Hi Guys,

Been lurking for a few weeks while I look for a new motor so here goes;

Top of the list is a Fabia vRS, but having read about the issues some folks have it doesn't make the decision so clear cut. So are they really that bad or am I just being paranoid?

Requirements are;

Be under £13k

Must be capable of 50mpg

Must be able to take me, the boss and a 7 year old on holiday (i.e. take 3 modest suitcases in the boot)

Must be reliable (and I am looking at new or nearly new cars here - so they'll be under warranty but equally I don't want it to spend 50% of it's life at a dealers, and as for the stutter I have access to VAG Com so I could 'fiddle' with the EGR settings)

Must ride fairly well ('cause I am an old fart and my ultra hard suspension days are behind me)

Must have decent mid range punch (I don't drive like a lunatic but if you are doing 0.01mph below the speed limit I am gonna do you at the first available chance :eek:)

Not be huge (already have a Passat) and don't need anything that big

So I have driven the vRS and loved it, tried a Clio dci (not the 106 - cant find one) and that was very very good, but I know in the back of my mind that in a few years it would fall to pieces - just like my Willy did :(), also driven a Yaris - thought it was cwap, Grande Punto - liked it but no as good as the Fabia and the same concerns as the Clio, Kia Rio CRDi - a very good car indeed :eek: and still on the shortlist, Panda 100hp (I was curious, ok ) oh and an Ibiza Cupra Diesel - very fast but I am still having my fillings replaced.

So do I go for the vRS, or wait a while and get a new model elegance or is there something else I should conisder?

TIA

Diesel 1.9 tdi PD Roomster 3........In Blue

Do they have a decent mid range punch?

I have looked at them and thought they were quite well thought out, just not driven one - yet.

Kia Ceed? I think there doing a Sport Diesel soon.

From what you've described it sounds like a good idea for the Fabia vRS. But I wouldn't touch one at such a late stage, as the new one will be coming out soon enough.

I'd really avoid a new Kia mainly as they drop in value very, very quickly.

Once that initial value drop has happened though it could be a proper bargain. Hayley's Kia Picanto is a great car for the money & purpose intended

if you want to keep your fillings ,you will have to give the FabiaVRS a miss

but as it fills all the other criterior in your list may be you should go for it

From what you've described it sounds like a good idea for the Fabia vRS. But I wouldn't touch one at such a late stage, as the new one will be coming out soon enough.

A new motor has to be soon and the boss will be having my Passat, and her motor is on it's last legs so in the next month or so I need to get a new car.

The Ceed's seem quite nice but Kia are toss at offering discounts (I think they may have to with a Ceed though as I think it's to expensive compared to what you can get discounted from the big players).

I thought the vRS rode very well for what it is, but the Ibiza and the Panda - ouch!

Nearly new Leon FR TDi?

Are you after a New Car? Or would you go Second hand with a few miles on the clock?

Elegance (new version) for softer ride (vRS can be a bit hard at times) and better fuel economy.

Plus, you could always tweak it later.

Elegance Estate even - halfway between Passat and normal Fabia - plus, in my eyes, they don't look like an estate.

I am either looking to go new, or very nearly new.

I don't like the new Leons, I had one for a few days once as a loaner, I preferred the original Leon (odd eh), liked the new octavia though.

The elegance would probably be ok for me, assuming the mid range slog is there and the interior colour is more condusive to a 7 year old boy being in it (which is why I would probably have to have leather seats in the vRS).

If that's the case do I wait for the new one?

I do like the Roomster cabin, which looks the same as the new Fabia will be, so I guess I would like the new Fabia as a driver environment.

Thanks for the responses so far, keep 'em coming.

Right guys, been trying muchos cars and the one I still think of as the 'best' is the vRS (that includes the new Civic 2.2 CDTi - which I was expecting to adore :()

A local dealer has a 56 plate with 20 miles on it for 11K and no extras.

It's that or a Ltd edition (I do like the leather).

If it was your money what would you do?

i would bye the skoda because if you buy the honda you wille end up with a honda and thats what old people drive arre you really that old. if you have looked at vrs i know you like it so why dont you just get one such a good car.

i would bye the skoda because if you buy the honda you wille end up with a honda and thats what old people drive arre you really that old. if you have looked at vrs i know you like it so why dont you just get one such a good car.

??

lots of old people drive fabia VRS's I mean some are 30 years old :eek:

think it's a bit pot calling the kettle black

Right guys, been trying muchos cars and the one I still think of as the 'best' is the vRS (that includes the new Civic 2.2 CDTi - which I was expecting to adore :()

A local dealer has a 56 plate with 20 miles on it for 11K and no extras.

It's that or a Ltd edition (I do like the leather).

If it was your money what would you do?

You like the leather ? ..... do a search for "seat surgeons" and have a look HERE then buy the VRS !

Psst, cruise control is an easy retrofit as well if you fancy that. (speak to VrStu).