Skoda Fabia, any good? That badge...

[sat1983]

I like the looks (for an everyday car), they seem like great value but I've got to be honest- a skoda is not something I've ever considered before.
Have some of you moved on from an Audi or a VW to a skoda and been happy with your choice?

[51mes]

On my second skoda, octavia tho not fabia - had a petrol vrs and now a diesel scout - fairly basic but well screwed together and so far reliable.

Can't fault them for the money - and they are selling new like hotcakes...

Simes

[TonyTony]

The new Fabia VRS is cool, the same lump and gearbox as the the new top range Ibizas and Polo!

[sat1983]

1.2 TSI is all I could stretch to!

[nottyash]

I bought a Fabia VRS new in 2005. Fantastic car.
Mates used to take the piss, but it really was a cracking car.

[Sam_68]

I'm up to 17K miles in a current model Fabia (company car - chosen for tax reasons). Can't fault the build quality or performance, but the DSG gearbox is very much an acquired taste so if you haven't experienced one before, make sure you have a decent trial before you make up your mind.

[Dunclane]

Just hit 10.5k in my octy vrs and it's been a pleasure! Great build quality, good equipment and great value.

[davepoth]

Anyone who still gets hung up on a Skoda badge (and they were never quite as bad as everyone says) is a big of a mug - they represent good value, and are probably the VAG car best suited for the UK (softest sprung as a brand)

[sat1983]

What have I done...

I bought it. 1.2 TSI DSG

Never driven an auto before today and going to France with it for 10 days on saturday!

[davepoth]

sat1983 said:

What have I done...

I bought it. 1.2 TSI DSG

Never driven an auto before today and going to France with it for 10 days on saturday!

It'll take about 10 yards to get used to it, and about 2 miles before you give up with the flappy paddles and leave it in "drive". Don't left foot brake if you like the windscreen.

[r1ch]

I think they are good little cars. Well screwed together and a nice place to sit imo.

[waterwonder]

I had a 2004 fabia vrs. Bought it for all the obvious reasons but check out the oc forum if you're expecting trouble free motoring.

In the 6 months or so I had mine I suffered from failed door seams and broken anti roll bar and fuel filler cap. Apart from that reasonably well screwed together if pretty crude.

Having now read up on VAG products I definitely don't believe their reputation is deserved in the reliability stakes.

That all said my fabia was a good car returned 45mpg minimum and was pretty quick.

[mph1977]

r1ch said:

I think they are good little cars. Well screwed together and a nice place to sit imo.

it says something that the Octavia / Scout has prised the Ambulance RRV market from the V50 /V70 D5 ...

[Ricky_M]

davepoth said:

Anyone who still gets hung up on a Skoda badge (and they were never quite as bad as everyone says) is a big of a mug - they represent good value, and are probably the VAG car best suited for the UK (softest sprung as a brand)

This.

[va1o]

Depends which model really. At the bottom end of the market for an early model at about £1k, they are better than the equivalent Polo or Ibiza. Buying new unless its the VRS (which represents great value for money) I don't really see the appeal given you can get quite good deals on the Polo and Ibiza, which currently share the newer platform and technology.

[anonymous-user]

2008Octavia Vrs here. Better than my previous cars - Saab 93/passat/ Bmw 5 series E60 (I was beta tester as got one in 2003). 1 dealer visit since new, aerial amplifier went!. I would buy another but no need, keeping this one for ever!

[va1o]

Jimboka said:

2008Octavia Vrs here. Better than my previous cars - Saab 93/passat/ Bmw 5 series E60 (I was beta tester as got one in 2003). 1 dealer visit since new, aerial amplifier went!. I would buy another but no need, keeping this one for ever!

In what way exactly is an Octavia better than a E60 BMW 5-Series?

[sat1983]

va1o said:

Depends which model really. At the bottom end of the market for an early model at about £1k, they are better than the equivalent Polo or Ibiza. Buying new unless its the VRS (which represents great value for money) I don't really see the appeal given you can get quite good deals on the Polo and Ibiza, which currently share the newer platform and technology.

Yeah you're right. But it seems I'd have had to pay a great deal more for the equivalent Polo. For everyday motoring, the Fabia seemed a no brainer.

[Balmoral Green]

sat1983 said:

I bought it. 1.2 TSI DSG

That'll be a nice little car. On the 1.2, the DSG isn't trying to be something it's not, unlike in the vRS where it's supposed to be a drivers car, but fails.

[anonymous-user]

va1o said:

In what way exactly is an Octavia better than a E60 BMW 5-Series?

11 dealer visits im 18 months made it a POS compared to anything! ( it was an early one and it was crap, in 1st 20000 miles it had new steering rack/numerous software updates usually to fix bugs on previous update/broken aircon/new gearbox etc etc). I'm sure they were good cars when sorted...