16vmarc

My brother needs to sell his Impreza, as its costing him too much money to run from Old Malton to Helmsley every day with occasional trips to Hartlepool.

He still wants a fun/sportyish drive and is pretty keen on the Fabia. It seems the best option out of the VAG cars. Are there any alternatives out there?

He has about 9k to spend and doesnt want a boring car! Id say diesel is essential.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Having driven a Fabia VRS allbeit chipped I'd say they're a hoot to drive and £9k should get a decent one. Wheelspin in 3rd in the dry too....

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I test drove the Fabia vRS and the Ibiza TDI 130 back to back on the same day, and I have to say I prefer the Ibiza.

They are basically the same car, but I found the Ibiza had slightly firmer suspension, which was much better than then (IMHO) the boaty ride of the Fabia.

As a side issue, I recently bought a 3 year old Golf TDI 150 for less than your brothers £9k budget, although it had 67k on the clock. I even had the advantage of getting it with tints, backbox and 18" wheels, which saves me having to add them later!

brickboy

Nice daily drive that ... wouldn't mind having that route as my daily commute

Jonto

[QUOTE=Andy Tang]I test drove the Fabia vRS and the Ibiza TDI 130 back to back on the same day, and I have to say I prefer the Ibiza.

QUOTE]

I went for the Ibiza too.

Quality car, cheap as chips to run aswell. Not as exciting though

Andy M3

totally agree - i have just swapped my Fabia for a Smart Roadster I think the blandness of a chipped Fabia - meant i had to go extream this time round - lol.

It was a good car though !

scoobmeister

I'd have the Fabia any day, Its cheap reliable and a right hoot to drive, If your a badge snob you buy the Seat, if you've got your head screwed on you buy the Skoda.

Adam Hybrid

I'd personally go for a fast Audi...

lozgti

It's not a looker.It is bland.It is a skoda.

But the wife has got one and it is a flippin brilliant little no nonsense unpretentious car with plenty of go.

Duck_Pond

I pick mine up on Saturday. I'm sure it'll be less bland than the diesel Rover I've been trundling round in for the last 12 months... and if I do get bored, I'll use the Impreza

robby

I bought my 04 VRS about 5 months ago, had it Jabba chipped (approx 180bhp @ 300+ lb/ft), full leather retrim (black/ grey), 17"s, Filter (element), Strut brace (Ibiza 1 is direct fit and £50ish), intake (Ibiza direct fit), Cupra R front splitter (good to know seat bits bolt on ), and a few other bits.
I just renewed the tax (£105 for 12 months), insurance is group 9, MPG averages 44mpg around town and 60+ on a run.

I usually keep my cars for 2-3 months before looking for a replacement as i get bored very quickly BUT even now after 5 months i'm still buying bits for the VRS as i enjoy it so much?

scoobmeister

[QUOTE=robby]I bought my 04 VRS about 5 months ago, had it Jabba chipped (approx 180bhp @ 300+ lb/ft), full leather retrim (black/ grey), 17"s, Filter (element), Strut brace (Ibiza 1 is direct fit and £50ish), intake (Ibiza direct fit), Cupra R front splitter (good to know seat bits bolt on ), and a few other bits.
I just renewed the tax (£105 for 12 months), insurance is group 9, MPG averages 44mpg around town and 60+ on a run.

I usually keep my cars for 2-3 months before looking for a replacement as i get bored very quickly BUT even now after 5 months i'm still buying bits for the VRS as i enjoy it so much?

Looks a cracking little motor, would'nt mind one myself just as a runabout,
only downside is the standard seat colour likely to show dirt easy, but your leather retrim looks great!
300Ib/ft torque as well

RS Grant

What about an Ibiza Cupra TDi 160.... or are they still a little rich??

I know of a re-mapped one up here that made 210bhp and over 320ft/lb.


Cheers,
Grant

robby

[QUOTE=scoobmeister
Looks a cracking little motor, would'nt mind one myself just as a runabout,
only downside is the standard seat colour likely to show dirt easy, but your leather retrim looks great!
300Ib/ft torque as well[/QUOTE]

There is/ was a problem with the standard seat covers on a lot of VRS Fabias where the covers would bobble up (looked frayed), i had this when i bought mine (used) but they were replaced under warranty.
The problem with the standard covers is the colour, there too light for everyday use (more so if you have a dirty job), i had a nylon cover on the drivers seat but that looked bad which is why i had the retrim - now i can just wipe the marks away.

these were bought as part of a group buy on briskoda.net and you could choose any colour combinations

Skoda are now offering a black leather dealer fit option for £1300!!!! - the group buy price was £795

Rokerlad

Ibiza FR 160 has to be the one to go for if they are in scope of price. If not, the Ibiza 130 just looks so much sportier than the Skoda.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Seat leon Cupra 20v T is an option.

180bhp, 6 speed. Can be had with full electric leather, climate etc. Also remap takes them to circa 210bhp

chiark

That vRS interior looks superb: that might make a difference to one being an option for me...

16vmarc

Hes told me he only wants to spend 4k now. Banking the rest!

Cupra isnt an option! He wants good fuel economy! Hes considering Corsa 1.7 cdti's too.

vindaloo

Test drive the two cars. Eibach springs (and dampers) greatly change the way the Fabia handles for around £550 fitted. Options seem a little cheaper on the Furby...

The Ibiza will be more sorted 'out of the box'. Either should be pennies to run compared to an Impreza.

J.

DIPSY

You get ibiza tdi 156bhp