ESH

Thanks to all that offered their suggestions on the colour to go for but...

I test drove the VRS on Saturday and I must say what a let down. In gear its very good don't get me wrong but the steering does not feel precise and there is quite a bit of body roll. I didn't like he interior either for that matter.

I decided to have a look at the Seat Leon TDi sport. Its a much better car. I know its only been launched but its miles better. The steering although not a patch on my Subaru was good body control was tight and whole thing felt more composed.

Although the leon is a few thousand pounds dearer I'm likely to go for this.

Coincidently after all the skoda bashing jokes I've had from male and female friends (mainly female though) my mate suggested the Alfa GT 1.9TD. Again its a few thousand pounds more than the Leon ut does anyone own one? Feedback would be nice.

Regards

Esh

Jamesemt

lol I think the whole point of the Fabia IS the price...

There are always going to be better cars for a few grand more...

(wrx/vrs owner )

Duck_Pond

I think people seem to believe the vRS is going to be some sort of sports car that'll match the performance and handling of their Scoobies.

It's not. It's a small hatchback, with a big heavy engine in the front, that is going to suffer from body roll (unless fitted with aftermarket stuff) and as it's a diesel, won't be great off the line.

That said, it is quick in gear, does handle okay for a "shopping car" and can get over 60 to the gallon - the latter something my Scooby will never achieve!

It's also quiet, comfortable, fairly well equipped and at present, one of the best cars around for retaining its value.

(UK Turbo / vRS owner )

ScoobyDoo555

Perhaps it's changed, but the issue with the Alfas (I really like the GT's stlying) is the depreciation
Hopefully, the Brera will also help residuals.

Alfas were infamous for this issue......

Dan

ESH

Very interesting coments.

Whilst I'm not looking for an everyday, useable (chuckable) replacement for the Subaru I do want something economical, well specced, & quiet (ish) car.

The VRS didn't seem big enough, didn't handle particularly well and although you can't argue with the price the interior was a bit drab.

Externally the car look nice. Up until then I'd only seen the standad fabia and had formed an opinion that the VRS wouldn't look good in the flesh. I was pleasantly surprised.

The Leon is a mid sized hatch thats meets more of my needs simply put which happens to have a better sriving dymanic. I'm going to try and test drive an alfa GT today.

Cheers

Esh

Diablo

Esh - is it a company lease?

If so, residuals will play a big part in monthly costs.

If you are looking at Alfa GT money, and driving dynamic is important, don't discount the diesel 1 series BMWs.

ESH

Hi Diablo,

Its going to be a PCH for work.

Diablo

PCH on a 1 series worked out pretty cheap when I looked at it - certainly would be cheaper than the Alfa.

Ended up buying a 120D Sport in the end, but it was a close call.

Love the look of the Alfa, didn't like the fact that it was more expensive, more than likely significantly less well made and hence reliable. Lovely car, but struck me as the kind of car that looks great but has no substance.

Leon was a possibility as well, but when I drove the 1 series my mind was made up, it was that good to drive.

ESH

I just looked at the prices. Point taken.

All in all I'm going to go for the Leon. Its sensible and well equiped and well within my budget too!

What I hate about this is I'm looking for a car that I need rather than want. Its a rational purchase rather than an emotional one.

Esh

Duck_Pond

I hope you keep it longer than I did, when I bought a car like that.

I needed a cheap, reliable car to do the daily grind to work and back. Save killing the scooby. Bought a Rover 420Di which was all of the above. Reliable, economical, comfy and cheap to buy... got bored after 12 months, and got what I wanted in the first place, the vRS. D'oh!

ESH

It gets worse still. I've had a few issues with my type r over the last few weeks. Minor things really but things that can really get your goat. By Saturday I was thinking that instead of PCH I would px the Subaru and purchase the Leon. Would negate having two insurances, services, double running costs. But then yesterday I had one of those nice relaxing drives in the country. Really makes ownership worth it.

I'm awaiting PX prices before I make my decision.

