I as you know recently traded up from a Felicia to a low mileage used Octavia. We are now thinking of changing my wifes 1997 Feista LX, and as she likes the Octavia so much, we are thinking of a Fabia. My local dealer says used Fabias are still rare due to the age of the model, but I was wondering what advice owners would have concerning engine size. This would be a low mileage car so petrol is probably better than an oil burner.

I recommend a 1.4 8v furby.

If there's even a chance of a little higher mileage then the 16v becomes a better choice.

Of course, if the low mileage is around town, then the 1.2 12v could be an option

So, in conclusion, I've basically recommended every petrol fabia there is...

It's down to the road tests I guess.

I recommend a 1.4 8v furby.

If there's even a chance of a little higher mileage then the 16v becomes a better choice.

Of course' date=' if the low mileage is around town, then the 1.2 12v could be an option

So, in conclusion, I've basically recommended every petrol fabia there is...

It's down to the road tests I guess. [/quote']

You forgot the 2.0l 8v one Jason

William - It depends what kind of driving your wife does. altho i do belive that the 1.4 8v is a old Skoda design and not VAG. so will probably be rough compared to the newer 1.2l cars.

the 1.4 16v is a good engine, but needs to be revved to make progress.

EDIT: woah... funky quote box

Hmmm - formatting trouble in the reply box.... :confused:

I deliberately left out the 2.0l 8v, as I thought it had been discontinued. I stand corrected if it hasn't, but either way, I wouldn't recommend it as a low mileage car either.

(hope the formatting is sorted soon, my post reply screen is about 29 screens widths wide. :shocked: )

Hmmm - formatting trouble in the reply box.... :confused:

I deliberately left out the 2.0l 8v' date=' as I thought it had been discontinued. I stand corrected if it hasn't, but either way, I wouldn't recommend it as a low mileage car either.

(hope the formatting is sorted soon, my post reply screen is about 29 screens widths wide. :shocked: )[/quote']

Is it?

Just done a change, might it be okay now? (sorry to off topic)

Still 29 screens wide on my screen. :confused:

The reply box screen is about 7 "clicks" from the left

The submit reply is below it but another 7 clicks to the right...

I'll come back later on to check it out

(I hope the f*** up fairy hasn't paid a visit. )

:cheers:

You forgot the 2.0l 8v one Jason

William - It depends what kind of driving your wife does. altho i do belive that the 1.4 8v is a old Skoda design and not VAG. so will probably be rough compared to the newer 1.2l cars.

the 1.4 16v is a good engine' date=' but needs to be revved to make progress.

EDIT: woah... funky quote box [/quote']

I dont think Skoda had a 1.4 engine. Prior to VAG they used a 1.3L, which was also used on early Felicias before being replaced by the 1.3 MPI. My wife will do about 5-6K miles a year, mostly in the city as all longer journies tend to be done in my car. The 1.2 cars are probably not out long enough to be available used, so I was most interested in comparison of the 2 1.4 units and the old 1.0L.

William - look on Autotrader - there are plenty of used Fabs at reasonable prices including a 1.9Sdi with reasonable miles for less than

the 1.4 8v version is a capable car, 16v is a bit less immediate around town, pulling away from junctions. 2.0 8v is nippy, smooth engine and quiet. no experience of the 1.2.

Jonathan

I've driven a 1.4 MPi - not sure if this is 8 or 16v - bit of a Jekyll and Hyde car - sometimes seemed quite nippy, other times desperately slow. Idled very roughly which I was told was a "feature". Also had a 1.9TDi estate - very quick and comfortable. Impressed much more than the 1.4.

The 1.4MPi could be 8v or 16v as they did a 74brake 16v too. Mostly fitted with Auto box IIRC. The 16v 100brake was a pretty quick car for it's capacity, but was slightly thirsty compared to what an 8v would probably give!

The 1.2 is quite a nice little engine. No experience of it in the Fab, but have driven a Polo with such engine and was a hoot to drive. The 3 cylinder burble was quite nice too! No experience whatsoever on the 1.0Mpi front, but would say it was pretty underpowered but economical, so for town driving it would probably be ideal!