I love my Fabia... but I'm getting the itch to get something else.

I've recently test drove the Mk2 Octavia vRS TFSI, the Seat Leon Cupra and the Ford Focus ST, all with their ups and downs.

But part of me wonders whether I should "trade down" for something a bit cheaper? Thinking Mk4 Golf GTI/Bora ST/Mk1 Octavia vRS possibly...

Seeing as I'm going to the 'Ring in May, that may have a sway in it.

Or I could get coilovers/ARB/etc for the Fabia lol

Any ideas?

Mazda MX5

Toyota Mister 2

Previous shape Honda CTR you can get a 3 year old 40K miler for 9 grand!

Mazda MX5

Toyota Mister 2

Previous shape Honda CTR you can get a 3 year old 40K miler for 9 grand!

MX5 - erm... no my thing really!

MR2 - I would, but it would have to me a Mk1 T-bar because they're cool

CTR - Would love one, but would hate having to red-line it everywhere just to get the thing to move!

I'm after something more practical than a 2-seater, too!

Any ideas?

Tube of novocaine and save a packet

Two things about the Fabby I'd like to change - one is the crashy ride over poor surfaces, second (minor) is getting the power down under greasy slippy conditions.

For these reasons probably the only thing I'd be looking at (could I afford to) is smalish derv 4 wheel drive.

Audi, Mazda - perish the thought , but they are supposed to be bulletproof).

Mazda3 MPS, you can't go faster (in a stock 5 door hatchback) for the money?

True... not too keen on them though

Do your suspension and keep the fabia.

The MK I Octy and MK IV golf etc really didn't handle very well and rolled a lot on factory suspension.

Mazda3 MPS, you can't go faster (in a stock 5 door hatchback) for the money?

Will you STFU?

...we haven't got space for any more fabia owners on our 3 forum.

Or I could get coilovers/ARB/etc for the Fabia lol

The Koni FSD route seems to be the best.

Someone lurking will be along shortly to advise you.

...we haven't got space for any more fabia owners on our 3 forum

Hadn't noticed another had gone over to the dark side :(

Had those thoughts, and done the maths..

I have had my Fabia for nearly 12 months, and it was old ( for me ) when I bought it.

In the last 6 years, I have never had a car more than 6 months, I like new cars.

I have spent a little on this one, and managed to buy a new Fabia SE for the Mad Wife( well we have, it's our money..)

I have test driven several new/demo cars recently, and to get something that floats my boat ( an ex demo A3 ) is going to cost me £13K.

a less practical, but exciting prospect is a used/thrashed elise ( £12k).

Hmmm, I'll keep my modded fabia, and maybe spend a couple of grand over the next 12 months and upgrade it even more.

If I kill it, in the long term, it hasn't cost me much...

Just my thoughts.

Will you STFU?

...we haven't got space for any more fabia owners on our 3 forum.

How dare You!

I know this isn't true as there aren't enough Mazda owners in the entire UK to even start a forum.

There are a couple of decent/different Octy's in the For Sale here. Phil's WRC and Q's beast - Fancy one of those?

I think the WRC would get its windows smashed around here, and I couldn't afford the insurance on the beast!

Babs - assuming that you are going to struggle like the vast majority of people with the credit crunch then keep the car keep it running you will save a fortune and can dump that into mortgage overpayments/child fund for when one of you is out of work.

Only change a car when its not reliable/no longer suitable for its requirements/opting out of the company car scheme and taking the cash but they have an age rule on the car you run.

New suspension will barely cost you £250-300 youd lose that much on new mats/supaguard!

Think of the mileage to the Ring. The furby will get there much cheaper. (but I suspect you're looking at more than just the Ring trip )

The Ring trip is in my mind always! I'm looking for something that'll get me there comfortably, but will stable at the high speed runs, and good fun around the Ring itself.

And then a car that's fun, practical, not expensive to run.

I've had 6 cars in 4 years of driving, so ideally I'd want something that will hold my interest for a while, and one that I won't see fault in.

Took two Octavia vRS's for long tests today, one petrol, one diesel.

The petrol was fantastic, and I think fits my needs and wants. The diesel was no doubt quick, but lacked excitement and the front end felt significantly heavier.

I think I'm back to square one then? lol

Babs - assuming that you are going to struggle like the vast majority of people with the credit crunch then keep the car keep it running you will save a fortune and can dump that into mortgage overpayments/child fund for when one of you is out of work.

Only change a car when its not reliable/no longer suitable for its requirements/opting out of the company car scheme and taking the cash but they have an age rule on the car you run.

*YAWN* boring! :P

How about changing car because you WANT to?? Not everything has to make financial sense :P

The Ring trip is in my mind always! I'm looking for something that'll get me there comfortably, but will stable at the high speed runs, and good fun around the Ring itself.

And then a car that's fun, practical, not expensive to run.

I've had 6 cars in 4 years of driving, so ideally I'd want something that will hold my interest for a while, and one that I won't see fault in.

Took two Octavia vRS's for long tests today, one petrol, one diesel.

The petrol was fantastic, and I think fits my needs and wants. The diesel was no doubt quick, but lacked excitement and the front end felt significantly heavier.

I think I'm back to square one then? lol

What do you class as expensive to run? Going by the list of cars you've test driven I'd hazard a guess at Scooby's or Evo's? So your looking at hot hatches ideally?

I'd go for a test drive in a remapped ST and see what you think.

Other than that how about...

Clio 197 or an older 182

Corsa VXR

I've tested a Corsa VXR - superb!

Quick, handled well, AWESOME seats... but too small!

small N/A engines don't really do it for me, too much work!

the ST felt a lot worse built than any of the VAG stuff, and the Octavia today felt a lot more planted - I was more sure of where it was on the road

Well with my local skoda deal being crap I never got to drive the octy in the end so I have only the Fabia for a comparison, which isn't entirely fair. I've no problems with the build on my ST though.

Once remapped the ST is a completely different animal I'm sure that can be said for alot of turbo cars though, but once I'd had a go in a mapped ST I was straight back to the Ford dealers

I do like the little corsa VXR's but yeah too small for my needs now. :(

Astra VXR then?

Astra VXR was a hooligan! Torque steer, and a very low rent interior however.

The Focus felt very bulky, and I found it difficult to place to left side

The mk2 Focus is abit wider than the mk1, but I've not had any problems... As yet I can't fault the handling leagues ahead of the Fabia:D

Oh and the noise that 5 pot makes :thumbup::D

I've only a base model Astra and wasn't keen on the interior of that at all:thumbdwn: Sounds like it's no better in the VXR then.:(

Golf GTi?

Renault Megane R26?

or how about a 120d mSport?

Do get a "new" car:-

by getting some serious upgrades on the fabia - you'll fall in love again and your relationship will be better than ever!

Fix the things you don't like about it - keep the economy and save yourself a bundle.

I predict that the Fabia vRS will become a classic, hotly sought after, one day...

(or perhaps not??)

HTH:thumbup:

Bas

the 5 cylinder in the Focus does sound very nice!

Golf GTI - possible

Megane - I'm not gay

BMW - I'm not a tiny little pixie, and such the doors are small, and the pedals are very close together!

I love the pops and bangs that the ST makes...

You seem to be leaning towards anything VAG so that leaves...

Audi S3 or maybe a A3 s line with either the new 1.8T or the 2.0 TDi 170.

Golf R32.. no turbo but a nice vr6 lump.

Megane - I'm not gay

Yeah you're gonna have a tough job replacing the Fabia which is the ultimate heterosexual gentleman's car!

Chris