1.2 vs 1.4

[waffle92]

if i decide to change my 2002 1.4 classic for a 2003 or 2004 model im not sure whether its worth looking at 1.2 engines as well.

can anyone advise me on whether id be better/worse off with a 1.2 than a 1.4?

i do mostly city driving and once or twice a year i will do a long run out if i travel on holiday somewhere.

[Babs]

1.2 is three cylinder, 1.4 is four.

both would be fine around town, the 1.4 better suited to the long runs. both would use about the same in fuel (or there abouts)

[Snoopie]

Have you considered a 1.4 TDI?

[ScoobyChris]

If it's a choice between the 1.2-12v and 1.4-8v, then the 1.2 wins hands down, imho. Similar performance but more economical as it's a lighter car with one less cylinder.

If you're comparing the 1.2 to the 1.4-16v then it'll be a tougher choice so I'd recommend driving both. For what you've described I reckon the 1.2 sounds ideal.....

Chris

[waffle92]

i might consider it - if its more economical too its worth it.

is the power of the engine noticeably less in a 1.2 - although fabias arent exactly nippy at pulling away from a stop i wouldnt want to be crawling up a hill at 15mph.......

sounds like theres not much in it though. thanks for the tips!

[ScoobyChris]

The 1.2-12v feels livelier than the 1.4-8v so you shouldn't be struggling to get up too many hills.....

I'm not sure if the 1.4 TDI is available in Classic trim, or maybe it's not available in Elegance trim .... I forget, but it's a good strong engine but being a diesel, you may not reap the economy benefits if your journeys are really short

Chris

[~~****~~]

I've had a SDI, vRS & currently a 1.2 12v. I've driven a fabia with almost every engine combination (courtesy cars during vRS ownership).

The 1.4 8v is very slow, I've been on a test drive with another Brisky member and sat there laughing at the time it took to get to 70mph. My 1.2 12v happily does a 50 mile commute on the M4 each day. I'd actually argue it's not a great town car due to it not being particular nippy in 1st or 2nd, 3rd upwards it's much more enthusiastic. Up hill it'll accelerate albeit slowly, I've not gone up a hill yet and been hoping the thing had more guts as my speed is dying.

Personally I find the 1.4 diesel noisey and hard work to drive.

Test drive them both and see what YOU prefer.

[Dr Zoidberg]

Originally Posted by ScoobyChris

If it's a choice between the 1.2-12v and 1.4-8v, then the 1.2 wins hands down, imho. Similar performance but more economical as it's a lighter car with one less cylinder.

If you're comparing the 1.2 to the 1.4-16v then it'll be a tougher choice so I'd recommend driving both. For what you've described I reckon the 1.2 sounds ideal.....

Chris

If it's the 100bhp 16v 1.4 then that's a far better engine but I think the classic is always the 8v. With that in mind if you want to trade up to a newer car then don't let the 3 cylinder engine put you off.

I really liked the 1.2 12v when I drove one - it was a far better engine than the 75bhp 1.4 16v which was horrible.

[Reece_1]

The 3 cylinder engine has a distinct sound when accelerating which some people like, or you may find a touch on noisy side. Dont let that put you off as its very nice at steady speeds. Economy is great and doesnt cost a fortune to run.

As for hills - it will tackle hills ok but you have to work through the gears bearing in mind it is a small engine.

I use mine for commuting and for the occasional longer journeys and have no complaints at all, so would totally recommend the 1.2 12v.

[irfant]

Originally Posted by ScoobyChris

If it's a choice between the 1.2-12v and 1.4-8v, then the 1.2 wins hands down, imho. Similar performance but more economical as it's a lighter car with one less cylinder.

If you're comparing the 1.2 to the 1.4-16v then it'll be a tougher choice so I'd recommend driving both. For what you've described I reckon the 1.2 sounds ideal.....

