Hi all,

 

My trusty Fabia, is finally burning too much oil for comfort, I am therefore considering replacing it with a Yeti. Thing is, will I be disappointed with the performance? I drive around 400 miles a week, 50% on minor muddy C roads, 40% A roads, 10% dual carriageways, I'm in Norfolk you see.

 

All advice welcome.

 

littleredcar

 

 

Sounds like a Yeti job description.

I don't know the Fabia to make a direct comparison but I think you will find even a 1.2TSi Yeti fun to drive (I still do after nearly three years), it sits very well on the road and if a lot of your driving is on country roads the high driving position should suit you very well. You are not going to be setting any records on dual carriageways but it will happily trundle along at 70+ (although with the aerodynamics of a brick it won't do a lot for your mpg) but I don't think you'll find any problems keeping up with everyone else on A roads.

As always a decent test drive on the sort of roads you expect to use will quickly make up your mind. Approach it with an open mind and there's a good chance we will see you here regularly in the future.

I moved to a Yeti after 10 years with a 1.4 16v 100hp Fabia, great car and I never had to top up the oil between the yearly services.

I have a diesel engine in the Yeti and it's a pleasure to drive and MUCH more economical but the 1.2 gets some cracking reviews.

My wife has a diesel 1.4 fabia and the yeti has better ride and handling. The 1.2 is great below 60 but I suspect your fabia may feel more sporty. Given the choice I'd always drive the Yeti. For your driving mix I think it will be great because I suspect handling is more important than power

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Hmmm, swopped my 1.6 Fabia2 for Yeti two and a half years ago. More Comfort, adequate performance, great flexible inferior, around 40 mpg regularly. Excellent reliability, unusual styling - wot's not to like?

Don't just take this forum's word for it - check out AutoExpress Driver Power survey over 5 years. It's right near the top if not AT the top!

Hi all,

 

Thanks for all that excellent advice. Still a bit concerned about the fuel consumption, the Fabia returns an average of 51mpg, if premium unleaded is used, it doesn't like the ordinary at all. What does the 1.2 yeti prefer? I've also been reading that the DSG automatic can return a better fuel consumption than the manual. Sounds old fashioned I now, but I like to drive my car, which means being in control of the gears.

All advice appreciated. I'm booking a test drive next week. Looking forward to the experience, but will as you say, keep an open mind.

 

Littleredcar.

Hi all,

 

Thanks for all that excellent advice. Still a bit concerned about the fuel consumption, the Fabia returns an average of 51mpg, if premium unleaded is used, it doesn't like the ordinary at all. What does the 1.2 yeti prefer? I've also been reading that the DSG automatic can return a better fuel consumption than the manual. Sounds old fashioned I now, but I like to drive my car, which means being in control of the gears.

All advice appreciated. I'm booking a test drive next week. Looking forward to the experience, but will as you say, keep an open mind.

 

Littleredcar.

My 1.2 DSG has returned 41.8 MPG over 42,000 miles brim-to-brim. The aerodynamics and size of the Yeti means it will generally use more fuel than a Fabia, it really depends on your absolute priorities. I use premium fuel because (5p per lire premium) because I have found that it gives a bit better fuel consumption and the car just seems "sweeter". Others disagree so it's up to you.

Compare the weight difference also....it's a significant factor in stop start driving.

Still a bit concerned about the fuel consumption, the Fabia returns an average of 51mpg, if premium unleaded is used,

 

My Yeti runs perfectly happy on the standard Shell petrol so I've never felt a need to try the premium. As to the economy I think you need to decide where in your list of priorities for your next car this sits. Your 400 miles a week is around 20,000 miles a year so should you be thinking diesel rather than petrol for the better economy? But if you want petrol then comparing your Fabia at 50mpg using premium fuel (say £1.25/litre to allow for future price rises) and a petrol Yeti returning 40mpg using standard fuel (at £1.20/litre, so 5p cheaper to reflect the higher price of the premium grade) my maths gives me a  price difference over a year of around £450 or about £1.25 a day. For the cost of half a cup of coffee or an extra litre of petrol a day you get a high driving position, plenty of space for passengers and the versatility of a 5 seater car through to a light van (with the rear seats removed), all in a car that's great fun to drive and, having followed this forum for about three years now, with relatively few faults and problems (and many of those relate to the first couple of years of the pre-F/L). 

 

My 40mpg (which I regularly exceed with a good proportion of my driving being short distances on country lanes) assumes a relatively light right foot. If you like to put your foot down and give the brakes a workout that £450 a year difference in fuel cost is probably going to be close to £1000 a year, so your driving style might be a factor to consider.

 

Hope that helps with your decisions - I took 6 months to take the plunge but I've never regretted it.

Completely agree with Paul52 apart from the premium petrol, but, as I said that's a personal thing. When doing your calculations don't forget to include the extra initial cost of the diesel version - if you go that way -  there are several comparison websites allowing you to compare the running costs of a diesel v petrol you might want to look at. However, I converted from a diesel Octavia to a petrol Yeti and have never regretted it. In fact I am thinking of replacing my 2012 Yeti with another one just before they switch to a new model in 2017 because I like the car and size so much. The new 2017 model will be bigger (see Seat Atica) and I don't need anything bigger than the current Yeti. Hopefully get a good deal as the current model comes to an end as well!!

littleredcar

 

I came from a Fabia Monte 1.6D to a Yeti 1.6D

Much better car, but a lot more money too.

Getting over 58 mpg on runs at 80mph Cruse control.

 

They dont do the 1.6D now but a 2Ltr D. Should be very good as far as mpg.

A lot better than petrol, but thats your choice.

Hi all,

 

Thank you for all your advice, I am now the proud owner of a 2011 1.4 elegance (petrol).  FSH, 27,000 miles, spare wheel. mud flaps, and matts. 12 months Skoda guarantee, 12 months AA cover, full mot, and 40,000 miles service thrown in for good measure, excellent. Been playing with it all weekend, and am loving it. Fuel consumption does seem a little lower than I'm used to from the Fabia, however, it is running on regular unleaded, so I guess I really wont notice much of a difference in my pocket. What I have noticed is that I am no longer invisible, other drivers actually pull over on C roads to let me past. that's a feeling I can definitely get used too!!! Giving my trusty Fabia to my 17 year old daughter as her first car, lucky her, wish I'd had such a good first car.

I have always put winter tyres on my Fabia, all recommendations greatly received for the Yeti.

 

Jo

I see you live in Norfolk, so winter tyres are definitely needed, along with snow chains AA membership, ultra fog lights...........

 

 

We don't need them down south as no snow here........

Depending on the state of the tyres on your Yeti I would replace them with Michelin Cross Climates, then no need to switch wheels twice a year. I bought my Nokian winter tyres mounted on Skoda steel wheels with Skoda plastic hubcaps and swap them with Goodyear Efficientgrip on the alloy wheels in Spring and Autumn; takes less than an hour to swap but if you get the Michelins it will save the effort! The Nokian winters are good but frankly in the 4 years I have had them we haven't had any really bad weather so not tested them in snow or hard ice!! Good on soaking wet cold roads though.

Our 2008 has Goodyear Vector 4Seasons which look to me to be a good compromise ......certainly no problem with hot dry handling.