hi

Am considering buying a fabia vrs or octavia vrs, about 3 years old. Any preference?

the space isn't really the issue, the diesel economy attracts me (my integrale is quite thirsty as a 2nd car) and I want faultless reliability (see integrale comment).

which is better? any comments welcome...performance wise etc.

thanks

Mike

Performance wise the Octavia is faster on ANY road.

If you're into modifying, both cars can be remapped for £300-£400. A remapped Fabia will match a standard Octavia.

The Octavia can be remapped to 220bhp in one hit.

The Fabia is a little nose heavy and suffers from small standard brakes and needs an aftermarket rear anti-roll bar to get it handling well

The Octavia has that "big car" feel and a cavernous boot - the Fabia is a small car.

Octavia MPG can be as low at 17 when pushing on but most average 38-40 when driving sensibly.

The Octavia has climate control, the Fabia has air-con.

Both will be equally reliable.

good comments, thank you, I do feel the extra room of the octavia would be useful and safer.

as regards modifying, well yes, my grale has 260bhp so I'd be keen to up the power, especially as it's a discreet motor. also my wife to be is from slovakia - they swear by skodas!!

In my humble opinion, the Octavia is the car to get if you're over 25 and married.

It simply offers practicality way beyond that of the Fabia.

235 BHP is about all you can get from the standard turbo with some other mods. 280 woul dbe easily acheivable with a Leon Cupra R turbo and associated bits.

There is a lot of information on here in both the Fabia and Octavia specific sections along with a very useful advanced search facility (see the tool bar at the top of this and every forum page)

plus a grale for that little bit extra.

thanks for advice. am 35 by the way.

35....... Octavia it is then

If you want good fuel economy, go for the 140 bhp 2.0 Octy Tdi. As fast as the Fabia VRS and both the elegance and L&K spec are lovely.