Fabia VRS, talk me out of it or into it!

[CoreyDog]

Hello PH,

Been looking for a while now at swapping my wife's car and my car in for one vehicle we can both use but struggled to find the right car... Well I think we may have done just that.

Requirements are petrol, auto (Wife has auto license only), big boot as have large dog, fun to drive for me with abit of go, about £8K, not too big as Mrs won't be keen and won't throw up huge bills every year. 2011 or newer... Less than 80K Miles. Quite a wishlist.

Looked at an A4 2.0 TFSI Estate, wife hated it. Looked at an RX400h, insurance was ridiculous due to popular Cat theft. Focus Estate, I couldn't live with a 1.6 NA which was only engine with an Auto in years we are looking at. Mondeo seem to have sky high miles, same with Octavia. 3 Series Estate boot was too small at 460ltrs.

Seemed like an impossible search until the Fabia VRS Estate popped up on a few searches. Seem fairly nippy and get good write up as a drivers car. Seem fairly reliable with the revised 1.4TSI after late 2012. Boot is 505ltrs. Our budget will get a 2013/2014 car with less than 50K on with some change.... What am I missing?

Wife isn't 100% as she is abit of a badge snob (I couldn't care less!)

Should I be running a mile from these or worth dragging the Mrs to see a few and slowly talking her round?

Input appreciated!

[Ardennes1944]

I thought it was only the later 1.8 VRS/Cupra/GTI that was more reliable?

A 2013 VRS will still have the TFSI engine I believe

[CoreyDog]

Ardennes1944 said:

I thought it was only the later 1.8 VRS/Cupra/GTI that was more reliable?

A 2013 VRS will still have the TFSI engine I believe

From little research I did, the early 1.4TSI had the oil consumption issues, they revised the engine in late 2012 to solve that issue. Older engine code was CAVE which has the piston issues.

Late 2012 on uses the CHTE engine code with revised pistons and crankcase ventilation.

I would obviously be looking at a CHTE engine.

[Welshbeef]

I’m still a huge fan of the Mk1 Fabia vRS - especially the LE Version.

To think only £12k new and even after what 10++ years old newest it’s still a £3-5k car. Remarkable and that PD unit so effortless and economical. A perfect daily of ever there was one.

[Summit_Detailing]

Underrated car, ticks all the boxes by the sounds of it and are maybe avoided because of their earlier reliability woes, problem solved as you've discovered.

I'd try to find one where some option boxes were ticked for the interior spec, as little things like climate control over a/c make the dash look/feel less 'budget'.

I'd want to see that the 40k service intervals on the DSG oil&filter had been adhered too also.

Happy shopping!

Cheers,

Chris

[ChrisH72]

I was followed by a white one today and couldn't help thinking it was quite nice. The estate version in particular is really quirky and interesting. Can't think of many similar cars.

I heard that the later ones are okay for reliability too.

Why not?

[CoreyDog]

Cheers Chris and Chris!

DSG box is a concern given some of the horror stories. Have a dual clutch box in my current Volvo, had that for years now and always make sure it's serviced exactly when it's needed, be hoping that any Fabia I look at has had the same care.

They do seem interesting, keeping my eye on a lime green one with black alloys, black mirrors and black grill... Appeals to the teenager in me! I can be alittle out there this time after owning a grey Volvo for so many years! Just need to convince my wife...

So provided get a CHTE engine and make sure if over 40K the DSG box is serviced, any other things to look out for anyone is aware of?

[Drive Blind]

it's a brave person that takes on a car with the 1.4 twincharged engine - so many of them had problems.

[wombleh]

Welshbeef said:

I’m still a huge fan of the Mk1 Fabia vRS - especially the LE Version.

We’ve got one, great car but could do with bigger brakes. Think the limited one has them.

[Brett748]

I briefly drove a Polo GTI with the twin charged 1.4 and I thought the engine was an absolute peach.

To me it felt a stronger unit that the 2.0 TFSI in the Audi TT I drove a few days after.

The 1.4 had really strong low down torque from the SC and the turbo took over seamlessly.

If you get lucky with reliability it would a great car to own with a genuinely interesting engine.

[bangerhoarder]

wombleh said:

We’ve got one, great car but could do with bigger brakes. Think the limited one has them.

Bolt-on from an 8N TT to 312mm, very easy, cheap, and fixes that issue. Standard wheels still fit.

[ZX10R NIN]

1.5T Focus Titanium Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007231...

1.4T Astra SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...

1.4T Leon FR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009224...

[jwilco]

ZX10R NIN said:

1.4T Leon FR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009224...

That's definitely an Ibiza

[AJB88]

jwilco said:

That's definitely an Ibiza

Yep was just about to say that!

But yeh the later 1.4 engine was more reliable.

[Hoofy]

CoreyDog said:

DSG box is a concern given some of the horror stories.

The DSG box in my Leon has seen about 110k miles and displays no issues that I notice. No flaring that my similarly aged auto Volvo had. Based on this extensive data set of 1, I'd happily have another DSG box with a turbo engine.

[ZX10R NIN]

jwilco said:

That's definitely an Ibiza

I hit the wrong link OP it's definitely an Ibiza

[GreatGranny]

Don't be put off the 3 series.

Boots are all different shapes so just because one is smaller capacity doesn't mean it's usable space is less.

Fabia boot



3 series boot



Personally they look very similar sizes.

Some interesting choices

Passat 3.2 (Ex police unfortunately)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...

Outback

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...

V60 T5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009284...

[CoreyDog]

GreatGranny said:

Don't be put off the 3 series.

Boots are all different shapes so just because one is smaller capacity doesn't mean it's usable space is less.

Fabia boot



3 series boot



Personally they look very similar sizes.

Some interesting choices

Passat 3.2 (Ex police unfortunately)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...

Outback

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...

V60 T5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009284...

Why did you have to show me that V60... I was set on a VRS and then that... Damn you

I'm abit of a Volvo Fanboy, last two cars have both been Volvos and I've been really impressed with both. Only reason didn't really look as V60s stretch my budget abit and ideally would have liked alittle change for servicing, tyres and anything else that may crop up. A T5 though is tempting!

Thanks Hoofy for feedback on DSG. Long as its been looked after, I'll be happy. The twin clutch in mine (Not DSG, Powershift so even worse reputation!) has been serviced on time, everytime. It's done 132K now and still feels perfect.

[p1stonhead]

wombleh said:

Welshbeef said:

I’m still a huge fan of the Mk1 Fabia vRS - especially the LE Version.

We’ve got one, great car but could do with bigger brakes. Think the limited one has them.

I loved mine when it worked. Unfortunately that was rare.

Seems I had a lemon.

[DKL]

We had one but not a fan.
I would only have the cthe engine as there are loads of issues with the earlier ones with major oil consumption. Mind you the cthe isn't immune. Ours was fine and I believe still is. Briskoda is where ti find out.
The gearbox- I hated it and it wasn't just ours. I tried a couple of vag dsg boxes and they were all the same. No reaction on initial prod of the accelerator so you prod a bit harder ( as your gap closes) and all hell broke loose. It just shouldn't be like that, it was downright dangerous in some situations.
Never again.
But I gather lots do like it so just make sure you try it yourself before you buy it.
The fabia estate is a bit dumpy looking. Probably at its best in vrs form but still not exactly pretty. But the flip side to that is that it is quite roomy for its size.
Satnav was a bit limited and the map option worse than a 10 yr older merc system for me.
It was supposed to be the sensible car to run alongside our e55 rather than spend all the money on a newer (but slower) merc. In the end we didn't keep it that long but we did by a c55 estate in its place...