fat andy

Instead of swapping my Ibiza tdi for a vrs I'm now swapping my wife's old polo for a 1.2 or 1.4 fabia. Is there a big difference between these two engines? Also not sure what model spec means what, could do with one with aircon. Insurance is cheap on the 1.2 but can't imagine its too rapid.

Skodaboy1983

I would go for the 1.4 mate, my grandad has the 1.2 htp engine in his ibiza and it's ok but quite noisy is what i find driving it, it is quick of the mark but I would consider the 1.4 for more refinement.

timstyche

I'd go for the 1.4 - If you can manage it get the 16v as its great.

Fabias tend to be pretty heavy and as such a 1.2 in a fab is pretty sluggish. The 1.4s are great though.

At the mo, I've got a 1.4 MPi Comfort. Its alright, though at 8v its a little slower (doesnt bother me).

It does however have air con... oh and the fuel economy on mines pretty good but I seem to be a lucky one.

Skodaboy1983

I would say it is the same in the ibiza the 1.2 is too small for the car, I could not use it as a everyday car but my grandad hardly uses his so its not a problem to him.

My sister in law has just taken over her mum's fabia 1.4 16v and that is quite a smooth wee driver having had a shot in it.

moley

We have the 1.4mpi 8 valve, it's OK fuel economy is better on the 1.2 and the tax is cheaper. It really depends on the type of driving you do.

cheezemonkhai

I would say go for the 1.2 as the 1.4 has known issues with piston rings which can be expensive to fix.

If it's just a run around a 1.2 will be cheaper to tax and insure too as the 1.4 has a silly high tax band.

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bradfordfabia

Go for the 1.2 Htp, I had this car in both Ibiza and the Fabia and it is great . I have had 1.4 courtesy cars and they are so slow, 1.2 is fine on the motorway as well.

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moley

Whichever Fabia you decide on 1.4 or 1.2 check the rear doors for the dreaded waterleaks! 1.2 £115 road tax, 1.4 mpi £165!

Fabia1.4

I would say try a 1.2 especially is its mainly for toiwn driving.

1.4 8vpoor economy and known head gasket problems

1.v 16v can be bery sluggish and piston ring problems.

ExAudiSi

If you can stretch to it go for a 1.4TDI. SWMBO has one and I have a 1.4 16v and I find the diesel is nicer to drive and feels like it has far more than 75 bhp.
It is also cheaper on road tax and more economical.

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fat andy

Cheers for the replies,sounds like the 1.2 may be a better bet. Will probably do all the long journeys in my Ibiza so this will be more for round town. I would get a 1.4 tdi as I like diesels but don't think I can afford it. Will also check the back door seals,can you smell the damp if they're leaking?

Phil9

Havn't driven the 1.4 but i can recommend the 1.2 as a surprisingly fun car to drive (its the noise, you either love it or hate it!). Negative side is it is very slow 0 - 50 but pulling power once actually going means you don't notice how the small the engine is.

mikeSM56

The 1.2 comes in 2 outputs as well, 6v 54Bhp & 12v 64Bhp, So try and get the latter

moley

Sometimes damp carpets in the back or maybe just a watermark on the bottom of the trim panel, ask the seller if the rear door carrier has been sealed. There is a thread on here 'warning Fabia door leaks' might be worth reading that. As for the engine size I wanted to get the 1.2 12v (3 cyl) but could only find the 1.4 mpi 8 valve at the time. the Wife's getting around 39 mpg and only does short trips, but I think the 1.2 would be better. The Diesel is only a good option if you do the mileage, I drive the 1.9 octyII and that averages at 55 mpg.

K1ngy

I wouldn't get either engines in a Fabia.

My 1.9TDi I feel is the minimum that the car needs.

A 1.2 fiesta/clio would go much better imho.

Imperator

The 1.4 16v is powerful enough for my needs and a really smooth engine. It provides the same BHP as the 1.9 TDi (untuned) so you can safely disregard the above comment.

As to the aircon, I think it became standard on Comfort spec and above in '05 - prior to this it was an option. My '04 doesn't have it, but I'm not fussed on aircon anyway - pretty unnecessary in the UK.

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K1ngy

And BHP is what matters is it?

I've driven a variety of small capacity hatches, clio, fiesta, corsa and the fabia.

Imperator

In a conversation about whether a car has enough power, then yes, I would think BHP would have a fair bit to do with it.

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woodenspatulas

ive got a few 54bhp classics on the forecourt, plus a ex demo 64hp comfort.

both engines are fine for the size of car imoa. they wont set your world on fire, but pulling away from standing they are responsive and even going up hill with 4 adults on board is better than i would have expected from such a small engine.

ive had peeps in saying how much better it is vs the small engined citroens and pugs. plus the 54bhp classic is group 1 insurance! now that cant be bad!!

ive not driven the older shape one for huge distances but the newer 60bhp and 70bhp arent far different from how the older one feels. ive done about 3500 miles in a new shape fabia 1.2 70bhp, even done a run up to heathrow, 3 up with luggage and i found the car fun and easy to drive.

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Reece_1

It is very comfortable - on my occasional 200 mile around trips never had any aching backs at all unlike the Punto had previously.

The best advice here is go and test drive both versions and see how you get on, and which one you find better.

myfatcow

my dad did say to me that it didnt go too bad when he was driving it my sis realy wants that car whats the best price you can do it for (briskoda discount)

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K1ngy

I'm referring to Torque. BHP isn't everything, especially when there is only 75 available.

Hence I recommend the diesel range in the Fabia.

VWD

Defo 1.4TDI - says 75BHP on the box - think it's telling porkies - (like ladies do about their age) ---great on fuel ,even at 3000 rpm ,cheap insurance and low tax , oh -it's also a fun car to drive , only problem is as with diesels -- keeping an eye on the rev counter as it tends to rev out of range very easily.

ExAudiSi

Road tax on the older 1.4 16v Fabias is surprisingly expensive too. Think mine (02 model) is about £165 for 12 months, against £110 for SWMBOs (04)1.4 TDI.
My Mothers 04 plate 1.4 16v is a bit cheaper at £125.
Best of all though is the later 1.4 TDI with 80 bhp which is only £35 for 12 months.

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Imperator

Um, there's 100.

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