OK OK, reading too much about these now! I cant afford one .... but starting to think about saving lots lol!!! What are they like? Can anyone TRY to explain what 180bhp and 300lb/ft of torque feels like???? And whats required to get it up to that??? Any reliability issues? Warranty? Oh and how does the 180bhp Fabia compare to the OCtavia RS??? lol..... Rob

Ok. I cant tell you about 180bhp because i aint got that much power (yet)

judging off your profile, i will presume youve got a 1.2 16v dynamique...

i came from a 51plate clio dynamique (with climate and CD) to the vRS..

Peformance:

Infinately better than the clio, even with the standard engine, the kick in the back when it comes on boost brings a smile to your face, it takes a bit of getting used to not ragging the engine to bits for power.. but once you master it, its even more satisfying. (it even has a nice engine growl when you are giving it some)

Handling:

Depends how you like it.. The clio (understandibly) handled better when really really pushed on the limit, but they Dynamique handling is quite sloppy compared to the Fabia.. the Fabia is much more taut with alot less body roll and pitching, which i prefer for more day to day driving.

Refinement:

The fabia feels much more planted on the road than the clio did, rides better on roads in general and having less body roll helps too. Equipment levels might not be up to Renault standards. but that was not really an issue for me. on the motorway the difference is amazing.. whilst the clio would be buzzing at 4krpm at about 80mph, the Fabia will be doing less than 2krpm with very little effort required, and no need to change down to accelerate either. apart from idle, its difficult to tell that the fabia is a Diesel.. but that doesnt matter when the ICE is on only gripe i would have, is the seats are not as comfortable as in the clio.

Servicing/Reliability/Build Quality:

The Fabia is miles better built than the Clio.. its noticeable as soon as you get in, and as you drive round, it becomes more apparent how well its screwed together.

The Skoda dealers are very very good. always eager to help and will go to great lengths to get things sorted. one of the major issues i had with my clio was due to the dealers inability to fix it.

Servicing is every 10k for the fabia, not sure on price, because noone has got that far yet (im getting close tho)

Reliability is still too soon to judge, i have a rattle in one of the doors which will be brought up at service, but i have a aftermarket HU, which might have caused a bit of extra vibration thru the speakers

ahh, also... the standard sound system is quite good... with a aftermarket HU... its very very very good, alot better than the clio.

180bhp is easily achiveable by getting it tuned.. there are several companys who do diesel tuning... AmD, Jabbasport, APR, Revo.. all varying in price and features..

also, a tuning box can be a cheap solution to more power, wont be as powerful or refined as a proper remap, but can be found on the net for alot less

totally agree with NEO_VR there. Got mine on saturday and the kick at 2Krpm @ 2nd gear does bring a smile to ur face. Just like the delivery guy said "your going to love this car". To be honest, when i looked at the stats of the car i already did, test droved it; which is an experience u need to have before you buy, just to find out whether you like the "feel" of the car :P.

I'm trying to becareful with the revs as you dont want to harm the engine so change around 1,5-2krpm, but dont know what limit rev you should go up to when you trying to run the car in.

My previous car was a VX Corsa 1.2, I think that says it all really. Fabia is on a different league to the Corsa. The roll on that was probably 30degrees, tested the fabia at the same place at a faster speed and the roll was v.minimal compared to the corsa. Stiffed suspension, 20mm lowered comparing to the normal fabs (correct me if im wrong), on 16" 205mm. Full spec can be found - http://www.skodasnewtoy.co.uk

Save up your money now and order one!!!!! I'm saving up for good jabbaring:P.

Standard engine performance will do for now, im still in the 45bhp and 10lb of torque world from the corsa.

good luck on saving mate - you got plenty of time (i think there is a 2-3mths waiting list) you wont regret it.

Cheers guys, u really are helping me to not want one!!! lol!

As for the handling, my clio is lowered, so it aint too soggy. I would expect the clio to be better at the limits, due to its nature, but im sure the Fabia is by no means a bore to chuck around. Standard ice would be replaced, so no wirries there. I totally agree about the build quality, after all, German motors are always gonna be better screwed together than French ones (think all the extra screws add to the weight)

My mate has just bought a civic type R, so eventually i am gonna have to get something to keep on level terms with him. My dads Octavia RS could be interesting when chipped, but i do quite fancy a Fabia.....which im sure would give the civic a good run for its money when chipped up etc.....especially up a hill lol.

