Ok so I have a MK 2 Fabia for a courtesy car and wanted to add my comments & initial thoughts.

It was a TDI with a 3 cylinder diesel engine. (for comparison purposes I have a MK 1 vRS)

The 3 cylinder didn't have much power at low speeds - but overall was reasonable for a 70BHP motor. Reved pretty freely - which was nice.

Exterior - mirrors too big! boot not as chucky locking, no remote entry (didn't realise you could still get cars without it!!)

Interior - design is fussy - not simple and elegant like the Mk1. The plastics especially over the dash are cheap and brittle/hard. The interior really is messy - and budgety - a real shock!!!

Overall, quality definately down - and price appears much higher.

I will not be buying a MK2 if they remain like this.

D

I also have a MK1 vRS, and had a Mk2 3-cyl TDI courtesy car.

I thought the 1.4 struggled a bit with the size/weight, but was OK. I thought the dash/interior was fine, but didn't like the high, bus-like feel, or the exterior styling.

Not a bad car at all, but not for me.

i dont think its fair to review it like that, i mean it was probrably a base spec modlel you was given and normally even in the old mk1 the classic had really naff materials compared to the comfort and elegence etc...

That's fair enough - though I was trying to bear in mind that it was a base model.

I've been in a few other MK1 fabia's - of lesser spec - and ALL of them have the simple/elegant feel look.

The MK2 is like a Hyundi Getz inside. A very retrograde step.

But then the MK5 golf is not a sweet as the MK4 (I think it's a VAG thing - they are going down in quality...).

D

That's fair enough - though I was trying to bear in mind that it was a base model.

I've been in a few other MK1 fabia's - of lesser spec - and ALL of them have the simple/elegant feel look.

The MK2 is like a Hyundi Getz inside. A very retrograde step.

But then the MK5 golf is not a sweet as the MK4 (I think it's a VAG thing - they are going down in quality...).

D

Having owned both a Hyundai Getz, A Fabia I and a Fabia II you must be absolutley mad to say the interior is like the Getz. New Fabia uses very high quality materials considering the class of the car and the list price. The dashboard is also very large and cockpit like. The plastic doorhandles, yes are a bit of a let down.

Coming straight from a Getz though the Fabia II 100x better. The quality of the dials, instruments and plastics shines through, very comparable to the fleet of Golf's we have at work.

The old Fabia was really criticised for a dull interior, nice to see they have tried rectifying this a little.

I've been in a few other MK1 fabia's - of lesser spec - and ALL of them have the simple/elegant feel look.

I actually thought the Roomster/Fabia interior continues the 'simple' look rather well, just modernising it a bit. I don't like some of the seat fabrics in the level 2 Fabia, and the light grey dash doesn't look very good, but overall I like it. I hate silly plasticky over-curvy Japanese interiors with a passion!

Ok so I have a MK 2 Fabia for a courtesy car and wanted to add my comments & initial thoughts.

It was a TDI with a 3 cylinder diesel engine. (for comparison purposes I have a MK 1 vRS)

The 3 cylinder didn't have much power at low speeds - but overall was reasonable for a 70BHP motor. Reved pretty freely - which was nice.

Exterior - mirrors too big! boot not as chucky locking, no remote entry (didn't realise you could still get cars without it!!)

Interior - design is fussy - not simple and elegant like the Mk1. The plastics especially over the dash are cheap and brittle/hard. The interior really is messy - and budgety - a real shock!!!

Overall, quality definately down - and price appears much higher.

I will not be buying a MK2 if they remain like this.

D

i get comments like this from allot of mk 1 owners, but i get more comments from people new to skoda saying how much better it is vs the mk1!

horses for courses and proof again that you cant please everyone.

i had a level 1 70bhp 1.4tdi. which is the wrong spec, wrong engine to show the fabia 2 at its best. i certianly woudlnt comapre it too a vrs. i would be straight into sport or a level 3 for a true comparision. plus i would show you the 1.9tdi. shoudl give you a better view on them imoa. they do have remote boot from the fob, comes standard on lvl2 and up

Had my 1.4tdi 80bhp level 2 for just over 2 months. Have to say it is my first Skoda so ca'nt compare it to mark1. It looks better and I believe the engines are the same.

I have just got rid of a ZX 1.9td, which I had for 7 years and was a real classic. As you know Citreon appear to get pulled down for their cheap interiors. Well the Fabia is better built, will a solid sound when you shut the doors.

Performance is not much behind the ZX which had the world beating XUD9 engine on board. The 80bhp is built for green points (Cheap road tax) and a leggy gearbox, giving good economy as well as good performance.

I have to say that I would deffinatey recommend a Fabia to anyone looking for a car in that class, as the interior space and boot size are excellent (I can get a cricket bag in).