Skoda Fabia - first car!

[kieranblenk]

Hello!

I'm 17 and learning to drive, for my first car, I decided from the offset I didn't fancy a Ka or a Corsa, but other than that I wasn't too fussy, just wanted something cheap to run, cheap to insure and economical.

I spotted this Corrida Red 04 plate Fabia 1.2 HTP 54 Classic with 72k miles on Autotrader just a couple of miles from home, the ad stated it had full service history as well as 6 months tax and a years MOT, so my dad phoned and we went to have a look at it. Okay it doesn't exactly set the pulses racing with its 54bhp 3 cylinder engine, especially being basic specification (no central locking, windy windows), but the insurance is reasonable being group 1. Also, the bodywork is immaculate with no obvious scuffs or scrapes except for a tiny dent above the driver's door handle, no bigger than a pin head. The interior is also spotless, which considering it's knocking on 10 years old is not bad.

On the whole, I'm over the moon with it, although when we got it had a leak on the rear doors, making the door cards damp. Happily, we've managed to sort it, apparently it's a common issue on Fabias. I just need to pass my test now!

Kieran

[Jimbo.]

Tidy!

[Synchromesh]

Looks like an ideal first car!

While you may be frustrated right now about not being able to get insured on something more powerful, once you get used to driving quicker cars you'll realise power isn't 'all that', and there's a perverse joy to be gained from ragging something with just enough poke to keep the momentum going.

Good luck with the test; just stay relaxed, drive sensibly and you'll have no problem passing.

[kieranblenk]

Jimbo. said:

Tidy!

thank you!

Synchromesh said:

Looks like an ideal first car!

While you may be frustrated right now about not being able to get insured on something more powerful, once you get used to driving quicker cars you'll realise power isn't 'all that', and there's a perverse joy to be gained from ragging something with just enough poke to keep the momentum going.

Good luck with the test; just stay relaxed, drive sensibly and you'll have no problem passing.

Thanks! At the moment I'm just happy to have a car! I've only been learning since the beginning of last month, but I've already passed my theory. The idea behind the HTP is to be 'torquey' from low revs, obviously my experience of quick cars is non-existant but my parents find my car quite perky for its size, considering they drive a DS3 HDI 110 and a Audi A4 2.0 TDI, it can't be that bad!

[grenpayne]

Very nice first car. We've all got to start somewhere and that looks good from here! Best advice I can give is don't drive like a muppet, build up the no claims discount and then move on to something a bit more sporty in a couple of years time. Oh and good luck with the test

[0836whimper]

Best car you'll ever have, your first car. Enjoy it and be safe.
(My first car was a battered brown 1.2 Vauxhall Nova, so yours is comparatively much nicer)

[Dalto123]

Very nice first car you've got yourself there. You'll yearn for more power, but 54bhp can still get you along nicely (in a similar powered Micra at the moment, by no means is it 'fast' but good progress is possible on the right roads)

Good luck with your test, passing it feels awesome!

[turboteeth]

I don't think these look half bad, especially the VRS ones so put some nice alloys on it and live the dream

[ShaunFlucker]

Cracking first car you've got there. Had a vrs couple years ago, they all suffer from the leaky door cards.

Other than that, keep plenty of 5amp mini blade fuses during the winter for your front wipers.

[kieranblenk]

Thanks all for the kind comments I'm hoping this will see me through uni (I'm currently at sixth form) so another 3 years or so, maybe change sooner if finances allow. It was basically between this or a Fiat Panda, while I know the Panda is a great car I do prefer the Skoda. I have no intentions to modify it other than maybe a set of Skoda alloys if I can afford it at a later date, I think it's fine the way it is

[danposs86]

Are you on briskoda?

[320touring]

My mum had a 1.4 auto one of these with keep fit windows. I had it for a period when my e30 was off the road..

managed to do Dunvegan on Skye and back in a day (680miles), also perfectly happy holding 4 12 stone lads *cough*

good wee cars and can be fun to drive.

watch out for the lamda sensors showing a fault- the loom can rub through the wires- if cought early some tape should fix it.

enjoy!

[kieranblenk]

danposs86 said:

Are you on briskoda?

Nope, but I have heard it's a good site for owners, I will sign up when I get round to.

320touring said:

watch out for the lamda sensors showing a fault- the loom can rub through the wires- if cought early some tape should fix it.

enjoy!

Thanks, that's worth knowing!

[Richieboy3008]

I had this engine (64bhp tune) in a Ibiza. Dog slow, but averaged 50mpg everywhere.

Make sure that the cam chain tensioner has been replaced. They fail on eary cars causing it to skip a tooth. Had to scrap my Ibiza because of this.

[Beeby]

I had the 1.9 tdi (110bhp) one of these and it was a cracking car. It was very reliable. As a first car I'd say you have made an excellent choice. Also I applaud you for not taking the default choice of a blooming three door Vauxhall Corsa.

[T.K]

Great buy. :-)

[KM666]

Looks like a minter, its wore those years well. Nicely done.

[vit4]

Very good little cars these - my dad has a 1.9tdi Estate and it's been unbelievably reliable in a few years and ~90k of mostly town mileage. If I ever needed a supermini they'd be first on my list.

[LukeSi]

One of my mates has got one. A tonne, 5 up in a 1.2 Fabia was hilarious.

[kieranblenk]

Again, thanks to all for the kind comments, I'll admit it's not an obvious choice for a teenager but personally I'd rather have a car that I'm confident will serve me well than something more fashionable perhaps that will need lots of work. Although the 3 cylinder rumble is quite characterful compared to the two 4 pot diesels in our household! I decided I didn't want a Corsa primarily because I'm not keen on their image and I didn't fancy a Ka because I don't like the way they look, I did however look at a Ka that the dealer who I bought my Fabia off had in stock as a comparison, for me the Skoda was miles ahead, I'm 6ft 1 and felt a little cramped in the Ka, other people might disagree but I feel more comfortable in the Skoda

KM666 said:

Looks like a minter, its wore those years well. Nicely done.

The person who owned it for 7 years prior to me taking ownership kept covers on the seats, likewise there's barely any wear on the pedals or steering wheel and no sign of rust anywhere, it even has the original Skoda dealer plates and faded sticker in the rear window, as well as the original Skoda leather keyring!