Skoda Fabia - opinions?
Discussion
A colleague of mine wants some help to buy a car. She's willing to spend up to £3.5k and wants small, practical, cheap to run, cheap to insure but with 4/5 doors.
She knows nothing about cars and wants my help. Her sister has a Fabia, so she's decided that's what she wants.
In fairness, the Fabia doesn't look like a bad idea. Judging from the whatcar / parkers reviews, the 16v 1.4 petrol engine gets a good review. And it seems her budget will get her a 2003-4 car with average miles and FSH.
So... any views? anything particular to check for?
The 1.4 16v seems to come with 75 or 100bhp - either seems adequately nippy for her needs.
And am I correct in thinking these will be a 60k mile interval for cam belt changes? Does anyone happen to know how much a cam belt change would cost?
Any opinions much appreciated.
Cheers
Wrighty.
She knows nothing about cars and wants my help. Her sister has a Fabia, so she's decided that's what she wants.
In fairness, the Fabia doesn't look like a bad idea. Judging from the whatcar / parkers reviews, the 16v 1.4 petrol engine gets a good review. And it seems her budget will get her a 2003-4 car with average miles and FSH.
So... any views? anything particular to check for?
The 1.4 16v seems to come with 75 or 100bhp - either seems adequately nippy for her needs.
And am I correct in thinking these will be a 60k mile interval for cam belt changes? Does anyone happen to know how much a cam belt change would cost?
Any opinions much appreciated.
Cheers
Wrighty.
wrighty78 said:
A colleague of mine wants some help to buy a car. She's willing to spend up to £3.5k and wants small, practical, cheap to run, cheap to insure but with 4/5 doors.
She knows nothing about cars and wants my help. Her sister has a Fabia, so she's decided that's what she wants.
In fairness, the Fabia doesn't look like a bad idea. Judging from the whatcar / parkers reviews, the 16v 1.4 petrol engine gets a good review. And it seems her budget will get her a 2003-4 car with average miles and FSH.
So... any views? anything particular to check for?
The 1.4 16v seems to come with 75 or 100bhp - either seems adequately nippy for her needs.
And am I correct in thinking these will be a 60k mile interval for cam belt changes? Does anyone happen to know how much a cam belt change would cost?
Any opinions much appreciated.
Cheers
Wrighty.
Cambelt, every four years and around £350 from a main stealer - its being discussed on moneysavingexpert motoring forum at the mo.She knows nothing about cars and wants my help. Her sister has a Fabia, so she's decided that's what she wants.
In fairness, the Fabia doesn't look like a bad idea. Judging from the whatcar / parkers reviews, the 16v 1.4 petrol engine gets a good review. And it seems her budget will get her a 2003-4 car with average miles and FSH.
So... any views? anything particular to check for?
The 1.4 16v seems to come with 75 or 100bhp - either seems adequately nippy for her needs.
And am I correct in thinking these will be a 60k mile interval for cam belt changes? Does anyone happen to know how much a cam belt change would cost?
Any opinions much appreciated.
Cheers
Wrighty.
My Mother in Law has just bought an Auto Fabia. I went with her to have a look last week and she decided to buy it there and then. Its an 03 1.4 16v with 75bhp in Elegance trim. Its got A/C. RCL, alloys, EM and heated seats. Its was a trade in at a local Honda garage and is immaculate with 36k miles and FDSH.
I was impressed with it. Felt well put together with a smooth engine. M in L is coming from a 13 year old Clio Auto so was its a vast improvement. Probably paid a little too much but she's very happy, picks it up Mon.
You could do alot worse.
I was impressed with it. Felt well put together with a smooth engine. M in L is coming from a 13 year old Clio Auto so was its a vast improvement. Probably paid a little too much but she's very happy, picks it up Mon.
You could do alot worse.
Want to know about Skodas -head over to Briskoda -there's even a complete section on Fabias .There's even a couple of VAG mastertechs ,who;ll answer any questions .One thing not commonly known is to check carpets for damp -there's a history of door card leaks on them .
Know that on the diesels cambelt change is 60K/four year ( was origonally 120k) ,but mention is made of the timing chain on petrols .
Know that on the diesels cambelt change is 60K/four year ( was origonally 120k) ,but mention is made of the timing chain on petrols .
Edited by Who me ? on Friday 29th January 20:47
Unless she only ever does short journies, I would recommend looking for a good condition, possibly high mileage, TDI with the 100bhp PD100 engine in it. 
And I think the 75hp engine is auto only, and they gave the manual 16v the extra 25 horsies. Not sure why.
Also not bad for tuning. My 2001 Fabia TDI will soon be over 300bhp.
And I think the 75hp engine is auto only, and they gave the manual 16v the extra 25 horsies. Not sure why.
Also not bad for tuning. My 2001 Fabia TDI will soon be over 300bhp.
TDIfurby said:
Unless she only ever does short journies, I would recommend looking for a good condition, possibly high mileage, TDI with the 100bhp PD100 engine in it.
And I think the 75hp engine is auto only, and they gave the manual 16v the extra 25 horsies. Not sure why.
Also not bad for tuning. My 2001 Fabia TDI will soon be over 300bhp.
And they're not too bad in standard form ( unless mine's been got at -feels more like 100 than 70).Is that the 1.4 done up to 300 ,or the 1.9 vRRS?And I think the 75hp engine is auto only, and they gave the manual 16v the extra 25 horsies. Not sure why.
Also not bad for tuning. My 2001 Fabia TDI will soon be over 300bhp.
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