I'm really sorry if this has been brought up before and if it's in the wrong forum (I couldn't seen anywhere else more relevent) but I'm a non-Skoda owner.

Stem your gasps and your tuts please, I aim to buy one, a Fabia no less but could do with some helpful advice.

The reason I'm looking to the Fabia is my last car was a Fiat Punto SX 75 '98 which was about as reliable as a used match. Therefore, reliability is key (Skoda come top in this on some surveys, depending who you look at) and they seem cheap to run and maintain.

I have seen a few 2002 1.4's in the autotrader with about 40K on them going for about

The 1.2 12v HTP is a very nice car, cheap to insure and strangely very nippy considering the PS output. Personally I would opt for that if I were going for a petrol version of the Fabia.

The classic is the base trim, comfort is next up and elegance is the top spec. Have a look on the Skoda web site it gives the equipment levels for each spec.

You might also wish to look at the 1.4 TDI as this is nippy has good midrange grunt and excellent economy and with a tuning box can produce in excess of 100 bhp and has mountains of torque and would give much bigger engined cars a run for their money with no loss in economy.

If reliability is really the key, then you want to be looking at Japanese offerings. Skoda may be the most reliable European car (if you believe the surveys!) but is still some way behind the Honda's and Toyota's of this world.....

I've found Parker's reviews a great source of info on trim levels, etc if you want to know in detail what the car has (although note the Elegance doesn't actually have electric rear windows after 2002 or heated washer jets!)

Chris

I was looking at a Honda Civic around the 97-99 era as in the whatcar.co.uk reliability surveys on used cars, it came second behind the accord. Trouble was, it's a flawed list as there was no Skodas, no Mazdas and the Corsa was number 14. :confused:

I'm also looking at a budget of a about

Whilst the Skoda isn't the most reliable car in the world. It is definately up there with the best of the European offerings and without a doubt is far more reliable than your Fiat.

I'm also looking at a budget of a about

I've just been reading the sticky "Intro to the Fabia" and it made for some interesting reading. I'm impressed with the specs, even on the Classic. It didn't mention the 1.4 8v and now I not sure if it exist anymore.

I'd be able to afford the insurance on a 1.4 16v 100bhp I think. What I wouldn't be able to afford is bi-monthly trips to the garages for repairs like the fiat provided me with.

I made myself a solemn promise that if I heard of anyone thinking of buying a Fiat, I slap them round the head until they changed their mind.

The new Grande Punto apparently is pretty reliable as the Alfa GT (Fiat's sister company). Fiat are finally starting to sharpen their act, although it has taken several decades.

The new Grande Punto apparently is pretty reliable as the Alfa GT (Fiat's sister company). Fiat are finally starting to sharpen their act, although it has taken several decades.

I believe they achieved that by pinching a few of the VAG group's quality control people! :eek: The new Panda certainly seems pretty well screwed together, even if the interior is a little too "futuristic" for my liking

Chris

I've just been reading the sticky "Intro to the Fabia" and it made for some interesting reading. I'm impressed with the specs' date=' even on the Classic. It didn't mention the 1.4 8v and now I not sure if it exist anymore.

I'd be able to afford the insurance on a 1.4 16v 100bhp I think. What I wouldn't be able to afford is bi-monthly trips to the garages for repairs like the fiat provided me with.

I made myself a solemn promise that if I heard of anyone thinking of buying a Fiat, I slap them round the head until they changed their mind. [/quote']

The 1.4 8v was discontinued after 2003 due to emission stuff and If reliability is your concern I would avoid it as they can develop head gasket problems and other such major engine problems. It's not very nice to drive either:thumbdwn: The 100BHP 1.4 is A Volkswagen Engine and is far better IMHO.

The 1.4 8v was discontinued after 2003 due to emission stuff and If reliability is your concern I would avoid it as they can develop head gasket problems and other such major engine problems. It's not very nice to drive either:thumbdwn: The 100BHP 1.4 is A Volkswagen Engine and is far better IMHO.

That's why I couldn't see it and that's what I wanted to hear. I'll be sure not to go for the 8v model, the 1.4 16v 100bhp model is sounding very tempting now.

Thanks again.

Edit: I had a look at the dealers site again and it's listed as a 1.4 MPI. Anyone know what that is?

Edit x 2: Never mind, it's the name for the 1.4 8v Skoda engine, the one I'm trying to avoid. Keep looking I guess.

That's why I couldn't see it and that's what I wanted to hear. I'll be sure not to go for the 8v model' date=' the 1.4 16v 100bhp model is sounding very tempting now.

Thanks again.

Edit: I had a look at the dealers site again and it's listed as a 1.4 MPI. Anyone know what that is?

