Skoda Fabia 1.4 TSI vRS 5dr DSG
Discussion
I've been looking at purchasing a new family car and my search criteria has been based on the following, 5 doors (3 door is no fund with 2 children), reasonably fast 0-60 sub 8 seconds, economical on fuel/maintenance/tax and sub 7k to buy used.
This has led me to the Skoda, there are a lot of them knocking round on AutoTrader with very low miles.
Now I know the previous generation VRS was pretty good car, but I have zero experience with this generation (2010 onwards). Concerned with sequential box and the life expectancy of it.
Apart from the fact that the looks are definitely marmite, it looks a bit of a greenhouse, can anyone offer some feedback and thoughts on them, it would be really appreciated.
This has led me to the Skoda, there are a lot of them knocking round on AutoTrader with very low miles.
Now I know the previous generation VRS was pretty good car, but I have zero experience with this generation (2010 onwards). Concerned with sequential box and the life expectancy of it.
Apart from the fact that the looks are definitely marmite, it looks a bit of a greenhouse, can anyone offer some feedback and thoughts on them, it would be really appreciated.
I am also hoping to move into a Fabia VRS soon. However I have always been put off due to the 1.4TSI. It’s drinks Oil at alarming rates, just google “Fabia VRS 1.4tsi Oil issues”, about 1L/ 600 Miles in some cases. 2010-2012 (12reg) cars have a CAVE coded engine which has the problems, 2012 (62 reg)- onwards have the newer CTHE coded engine which was re designed to use less oil.
So stay as new as possible!
The DSG gearbox is an automated Manual, and in some cases can be problematic. There was a service action from Skoda where they change the Oil in the box and an ECU update which is supposed to fix it. But they are generally robust.
So stay as new as possible!
The DSG gearbox is an automated Manual, and in some cases can be problematic. There was a service action from Skoda where they change the Oil in the box and an ECU update which is supposed to fix it. But they are generally robust.
As above, Briskoda is the place to find out more. We have had a 2011 vRS virtually from new, and initially had the oil burn problem. However, Skoda replaced the engine under warranty and it has been good as gold ever since. I suspect that there are many out there now which have had remedial work done to sort the problem.
If your kids are young, I would recommend checking if their seats fit ok in the back of the vRS. We found that our isofix seat for our 4 year old grandchild (which uses the adult belt rather than integral belts) didn't fit very well, as the seatbelt buckle ended up on the "wrong side" of the inboard isofix mount, making it difficult to clip the belt. Gave up in the end, and put the seat in the Yeti instead.
If your kids are young, I would recommend checking if their seats fit ok in the back of the vRS. We found that our isofix seat for our 4 year old grandchild (which uses the adult belt rather than integral belts) didn't fit very well, as the seatbelt buckle ended up on the "wrong side" of the inboard isofix mount, making it difficult to clip the belt. Gave up in the end, and put the seat in the Yeti instead.
I had one (a CAVE engine one) for a couple of years and it was fine. I'm probably in the substantial group who didn't have problems and thus won't be moaning about it on briskoda. I'd be fairly comfortable buying a later CHTE engined one, and £7k should comfortably get you in one. Haven't heard of too many issues with the gearbox.
I had one for just over 3 years, I loved it, great everyday car. DSG box is a joy, plenty fast, 35 mpg average with 45 achievable on longer trips. Low tax and insurance.
It ended up costing me a fortune though, the engine gave up at 35k miles despite being treated with much love and regular servicing.
If the engine was more reliable it would be a real peach, but I would not recommend the car to anyone, based on my experiences.
New engine is c. £5k. DSG box around the same. They're too expensive to fix and not reliable enough to trust. Shame.
It ended up costing me a fortune though, the engine gave up at 35k miles despite being treated with much love and regular servicing.
If the engine was more reliable it would be a real peach, but I would not recommend the car to anyone, based on my experiences.
New engine is c. £5k. DSG box around the same. They're too expensive to fix and not reliable enough to trust. Shame.