Cheers for the replies guys.......any more to tempt me?? not that i aint tempted enough. ) Rob

Oh.. something i forgot to mention.... fuel economy

at first it doesnt seem very good in comparison to the clio but it gets better! the fuel tank is slightly smaller (45l) but ive currently done 440 miles and still have 75 left in the tank. and ive only done 7k so far

I'm trying to becareful with the revs as you dont want to harm the engine so change around 1' date='5-2krpm, but dont know what limit rev you should go up to when you trying to run the car in.

[/quote']

3k is more than enough..

:airjock:

How do they compare to the Octy Rs....well... :grouphug:

Okay I'm talking from a Octy RS viewpoint on a moderate pace.

A few weeks back a group of RS's met up and had a good tour.

Small twisty B's both were well paced, it would be possible to actually pass one, but not without some tears in short/medium twisty roads, I guess if you really had to you could.

Open flowing roads, Octy RS has the legs, but the Furbies were never that far behind, unless of course you just went loopy. I would hazzard this for track use aswell, although it would be no slouch...

IMHO a great car and thats unchipped furbies.

hopefully havea few side by side for a fairer comparasion at the track/driving test day coming up.

How do they compare to the Octy Rs....well...

Open flowing roads' date=' Octy RS has the legs, but the Furbies were never that far behind, unless of course you just went loopy. [/quote']

dont recall seing any in my mirrors?

tbh they are not too shabby for a saxo esq machine.... am waiting to see a properly modded one before i make my final judgement.. so when we have one on coilovers and chipped etc then we shall see?

dont recall seing any in my mirrors?

hehe must be that blind spot again :mouse:

speaking of blind spots... have just been sent a pic of the last bastion of 4x4 ownership on track in "the red baron" looking very composed mid corner.......

not a westie in sight... :chicken:

How do they compare to the Octy Rs....well... :grouphug:

Okay I'm talking from a Octy RS viewpoint on a moderate pace.

A few weeks back a group of RS's met up and had a good tour.

Small twisty B's both were well paced' date=' it would be possible to actually pass one, but not without some tears in short/medium twisty roads, I guess if you really had to you could.

Open flowing roads, Octy RS has the legs, but the Furbies were never that far behind, unless of course you just went loopy. I would hazzard this for track use aswell, although it would be no slouch...

IMHO a great car and thats unchipped furbies.

hopefully havea few side by side for a fairer comparasion at the track/driving test day coming up.[/quote']

ill let yer have a shot in mine sometime..

ffelan: you were ovbiously too busy checking your rear view mirror to see that copper you zoomed past.... barsteward!! :cop1:

Oh and how does the 180bhp Fabia compare to the OCtavia RS???

The Octavia is the better car, mainly because it has a petrol engine rather than a diesel, and so not only can it be tuned to produce more power, but the delivery is much more enjoyable.

However, it will cost more to buy, insure and run...

Rob.

ClioRob you sound familiar, maybe off of cliosport ???

I had a 172 Mk2 and I can say just with the short test drive I have had the Fabia is going to be more fun. The 172 had bags of power but anyone can just jump into a quick car and floor it !

I have the Fabia on order with lots of goodies like Xenon's etc and I can't wait. I might even put it up against a 172 to see how much of a difference the perfomance is between a 1.9TD and a 2.0 16v. Should be interesting, then I will get it chipped and this should even things out a bit.

Also have a look at this chart

Chart

The peak HP is at 1900rpm and peak torque is at 4000rpm so the engine pulls really early.

My previous car was a VX Corsa 1.2' date=' I think that says it all really. Fabia is on a different league to the Corsa. The roll on that was probably 30degrees, tested the fabia at the same place at a faster speed and the roll was v.minimal compared to the corsa. Stiffed suspension, [b']20mm lowered comparing to the normal fabs (correct me if im wrong), [/b]

The suspension has been lowered 15mm to increase stability and handling characteristics, using springs that are stronger and shorter than on other Fabia models. The dampers have been adjusted for a stiffer ride.

