The 306 has finally been condemned (Froggy electrics, who'd have thunk it eh) so we are back to square one looking at Fabia's again. However, some of the prices being asked by dealers seem to be crazy. I know this is good if you have one to sell but as a potential buyer its a bit off putting. Question is, are the prices realistic or are the trade-in valuations being offered a lot lower than those that dealers are stickering cars up for. I know everyone has to make a living but £8k for a 04/54-plate with 70k+ on it is just plain pie in the sky isn't it :thumbdwn:? I really want to persuade SWMBO that a Fabia makes sense but at the moment there are other candidates that make even more sense. Moan over....

Just found two 04s with 35k and 36.5k for under £8k on Autotrader

and, even better, this one

2004 04 Reg Skoda Fabia Hatchback 5-Dr 1896 cc 1.9 TD vRS (trade)

HAYSELDEN SKODA LTD

25,051 miles

Manual

Silver

Diesel

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Diesel, 25,051 miles, Diamond Silver, 16in alloy wheels,Air-conditioning,Alarm,Anti-lock brakes,Computer,Driver and passenger air bags,Driver seat height adjustment,Electric/

Oops - and this one from a Brisky owner with lots of nice bits on it :thumbup:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/skoda-cars-sale-others/2005-silver-fabia-vrs-sale-good-spec/98546/

My old one was a 55 plater with 57k on the clock and that was up for £9200 with the dealer when I traded it in.

When i bought mine (late 03/53 vRS) in May, it was up for £8500. Got that down to £7500 though...

That was from a Franchised main dealer though, with a years warranty

the prices are insane.... I got rid of mine last april!! YES last april, an '05 plate with 80k, and full dealer warrenty, and was only being offered £5k trade in for it, I'd have sold you that a year ago for £7k..... as it happens, it went back to the finance company, and on to the auctions.... no-one on here wanted to buy it! was cheaper a year ago, than what people are paying for '04 plate models now!

Dont wanna pour water on the fire but as the prices seem crazy for a vrs there is always the option of buying a 100 bhp TDI then mapping it & tweaking brakes etc which is what alot of people do anyway when they have got their vrs?Could save ££££'s, but then again its never going to be a vrs.

Just a thought!

If you think the vRS is pricy then go for the Ibiza Sport TDI130 thats a lot cheaper, or a Leon Cupra TDI or the Golf GT TDI 130/150 which will both have much more kit and the 150's be faster and clearly they are bigger cars.

Oh and to throw a spanner in the works there are plenty of 118/120d SE & Sports coming onto the market from £7.5k and these dont need cambelts changed.

Failing that for the price you quote you could nab a nice Honda Accord 2.2 iCTDi or a 2-3year old Saab 93 1.9 TID 150 Sports saloon with (Vector Sport) with every imaginable extra you could want.

Also remember that the advertised prices are just that. There is usually plenty of room to haggle and if one dealer won't there are plenty who will

Welshy also mentioned several vRS's coming out of fleets now that they're 3 years old and going through the auctions so that might be a good avenue to look at. Most of the cars I suspect will have a full and comprehensive history and are just being sold on because they have reached 3 years/60k miles....

Chris

Also remember that the advertised prices are just that. There is usually plenty of room to haggle and if one dealer won't there are plenty who will

Welshy also mentioned several vRS's coming out of fleets now that they're 3 years old and going through the auctions so that might be a good avenue to look at. Most of the cars I suspect will have a full and comprehensive history and are just being sold on because they have reached 3 years/60k miles....

Chris

Yes auctions for x comp cars vRS;s are the place to get them cheap - its also amusing that a potential vRS buyer will totally exclude the prospect of buying a cheaper and higher specced (if only a year or so older) VW Golf.... crazy.

Skoda is a budget brand so buyers are keen on price & want reliable cars - well the cheaper VW Mk4 Golf seems to totally confuse them (their loss)

Oh and to throw a spanner in the works there are plenty of 118/120d SE & Sports coming onto the market from £7.5k and these dont need cambelts changed.

120d for £7.5k!!!??? You must be joking! Can't even find a 116i for less than £7,995 on the trader!