Diablo

Good call on the Leon Nice car.

Duck_Pond

ESH - I gave a lift to a mate on Friday to the pub in the Scooby, and the first thing he said when in the car was
"Why don't you sell this and just have the vRS - it's a great car and you'd save loads."

2 miles of twisty country lanes later, he added:
"I can see why you're keeping it. It's f**king awesome! Forget what I just said"

logiclee

While you were at the Skoda dealer you should have had a look at the new Octavia TDi Sport then. Same underpinnings as the Leon, there is supposed to be a 175bhp Octvia vRS diesel comming out in the near future.

Cheers
Lee

Echo

I am very happy with the vRS - forget it being a red hot hatch like some owners think it is! As a commute/family car it's surprisingly good and cheap, cheap, cheap. The missis thinks it's the easiest car she's ever driven.

The Leon looks nice. If I had just one car and not the vRS and the WRX I'd maybe have swung to the Leon. I had been looking at the PD150.

Mike

mg driver

funnily enough ,had a run in with a fabia vr's tonight,after all the hype i was expecting some thing good but i have to say it was pretty poor.

matchmaker

Having been driving about in a lower powered TDi Octavia over the weekend, I'd be very tempted by an Octavia vRS diesel.

My loan car was giving 49 mpg at a steady 80 mph on the motorway

Duck_Pond

Was it wheel clamped at the time, and were you racing along in a Noble?

mg driver

it just wasnt very quick at all on the straights or through the bends ,what more can i say
i suppose he would say he was getting more mpg than me

Duck_Pond

So, what car were you in? Do I need to write it in neon lettering?

Duck_Pond

How much did you get for the Noble?

lozgti

Be a shepherd not a sheep

I thought only a few were ignorant of the fact that Skoda and Seat are actually good cars.

Just pick the one you like.We chose the Skoda becauase the dealers were great.Don't know if Seat have improved?

mg driver

just my humble zs v6,or should i say just my vr's humbling zs v6.Sorry diesel boys but a power to weight ratio of 104 bhp/ton and pants handling,never gonna be a winning combo is it.


bring it on flame suit ready.

Duck_Pond

So you're comparing a £16k 180bhp or "PS" car, with a £12k 130bhp one. Right...

I actually like the ZS180 - a very under-rated car. And I'm hugely surprised that one is faster than a diesel supermini. Blimey. Next thing you'll tell me is that the STi Impreza is faster than the standard WRX.

mg driver

well after all the talking up theyve had recently about being being able to surprise much faster cars i thought they were pretty rapid

Christ

Some people need to ignore the figures and drive one, they are great little cars, obviously when standard they
cant compete with 180hp, but have enough power for some fun..


On the other hand, a factory which consistently turns out utter rubbish is another story, now that isnt a winning
combination - Facelifted Turd anyone?

(Edited because my typing is horendous!)

mg driver

i know what they go like i had a golf gti 150 td from brand new ,kept it 6 months

polished turd is just fine by me as its a great drive,big v6 motor,sounds great and pulls hard ,one of the best front drive handlers ever,strong brakes,so what if it shares panels with a r45.....all the sporty cars share panels with the lesser models.
The zs is the sporty version same as the vr's is the sporty version,difference is zs does what it says on the tin ,vr's doesnt.

Duck_Pond

Actually no. The MG ZS is made to look like an Evo. It's not got Evo performance. Far, far from it. The vRS is very understated, so doesn't shout about anything on the side of the tin.

bluto22b

Well chum, perhaps he wasn't trying. I have driven one back to back against my MY02 PPP and all I can say is between 30-80 there is nothing to separate them they are chuffing quick! If I wanted to go up to 120mph on a private road then my WRX would eat it alive. But as for "real world" conditions the little Fabia is a brilliant car. I roasted a lot of more expensive stuff through Bury St Edmunds from 20-45mph due the the walloping torque

They are so good I am thinking od buying one as a runabout

Christ

You couldnt speak highly enough of your Tdi in January? Changed your mind?

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=480610

Chris