I am considering buying a new Skoda Fabia to replace my old Skoda Fabia.  What advice might you have for me in terms of options to choose?  Any you regret not having chosen?

 

Any advice as to negotiation tactics or discounts also very gratefully accepted!

1 hour ago, springdove said:

I am considering buying a new Skoda Fabia to replace my old Skoda Fabia.  What advice might you have for me in terms of options to choose?  Any you regret not having chosen?

 

Any advice as to negotiation tactics or discounts also very gratefully accepted!

 

I would tell the dealer that the starting price of a Fabia in Poland is 66,450PLN (about £12,400), and what's the best price he can do?

 

Even the Fabia Monte Carlo is only 79,500PLN (about £14,800).

 

The VAT rate in Poland is 23%, so the price in Poland should be more than the UK price.

 

Skoda Fabia in Poland

https://www.skoda-auto.pl/modele/fabia/fabia

 

Edited 10 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

The Fabia is overpriced in UK, and even quite poor value against other VW group cars like polo and Ibiza

 

The specs are muddled, appears to be deliberate leaving out commonly wanted items, that can only be had as part of expensive packs grouped with things you have probably never had, so wouldn't notice if they were missing.  So if add packs would be buying things might not use.

 

As @Carlston  has said overpriced, 

Another example, in Germany Fabia starts from €14,540 (£12,900)

German Monte Carlo 1.5 DSG is €26,400 (£23,400)

VAT is 19% in Germany so don't let a UK stealer claim it is due to VAT

 

 

I see - but then if all dealers in the UK start with that same price, there’s not much they can do with this right, presumably Skoda have hiked prices?  I like the SE L specs and the few packages I like, have been a bit blinkered with it because I like my current car. 

Get quotes from other (online) suppliers and use that as a starting point for negotiations with selected dealer. 

Definitely regret not specifying ACC and heated windshield. 

Edited 10 February, 20233 yr by Warrior193
extra comment

8 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

The Fabia is overpriced in UK, and even quite poor value against other VW group cars like polo and Ibiza

 

Compared to the Fabia, the Dacia Sandero seems better value, especially the £14,500 LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) version, which is based on the middle trim level Expression.

 

The Dacia Sandero 1.0 turbo petrol 90HP does about 52mpg, and the LPG version does about 42mpg due to the lower energy density of LPG compared to petrol. However, LPG is about half the price of petrol, so cost wise that's like having a petrol that does 84mpg...and that's how I look at it, ie. as far as I'm concerned the LPG Sandero does 84mpg!

 

I'm a long term Skoda fan, but I don't like being ripped off by "Rip Off Britain".

 

If I could import a cheap, new LHD Fabia from Europe I would, and I prefer LHD to RHD due to the better pedal layout...ie. in LHD you don't have the wheelarch intrusion pushing the accelerator pedal awkwardly across to the left, and LHD has a comfortable place to rest your left foot.

 

Dacia Sandero

https://www.dacia.co.uk/vehicles/sandero/prices-versions.html?gradeCode=ENS_MDL2P1SERIELIM4

 

Edited 10 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

Thank you @Warrior193 - yes currently my options selections are:

 

Skoda Fabia

1.0 TSI 110 DSG SE L

Winter package

Park and go package plus with rear view camera

Safety Package

Simply clever package 2

Travel assist low

Light and view package plus

Metallic paint

 

Prices for the above are around £25k after dealer discounts, with the £500 deposit contribution reducing price further if I went for a PCP (and I'll also get certain other PCP benefits such as services for a smaller fee).  ACC is included in Travel assist low, while Winter Package has the heated windscreen - both of which I agree I want!  I am leaning towards potentially removing the Light and View package plus as it's quite expensive, and doesn't add too much of value beyond the standard SE L configuration. 

 

While I've been a fan of Dacia too @Carlston - and I agree it's good value for money - it's not got the same spec as the Fabia, and a lot of the conveniences I'd like are not even possible, even if I'm willing to pay more.  