Edit x 2: Never mind, it's the name for the 1.4 8v Skoda engine, the one I'm trying to avoid. Keep looking I guess.[/quote']

Well done, It's definatley worth going for the 16v. The 1.4 8v is not only slow but it's thirsty as well. You will find an awful lot of them around though. If you do any kind of motorway driving or like a bit of speed it really is to be avoided. In It's defence it is smooth and torquey, but it's cons far outweigh the pro's Im afraid. Whats sadder is that I have one:mad:

Just had a quick look an autotrader and there are quite a few on there so proberbly worth a look if you haven't already.

Sadly not in Northern Ireland. Just 6 and none of them are that 1.4 16v I'm after.

One will turn up and I'll get it then.

I was looking at a Honda Civic around the 97-99 era as in the whatcar.co.uk reliability surveys on used cars, it came second behind the accord. Trouble was, it's a flawed list as there was no Skodas, no Mazdas and the Corsa was number 14. :confused:

I'm also looking at a budget of a about

Is the 1.4 8v a bored out version of the 1.3 found in the Favorit? We had two favorits and the HG went on them both, (after 8yrs & 70K miles tho so not too miffed). Believe Skoda were behind the 1.2 64bhp engine (development of VAG 54bhp) which is a cracker. FWIW I've also had the HG go on a 2.0 Cavalier after40k and a 1.3 Astra after 60K.

greetings,i have to say that fiat arent all bad,i had 2 punto gt's.in all over 10yrs for the both and neither let me down once and just for a bit of fun the vrs would'nt catch it!

my last car was a Fiat Punto SX 75 '98 I:

i had one of these cars before my last car and i agree on reliabilty.... issues with electric windows, cylinder head gasket went and a number of other small problems........replaced it after 22 months with a renault megane and now have a Fabia 1.9TDi (PD100) Comfort estate

Is the 1.4 8v a bored out version of the 1.3 found in the Favorit?

Yes, with some other updates. They even fitted it to the Octavia in Europe at one point!

Believe Skoda were behind the 1.2 64bhp engine (development of VAG 54bhp) which is a cracker

Skoda designed and build the 54BHP one too The 12v one is supposed to be upgraded to 70BHP later in the year

Yes' date=' with some other updates. They even fitted it to the Octavia in Europe at one point!

Skoda designed and build the 54BHP one too The 12v one is supposed to be upgraded to 70BHP later in the year [/quote']

They Stuck It in the Octavia? Are you sure you dont mean the 75BHP 1.4? How can an Octavia with that engine move?:P

Youre right to say that the 1.4 8V is a derivative of the Favorit engine (is that in turn not a derivative of the engine for the Estelle/Rapid rear engined cars??) but 'Volkswagenised' and upped to a 1.4. I dont find it that thirsty tho , mind you my last car was a Lancer Evo , so i'm sure a Boeing 747 would appear thrifty on fuel after one of those!! I average 36 mpg on the MFA readout around town , and have seen no sign of head gasket probs (my car is 6 years old , albeit with only 32000 on the clock) The Comfort spec is pretty good , with AC and front elec windows , an also an extra 4 speakers for the stereo over the Classic. It comes with wheeltrims tho , but at least that means you can choose your own wheels (I find the wheels on the Elegance look too small , and I would replace them anyway , so would still opt for a Comfort , even with the radio/cassette)

I hope this answers some of your questions....if I can find the good points in a little Fabia after getting out of an Evo , then I reckon its not a bad car....

Youre right to say that the 1.4 8V is a derivative of the Favorit engine (is that in turn not a derivative of the engine for the Estelle/Rapid rear engined cars??) but 'Volkswagenised' and upped to a 1.4. I dont find it that thirsty tho ' date=' mind you my last car was a Lancer Evo , so i'm sure a Boeing 747 would appear thrifty on fuel after one of those!! I average 36 mpg on the MFA readout around town , and have seen no sign of head gasket probs (my car is 6 years old , albeit with only 32000 on the clock) The Comfort spec is pretty good , with AC and front elec windows , an also an extra 4 speakers for the stereo over the Classic. It comes with wheeltrims tho , but at least that means you can choose your own wheels (I find the wheels on the Elegance look too small , and I would replace them anyway , so would still opt for a Comfort , even with the radio/cassette)

I hope this answers some of your questions....if I can find the good points in a little Fabia after getting out of an Evo , then I reckon its not a bad car....[/quote']

Do you not find it like 50x Slower?

They Stuck It in the Octavia? Are you sure you dont mean the 75BHP 1.4? How can an Octavia with that engine move?:P

They put the 75BHP 1.4 in the Octavia as well, and we got that in the UK. In Eastern Europe though it was definitely fitted with the 1.48v at one point. And get this, it was only a 60BHP version

It was before the Fabia was launched.

They put the 75BHP 1.4 in the Octavia as well' date=' and we got that in the UK. In Eastern Europe though it was definitely fitted with the 1.48v at one point. And get this, it was only a 60BHP version

It was before the Fabia was launched.[/quote']

Ewww, thats cringeworthy

Were they going for the title of world slowest production car?

As much as I love my vRS Fabia, if reliability is your main critieria go for Japanese, as the man said Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. They are all exceptionally reliable.

Good Luck in your search.