Picked up my wife's new Fabia yesterday and thought I'd give you some initial impressions.

It's a Fabia 2, 70 bhp petrol with maxidot, multifunction st wheel in black magic pearl. We ordered it with the black dash and blue wave upholstery because we thought the silver, standard version was not very practical (and not nice to look at!). I also thought the standard instrument panel on the '2' was a bit lacking. I test drove both the Roomster 2 (for a day) and a Fabia 2 and simply did not like the lack of 'proper' fuel and temperature gauges. Fortunately the maxidot option gives you all the dials and the very useful enhanced computer display. The m/fn steering wheel works well too. We went for the 1.2 petrol engine for refinement reasons and cost. I found the 1.4 TDi engine very rough and not worth the £1500 extra. The car cost £10000 otr (£400 discount for no trade-in).

There have been some adverse comments on here about the new Fabia but 'in the metal' it has a bit of presence to it. It really is good looking in the black pearl finish. I'll try to post some pics later.

We have had a succession of VW Polos, (6 in fact), but found this time that to get a Polo with reasonable spec including trip computer, alarm, mp3 connection and 15 inch alloys we would have to go to the SE spec and it would have cost nearer £1200 after discount.

So far..... we like: overall build quality, refinement, maxidot/radio (even has LW reception!), seat adjustment, 15 inch alloys, spacious interior and boot, excellent service from supplying dealer in Dundee and the 3 years Skoda Assistance.

Possible negatives: while overall refinement is good the ride is a bit firmer than we are used to and some of the plastics are suspect (e.g. flimsy door release levers).

I know it's early days but first impressions are very positive.

Good one. Agree with comments concerning the standard instrument panel - when had a look at a standard panel and didnt like the lack of gauges. Seen a red one the other day for the first time and it looked quite nice, think certain colours suit it more than others.

The 1.2 engine is really nice, you'll find it economical too. How do you find the distinctive sound of 3 cylinders !

Thats why I brought a Skoda over a Polo, the dealer sold it better and the Polo cost more for what is basically same thing under the skin.

Must really have a test drive sometime as I may go with the Fabia again in 18 months time

Nice one

Congratulations on your new car!

I didn't know you could order the fully black dash on the level 2. About time Skoda UK updated their brochures!

Any chance of some pictures, inside and out?

Oh, and good choice on the engine. The 1.4 TDI might offer good economy but it's very expensive and as you say unrefined. 1.2 is cheaper, sounds nice, drives nice and is light weight giving you better handling too!

Excellent!

Another new Fabia! We bought ours on launch night and have had it now for 3 months. The engine is loosening up nicely and performance and economy (even with my wifes driving) is improving all the time. I would agree with your comments on the interior especially the door handles - yuk. So far its been 100% OK.

Enjoy your car!

Andy

Nice review , glad you are enjoying your new car. I also agree with your comments re the maxidot option , the dash looks so much better with it , it would definately be on my options list.

OctaviaT81 - on the latest brochure I have for the new Fabia , it lists the onyx/onyx dash option on the Fabia 2 , brochure date 07/07.

OctaviaT81 - on the latest brochure I have for the new Fabia , it lists the onyx/onyx dash option on the Fabia 2 , brochure date 07/07.

Good, that will make a big difference

They should put the seat upholstery from the Roomster Scout in as an option too.

Congratulations on your new Fabia! Nice review, and it's great to read that not everybody is disapointed with the new Fabia!! I like it better the more I see it It seems I have something to look forward to

Enjoy your new car!!

JonA

I love the new Fabia, such a brilliant car!

The 1.2 engine is a peach. Enjoy it!

I found the 1.4 TDi engine very rough and not worth the £1500 extra.

Rough? Not compared to my last diesel - Isuzu Trooper

Had my Fabia 1.4TDI for 3 weeks now and I really do love it!!!!! I feel a little small on the motorway these days, but glad I bought it ... it's soooooo sweet ( and of course I get a good feeling as I'm helping the planet now ).

Skoda-Boy

Thats why I brought a Skoda over a Polo, the dealer sold it better and the Polo cost more for what is basically same thing under the skin.

Nope, the new Fabia is the first VW group model on the new small car platform. The current Polo and Ibiza are still on the previous platform same as the old Fabia.

Nope, the new Fabia is the first VW group model on the new small car platform. The current Polo and Ibiza are still on the previous platform same as the old Fabia.

Mines the MK1 not the MK2

nice to see another happy fabia owner

im would also dissagree about the 1.4tdi, we had one of our first sold come back the other day for a chat and he said it is smoother after a few thousand miles. but even fresh out of the box i thought the 1.4 was a cracker. but not quite as good as my 1.9tdi although i wish it had the maxidot too, and although the half balck half grey interior is nice and bright feeling, ive already had to remove loads of shoe marks from the doors, damn size 11's