Okay in a bit of a quandry. I cannot decide which to buy. At the weekend I had a look at an '04 Fabia which was lovely and also an '05 Ibiza FR (1.9 TDI PD). Both are the same price so the Ibiza is winning over due to it's better spec and its a year newer.

Fabia

PROs

• Love the look of it
  
• 5 doors (although I would rarely use them)
  
• Comfortable and attractive seats

CONs

• Only has a tape player! :eek: (Although I have my own CD-player to install so again not too much of an issue but come trading time, it might be)
  
• '04 reg
  
• Only has air-con not climate

Ibiza

PROs

• Love the look of it
  
• Has climate control
  
• Liked the low slung driving position.

CONs

• Only 3 doors but as I said, not much of an issue

Power felt very similar in both and well you don't really get to put handling to the test on a test drive. So basically, people can you give me anymore pros or cons to each car?

I'm pretty sure the vRS should come with a single-slot CD player as standard so I'd double check that. From what you've said, my money would be on the FR as it has more warranty left on it, better driving position and better kit

Worth pushing them to take the cars out for a longer drive though as the FR has harder suspension than the vRS which may or may not appeal....

Chris

I'm pretty sure the vRS should come with a single-slot CD player as standard so I'd double check that. From what you've said' date=' my money would be on the FR as it has more warranty left on it, better driving position and better kit

Worth pushing them to take the cars out for a longer drive though as the FR has harder suspension than the vRS which may or may not appeal....

Chris[/quote']It definately had a tape player...although maybe it had a CD changer but didn't see anything in the boot. Might ring the garage to confirm. Hard suspension wouldn't bother me too much as I'd rather tight handling.

Pretty sure as Chris says all Fabia vRS would have been fitted with a Symphony Single CD player. Is it at a Skoda main dealer?? If so ask them to ensure it has one fitted before you'll consider a purchase.

Thats said it does look like you've made your mind up.

It definately had a tape player...although maybe it had a CD changer but didn't see anything in the boot.

A popular location for the changer is also under the passenger seat, so worth checking there too

Chris

Come on people.....steer me towards the Fabia! See, I had wanted a Fabia vRS for so long and then I came across the Ibiza and it just looks so tempting. I know it's silly but the climate control in the Ibiza is a big factor because I do actually prefer the look of the Fabia, oh and I like the key fob of the Fabia too with the remote boot release....I know they're only little things but they matter.

The fact that you can buy a 1 year newer, better specced Ibiza for the same money as the better Fabia might give a clue about retained values.

Try shopping around.

Can you not spec climate control in the Fabia. If the HU is tape, then there is most likely a cd changer under the passenger seat.

The fact that you can buy a 1 year newer' date=' better specced Ibiza for the same money as the better Fabia might give a clue about retained values.

Try shopping around.[/quote']Good point...

Can you not spec climate control in the Fabia.

Buying second hand so thats not an option

Climate was not an option on the vRS.

I wouldn't let a headunit decide whether I buy a car or not either, nor climate come to that. Certainly not at this level anyway.

There is no doubt that the Ibiza is a better spec but it really depends on what you want, if you heart says Fabia then go for it.

Climate was not an option on the vRS.

I wouldn't let a headunit decide whether I buy a car or not either' date=' nor climate come to that. Certainly not at this level anyway.

There is no doubt that the Ibiza is a better spec but it really depends on what you want, if you heart says Fabia then go for it.[/quote']Yeh that's the advice I wanted to hear! I have a nice Sony headunit that connects directly to my iPod so that'll be going into the new car and yeh, how often will I actually even use the air-con.

how often will I actually even use the air-con.

All year round Cools the car in the summer, dries the air and helps demisting in the winter

Chris

the fabia is in a lower insurance group than the ibiza fr

the fabia is in a lower insurance group than the ibiza fr

Totally forgot about insurance, thanks!....jus did an online quote with my current insurer and they're both coming out as the same price (I'm in Southern Ireland)

22yo, full licence 3 years, 2 years NCB -

Lower insurance, better residuals, but that HU is wrong, the vRS has never been 'produced' with a tape player, always had the Symphony so I'd get that changed by the dealer to consider the purchase.

but that HU is wrong, the vRS has never been 'produced' with a tape player, always had the Symphony so I'd get that changed by the dealer to consider the purchase.

In the UK. fletch555 has just mentioned that he is in Eire, so it may have a different spec.

If you want to be more understated and classy , Fabia, Seat is a bit of a wide boys car to me. Thats my 2 cents worth. I am going to get crucified for the wide boy comment;)

In the UK. fletch555 has just mentioned that he is in Eire, so it may have a different spec.

The car is in Northern Ireland though, would they have the same spec as the UK??

I'd agree with the Seat wide boy comment after yesterday at Trax!

I prefer the looks of the Fabia to the Ibiza (it's a bit girly IMHO).

The car is in Northern Ireland though, would they have the same spec as the UK??

I suppose so, if it is a dealer car, take it up with them as it should have a cd player

The Ibiza looks like an ugly bug. I don't see how you could like it so much.

The Fabia has better quality interiors, amazing stock semi-recaro seats and is nice to drive. It smells nicer when brand new too.

And it looks better.

The only Ibiza shape I liked was the one prior to the new model. Otherwise, the new Seats are very ugly and don't even deserve to be called cars.

Get the Fabia. You shan't regret it.

Otherwise, the new Seats are very ugly and don't even deserve to be called cars.

:rofl: Thats my quote of the week!

I've not driven the Ibiza, but from being in one it just felt (and looked) cheap and tacky inside compared to the vRS. Might just be my taste but the interior of the vRS is somewhere I'd much rather be than the 3dr Ibiza.

My opinion of the Fabia's looks is that it's gone so far down the ugly road it's come out the 'good looking' turning. The Ibiza, however, missed the turning and is still on the 'deathly ugly' road.

I do like the boot release on the Ibiza/SEATs though...

The Fabia has better quality interiors

inho they've both got $hit interiors, the plastics are awefull

The only Ibiza shape I liked was the one prior to the new model. Otherwise' date=' the new Seats are very ugly and don't even deserve to be called cars.

[/quote']

:thumbdwn:

Also consider the seat fabrics of the Fabia and how dirty they might get and the Seat has more street cred!

The Skoda is far classier.