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?

[sat1983]

1.2 TSI is all I could stretch to!

[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!

[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.

[sat1983]

Balmoral Green said:

hat'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.

Thank you. What I've learned from skoda is that it genuinely does seem to be a "what it says on the tin" brand.

No nonsense, functional, good quality products.

Hopefully!

[sat1983]

v8will said:

Seemingly so, a friend has just bought one of the basic ones, 2009 model year I think with a tiny little 3 cylinder. Just surprisingly so much better than it's VW Polo relative.

Skoda seems to be the smart VAG choice these days

Agreed!

[sat1983]

Tyson1980 said:

I prefer driving the Fabia to my Z4 and other sports cars (srs)

To that extent?????????

[sat1983]

Made it to France!! All I can say is what a nice car to be in, and the economy is fantastic. I must easily have done over 50mpg.
Just a small brown trouser moment when I got muddled up with which side of the road I was on (....!!) and thinking "clutch down" I pressed the brake pedal as hard as I could. Resulting in a very nice emergency stop.
It's only my 2nd day driving an auto and I must admit I feel I've done well but I am still a tad scared until I proprely get used to driving on the right and an auto. By the time I get back to the UK, I'm sure I'll be very confident!

[sat1983]

HBFS said:

I'm picking up my Fabia VRS from the garage on Friday...

7 speed auto dsg with flappy paddles
Bluetooth stereo
parking sensors
Cruise control
Climate control
Audio controls on steering wheel
Optional black roof
Optional alloys

Balance of warranty - 2 years remaining, complete with a high level of roadside assistance.

All of that for £13,000 and It's only one year old! I think that's pretty good value.

So far after the first two test drives I love the DSG. I hope my feelings will stay the sane throughout ownership!

Bargain! Picked my 1.2 TSI 105 DSG for £9700 and it's only one year old too. I mean for that kind of money, you just can't go wrong.

[sat1983]

ajprice said:

First car was a basic Fabia 1.4, complete with wheeltrims and keep fit windows . It was fine and did the job as a first car, cheap to run, easy to work on and kept on running. Have fun with the flappy paddles .

Cheers- You can see the few little things Skoda "saved" money on compared to the equivalent Polo but I'm not the sort of person that worries what colour the dials are.
I've got keep fit windows at the back- doesn't worry me as very few people would sit there. I'll just put stuff on the back seats,mainly.
Dials= 80's green. As said, doesn't worry me.
A few more hard plastics than a Polo. Again, as long as it doesn't rattle, I couldn't care less.
I bet some are these things are done on purpose so people think the Polo is more premium. Which it is- but not by much.

[sat1983]

inVINCEable said:

If you're really pushing on, there is a fair bit of body movement, but very controlable.

At 75mph + I've found out that too. Still, excellent engine as you say, power/economy -wise.

[sat1983]

Still very much alive in France and the skoda has been a dream to drive, I've driven 1200 miles up to now with no bother. Looking forward to the 1000 miles return trip!