I've been looking increasingly at an Ibiza Sport PD130 recently - the only way I can get hold of a PD130 engined hatch the size of a Polo really as the Furby vRS prices are steady as a rock.

What are the differences other than cosmetics between a Furby vRS and the Ibiza? I'm thinking mainly about a) build quality and handling (I'm sure I read somewhere that the Furby has an exclusive new chassis unique to itself and the new Polo).

Other than that, is there anything that could cause Furby vRS's to start falling dramatically? I know a few are coming out of warranty now but would that really depreciate them that much? Most still sell for over £8k which is out of my budget really.

Thought about doing what JohnY has done? turbo and injectors off a pd130 in your motor and you'd be looking at circa 180bhp.

Looks different, materials used inside appeared to be cheaper, seats were good, apparently slightly more likely to have bits falling off but nothing to worry about in reality I reckon.

If you are able to get a PD130 within your budget for switching to the Ibiza then why not

I'd certainly go out for a test drive.

Other options worth considering perhaps could be a little tuning to your existing car, will cost a little but apart from an increase in your premium yours should be able to get up to 130 bhp without too much grief IIRC.

Handling wise - I've not driven the sport myself but it the body roll and dive is less it would be a good thing - you could go for suspension tweaks to your existing car as well though, depending on cost etc & your personal prefs

Mine's well over 130 already.

I don't want to push the PD100 any further really as it's apparantly not as strong as the PD130 and I need a car that is reliable every day!

Ibiza has crap ride and naff build quality... also shocking dealer service

The ride in the ibiza is nowhere near as good as the vrs. The dash is hard plastic which scratches easily although I liked the extra dials (oil temp and voltage) that mine had (an 03, I think they stopped them after that). The gearing on the Ibiza was higher than my (05) Vrs. On the other hand you did get side air bags and climate control as standard. There not bad cars but the Vrs is a better daily drive and feels better put together. Thats my opinion and I have had both cars and I wouldent really say no to the Ibiza but I would take it for a big test drive to see if you like it.

Just grab a gt1749va of ebay along with some injectors and a remap

I've got both, (03 Ibiza PD130) From driving both I can say :

A)The Ibiza seems quicker, could be due to the 50K on the clock compared to the vRS's 12k!!!

B)The vRS has the more comfortable driving position, can't seem to get the seat to go as low in the beeza and the seats have crap lumbar support and make my back hurt!

C)vRS seems to drive, ride and handle better, the beeza is too crashy over speed bumps and round town etc!

D)As someone else mentioned, nice couple of extra dials, but fuel gauge runs the wrong way and it has horrid red illimunitation.

E)Cup holder as std on Beeza and it has full climate control which is` nice!

F)Stereo controls on the beeza are fiddly and the buttons too small.

G)Seat dealers are pants compared to Skoda ones, but as the car you can get would be out off warranty it probably won't matter!

H)Not found any serious build quality issues, they both seem of good VAG Stock!

IMO I'd get a vRS, a much better more rounded package, I was/am shocked at how different the 2 cars are!!! Just my 2p worth

Rob, my vRS will be changed for a new one aprox next April...... It will have covered aprox 66k miles, so will be relatively cheap at the time..... I'll see what the dealers say at the time for trade in, but if they offer me silly low money and you can better it, the cars yours, remember most people worry about buying ex learner cars, but to honest they spend MOST of their time being driven around gently at 30 mph, the most hammer my car gets is when I'm trying to keep up with you on the cat'nfiddle! lol... anyway, you've driven it too let me know if you wanna hold on that long for one....

Our second car is an Ibiza PD130 and we got it because it was cheap for a PD130 (Paid £5250 1yr ago for an 02).

Spec wise the Ibiza is slightly better with stuff like climate, engine sound dampening, vented arch liner for SMIC over that of the furby as well as stuff the Furby has such as CD player, 16" wheels, colour coded front and rear bumpers, etc... The interior quality isn't as nice as the Fabia but it's well put together and I've had no real issues with the car.

The Ibiza is slightly lighter than the Furby and seems to handle very well but as others have said the ride can be a little crashy.

Also AFAIK the Ibiza is in a lower insurance group. Ours is in my wife's name on a provisional licence, at 25 with 0 NCB a years fully comp was around £500.

If they'd have cost the same I'd have chosen the Fabia but as a bargain PD130 super mini then the Ibiza is a good buy IMHO.

I had an Ibiza 130 Sport before my Furby.

I don't think there's a lot in it quality wise, but the early Sports looked very dull inside due to all the dark trim and the shallow windows. Some say the quality of plasitcs are cheaper, I'm not so sure, it's just a different finish. The new face lifted Ibizas seem very good quality from what I've seen and you get a lot for your money, styling on the FRs is spot on.

An early 130 Sport, as said above, is a cracking used buy. There will be issues such as bushes needing replacement if the miles are high, and you do get interior buzzes and vibrations on many but they are very solid cars.

Styling is very subjective. From some angles the Beezer looks best, from others the Fabia has it, and I think the Ibiza is suited to some colours much better than others. Still, you could put the facelifted bumpers on an early one to improve the styling even more.

15mm rear spacers are a must with all Ibizas to bring the rear wheels out to where they should be, they look like eggs otherwise!

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I had a look at the ibiza yesterday was bored so wandered round car alley in inverness(where most of the garages are) the dashboard seems cheaper and not as solid looking as the fabia

stop incorouging people to get 180bhp out of a 100bhp car lol the stock brakes and handling will find you the closest hedge!

test drive the fabia vrs then test drive the ibiza FR i think you'll find the ibiza more sportier feel (harder suspension etc) than the vrs , both are very well rounded cars, the fabia is also heavier. you'll know as soon as you test drive both both are good quick cars.

also before considering 170bhp from your vrs get bigger brake (tt conversion) and jabba ARB and suspension change. mine uses all of its ap racing 4 pot calipers! even when standard.

The Ibiza has been What Car's Supermini of the Year the last 2 or 3 years running IIRC ? Excellent handling but as stated above the ride is firm in town. Certainly worth a look and a much better car than a lot of people have said above.