MFR_TT said:
When physically looking at the car, apart from the age, how do I tell if it is the CAVE engine or not?
There will be a black plaque on the drivers door sill. Will have the engine code on there.Keep us updated if you do go ahead, I’ve been so close but I do worry about potential issues!
My missus had a 2014 Fabia VRs estate when our lad was born.
Had it from new for 3.5 years and to be fair we had no issues, didn’t drink oil and never went in for any warrenty work no gearbox issues etc
However it’d only done 20k in those ~3 years.
I never really liked it, we PX’d a Suzuki swift Sport for it and it was so much more fun. (I know this isn’t an option for you due to kids hence why ours went)
I just never gelled with it.
The gearbox, although quick to change gear, wasn’t fun in a small hot/warm hatch(I like conventional autos in big cars)
Seemed to fight to be in the highest gear as soon as possible, sport mode just held it in too low of a gear even when cruising.
I know you can use the manual mode but sometimes you can’t be bothered.
The wet clutch boxes in the Octavia and Golf are a lot nicer too.
It seemed to have too much power for the chassis but not in a good way.
Also as stated there’s not a great deal of room in the back (boot was good in ours as it was an estate)
It’s a pain strapping kids in the back at night because the interior light is in the front so the back is pitch black.
This is a bit of a silly & personal gripe but I think the slower Monte Carlo editions look better. As much as I hate the word (especially when applied to shopping cars) but the Monte Carlo looks more sporty and like it’s above the VRs in the range.
In short; it was an alright family car but it wasn’t the fun car I thought it’d be.
I’d have a golf GTi or Octavia over it if you want VAG (we replaced it with a 1 series)
Had it from new for 3.5 years and to be fair we had no issues, didn’t drink oil and never went in for any warrenty work no gearbox issues etc
However it’d only done 20k in those ~3 years.
I never really liked it, we PX’d a Suzuki swift Sport for it and it was so much more fun. (I know this isn’t an option for you due to kids hence why ours went)
I just never gelled with it.
The gearbox, although quick to change gear, wasn’t fun in a small hot/warm hatch(I like conventional autos in big cars)
Seemed to fight to be in the highest gear as soon as possible, sport mode just held it in too low of a gear even when cruising.
I know you can use the manual mode but sometimes you can’t be bothered.
The wet clutch boxes in the Octavia and Golf are a lot nicer too.
It seemed to have too much power for the chassis but not in a good way.
Also as stated there’s not a great deal of room in the back (boot was good in ours as it was an estate)
It’s a pain strapping kids in the back at night because the interior light is in the front so the back is pitch black.
This is a bit of a silly & personal gripe but I think the slower Monte Carlo editions look better. As much as I hate the word (especially when applied to shopping cars) but the Monte Carlo looks more sporty and like it’s above the VRs in the range.
In short; it was an alright family car but it wasn’t the fun car I thought it’d be.
I’d have a golf GTi or Octavia over it if you want VAG (we replaced it with a 1 series)
Edited by EddyBee on Tuesday 27th February 17:51
My mate bought one new, bright yellow with black roof and grill, upgrading from a MK1 vRS. It was a lovely car to drive, plenty of power, DSG box worked a treat (to start with) and fairly economical. It went the same way as many though, the engine started using oil and the gearbox started jolting/making some worrying noises. He chopped it in for an Octavia vRS in the end.
I'd have one, but only with a cast iron warranty that would 100% cover everything, I dunno how easy that is now they're getting on a bit now.
I'd have one, but only with a cast iron warranty that would 100% cover everything, I dunno how easy that is now they're getting on a bit now.
MFR_TT said:
I've been looking at purchasing a new family car and my search criteria has been based on the following, 5 doors (3 door is no fund with 2 children), reasonably fast 0-60 sub 8 seconds, economical on fuel/maintenance/tax and sub 7k to buy used.
This has led me to the Skoda, there are a lot of them knocking round on AutoTrader with very low miles.
Now I know the previous generation VRS was pretty good car, but I have zero experience with this generation (2010 onwards). Concerned with sequential box and the life expectancy of it.
