Hello all, im new to the forum, so excuse my ignorance. I have been a Ford devotee for 7 years, currenty on my 7th, a red ST2 focus, fun to drive, but after a bit of over excitement the other day the MPG dropped to 16, normally sits at 21, which is low, but stomachable. As a result I thinking of changing to a sporty diesel, with the fabia VRS top of the list, with a Seat Leon 2.0 TDi FR next, and mayabe a grand punto sporting. Been offered 16.5 k for my own, so buying any of them shouldnt be a problem (I can get a leon through work for 15.5k before any extras), bt buying the fabia or punto would mean my bank balance would actually look healthy as I have no fincance on the ford.

What im really looking for is some advice, have never owned a Skoda before, I am not a badge snob, just want a good fun, good MPG and reasonably quick car. Would especially like adivce from any current VRS owners who have drove a Leon. One other note is, I have read through posts and see that the new fabia is out in a few months, but no VRS, but what about residuals etcc in buying a car that is near the end of its life cycle.

Cheers for any replies

Laters

I'd recommend buying one for £6-7k and keep the remaining £10k in your bank account (ISA) dont worry about buying one with 60-80k milage these things just keep going just look at Auto trader for the countless Passats Golfs etc which have intergalactic milage on them and still have many years of life in them to come.

One thing to note these vRS's dont have climate control only air con and it doesnt std come with a 6 cd multichanger

Just of the phone with the ford dealer, they will give me a brand new Mondeo ST TDCi saloon, metallic paint for

They're typical VAG to be honest. In 'most' circumstances the things that go wrong a niggly silly little things, not major ones. People have varying experiences on here with higher mileages to be honest. It wont handle or go anywhere near as well as your Focus but it will be cheaper to run. 45 mpg is about the average from what I gather. Residuals are still good, with only high milers coming down to below 8k. Skoda seem to have shrugged off their old image in that respect.

Main issues to look out for are:

1. Freying seat covers on the drivers seat bolsters.

2. Leaking doors letting in water OVER the seals and into the carpets. Mainly affects the rear.

3. Dodgy heater...puts out hot air at 18 degrees and cold air at higher temps.

4. Whining gearboxes. Reports of this are coming through now, mainly in 2nd gear when accelerating.

I'd have loved a Octavia vRS (MKI) but the running costs were too much higher for me at ins group 16 and it being a petrol (I commute to work). In fact, buying a Leon Cupra 20VT with a 6 speed box would be a good choice too. You can get decent mpg out of them if careful and they're quite quick.

They're also cheap......

By the way, I'm not married (yet) and have no kids and I find the boot quite small. B&Q trips can be a pain.

The Mondeo ST TDCi is a nice car but you'll be stung sooo much on depreciation. Get one that's about a year old if you can.

They're typical VAG to be honest. In 'most' circumstances the things that go wrong a niggly silly little things, not major ones. People have varying experiences on here with higher mileages to be honest. It wont handle or go anywhere near as well as your Focus but it will be cheaper to run. 45 mpg is about the average from what I gather. Residuals are still good, with only high milers coming down to below 8k. Skoda seem to have shrugged off their old image in that respect.

Main issues to look out for are:

1. Freying seat covers on the drivers seat bolsters.

2. Leaking doors letting in water OVER the seals and into the carpets. Mainly affects the rear.

3. Dodgy heater...puts out hot air at 18 degrees and cold air at higher temps.

4. Whining gearboxes. Reports of this are coming through now, mainly in 2nd gear when accelerating.

I'd have loved a Octavia vRS (MKI) but the running costs were too much higher for me at ins group 16 and it being a petrol (I commute to work). In fact, buying a Leon Cupra 20VT with a 6 speed box would be a good choice too. You can get decent mpg out of them if careful and they're quite quick.

They're also cheap......

Not sure I agree at all with your view about residuals of the vRS (note go on any forum of that particular make & model and everyone believes it hardly loses any money..). There are many vRS's coming into the Auctions now x lease cars & just a quick look on Auto trader shows that for

True. Not seen auction prices to be honest. Compared to days of old though, Skodas aren't doing too badly on the residual front. Compared to say Mondeo's they're holding up quite well in percentage terms.

Having said that, when I was looking for one, people were clearly paying the prices as they were all being snapped up. Was a nightmare the finding one that hadn't gone by the following weekend.

Cheers for the replies, been lookign around locally for a new VRS, very few places have any in stock, although one dealer has a new one, in red, which I think I can get for

2006 06 Reg Skoda Fabia 1.9 TD vRS (trade)

I have had my vRS for two years and 77k, and am happy with it... but I will be having the grande punto sporting next (delivery 13th April! woot!) but not because I'm dissatisfied with the vRS, just because Fiat gave me a cracking deal that I couldn't refuse (11.9% off and £500 cash back ontop of that!) so the new car comes in at less than £10 k and the SE vRS was going to cost me £12k, and had no ESP.....

if you're going for second hand, drive the vRS over some speed bumps , and listen for knocking/creaking, the suspension (drop links ,anti-roll bar and control arm bushes) can go... otherwise pretty good.....