 

 

 

 

Edited 10 February, 20233 yr by springdove

7 hours ago, springdove said:

I see - but then if all dealers in the UK start with that same price, there’s not much they can do with this right, presumably Skoda have hiked prices?  I like the SE L specs and the few packages I like, have been a bit blinkered with it because I like my current car. 

The naive way of doing it is to assume that because an earlier version of Fabia suited you, must continue with new generation Fabia.  This ignores world has moved on and there are some good alternatives out there.

 

The better way to do it is to go on the configurator, add the specs you want, then print out the configuration at the end.  Then take 3 coloured highlighters (or pen but not as clear) and go through each line splitting them into essential must haves, would be nice but wouldn't really miss them, and no way want to pay extra for that.

 

Once you have decided what you really want, check some alternative brands.   As an example few years ago I had a late mk2 Fabia, now I have a Seat Arona.  I managed to secure brand new top spec with 1.0tsi DSG for about £20k (4 years ago), to get everything that I have on latest Fabia would be nearer £28k. But in reality many parts are virtually same so doesn't feel lot different.

 

But if you are set on a Fabia, get some online quotes, (brokers or carwow etc) then when your local dealer offers you a price, ask him to match them.  The cars all come from same supplier, so not like one dealer is buying them at hugely higher price.

 

Very true @SurreyJohn.  I guess it's a bit of nostalgia here - Skoda Fabia has been my first car, and I'm happy with it, and so I'm going for the same thing on the basis it's the least change as such.  I am potentially willing to spend in the range of £20-£24k for a brand new car, not too much bigger than the Fabia (as we don't need a very large car at this stage of our lives).  If you or others reading this have any helpful alternative suggestions, I am more than willing to consider them.   

 

I appreciate every single person's response here, thank you for helping!

1 hour ago, springdove said:

Very true @SurreyJohn.  I guess it's a bit of nostalgia here - Skoda Fabia has been my first car, and I'm happy with it, and so I'm going for the same thing on the basis it's the least change as such.  I am potentially willing to spend in the range of £20-£24k for a brand new car, not too much bigger than the Fabia (as we don't need a very large car at this stage of our lives).  If you or others reading this have any helpful alternative suggestions, I am more than willing to consider them.   

 

I appreciate every single person's response here, thank you for helping!

 

Have you been on carwow?

 

If you want to look at all the options that seems like a good place to start.

 

For the £20-£24k price range, maybe take a look at the Audi A1. The Audi A1 1.0TSI 110HP DSG starts at under £23k with the usual discount. Same platform as the Fabia/Polo/Ibiza.

 

I heard that this current A1 model is the last Audi will build, as I suspect they are going to concentrate on their higher priced cars with higher profit margins.

 

Or maybe the VAG group are simply going to price the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza cars at the level of the current Audi A1.

 

The Audi A1 insurance group is higher. Around 18/50 insurance group for the 110HP cars, but might depend on exact model.

 

The Skoda Fabia insurance group is lower. Around 13/50 insurance group for the 110HP cars, but might depend on exact model.

 

See "insurance group" moneysupermarket.com for car insurance groups

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/groups/

 

Edited 10 February, 20233 yr by Carlston

Fabia heated windscreen - horrible stripes...

@FA-BI-A does this reduce visibility or are you only talking about the aesthetic?  is there a photo somewhere you could point me towards?  Thanks so much for your response! 

Wires are too visible. View is not clear. Karoq and Kodiaq - there is silver film in heated windscreen. It is awesome, there is no wires.

I'm not sure about the Fabia, but I have a heated windscreen on my Fiesta and I agree, in some light conditions you can visibly see the wires in the screen. Occasionally it's weird when moving your head if you focus on them. However 90% of the time you don't notice it and can drive normally. It quickly demists the screen and melts ice within minutes. 

 

The only option which might be overseen/forgotten, which I would consider essential to pick, this would be a spare wheel. Tyre goo and a compressor might be easier to use and possibly safer at side of road/hard shoulder, but it doesn't fix all punctures (large holes, sidewall damage etc) and certainly wheel damage. I'd certainly ask to have one even if buying a used car. We did with our Mk3 Fabia.

Edited 17 March, 20233 yr by Jim H

Thanks so much for your response, I really do appreciate it!