Apart from the fact that the looks are definitely marmite, it looks a bit of a greenhouse, can anyone offer some feedback and thoughts on them, it would be really appreciated.
My wife had a mid-2000s Polo (basically same car as Fabia) when we had baby stuff to carry and it was too small; difficult to squeeze in a rear-facing baby carrier and boot not big enough for your average modern pushchair. You'll need at least a Golf/Astra/Focus size car.This has led me to the Skoda, there are a lot of them knocking round on AutoTrader with very low miles.
Now I know the previous generation VRS was pretty good car, but I have zero experience with this generation (2010 onwards). Concerned with sequential box and the life expectancy of it.
Apart from the fact that the looks are definitely marmite, it looks a bit of a greenhouse, can anyone offer some feedback and thoughts on them, it would be really appreciated.
But if you're determined to stay with smaller cars, consider the Suzuki Swift Sport which comes close to your requirements because it's about the same size as an older Fabia/Polo. In the real world the Swift Sport can come close to its claimed mpg if you're not thrashing it about everywhere whereas most manufacturer mpg figures are so far from the truth that it's not even funny.
Here's one that's a close match for your needs:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Much has been said about the reliability or otherwise of the vRS.
My wife has had a 2013 model from new and absolutely loves it. I want her to change it, but she won't let me!!
Yes, it uses oil - about 1000 miles per pint. I've been measuring it since the last service as the 5 year warranty runs out this year, and if there is an issue, I wans Skoda to pay rather than me :-) This usage is well below the action level though.
Very practical, although our kids are well out of child seats now. Boot on the hatch is deceptively large and can swallow lots of kit.
Her car has only been given stick on half a dozen occasions (which is the only times she has let me drive it without her in!) and it does go well, albeit with a bit of torque steer. DSG box is seamless until you do red line changes. As you may know, the DSG box can have hesitation when pulling off from stationary at a junction, but you do get used to that quickly and its easy enough to carry out smooth take off's.
Engine noise is gruff but pleasant when the loud pedal is pressed. When on tickover and at low revs, the engine is silent inside the car (surprises me every time!)
The ride is firm, but not crashy, and body roll is well contained for such a tall car. It sticks to the road well enough for me.
She gets low 30's mpg in her short running use, with high 40's easily attainable on longer runs. This is on Supermarket petrol.
A nice little car, which she loves. My problem is finding a reasonable replacement, as there is nothing similar on the market. Maybe the Polo GTi, but that's a 2 litre, which she doesn't need. Everything else doesn't have the performance (that she doesn't use, but will probably miss when it's not there!).
Mike
My wife has had a 2013 model from new and absolutely loves it. I want her to change it, but she won't let me!!
Yes, it uses oil - about 1000 miles per pint. I've been measuring it since the last service as the 5 year warranty runs out this year, and if there is an issue, I wans Skoda to pay rather than me :-) This usage is well below the action level though.
Very practical, although our kids are well out of child seats now. Boot on the hatch is deceptively large and can swallow lots of kit.
Her car has only been given stick on half a dozen occasions (which is the only times she has let me drive it without her in!) and it does go well, albeit with a bit of torque steer. DSG box is seamless until you do red line changes. As you may know, the DSG box can have hesitation when pulling off from stationary at a junction, but you do get used to that quickly and its easy enough to carry out smooth take off's.
Engine noise is gruff but pleasant when the loud pedal is pressed. When on tickover and at low revs, the engine is silent inside the car (surprises me every time!)
The ride is firm, but not crashy, and body roll is well contained for such a tall car. It sticks to the road well enough for me.
She gets low 30's mpg in her short running use, with high 40's easily attainable on longer runs. This is on Supermarket petrol.
A nice little car, which she loves. My problem is finding a reasonable replacement, as there is nothing similar on the market. Maybe the Polo GTi, but that's a 2 litre, which she doesn't need. Everything else doesn't have the performance (that she doesn't use, but will probably miss when it's not there!).
Mike
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