Hi guys,

I'm new here so go easy on me! This forum seems like a friendly one though.

Ok, I currently drive a MY2003 saab 93 aero, which, although a good car, I need to change as i'm moving jobs in Janurary that'll require an 80 mile daily commute.

So, I need my next car to be i) economical, ii) reliable, iii) comfortable and iv) small (I live in London, and after owning 2 saloons i'd like to get back to owning a hatch). After much deliberation and test drives of various cars, such as the A3, Golf, 120d, etc, they were either too expensive or not to my liking.

Cue the Fabia vrs. There's one priced at £8.5k at my local dealers and seems like a sound financial buy. It's an Oct 2004 model, black, with all the usual specs. I'm hoping for a straight swap with my saab.

The car in question:

I haven't yet sat in one of these let alone driven it, so i'm eager to check it out to see what the fuss is all about. I have a few questions for you vrs owners just for my own background knowledge -

1. Is it possible to fit an OEM front centre arm rest?

2. What is the stock sound system like in these cars? How many speakers are there? (I'm a part time DJ so love my music)

3. Should I check whether the car has had the relevant recalls done, or should this not be an issue considering it's being sold by an approved dealer?

4. Any freebies I should be asking the dealer for?

Sorry for the exhaustive first post. I just hope I like the car so that I can make a deal on the day, but have these questions going through my head! Any other advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,

V

A quick answer to question 3 - I bought a 2 year old Octy II from an approved main dealer. There had been a recall on this model to check (and replace if required) the dual mass flywheel.

When I went into my local dealer, they said their system showed the recall check had not been done, so it looks like the supplying dealer didn't bother to check.

The car's only previous owner was Skoda UK - so it looks like their senior managers ignore their own recall advice!!!

You can get a list of any applicable recalls at VOSA - Vehicle Recalls

Welcome to the forum. Excellent choice of car (the Fabia, that is)... and moving right along..

The Fabia sounds expensive although if the dealer agree to a straight swap, it may be a good deal for you. (I don't believe they will agree)

What's the mileage on the Fabia? If its around the 40k mark, then the cambelt, tensioners and water-pump should be done before purchase or done as part of the first after-sales service job.

1. Is it possible to fit an OEM front centre arm rest?

2. What is the stock sound system like in these cars? How many speakers are there? (I'm a part time DJ so love my music)

3. Should I check whether the car has had the relevant recalls done, or should this not be an issue considering it's being sold by an approved dealer?

4. Any freebies I should be asking the dealer for?

1. No, not available out side CZ apparently.

2. I would describe it as tinny to marginally acceptable. 8 speakers.

3. Ask the dealer what service bulletins is he aware of in relation to the vehicle and ask him to show you where they were done. Then check back on here.

4. Servicing, tank of fuel, HU upgrade, leather interior, 17 inch wheels and tyres, sat nav, parking sensors, lowered suspension, re-map, panel filter, PD160 intake, etc. Well maybe the first two.

Best of luck with your negotiations and hopefully you can strike a deal.

Welcome to the forum. Excellent choice of car (the Fabia, that is)... and moving right along..

The Fabia sounds expensive although if the dealer agree to a straight swap, it may be a good deal for you. (I don't believe they will agree)

What's the mileage on the Fabia? If its around the 40k mark, then the cambelt, tensioners and water-pump should be done before purchase or done as part of the first after-sales service job.

1. No, not available out side CZ apparently.

2. I would describe it as tinny to marginally acceptable. 8 speakers.

3. Ask the dealer what service bulletins is he aware of in relation to the vehicle and ask him to show you where they were done. Then check back on here.

4. Servicing, tank of fuel, HU upgrade, leather interior, 17 inch wheels and tyres, sat nav, parking sensors, lowered suspension, re-map, panel filter, PD160 intake, etc. Well maybe the first two.

Best of luck with your negotiations and hopefully you can strike a deal.

The car has done 27k miles. Is it worth changing the parts listed above?

Probably not, but they will need to be done on its 4th birthday anyway. irrespective of mileage.

Strictly speaking, I think the water-pump change is a briskoda thing, but as the cambelt has to come off to change the pump. its as well to do them together.

Hi and welcome :wave:

The stock sound system isn't the best and doesn't play mp3 cd's... I only got around to changing the HU but that did make a noticeable difference to the sound.

As standard it comes with components front and rear, but no proper crossovers.

I'd take your favourite CD along for the test drive see what you think for yourself.

i found the stock stereo to be not too bad, although mines didnt last long before everything other than the rear speakers were replaced, they have simply been disconnected now.

i found the stock stereo to be not too bad, although mines didnt last long before everything other than the rear speakers were replaced, they have simply been disconnected now.

Well, anything will be better than the sound system in the saab - it has 4 utterly rubbish speakers. Can't believe they got away with selling a car with such a crap system.

But anyways, thanks to all for answering my questions. I'll give an update on how it went over the weekend

Best of luck, the Fabia vRS is a fine car if you find the right one

Agree with above: -

Disconnect the tweeters in the rear doors to improve the hifi.

Cambelt, tensioners and possibly water pump should be replaced at 4 years or 80k miles whichever comes first (according to my dealer).

Enjoy the vRS, they're great fun!

Agree with above: -

Disconnect the tweeters in the rear doors to improve the hifi.

Cambelt, tensioners and possibly water pump should be replaced at 4 years or 80k miles whichever comes first (according to my dealer).

Enjoy the vRS, they're great fun!

How many miles on that? Seems a tad expensive!

sorry 27k, should have read on!

Agree with above: -

Disconnect the tweeters in the rear doors to improve the hifi.

Cambelt, tensioners and possibly water pump should be replaced at 4 years or 80k miles whichever comes first (according to my dealer).

Enjoy the vRS, they're great fun!

Cambelt on the Fabia vRS is 60,000 miles or 4 years IIRC.

I still love driving mine even after 3 years of owning her.

Welcome to Briskoda.

The stock sound system is fine for me and thats coming from a car that I put a subwoofer into , but agree take a cd with you on the test drive to find out for yourself.

Good luck finding the right car

Davy

Spoke to my dealer this week. The cambelt is due at 60 000 or 4 years. They don't normally replace the waterpump unless there are signs of leakage i.e. changing it is not a Skoda UK recommendation.

Spoke to my dealer this week. The cambelt is due at 60 000 or 4 years. They don't normally replace the waterpump unless there are signs of leakage i.e. changing it is not a Skoda UK recommendation.

How much does that particular serivce (i.e. cambelt change, etc) normally cost?

How much does that particular serivce (i.e. cambelt change, etc) normally cost?

"That" service isn't in a sense applicable in your case since it's only done 27k miles in just over three years. Assuming average mileage across that period the service record should by now have an Annual at about 8.5k miles in October 2005, an Annual + Brake Fluid at about 17k miles in October 2006, and an Annual at about 25.5k in October 2007. If it's only been services at 10,000 mile intervals then it doesn't have a "full service record" and you should ask for a discount.

Mine's a 10/2004 car too. I've just had a 40,000 miles service costing £325 and been warned that the 50,000 service will cost over £600 including a £420 cambelt change (excl. water pump) since that will coincide with the 4 year limit. That latter charge is excessive - other seem to get it for around £100 less. More so in your case since you'll need it at the October 2008 service when, if the mileage continues at the present rate, it'll only be showing about 34k...

However I suspect the supplying dealer will baulk at the prospect of being asked to put a new cambelt on before sale...

My dealer in Ashford have a cambelt change on the board for £300 and about 3p.

I take it this is all-in and not just labour charges.

Ben