Fabia VRS buying advice needed..
Discussion
Whats up folks?
Just thought I would pop by and hopefully get some advice about a Skoda Fabia VRS that I'm off to view at the weekend.
When I left home, my flat-mate had one.. 55'plage. I fell in love with the thing.. always vowed to get one one day. And that days now.
I've done a bit of research, and they seem to be fairly bullet-proof. But what should I be on the lookout for?
I'm off to see a 56 plate, 53k miles, full service history, cambelt changed 200 miles ago.. completely standard.. even comes with a 6 month warrantee from the dealership.
Any advice? Are there any engine variations.. I noticed some are TDI, some are listed as PD? Is one better than the other?
Many thanks
Jim
Just thought I would pop by and hopefully get some advice about a Skoda Fabia VRS that I'm off to view at the weekend.
When I left home, my flat-mate had one.. 55'plage. I fell in love with the thing.. always vowed to get one one day. And that days now.
I've done a bit of research, and they seem to be fairly bullet-proof. But what should I be on the lookout for?
I'm off to see a 56 plate, 53k miles, full service history, cambelt changed 200 miles ago.. completely standard.. even comes with a 6 month warrantee from the dealership.
Any advice? Are there any engine variations.. I noticed some are TDI, some are listed as PD? Is one better than the other?
Many thanks
Jim
Yea.. I'm not too fussed about the blue ones. My flat mate went from his VRS to the limited edition one, but I wasn't sold on the price difference.. ! They are a nice colour, but it looks the best in black.
As regards mods, it will probably only get a remap. It's going to be a family car! Although I am young so a few mods may be on the cards :-)
As regards mods, it will probably only get a remap. It's going to be a family car! Although I am young so a few mods may be on the cards :-)
Lovely jubbly.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Found that on the classifieds, very attractive price.. but I think I prefer the black.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Found that on the classifieds, very attractive price.. but I think I prefer the black.
I'm not overly fussed with enthusiastic driving.. When I drove my friends every now and again, it always put a smile on my face.. since that I have had an old 1.8 SRI Astra and an Alfa 147 twin-spark. I enjoyed the Astra the most.
The Fabia had a good poke out of corners, and enough torque to dispatch a couple of cars if they're driving below the speed-limit. That's all I'm looking for really.
I'm also attracted to the good reliability and decent fuel returns. That's what's important. I appreciate there may be some faults as mentioned, but that seems fine.. I have been browsing the Skoda Enthusiasts forums and they're seem to be reasonably easy fixes for the problems mentioned.
Cheers again guys!
The Fabia had a good poke out of corners, and enough torque to dispatch a couple of cars if they're driving below the speed-limit. That's all I'm looking for really.
I'm also attracted to the good reliability and decent fuel returns. That's what's important. I appreciate there may be some faults as mentioned, but that seems fine.. I have been browsing the Skoda Enthusiasts forums and they're seem to be reasonably easy fixes for the problems mentioned.
Cheers again guys!
Would you guys advise addressing commonly known issues when I purchase the car, or leave it to an as and when job?
The console bushes for example?
I've been trawling the Briskoda forums as well guys, great resource.. feels similar to alfa owner when I had my 147. Great community.
Is there a fix for the leaky doors, damp carpets?
The console bushes for example?
I've been trawling the Briskoda forums as well guys, great resource.. feels similar to alfa owner when I had my 147. Great community.
Is there a fix for the leaky doors, damp carpets?
The one I went to see this morning was listed at £5.3k.. the dealer wouldn't stop harping on about finance rather than the car. Even though I explained it was a cash purchase.
Anyway. I took it for a test drive and it brought a smile back to my face. It's all about perception. I enjoyed the ride and the engine is spot on for my liking.. superb torque lower down. I'm not about thrashing it about like I was a few years ago.
Dealer confessed however that it's listed as a 130bhp, as that's what's listed on the v5c. However, the paperwork has a receipt and folder indicating a remap to 175 amongst other things.
It's had the console bushes replaced to Cupra Bushes at 49k when it went in for a service. Cambelt and water pump have been replaced also.. it had full Skoda Service History until 41k, which is a thumbs up.
I felt the handling was pretty good, I think a little lowering and some uprated springs would make a ton of difference!
I suppose it's all about what you guys have driven previous and what your driving now.. but it felt solid too me. I also really dislike the golf's. I do like the R32's, but I couldn't afford to run one.. the rest just don't appeal too me. Especially around here - there are hundreds. The Ibiza is also a car I think is particularly ugly..
A Seat Leon Cupra R.. Now there's a car - but I can't justify it to my wife when there a suitable diesel alternative.
Anyway. Played my face up about the remap. Is it illegal for them to be trying to sell me the car? Said I would need to think about it. He offered it for 5k. Managed to talk him into 4850 and a full tank of diesel.. also a 6 month warranty that was advertised with the car anyway.
My budget is 5.5k, but I would ideally prefer to get the car and pay my insurance off in one go as opposed to car and paying monthly.
Anyway. I took it for a test drive and it brought a smile back to my face. It's all about perception. I enjoyed the ride and the engine is spot on for my liking.. superb torque lower down. I'm not about thrashing it about like I was a few years ago.
Dealer confessed however that it's listed as a 130bhp, as that's what's listed on the v5c. However, the paperwork has a receipt and folder indicating a remap to 175 amongst other things.
It's had the console bushes replaced to Cupra Bushes at 49k when it went in for a service. Cambelt and water pump have been replaced also.. it had full Skoda Service History until 41k, which is a thumbs up.
I felt the handling was pretty good, I think a little lowering and some uprated springs would make a ton of difference!
I suppose it's all about what you guys have driven previous and what your driving now.. but it felt solid too me. I also really dislike the golf's. I do like the R32's, but I couldn't afford to run one.. the rest just don't appeal too me. Especially around here - there are hundreds. The Ibiza is also a car I think is particularly ugly..
A Seat Leon Cupra R.. Now there's a car - but I can't justify it to my wife when there a suitable diesel alternative.
Anyway. Played my face up about the remap. Is it illegal for them to be trying to sell me the car? Said I would need to think about it. He offered it for 5k. Managed to talk him into 4850 and a full tank of diesel.. also a 6 month warranty that was advertised with the car anyway.
My budget is 5.5k, but I would ideally prefer to get the car and pay my insurance off in one go as opposed to car and paying monthly.
I just presumed as it's not what's printed on the v5c, it's therefore not right? Is a remap something I would need to make the DVLA aware of?
Demon Tweaks in Wrexham did the remap.. it had some printouts of customer feedback and adjustments.. I presume it was a custom map as that's what indicated on there website.
Demon Tweaks in Wrexham did the remap.. it had some printouts of customer feedback and adjustments.. I presume it was a custom map as that's what indicated on there website.
Brilliant stuff!
Spoke to my insurance company about the remap and the chap quoted an extra £12. He also mentioned that most people don't bother informing the insurance company of remaps, which I thought was interesting.
I recall seeing a 'modifications' part on the v5c and thought this would belong there.. I have always had standard cars so am new to this!
Spoke to my insurance company about the remap and the chap quoted an extra £12. He also mentioned that most people don't bother informing the insurance company of remaps, which I thought was interesting.
I recall seeing a 'modifications' part on the v5c and thought this would belong there.. I have always had standard cars so am new to this!
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