Well, the wife's cheap MX5 is turning into a bit of a money pit. Bangernomics isn't working for us and so we have a couple of options.

The first is a citigo or an Up on PCP. This solution is affordable but PCPs don't sit well with me since we would not get to keep it at the end.

The second is a VRS. We already have a 3 year old Monte Carlo and would be looking at a four to five year old VRS. The MC has cost penny none so far, while the mx5 has been about 1300 quid. Are the VRSs generally reliable if they have had the gearbox issue sorted (was this a recall)? Insurance is surprisingly cheap. I have no experience of the MPG, how is it? The 5 gets around 30-35mpg.

Finally, is this a good idea, or is it likely to be another money pit? We will be doing about 7000 miles a year, a nice country road commute and mucking about at weekends.

Thanks

there are no gearbox issues..... there was a "service programme" to change from synthetic oil to mineral oil, as in certain climates (not UK) the synthetic oild would turn "conductor" and mess up the ectronics.... all service recalls should be done....

 

main issue is oil usage, contrary to threads on here MOST have NO issues at all....... some CAVE (earlier) engine have oil issues, MOST CTHE (later) engine have NO issues....

 

get one under warrenty, and you should have no problems at all...

 

 I ALSO have a mark I MX5 (Eunos roadster) which only goes out in the sun and I am doing a rolling retoration to perfect factory spec.... it hasn't cost a lot, but only does about 4k a year .... I agree it does about 35 mpg... we went to birmingham and back in the vRS this weekend (from the lakes) and got 42mpg..... (and haven put oil in for 3,000 miles at this stint )

 

you will get many scary stories very soon in this thread (and if you read the other posts) I for one, have now done 87,000 miles in these cars (vRS) with very few issues, I have found it needs spark plugs every 10k rather than 40k .....otherwise I have been fine (and I track my cars A LOT)

 

so I would say GO FOR IT, the cars are great fun , they can be economical commuters and back road blasters in the same day

 

all the best,

Sharkrider.

If you can get a Facelifted 2013 onwards one.  Theres enough little changes to make it worthwhile spending the extra cash.  Also some nice nearly new ones on Skoda site for very low finance deals.

 

Bangernomics works on some cars and for some people.  I know a few people who are happy with driving around in less than roadworthy cars to save a few quid.  I think i have spent more on my old Civic in the last two weeks than i have spent on entire ownership of the Fabia.  With a newer car everything is done and should ( and usually does ) run for long spells without any need for cash being thrown on it.

 

something like this ( not far from you up tut north) would be a good bet, 18 months old 6k on clock so not even had first service.  Nice rare colour too for VRS

 

http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=604359041&rsrc=vehicle

 

still probably the best all-round car i have ever owned

Like Sharkrider has said, most have no issues!

 

Some people feel that light oil use is an issue, but in reality it's not. Cars can use oil, so just check it (like you should with any car) and top up if needed.

 

Problem cars will drink oil and eat their spark plugs, if the check oil light comes on under 1000 miles since topping up - you have a problem!

Like Sharkrider has said, most have no issues!

 

Some people feel that light oil use is an issue, but in reality it's not. Cars can use oil, so just check it (like you should with any car) and top up if needed.

 

Problem cars will drink oil and eat their spark plugs, if the check oil light comes on under 1000 miles since topping up - you have a problem!

 

 

if the check oil light comes on any car under 1000 miles you have an issue, should check oil weekly and this goes for most cars. But surprising how many people don't even know how to

I average around 30-35Mpg that's mainly town driving. On a run, I can hit about 40. More than happy with that. Our A3 TDi only hits around 50.

Oil. I've put in around 3 litres In just just 9k Miles. Again, more than happy with that :-)

ive had a new engine, i still use oil faster than petrol but i just cant bring myself to hate this car, its a little cracker. ive put up with it warts and all for over 3.5 years

it can easily get me 40+ mpg on a run or to work, its not overly heavy on tyre wear unlike my mk1 vrs, handling is ok, the breaks are great, seats not too bad even after a few hours in it, exhaust note sounds fab, easy to park, DSG is simply the best part of the car, stock cd player is great, servicing its too expensive, cheap to insure ( less than £200 for me ) tax is 145 so not as much as others only real negative part is the lights are pants

if id never owned one id deffo buy one

Already struggling with the lights on the Monte! But the bulbs won't die to replace them with Night breakers.

If the running costs are limited to oil and wear and tear rather than cats, coil packs and exhaust welding then I am happy.

It will be an earlier one we go for. If they sound too troublesome then maybe an MC and a remap will be the answer.

that should read " servicing isnt too expensive "

 

i can edit this post but not my other, odd

Edited 23 March, 201511 yr by the mad monk

Phew, that did raise an eyebrow, but I do have a man that looks after me. Last service was £160 but he pointed out that it appeared that during the Skoda dealer free service the air filter hadn't been changed nor had the oil plug been taken out!

Many now vacuum out oil and the sump plug does not need removed.

 

If on Fixed annual servicing it is annual or 9,400 (10,000) miles.

Air Filter might be every 3rd service if even that, best maybe 2 yearly,

brake fluid is 3 years then 2 yearly.  pollen filter every 2 years.  basically expect £140 & £250 time about, and more or less according to what you want done.

Spark Plugs maybe after 2 years, £80-£100 if done for you. 

 

Here is service plans, and maybe check out what Minor & Major Services consist of or should.

http://skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance

The advantage of a VWG Dealer or a Specialist VAG Independent can be Updates and Technical Information 

on Service Campaign work, if they do things right.

Maybe a VW Dealer will do Services for less than a Skoda Dealership, it is worth checking.

eg,  Major Service with Air Filter , Long Life Oil and Spark Plugs, correct ones £299

Edited 23 March, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

35k miles Nov 2012 CTHE motor vRS Fabia Hatchback - no problems to report, moderate oil user depending what oil you put in. 5W30 Castrol peddled by the dealers is hoovered up within few hundred miles, 5W40 Castrol last few times longer. Put in full Ester 5W50 with high petrol dilution properties and consumption goes down even more.

Change oil, filters and plugs once or twice a year and she will love you

 

If it goes wrong out of warranty it can be a money pit so buy yourself a good warranty, the best money ever spent if it goes bang for any reason

2011 CAVE engine, no problems after a year on 28,500 miles. Drinks a little oil but its a 1.4 supercharger with turbo. In proper Somerset speech "It goes like buggery"

Has anyone got a 3rd party warranty on one? I'd always considered them a bit of a scam. We'd be looking at one for the first year of ownership, then self-covering it.

 

This is looking like being more of a reality now, but we're mostly restricted to 2010/2011 models. Either this or a Twingo 133. What questions should we be asking when we go to see them?