia Monte Carlo) we take driving hols with the MG so the Skoda is the everyday car, then to add even more uncertainty I started looking at the Citigo Monte Carlo but was a tad disappointed that its only available in 60bhp form but I would still like to try one just to see what they're like? 90% of the time there is only 2 of us in the car.

 

I've heard they were doing a rapid monte but its not mentioned in the brochure or available to spec on the builder anyone got any info on spec and price? and where you can see it?

There are pics of a Spaceback MC on the web launched at Geneva show along with Citigo & Yets MCs only the Citygo is in brochures yet no actual date in showroom for Spaceback MC looks nice in pics dealers have no idea when its due for release as for spec see pics on net.

Edited 15 June, 201412 yr by Neil.R

The Citigo is a good car.

The only let down is that it's the one car Skoda has produced in the last 15 years that doesn't have reach adjustable steering.

 

So for anyone who is quite tall and doesn't have arms like an orangutan longer drives can be a little bit uncomfortable.

If this isn't an issue I'd certainly have a look at one.

 

I was reading over the weekend that the Fabia mk3 has gone into development a little bit too early, which means it's going to miss out on the new platform VAG have for that size of car.

So while it will be on a newer/better one than the mk2 Fabia (which is actually the old mk1 platform from 1999) it's not going to be as good as the Polo/Ibiza which will be released a bit later.

 

I found that a bit of a disappointment.

But it will have updated infotainment over the old Fabia/Rapid too.

I recall reading somewhere that the Fabia Mk3 wouldn't be based on the MQB platform - bit of a shame, and if the Ibiza/Polo *are* MQB then Skoda are going to have to undercut them on price by a significant margin for it to be 'worth it' IMO.

The next Polo & Ibiza will be on MQB probably, but not for three years yet. The Polo has only just been facelifted.

There are pics of a Spaceback MC on the web launched at Geneva show along with Citigo & Yets MCs only the Citygo is in brochures yet no actual date in showroom for Spaceback MC looks nice in pics dealers have no idea when its due for release as for spec see pics on net.

I went and had a close look, and picked up the Monte Carlo brochure showing the collection. I just can't get my head around the seats, which although "sporty" have a pattern on which reminds me of a deckchair- too many stripes.

I recall reading somewhere that the Fabia Mk3 wouldn't be based on the MQB platform - bit of a shame, and if the Ibiza/Polo *are* MQB then Skoda are going to have to undercut them on price by a significant margin for it to be 'worth it' IMO.

 

Also means that when they do all arrive over the next 3 years or so the fabia will probably be the heaviest, so lower performance and higher emission/road tax on the same engines.

If it helps???

 

I drove our Rapid 1.4 TSI DSG at the weekend for forst time in 3 weeks and it felt great. (wifes car)

Plenty of ooomph and so smooth through the 7 gears, also very quiet at motorway speeds.

Just the wee (not) low speed noise issues to fix and it will be perfect ;<)))

 

 

Bidey fae Perth

(Puppy with two tails)

If it helps???

 

I drove our Rapid 1.4 TSI DSG at the weekend for first time in 3 weeks and it felt great. (wifes car)

Plenty of ooomph and so smooth through the 7 gears, also very quiet at motorway speeds.

Just the wee (not) low speed noise issues to fix and it will be perfect ;<)))

 

 

Bidey fae Perth

(Puppy with two tails)

Also means that when they do all arrive over the next 3 years or so the fabia will probably be the heaviest, so lower performance and higher emission/road tax on the same engines.

Not necessarily.. look how light the Rapid is and that's not MQB. I guess they must be using some of the new construction techniques on the Rapid to get it so light.

It is a bit of a shame though that the Fabia will be half a generation behind on platform after the Fabia1 was a bit of a pioneer.

It is a bit of a shame though that the Fabia will be half a generation behind on platform after the Fabia1 was a bit of a pioneer.

 

I agree.

But they wanted to push the mk1 Fabia as a show of how much VAG was prepared to look after Skoda and wanted them to become a success.

Now they are a success with sales figures soaring so you need badge engineering to keep the justification for the price difference.

The mk1 may have been ahead, but the mk2 is behind.  So it's actually following the trend.

I think we just have to accept that as a Skoda it's not going to be as good as the equivalent VW.  But it will be a bit cheaper.

 

"More car for the money" is how Skoda typically put it.

I test drove a Citigo today & was amazed how roomy it was only things I was not keen on was seatbelt was chocking me & the manual adjustment of the door mirrors? So do I buy a Monte Carlo is the question now!!

I was going to post this in the Citigo forum but it wouldn't let me post a new topic for some reason??

Edited 18 June, 201412 yr by Neil.R

Agree about the door mirrors but how often do you adjust them.

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I test drove a Citigo today & was amazed how roomy it was only things I was not keen on was seatbelt was chocking me & the manual adjustment of the door mirrors? So do I buy a Monte Carlo is the question now!!

I was going to post this in the Citigo forum but it wouldn't let me post a new topic for some reason??

 

Was it a 3 door?

That's why I bought a 5 door, the seat belt pivot is much further forwards due to the smaller doors, so the belt doesn't press on you anywhere near as much.

I also thought mine had electric mirrors, but can't really remember.  It was an Elegance.