From Skoda's new toy website

Like all Fabias they are small and Ugly compared with the Octavia and far too expensive compared with the Felicia that they replaced. :smokin:

Like all Fabias they are small and Ugly compared with the Octavia and far too expensive compared with the Felicia that they replaced. :smokin:

Stop beating around the bush William, just say what you mean. :mischievo

I have never liked the Fabia. It was originally called Felicia MK 2, I remember pictures of it on the Skoda web site in 1998 and was described as the Felicia MK 2. However when it actually came out it was much more expensive. I have always felt that Skoda should have kept at least its small car in the bargain catagory. Now a days you can buy super minis from several makes with more illustrious badges than Skoda for less than the Fabia. When I bought my first Felicia, it was the cheapest new car on the road in the UK.

ChavyBoy, yea im off of cliosport matey. Will definately be interesting to hear how you think it compares to the 172 buddy.

Like all Fabias they are small and Ugly compared with the Octavia and far too expensive compared with the Felicia that they replaced. :smokin:

Ugly?

I think not :tongue2:

Certainly not ugly!

Just got to get the vRS into a more non-standard state now!

...but Grasshopper, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Now a days you can buy super minis from several makes with more illustrious badges than Skoda for less than the Fabia.

You may be able to buy superminis from several makes with more illustrious badges for less than a Fabia, but are they as good? You pays your money and all that....

When I bought my first Felicia' date=' it was the cheapest new car on the road in the UK.

[/quote']

As I said, you pays your money... ;-)

Also have a look at this chart

Chart

The peak HP is at 1900rpm and peak torque is at 4000rpm so the engine pulls really early.

I think it's the other way around

Seriously though - having been in a chipped ibiza cupra 1.8T and owning a fabia vrs' date=' I would rather have the fabia. And I'm not saying that just from a fuel economy point of view. I will admit I'm slightly biassed in liking the VAG 1.9PD engines rather a lot, but they do have oodles of torque and just give you quick, [i']effortless[/i] driving. Yes, the clio 172 or tavia 1.8T is probably "faster" in pure 0-60, but I would have to say there's more "effort" involved. I know I'm gonna get flamed saying you need to put effort to drive a tavia rs fast, but Colin (Neo VR), Rooboy and all the other diesel-loving-drivers will know what I mean. It may not be 180 bhp on paper, and it does feel quicker than "130bhp"

I just find it enjoyable and fast without having to worry about it. It just goes without giving the impression of breaking a sweat.

From a reliability side, everything's ok - and so it should be for a new car. A couple of squeeks which I'll mention at the 1st service. Ultimately, the car is too new to provide realistic reliability figures.

Also, for the size, I do think the space is very well used. I do find it feels bigger inside than it actually is. For instance, take the rear leg room. The effective cut out seats in the fabia give you more space than you would have thought - and probably not much less than in a tavia. The boot is a reasonable size (bigger than the Polo I had before) although it sure is no match for the massive boot you get in the tavia.

I have xenons and I love them. Cruise control is also useful for ever-trying to improve the economy which is superb for the performance you get out of it. Group 9a insurance is also pretty good I think for a car of "that performance".

If you wait a couple of months saving up, you'll probably find more options will beome available. On the continent (well in France at least), you get rear leccy windows as standard which is unavailable in the UK, even as an option. Also, heated seats, and a few other bits and pieces are optional gear which isn't available (yet) in the UK. By March, probably it will be

Neo VR also mentioned ICE. It sounds like you're gonna do a full install - but the OEM speakers really are above average approaching very good (for OEM). Put a decent head unit with better SQ, and those oem speakers are more than adequate (if a little poor on bass at high volumes).

My biggest gripe so far is how mucky the boot gets. A little spirited trip in Wales which Colin_D mentioned really brought up all the mud you get on those lovely twisty b roads. Ohh yes, my biggest gipe overall is the tyres. The michelins the fabia vrs comes with are fine in the dry but scary-bad in the wet. The car easily outperforms what the tyres give you, so you have to watch it at first. When you get the hang of it though, you do get nice drifts and surprisingly little understeer for a FWD

My biggest gripe so far is how mucky the boot gets. A little spirited trip in Wales which Colin_D mentioned really brought up all the mud you get on those lovely twisty b roads. Ohh yes' date=' my biggest gipe overall is the tyres. The michelins the fabia vrs comes with are fine in the dry but scary-bad in the wet. The car easily outperforms what the tyres give you, so you have to watch it at first. When you get the hang of it though, you do get nice drifts and surprisingly little understeer for a FWD [/quote']

Ditto

All the dirt is handy for writing the shopping list on though.

Fuel consumption is ace.

Performance is ace.

Tyres are the only downer but as seen as it never rains in Bitain why worry?