On Friday I am going to look at two cars

2017 yeti 

2019 Fabia estate. 
the Fabia is newer and done fewer miles. 
they are a similar price. 
ive always fancied a yeti. I don’t need a huge car as my husband has a big estate but I need room for two kids and a dog. I’ve had and used versatile seating before which is some of the yeti attraction. However the Fabia is newer so no mot for a bit and will I presume be cheaper to run (more fuel efficient, lower insurance group). 
just wondered the opinions of people on here. 
I’m currently driving a skoda Octavia and I’m not that keen on it (sorry, I know these will be the words of a heathen on here 🤣). 

Hi

If it were me, and I think it does prob come down to personal opinion, I would lean towards the Fabia estate.  
I just test drove my soon to be Fabia Estate Monte Carlo complete with face mask etc and it confirmed to me that it was the right car for me. I was a little worried about suspension being to firm after doing some prior research but it was fine.

Like you I need space for young family and the Fabia estate just seems perfect, boot space is huge but from the outside feels a bit like a tardis. 
 

It might help to know what the points are that make you dislike the Octavia, to see if this provides any steer to either the Fabia or the Yeti?

Some of it is related to it being a noisy diesel which won’t apply as both cars I’m looking at are petrol. It just feels a bit long and cumbersome. Nothing massively wrong, it’s just not right for me. 

I have only test drove a yeti back in 2012 and ended up going for a Fabia estate diesel that time. Yeti was lovely to drive and seating position felt a bit higher but what put me off was the cost was a lot more at the time and from an interior perspective the interior was a little drab although it was a lower trim than the Fabia.

 

The one I test drove tonight was the a 2018 petrol and I can honestly say didn’t really notice the noise levels and was much quieter than my 2017 B Class Mercedes.

 

If it were me I would go for Fabia and only because I would prefer the newer car and that bit of added peace of mind with warranty etc, although accept age is no guarantee of condition.

 

Having looked at other brands/models the Fabia Estate is almost unique and just seems to tick all the boxes for my young family at a really keen price.

I've gone from an Octavia which I liked everything about to a Yeti and I much prefer it, I do agree that the trim is more utilitarian but thats what its built for and at least its robust.

 

A nicer driving position and very surprising dynamics, it handles really well and overall is a much better drive than the Octavia in every aspect.

 

The only downside is the fuel economy is significantly worse, maybe it encourages me to drive more spiritedly, I think its simply down to the aérodynamiques and possibly being 4wd, unlike the Octavia it really is not much more economical on a cross country run then slow stop start in town & if you drive over 60 mph it can be less.

 

Mine is a diesel as was the Octavia, if it is down to frontal area, drag coefficient and the 4wd system then the petrol models will be equally handicapped, if economy was the over-riding factor I would choose the Fabia.

You haven't said what the engine and gearbox options (auto/manual) are on both cars. My partner has a Yeti it's a very nice car and not actually that big compared to most SUVs the only downside is that it has pretty poor fuel economy being a DSG (auto) and with the 1.2tsi petrol engine. 

 

Size wise the Yeti is actually slightly shorter than the current Fabia - it's obviously taller and wider though

 

I haven't had any experience of the current model Fabia - depending on what model you go for and if it's important to you you may find things like the entertainment system makes the Yeti look rather dated when it comes to Smartphone integration etc.

 

 

2 minutes ago, greenstripe said:

You haven't said what the engine and gearbox options (auto/manual) are on both cars. My partner has a Yeti it's a very nice car and not actually that big compared to most SUVs the only downside is that it has pretty poor fuel economy being a DSG (auto) and with the 1.2tsi petrol engine. 

 

Size wise the Yeti is actually slightly shorter than the current Fabia - it's obviously taller and wider though

 

I haven't had any experience of the current model Fabia - depending on what model you go for and if it's important to you you may find things like the entertainment system makes the Yeti look rather dated when it comes to Smartphone integration etc.

 

 

The yeti is 1.2 petrol manual gearbox

the Fabia is 1.0 (110ps) petrol manual. Fabia is 3 years newer, 13000 miles less and £1800 more. No cruise control but yes the phone integration will be much better. 

Test drive both and see what you prefer

Now my husband has thrown a curveball by suggesting a Scala! Off to do some test driving this afternoon. 

I looked at the scala as it looks really nice but didn’t drive one.  Would be good to hear how you got on with the test drives 

Well I have bought the yeti!

i would say Scala was nicest to drive, I’ve realised I don’t really like estates but the yeti won for versatility and practicality. The more I drove it the more I enjoyed it. It’s in mint condition. The spec on the se drive was great too. 

Each to their own and test driving them was the way to go. Hope you enjoy the Yeti and hoping to pick up my Fabia estate this weekend....can’t wait

38 minutes ago, Lizzip said:

Well I have bought the yeti!

i would say Scala was nicest to drive, I’ve realised I don’t really like estates but the yeti won for versatility and practicality. The more I drove it the more I enjoyed it. It’s in mint condition. The spec on the se drive was great too. 

Wishing you all the best with your new car!