I live only a few hundred yards away from a Skoda dealer and after checking my Ibiza for oil and realizing that it was below the minimum line on the dip-stick :eek: I decided to call there for some oil. (10 quid BTW :thumbdwn: ).

After buying the oil I proceed toward the sparkling new Fabia vRS sitting in the showroom. On the way over I asked the salesman if I could have a look inside and he said no problem.

I must say that I am very impressed, from the outside I am in two minds as to whether nicer than the Ibiza, but as soon as I opened the door to get inside I noticed that it was a more solid car than the Ibiza. When I got in and sat down I instantly noticed that it has the sort of interior the Ibiza is crying out for. It just felt and looked more sportier with the vRS logo on the gear knob and seat covers.The instrument dials looked great and the cabin seemed to have more space. The only things I dislike about it is the fact that there is no 3 door option and its group 9 insurance as opposed to group 7 for Ibiza, is Skoda planning a 3 door in the future?

I am also drawn to the fact that its only 12K, what a bargin. Even if I paid full price for it and spent 500 quid getting it remapped, it would still be less than what I paid for my Ibiza. What sort of discounts can you expect when buying a vRS?

I have to admit im very tempted to change, I still love my Beezer but with the Fabia I feel I would be getting more for less. The salesman told me to phone anytime if I want a test drive which I may well do. I want to hold out and find out more about the Ibiza Cupra TDI as I am also interested in that, but I have heard that its being priced at 16K which is a bit off putting, even though it looks great IMO.

even though it looks great IMO.

Yeah stole our zorst :P

What sort of discounts can you expect when buying a vRS?

Mine was

problem is with Skoda vRS' in either form your going to struggle to haggle massive reductions with the dealers cause they know if you dont buy it for the price they want to let it go for someone else will.

I dont know about now but at the start of this year there was quite a hefty waiting list for the Fabia vRS.

So Chris you coming over to the darkside them

Don't let the Clio boys know as they will do there nut the bunch of :cussing:

So Chris you coming over to the darkside them

Don't let the Clio boys know as they will do there nut the bunch of :cussing:

Might be, like I say im just waiting to get more info on the Ibiza Cupra TDI but doubt I would be willing to spend 16K on an Ibiza. Ill have to phone the Skoda dealer and book a test drive.

The Clio boys will be the first to hear of my new purchase if I do buy one

Might be' date=' like I say im just waiting to get more info on the Ibiza Cupra TDI but doubt I would be willing to spend 16K on an Ibiza. Ill have to phone the Skoda dealer and book a test drive.

The Clio boys will be the first to hear of my new purchase if I do buy one [/quote']

If you don't mind me asking, why change from an remapped Ibiza Sport TDi to a Fabia vRS or a Ibiza Cupra TDi...they're going to give you the same performance...

think my brain is suffering from a 'does not compute' here :/

Its not all about performance, the Fabia seems to be a better overall package. Like I said I love my Ibiza and Ive not made up my mind either way. Its just that after going down to see the vRS I cant help thinking that it does everything the Ibiza can do, looks much better inside, and is 1.5K cheeper. Whether this makes it worth the hastle of changing from the Ibiza to the Fabia or not is somthing I have to think about.

As far as the Ibiza Cupra TDI goes, I really like the way it looks and a lot would depend on whether its a 150pd or a chipped 130pd. But if its true that it will be 16K then either way I dont think its worth it.

If I remember correctly you where also considering changing to the Ibiza Cupra when it comes out

Is it just me or does the Cupra TDI appear to have stolen a few design cues from the vRS, like the sportier dials (which do look quite similar I have to say), the exhaust tailpipe, the painted calipers and one or two other features.

I do like the look of the Cupra TDI, but its just too expensive compared to the vRS IMHO.

Is it just me or does the Cupra TDI appear to have stolen a few design cues from the vRS' date=' like the sportier dials (which do look quite similar I have to say), the exhaust tailpipe, the painted calipers and one or two other features.

