vRS Fabia should have been ready Monday or Tuesday but salesman spotted wing mirror was cracked so they had to spray one up and fit it. Finally picked it up today - late (dark), and lousy Manchester weather to boot.

Anyways - my impressions at 05am 14th Dec. (apologies, originally an email to a buddy, altered to remove names etc).

Apologies for typos etc - a leeltle alcohol intervening.

Done about 50 miles now.

Wife scared stiff of driving it - sweaty palms, the lot ....

In second gear from 1800 revs it just catapults you - no other way to describe it. Then, all too soon as commented on by so many, you're up to 4 to 4,500 revs (red line) and into third - and it just keeps on pulling like a steam train ('cept they are Nowhere near as fast).

Too be honest it's too too fast for (local) roads with other cars on as they just keep coming backward.

Ride excellent - firmish but not crashy at all. Bit more rumble from tyres - read this was so, but then many German cars I believe are this way as they are tuned to autobahns + it does ride on low profiles (40). Not exploited the handling - roads too greasy. Tons of nice little features - electrics wise and body wise. Feels as solid as a rock buildwise.

Showed it off to a neighbour - and got 'F..king Hell'. He is over the moon - but then again he had a test in a 100BHP Fabia diesel whilst they were sorting a car for his Mum (who as a result now has a petrol Fabia estate) and loved it and he would have had one (but his wife didn't want to know a Skodah).

Son megga impressed, Daughter (soon to take test) got to try it on Sainsbury's car park - but the diesel torquue scared her - i.e. in 2nd gear with no accelerator it pulled along by itself. One of son's friends with a new Fiesta 'wants one' - had a big grin all over his face.

A sporty new Audi tried to leave me twice on the local bypass - and then gave up and moved over (I'm sure to have a look at just what the damned gutsy thing behind was).

And it really looks the part - very smart, bit understated yet somehow butch and classic too (Wife says we'd better get smarted up to keep in tune with the car - for a moment my heart leaped, I thought she'd said tarted up. Poor 54 yr old sex-mad fool, keep on living in hope).

So, yes, we might be keeping it.

Wife too scared to take it out of garage in morning so I have to get up to take son to work + in her words 'I really really need another day to get used to it'.

Oil changes are every 10,000 miles - but (well chuffed) car got one at 6,500 (1st year service) and 12,500 (2nd year service, including Brake Fluid Change), now has 15,800 on clock. So, am going to have next at 20k - plan on every 8k as engine IS the major component. Luckily, Oldham BMS stock Millers XFE - PD oil cheaper than I can get it elsewhere -

Excellent review. You must attend a few 'Meets' now

>>Millers XFE - PD oil cheaper than I can get it elsewhere -

Oil prices have rocketed in the last two or so years - think you'll be surprised at increases. On my last bill for my Cavalier (independent garage) I queried the oil price and was told (even though we are on very good terms) in no uncertain terms that oil had gone crazy. He was then paying