Hi,

I'm Rob from Leeds and I'm new to the forums!

I'm thinking of buying a Fabia VRS. My maximum budget is around 9k but I'd like something under warranty and with low mileage. Is the manufacturer's warranty 3 year/60,000 miles?

Is there anything to look out for when buying? Also I've heard that there's a handling improvement on the 2005 model - any truth in this?

Thanks in advance!

Handling - No problems noted here, Do a search to verify.

As for a price , you will prob get a 1.5yr - 2 yr old one

Thanks. I've seen a red 2004 54 model with 18,000 miles for 9500. I'm guessing the dealer may come down to 9k with no trade in. This sound like a good deal?

mine was 18,800miles on clock @ 8500 back in june 2006 (registered December 2003) genuine and very low mileage. got new tyres etc put on it. price not cheap as such, but it was very low mileage (and 100% genuine) and cheapest red one around at any age at the time. Pleased with it. 33000 miles now Live in Barnsley, work in Bradford. + it a joy to drive, especially with kn filter, re-worked airbox setup, Miltek Cat-Back and a custom re-map (for maximum smoothness) by Angel Tuning (they come to you to do the work ) It drives like a dream. super smooth, and lethally quick (I took on a thrashed 535d bmw other day and matched its speed.

(I took on a thrashed 535d bmw other day and matched its speed.

:sofahide:

mine was 18,800miles on clock @ 8500 back in june 2006 (registered December 2003) genuine and very low mileage. got new tyres etc put on it. price not cheap as such, but it was very low mileage (and 100% genuine) and cheapest red one around at any age at the time. Pleased with it. 33000 miles now Live in Barnsley, work in Bradford. + it a joy to drive, especially with kn filter, re-worked airbox setup, Miltek Cat-Back and a custom re-map (for maximum smoothness) by Angel Tuning (they come to you to do the work ) It drives like a dream. super smooth, and lethally quick (I took on a thrashed 535d bmw other day and matched its speed.

Hmm - so I should try for 8,500 for one of similar age then?

I've test drove one already and thought it was tons of fun. If I get one I was thinking of changing the head-unit and speakers. I've heard the head-unit is easy to do, you just need an antennae amplifier as well (?).

After I've had it a couple of years I may look at the 50bhp chip you can get (I've no idea on which one, I've just heard you can get one).

Mine is in the classified's (here on briskoda) at £8000, and is an '05, still under the manufacturer's 2 year 'unlimited' mileage warranty, but no low mileage... 70k

(I took on a thrashed 535d bmw other day and matched its speed.

:rofl: :rofl:

How big a difference does the final gear ratio change make on the 2005 model? The 2004 I've already test drove seemed nippy enough.

Sure it wasn't a 'crashed' 535d :P

The later ratio gearbox has a slightly shorter 6th. This makes it slightly more eager to pull BUT lower top speed is likely and also fuel consumption is a little worse.

Depends also on whether you have a remap

Sure it wasn't a 'crashed' 535d :P

The later ratio gearbox has a slightly shorter 6th. This makes it slightly more eager to pull BUT lower top speed is likely and also fuel consumption is a little worse.

Depends also on whether you have a remap

Ta - so it's just 6th that's affected and not the 'final drive' cog that all gears use?

I'll keep it standard while in warranty methinks, then go for the remap once it's out. :hotdevil:

i looked on parkers earlier bout mine - july 05 with 19k on clock and they said

Thrashed a BMW 535d

This does make you look like a total idiot.

The 535d has 272hp vs a std vRS 130hp the 535d has 560Nm vs the vRS 310Nm

The 535d has more torque than the vRS at idle 900rpm

So youd have to be in exactly the right gear at exactly the right revs and hope the 535d driver is playing with his "i"drive & adjusting his dual zone climate control then spots that you have accelerated a few seconds before he realises.

The 535d has much more torque than the M5 and once moving the M5 is beaten by the 535d in gear so your pathetic statement just makes me weep with joy that there are individuals who seriously think this, grow up please.

Um and you thrashed it..... To actually "Thrash" another car on the road would need a vast amount more power or possibly the fact that one driver may not want to drive above a certain speed while the other (I guess you) has no concern for the speed limits or other roads users safety.

Its a shame to see the vRS falling into the hands of what would have been Saxo VTS crew's.

LOL - I'm not really bothered about thrashing 535's, I just want something fun to drive for now.

I used to own a Civic Type R and that could beat most cars that you see on the road day-to-day. At the mo I'm driving a Jag XK8 which I've just sold so I'm not too bothered about speed from the VRS (for now - until I decide to chip it later on ).

Actually I wonder how many cars in the real world could keep up with a 535d let alone thrash it.

And before someone says M5 etc well we need to add in the soot monsters main weapon 35mpg+. M5 etc driven in a manner to keep up with a 535d would be well under 20mpg so add in the time for a fuel stop.

535d M sport/535d M sport touring/ 335d M sport Touring are the best real world cars and even brand new they are not too expensive for what they offer. + once you chip it up then my god is it going to be quick.