I do like the look of the Cupra TDI, but its just too expensive compared to the vRS IMHO.[/quote']

The Leon Cupra R has always had red Brembo's. The tailpipe from the Leon Cupra R is also quite similar to the Fab's...but what do you expect? They ARE all VAG cars, so will obviously share some design features.

One thing, though - the gear knob and steering wheel on the Fab vRS is far far better than anything I've seen in ANY Seat...

As an Alhambra owner I can also say that the Skoda build quality, design and customer service is a vast improvement on SEATs. As a result, when it came to buy a car for my wife, we quickly discounted the SEAT. We didn't like the interior and the dealer was only willing to offer

Ibiza better looking than the Fabia? Maybe in standard trim but id say even with five doors a little bit of modding and the Fabia is much better looking. And ive bought mine, modded it to a higher spec than the Ibiza Cupra TDi (bar climate) for alot less money.

Wheres Graeme when you need him

I'd say the Fabia was better looking in standard trim than the Ibiza. I am not keen on the Ibiza's looks at all. The only one that looks all that good is the Cupra.

I agree with pbirkett, I don't like the look of the Mk4 Ibiza - except the Cupra.

I test drove this Ibiza Cupra TDI:-

Looks fantastic in the "flesh" but still too expensive.

The vRS is on a par will the Ibiza (looks wise) & you can spec it better for less money.

That's why I've gone for a vRS.

I cant understand why so many people think the Ibiza Cupra is overpriced, its actually similar in price to its rivals give or take a few hundred.

Erm I think its got something to do with this..

Leon Cupra Diesel -

Chrismac

I think it is down to the overall package you get with the Furby.

Price a llike for like spec on any of the VAG range, you'll most likely find that any skoda is unbeatable value for money .

( O.K. how many owners here would disagree ? )

Steve

The Mk3 Ibiza is far better looking than the Mk4

Erm I think its got something to do with this..

Leon Cupra Diesel -

The engine is the same, all it has it a FMIC, they are just being more honest about its power output.

And even with AP brakes and different suspension (which the Leon Cupra TDi has over the STD Leon aswell) it still dont warrant sucha price hike over a 130 FR.

Having said that SEAT did retail the MK3 Ibiza R at over

The Ibiza Cupra is 15500 (not 16K), so it is cheaper than the Leon and also out performs the Leon in all areas.

Instead of comparing the Ibiza Cupra with other VAG cars, compare it with its rivals (hot hatches between 160-180bhp). Clio 182=14700 (bargain)), MGZR 160=15K,206180=15250, Ibiza Cupra 15500, Focus ST170=16K, and MCS (with similar spec)= over 16K. For this reason I think the Ibiza is priced about right, maybe 500 quid too much at most.

Compared to the FR it may look like a big jump in price but I am sure if you where to add the things to the FR that the Cupra has standard it would come pretty close, brake upgrade, bigger wheels to fit the brakes, suspension upgrade, remap, FMIC, and what ever else I may have missed.

Chrismac

I think it is down to the overall package you get with the Furby.

Price a llike for like spec on any of the VAG range' date=' you'll most likely find that any skoda is unbeatable value for money .

( O.K. how many owners here would disagree ? )

Steve[/quote']

I agree that Skoda cant be beaten for value within the VAG range and the Furby would be my choice if I had to choose between the vRS, FR, and Polo GT. The difference in price between the vRS and the Polo is crazy but then again the Polo should be worth quite a bit more come resale time.

I agree that Skoda cant be beaten for value within the VAG range and the Furby would be my choice if I had to choose between the vRS, FR, and Polo GT. The difference in price between the vRS and the Polo is crazy but then again the Polo should be worth quite a bit more come resale time.

It might be worth *slightly* more, but I'd bet it will still lose more value than the Skoda. The Seat has slightly lower depreciation than the vRS but worked out exactly how much will drop off its price, the Seat loses more money. The VW will probably still be the same.

From what I've seen so far, the vRS is actually doing very well for depreciation too. Its still quite rare at the moment.

Ross, is the PD150 and 160 actually turning out the same power?