Buying a new Fabia 2

[takksi]

Hi all, I am looking around to by a new car. My choices seem to have narrowed down to Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia. I had a Fabia which I sold 2 years ago due to high fuel consumption. I'm hoping that the new Fabia's are much more economical.

The Ibiza is much nicer in looks and has the same option of engines, 1.2 (70 bhp) and 1.4 (85 bhp). On the other hand, the Fabia is much more spacious on the inside when compared to the crammed Ibiza.

Anyhow, I'm afraid that the 1.2 engine, which delivers only 70bhp will be too slow for the Fabia, and might also end up in being less economical than the 1.4 85bhp engine. However, although the 1.2 is cheaper than the Ibiza, the 1.4 costs more than the same Ibiza.

So now I'm in a real mess. I don't want to spend much, but I don't want to be stuck with a car that kills me when trying to go up a hill with 2 or 3 passengers and A/C on. In the mean time, unfortunately, in Malta we don't really have any highways, but only traffic and barely ever a stretch of empty road.

I really wish you guys to give me some advice. Shall I get the 1.2 or 1.4??


Some other things that I'm still questioning about are if I should opt for the following:

(1) Maxidot Display

(2) Rear Power Windows

(3) Curtain Airbags (as the version that comes to Malta only has 2 airbags at the front)

(4) 4 extra speakers (I'll get that for sure).

(5) Climatronic AC. The guys at the showroom actually told me it's semi automatic and you can regulate the temperature. But when you regulate the temperature, does it mix hot air with the cold air to make the temperature warmer?

Thanks

[Adrianh1]

Look for a used TDI 80 Fabia Level 2. About £9,500 with a few 'thou on the clock. Low tax too (£35 a year).

[takksi]

Originally Posted by Adrianh1

Look for a used TDI 80 Fabia Level 2. About £9,500 with a few 'thou on the clock. Low tax too (£35 a year).

No mate I want a new car. Besides, in Malta you don't really find those deals.

[HZ123]

Adnan 1 ; Try and keep up Taksi lives in Malta so the tax issue is not much use to him. I have just bought a 3 1.4 TDI which I collect next week. I have been on business and driven in Malta a number of times and would think that surely the diesel would be the best choice as if memory serves me well your fuel costs though not as bad as ours are still high. I am hoping that the TDI will be fast as at present I have a CDI 160 A class auto. Thats sluggish but when pushed goes well and does 50 MPG, so once again I would expect the TDI to be even better and swift. I to looked at the Ibiza and it is small but nice looking and offers little space in the rear, the Fabia seems to be a big car. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[takksi]

@HZ123 Thanks.... I still haven't decided - really feeling caught between sky and water and don't know what to choose. I'll let you guys know what I'll choose eventually though.

[john_grant358]

Iv just had a fabia 2 1.4 16v as a courtesy car and really liked it overall. Not driven the ibiza so cant really compare.
I did find the 1.4 just about quick enough if you give it some beans its actually quite fun!
Personally i wouldnt go for the 1.2, it will feel very slow indeed IMHO.

Good luck!

[Adrianh1]

QUOTE: Adnan 1 ; Try and keep up Taksi lives in Malta so the tax issue is not much use to him.

I was speed reading... Now caught up

[skorob2007]

If you go for the Fabia, you are getting a new car that wont be updated for at least another 3 years and is still 'fresh', but the Ibiza is due for replacement within 12 months and the current models really are showing their age and will depreciate a lot more than a Fabia.Having had the mispleasure of travelling a lot in a current shape Ibiza, I'd choose the Fabia every time.

[monkey023]

For me I prefer the 1.2 petrol (70) in the new fabia, i believe it to be better than the 1.4 and fuel economy far greater even when thrashing it!! Definitely get the maxi dot - well worth it in my opinion. Don't bother with rear electric windows - i waste I think plus a safety issue!! Maybe go for the climatronic air con as i reckon that the standard air con is crap!!

[Dmac1969]

Hmm this is a tough one , I think given the windy hilly conditions in Malta that the 1.4 would make a better car , if you cannot find or afford a TDi. The 1.2 would definately be more economical for normal driving , but fully loaded and with AC on in your hot conditions it would be under quite a lot of stress , whereas the 4 cyl 16V car would be a lot less taxed by the road condtions. Id definately go for maxidot , IIRC you only get a temp gauge on the dash if you have Maxidot.

[takksi]

Originally Posted by john_grant358

Iv just had a fabia 2 1.4 16v as a courtesy car and really liked it overall. Not driven the ibiza so cant really compare.
I did find the 1.4 just about quick enough if you give it some beans its actually quite fun!
Personally i wouldnt go for the 1.2, it will feel very slow indeed IMHO.

Good luck!

I know that's my problem... especially considering that at the moment I'm driving an 86bhp 1.3 litre engine on a small Daihatsu Sirion... it flies.

I drove the 1.2 Fabia this morning - took it out for a test drive. Well... I can't say it's fast and nippy, but I went up a steep hill with a/c on and two passengers ok, and managed to give it 3rd gear after gaining some momentum.

I'm sure the 1.4 is much better. The only problem is that the 1.4 is on order here in Malta so they don't have any that I can drive. I'll have to go and test drive the Ibiza 1.4 to see the kind of performance this engine offers since the Ibiza, Polo and Fabia both share the same engines.

