I've had my 04 vRS for almost 3 years now and I'm getting itchy feet for something new - but what?

I'm open to virtually anything with in the following limits. No more than ~£3k more than I can get for my 3 year old, standard, red Fabia vRS. So I guess we're looking at under 10k.

No less than 40mpg.

No older than 5 years.

Reliable.

At least as good handling as the Fabia vRS.

<< 10 sec 0-60

Can I get a Mondeo with the 155bhp TDCI for that? Is this 04 ST anywhere close to £10k yet? What about the 140bhp CTDi Honda Accord? Leon Cupra 150PD?

What are people replacing this Fabias with?

Leon Cupra 150pd would be an excellent car, and very quick once on the move too.

I changed from the Fabia vRS to a Leon Cupra R, but apparently that's a downgrade.

I went for an 03 reg Saab 9-3 2.0t. That gave me 175bhp, probably the best standard suspension set up I've ever had and 35mpg, cost me £10k

Leon Cupra 150pd would be an excellent car, and very quick once on the move too.

I changed from the Fabia vRS to a Leon Cupra R, but apparently that's a downgrade.

How is that a downgrade? :confused:

EDIT: OP apart from the ones you've already mentioned the only other car that springs to mind is a Golf GT PD150...

The Mondeo ST TDCi gets my vote though

Yep should easily be able to get an ST TDCI for that money. Not sure if people will think it's an upgrade though (but I certainly do )

Chris

A Mondeo ST TDCI for £10k seems like a great deal, a lot of quality car for your money.

How do the Zetec, Ghia, Ghia X, Titanium, ST all with the 2.2TDCi engine compare to one another? Where's the sweet spot in terms of value for money?

I think the 2.2 TDCI was only very recently introduced in those cars so you might not be able to get one for 10k.

Zetec and Zetec-S are sporty. Ghia, Titanium and Ghia-X are "luxury". I went for the Ghia X because it has all the toys and it still handles beautifully, but in the facelift models they decided to put a lot of nasty wood trim everywhere which may not be to everyone's taste. Worth checking out Parkers for the difference in trim levels and see which one you like

Chris

Oh yeah, looking at 2004/04 there are only Ghia X and ST, with the ST some ~£800 more.

Got rid of my Silver Vrs for a mazda 6 sport 136. It handles better than the vrs ever did but is a tad slower. Insurance is over £80 cheaper on the mazda but road tax is £50 more a year.

GF still got her black VRS so I get to drive that too so best of both worlds. I didnt want to get rid of mine but needed a bigger car.

Oh yeah, looking at 2004/04 there are only Ghia X and ST, with the ST some ~

Go for the Mondeo,i nearly bought an ST220 in October because i loved the V6 and they come with all the toys,and the Recaro seats are sooooo comfortable.

They handle really well aswell,far to over looked by people who insist on having BM's and Merc's.

Sold my 05 VRS yesterday :( Looking at getting an Octavia L+K tdi next week! Sad to see it go but need the bootspace for a pram for the new baby.

Cheers

I replaced a Mondeo Ghia X with my vRS. I wouldn't go back.

Oh, and if you do choose to go for a Mondie, don't pay £10k for one. The depreciation on Mondies is so very, very steep that it's really not worth paying more than £5k-£6k for one.

Can't get a half decent TDCI for £5-6k though!

Can't get a half decent TDCI for

I will be going for a grande punto sporting (130bhp multijet diesel)

I replaced my vRS with a Corsa 1.3 CDTI SXI+...

Now I've got a 2003 Focus TDCI Ghia with 17" MP3 alloys... very nice indeed.

I replaced my vRS with a Corsa 1.3 CDTI SXI+...

Now I've got a 2003 Focus TDCI Ghia with 17" MP3 alloys... very nice indeed.

thought you were hankering after changing that too?

Now I've got a 2003 Focus TDCI Ghia

How do you think it compares to your vrs.......

Swapped mine for a Smart Roadster Brabus and absolutely love it

Theres an 02 reg Mondeo Zetec TDCi 130 on an 02 plate at a local garage , probably older and more miley than you are looking for , but just to give you an idea of what they go for , they are asking

I've gone from a Fabia vRS to a 1992 Nissan Sunny 1.4LX, I don't think I'd ever go back!

But seriously, it's a bit of a bridge car between me and a...? not 100% sure yet, but a Alfa Brera 2.4JTDM

got rid of mine in June 05 for a Octavia II Elegance 140, it's a much nicer car to be in

I know it doesn't manage 40mpg+, it probably struggles to make 30mpg even tho the official figure is 31mpg, iirc, but as per my signature.

Wouldn't go back!! I love and power, handling and reliability of my CTR

There's alot out there if you can see past having to have a car that does 40+mpg. But again I'm sure you've stated that as a must due to the mileage you do and not the cobwebs in your wallet !

Why not go for an st170?