Hello everyone,

I'm new here, seeking the wisdom of the Skoda faithful in my quest for a great, small family car.

We were thinking of picking up a Zafira - no please, don't go! - but when we visited a local second hand dealer we saw a Fabia Greenline II estate and were quite taken by it.

My only real concern is whether the 1.2 tdi engine is up to the job of carting around a family of four, reasonably lightweight, people (2 adults 2 children)?

We occasionally go camping, and would have to load up the car with the tent and stuff, but for the majority of the time it would be city based short trips, with the odd sub-100 mile sortie.

So, I was hoping you guys would know a lot better than me how the smart, little car would work in these circumstances?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Worth asking in the Fabia MK2 Section you might get a reply from some there with one.

A Mod might move this post for you.

 

george.

The Fabia estate is a great family car. We use ours for long journeys to friends and family. We've done 400miles in a weekend without issue before. Just enough room behind me for my daughter who's six (I'm 6ft). 

 

I would say if you are doing lots of short journeys then look for the 1.2TSI. We have the 105BHP and it is fine 4 up with weekend luggage. Single mass flywheel, no DPF and easy to work on. 

If you can fit all your stuff in its a great car but it sounds like you would be better with an Octavia estate. Also, as already mentioned, your probably better off with a petrol engine if you do lots of short runs that are only a few miles.

the 1.2TDI is capable, but on the occasions you load it with whole family and fill the boot it will be slower

 

I had a 12 reg GLII for nearly 3 years and nearly 30,000 miles, not an issue, only thing is being a diesel with a DPF short runs in town would not be good for it

 

if you are looking at short runs with only the odd longer run a petrol would be better suited to your needs, one of the 1.2TSi variants, would be cheaper as well

I also forgot to say that our little TSI is more economical around town than our old mk1 vRS and not far behind it on s motorway! We've seen 48mpg at 65-70mph run before (calculated not trip computer)

Don't pay the premium for a Greenline - the MPG is wholly unremarkable and I've been in standard dealer courtesy cars (Fabia/Rapid/Octavia) that have given better MPG than mine on the same commute.

 

Sure get the model, but get a different engine.