[takksi]

Originally Posted by skorob2007

If you go for the Fabia, you are getting a new car that wont be updated for at least another 3 years and is still 'fresh', but the Ibiza is due for replacement within 12 months and the current models really are showing their age and will depreciate a lot more than a Fabia.Having had the mispleasure of travelling a lot in a current shape Ibiza, I'd choose the Fabia every time.

@skorob2007 what is the "mispleasure" about? Is it the crammed interior or there are also other things besides that?

It's true about the models' ages... Ibiza'll soon be replaced. In fact, pricewise, the 1.2 Ibiza is slightly more expensive than the 1.2 Fabia, and even worse, the 1.4 Ibiza is cheaper than the Fabia with the same engine.

[takksi]

Originally Posted by monkey023

For me I prefer the 1.2 petrol (70) in the new fabia, i believe it to be better than the 1.4 and fuel economy far greater even when thrashing it!! Definitely get the maxi dot - well worth it in my opinion. Don't bother with rear electric windows - i waste I think plus a safety issue!! Maybe go for the climatronic air con as i reckon that the standard air con is crap!!

That's what I'm still trying to figure out... will the 1.2 really be more economical at the end of the day considering that it will have to go on 2nd gear in places where the 1.4 can go on 3rd or 4th gears?

Maxidot... yes I think I'm getting it - although it's purely for aesthetic purposes. The one I have test driven has the LCD one not the maxidot and is not really bad. The guys at Skoda have an Octavia with a Maxidot and I had a look at it - but to say the truth it looks a bit out of place - the Maxidot lights up in blue/white but the rest lights up in green... and it's kind of... an eyesore... and I'm questioning myself if I should really get it. However, an added benefit I think you get two analogue guages for fuel and temperature though if you opt for the Maxidot display.

A/C... it's was not really hot today, but the A/C was giving out cold air all right... it really all depends on the budget.

Also... unfortunately, there's a difference of €1863 to get a 1.4 16V engine instead of the 1.2 12V. That's equivalent to £1486 in British Pounds by the way

[takksi]

Originally Posted by monkey023

For me I prefer the 1.2 petrol (70) in the new fabia, i believe it to be better than the 1.4 and fuel economy far greater even when thrashing it!! Definitely get the maxi dot - well worth it in my opinion. Don't bother with rear electric windows - i waste I think plus a safety issue!! Maybe go for the climatronic air con as i reckon that the standard air con is crap!!

P.S. what is the safety issue with regards to the rear electric windows?

[takksi]

Originally Posted by Dmac1969

Hmm this is a tough one , I think given the windy hilly conditions in Malta that the 1.4 would make a better car , if you cannot find or afford a TDi. The 1.2 would definately be more economical for normal driving , but fully loaded and with AC on in your hot conditions it would be under quite a lot of stress , whereas the 4 cyl 16V car would be a lot less taxed by the road condtions. Id definately go for maxidot , IIRC you only get a temp gauge on the dash if you have Maxidot.

The A/C's actually the thing that worries me most in the 1.2 engine.

The 1.4 then... I'm afraid of the traffic jams you usually encounter here... where you have to go 1st gear, clutch and break all the time, or let's say... 80% of the time. The average speed I read this morning on the Fabia I tested was something in the range of 30km/h if I remember correctly. In traffic I'm afraid the 1.4 would waste more than the 1.2. But I'm sure it's much more fun to drive, but on the other hand I don't know if it is worth the extra €1863 that I'll have to spend to get the 1.4 instead of 1.2

[takksi]

Excuse my ignorance... but what does IIRC stand for?

[nickcoll]

IIRC = If I Remember Correctly.

I'm also wondering what the safety issue is with electric rear windows? Surely they must be safer than manual because you can switch off the rear electric windows but you can't switch off the manual winders...

[OctaviaT81]

Originally Posted by takksi

I I'm sure the 1.4 is much better.

I think you would be disappointed by the 1.4. It is not that much better than the 1.2 on paper and in real life it is a bit characterless too.

All the reviews I have read of the Fabia seem to say the 1.2 12v is the best petrol engine in the Fabia. Not on speed but on overall economy/character/responsiveness. If the 1.4 is that much more expensive than the 1.2 it is not worth it unless you also get a lot more extra equipment for that money?

I just bought a Roomster 1.6 which is quite decent, but I wouldn't have gone for the 1.4. I would chose a 1.2 or 1.6 (if the 1.6 is available in Malta?)

[rkenny]

We had to make the same decision as Takksi and went for the 1.2 Level 2 Fabia 70 bhp petrol. We specified maxidot and multifunction steering wheel. The maxidot gives you a much more useful instrument cluster and it mates very well with the excellent radio/CD/aux set up.

Having been to Malta and driven on the roads I really think the 1.2 would be adequate for your needs - the extra money for the 1.4 seems too much to me. We're now getting 45 mpg overall after 2000 miles from new and could not be happier with the car.

[takksi]

Originally Posted by nickcoll

IIRC = If I Remember Correctly.

I'm also wondering what the safety issue is with electric rear windows? Surely they must be safer than manual because you can switch off the rear electric windows but you can't switch off the manual winders...

yeps... in fact that's one of the main reason I want to get the rears. Imagine kids playing around with the windows... you can lock the things! Handles can be unwound any time....