Hey guys, this is my first post, so let's hope all goes well!

I'm considering buying a Skoda Fabia - I've been driving my parents' 1.2 HTP 55 Reg MK1 since I've been learning to drive, and I want something with more kick. This coincides with the fact that we inherited my grandfather's Skoda Fabia, which is a 53 reg 1.4 Comfort, I think - we got it valued at around £3500 by our local Skoda garage.

Anyway, we figured we'd trade both of these cars in and get a new Skoda, the rest of which would be paid for by myself, and really, I was looking for some insight from you guys.

Right now, I'm really struggling to decide between petrol or diesel. While I've always wanted a diesel, the guy at the showroom said, 'unless you do a lot of miles, more than 10K a year', you're not going to make back the extra cost on the engine. And yes, the petrol engine is nearly £1000 cheaper, which would make a huge difference. Furthermore, I read an article somewhere that suggested that the Skoda's 1.9TDI could be used as an example as to why people hate diesel engines. I don't know how true that is, but....

But I guess my question is: would the petrol be a better drive than the diesel? I know it's pretty childish, but I want a car that is fun to drive, and if the diesel has poor throttle response, and doesn't drive well, then I think I'd rather take the petrol...

Keep one of the Fabia I's you've. Then get the vRS or or at least a proper engine which we'll surly see in the next 2 years!!!

Welcome to the Forum

If money isn't the number one factor, then atleast drive them both. The TDI will feel a bit more effortless to drive, with good power from low down the rev range. The 1.6 will be pretty eqivalent in an out and out race, but needs working a bit harder.

Sure the diesel costs more to buy - for sure don't buy one on cost grounds alone, but the driving experience may just swing it.

Thanks. Nah I'd never get insurance on the vRS, but if I could, that would be awesome. I'm gonna go on a test drive for the TDI reasonably soon, so if it doesn't wow me, then I'll try the petrol.

Also, any negotitation strategies I should use to get the price down, or will that just cut into what I get from the old cars? :P

Welcome!

First things first. It really depends what you want to the use car for. If you want long distance cruising, especially long motorway hauls and continental use then it is definitely the diesel engine you want! If you do more town driving and short distances, then perhaps the petrol would suit you better.

In response to the statement that someone made with reference to the diesel engine being an example of why everyone hates diesel. That is madness and a completely ignorant statement (whoever made it?). This pump duse diesel unit is a fine example of tdi technology and this is supported by autocar, msn car, top gear and autoexpress. For some reason What Car seem to have something against this particular engine.

I have experienced all the petrol and diesel engines in the new mkII fabia and for me personally the best engines are the 1.2 HTP 70hp (for the petrols) and the 1.9 TDI 105hp (for the diesels). I do not believe that the 1.6 will provide much more fun than your current fabia though it will be better at motorway speeds - obviously. If it was me I would go for the 1.9 TDI diesel unit and get Superchips to provide a bluefin remap for it after about 4000 - 5000 miles to increase it by about 30hp and improve low down response.

Also bare in mind it is so important to run a diesel in properly and sensibly to get the best performance out of it. The following is the best way to run in a tdi unit:

1. For the first 1000 miles do not exceed 3000rpm but make sure you hit 3000 regularly

2. For the next 1000 miles (to 2000 miles) do not exceed 3500rpm but make sure you hit 3500rpm at least a few times a week

3. For the next 1000 miles (to 3000 miles) do not exceed 4000rpm but insure that you reach 4000rpm regularly during this time.

4. For the next 1000 miles (to 4000 miles) do not exceed 4500rpm but again make sure to reach this point frequently.

5. Finally for all mileage there after, no limit, just be sure to hit 4500rpm through the gears several times a week as this helps to keep the injectors clean and working efficiently.

6. Get a Superchips Bluefin Remap at 4000 miles onward (£550 approx)

My suggestion - get the diesel and run it in properly, it will be worth it.

Mark

You may not make the cost of the diesel back in fuel savings if you only do a small amount of miles , but you'll get the vast majority of it back when you sell the car anyway so it won't cost you more to run if you prefer the way it drives.

You may not make the cost of the diesel back in fuel savings if you only do a small amount of miles , but you'll get the vast majority of it back when you sell the car anyway so it won't cost you more to run if you prefer the way it drives.

I agree, tuning potential is good too, you can make your own MKII vRS quite easily,

Would have gone for it myself if it was offered with an auto box!

Trade you 1.4 mk1, for a 1.9tdi mk1

Just spoke to a friend who has the 1.6 petrol. He said it is quite good fun to drive but that it absolutely guzzles fuel. Apparently he barely manages to better 32mpg even when driving it fairly conservatively. When you look at the tdi in comparison, it looks a good bet, as I know someone who managed to return an average of 68.8mpg on a contintental haul in one!

Mark

Hey guys, this is my first post, so let's hope all goes well!

I'm considering buying a Skoda Fabia - I've been driving my parents' 1.2 HTP 55 Reg MK1 since I've been learning to drive, and I want something with more kick. This coincides with the fact that we inherited my grandfather's Skoda Fabia, which is a 53 reg 1.4 Comfort, I think - we got it valued at around £3500 by our local Skoda garage.

Anyway, we figured we'd trade both of these cars in and get a new Skoda, the rest of which would be paid for by myself, and really, I was looking for some insight from you guys.

Right now, I'm really struggling to decide between petrol or diesel. While I've always wanted a diesel, the guy at the showroom said, 'unless you do a lot of miles, more than 10K a year', you're not going to make back the extra cost on the engine. And yes, the petrol engine is nearly £1000 cheaper, which would make a huge difference. Furthermore, I read an article somewhere that suggested that the Skoda's 1.9TDI could be used as an example as to why people hate diesel engines. I don't know how true that is, but....

But I guess my question is: would the petrol be a better drive than the diesel? I know it's pretty childish, but I want a car that is fun to drive, and if the diesel has poor throttle response, and doesn't drive well, then I think I'd rather take the petrol...

If it were me, I'd have the Diesel every time, betttter MPG, lower Tax etc, but then there is the £1000 extra on top.

I have a Fabia vRS as I do a lot of miles so it was sensible at the time to get one.

As people have said, test drive them both and see.

Regarding the PD Diesel engines.. they are a fine example of what modern Diesel engine technology is, sure they are not common rail and are therfore noisier (mine is like a 1980's transit until it's warm) but I think the power delivery is great.

There wil be Common Rail soon on probably all the Diesels so it may be better to wait and see for a few more months.

The Diesel will probably be the better drive at lower revs.

Also, you don't need to thrash them to make the car move, I know the vRS is more powerfull but I don't really rev past 3500RPM as it's waisted fuel really.

HTH,

Ben

I really didn't like a 1.6 I drove as it was such hard work.

Saying that I also don't rate the 1.9 PD105 as it's such and old engine and noisy as hell compared to other cars.

I have a 1.6 in my Bora and the PD105 in my Passat and in my opinion the diesel is the best by far. I struggle to get 42mpg in the Bora and thats driving like an old fart whereas the larger heavier Passat I quite easily achieve 55mpg mixed driving and i don't find it particularily noisey.

You have the option of increasing the power on the diesel easier than the petrol.

Servicing is cheap and the intervals are long if you go for variable.

I drive the 1.6 petrol and love it. Lots of smooth power but, yeah, you do need to work the engine for max power but that's part of the fun!

And it is smooth.

But, like others have said, best to try a test drive of both, see what you think.

But I do like my 1.6 fabia3!

No contest for me, reagrdless of mileage the 1.9 TDI would be the one to go for