Chris

I totally agree as a former owner of 1.2 Fabia

[Fabia156]

Havent driven the 1.2 engine, but all i can say is that the 1.4 8V and 1.4 16V 75 BHP engines r not really a good as they're very slow at taking-off, so if its a choice between 1.2 12V or 1.4 8V or 1.4 75 HP, I'd go for the 1.2 12V, otherwise the 1.4 16V 101 BHP is by far better than the 1.2 12V and ots nippy for what it is..

[Dmac1969]

Yeah go for the 1.2 12V (please make sure it isnt a 6V!!) , IMHO around town you wont need 100PS (Im fine with my 1.4 8V , on a run I even overtake stuff and everything...lolol) If youre just doing a couple of m/way runs a year the 64PS of the 1.2 12V will be ideal. It's a newer engine than the 1.4 8V too , but is still a Skoda design.

[Sporky McGuffin]

I had a 1.2 Ambiente today as a courtesy car while my 1.9TDi was being serviced.

It makes a bloody odd noise, and I kept thinking it had stalled at junctions because it's almost silent when idling. Bit lacking in torque by comparison, as you'd expect, but generally it seemed fine - happy enough at 70 on dual carriageways. I did find I had to rev a little bit when moving off.

Horrible plastic steering wheel though.

[waffle92]

well the one ive got my eye on is a friends 1.2 2003 silverline. dont know if its 6v or 12v though - does anyone know what its likely to be? ive not looked too much into it a the moment.

havent had chance to test drive it as they are waiting to find their new car which could take a couple of months. plus its silver and mines black - im fed up of dirt showing up so easily!

am i right in assuming this would be a decent choice if they offer it me at a good price? not sure how much i should be looking to pay for a private sale on a silverline though - ive only seen them for sale at dealers and we all know how they rip you off...

[yashicamat]

Yeah, defo make sure it's a 12v! I had a 1.2 12v as a courtesy car and I was impressed, reasonably economical (coming from my at the time tweaked PD100) and still felt nippy. I'll admit it was hardly gut wrenching at motorway speeds, but it's a 1.2 so I let it off. Good little engine and I for one think it sounds nice.

[ScoobyChris]

Originally Posted by waffle92

am i right in assuming this would be a decent choice if they offer it me at a good price? not sure how much i should be looking to pay for a private sale on a silverline though - ive only seen them for sale at dealers and we all know how they rip you off...

Pretty sure it will be a 12v As for price, I'd check out the used car valuer on the Vauxhall web site and also Parkers. The used car valuer will be a book px price so it's a good price to work towards if you can

Chris

[Dmac1969]

If you open the bonnet on the car , have a look on the black plastic engine cover , it should read either '1.2 12V' or '1.2 6v'. I went to look at a Polo once and this was the only way I could work out what variant it was , there was no exterior badges to give it away , and its not on the V5 either , and even the dealer didnt know what engine spec it was!

[ScoobyChris]

Just hope they haven't replaced their engine cover to boost resale prices! You might also be able to work it out from the sticker under the boot carpet which should have the power output (in kW) on it. Is this info also on the V5?

Chris

[Sporky McGuffin]

Originally Posted by yashicamat

Good little engine and I for one think it sounds nice.

Aye - when I said it sounded "bloody odd", I should have said "but in quite a good way". It's a nice sort of whooshy-turbine sort of noise.

I thought my 1.9TDI was a bit quieter when accelerating, but the 1.2 is incredibly quiet at idle.

[Dmac1969]

Originally Posted by ScoobyChris

You might also be able to work it out from the sticker under the boot carpet which should have the power output (in kW) on it. Is this info also on the V5?

Chris

On the Polo I went to look at it wasn't , all it said was '1.2' How many people know what a Kilowatt is though , and how it relates to BHP??. I wonder how many dodgy garages have swapped engine covers? Mind you when I was asking about the Polo they said it didnt matter which variant it was , they would value the 2 identically , as simply a Polo 1.2E 3 door.

[OctaviaT81]

On Fabias, on the rear hatch badge.

HTP is 6v
HTP is 12v

Think Polo's with the 6v have no engine badge on the rear, 12v say 1.2, could be wrong tho!

[Dmac1969]

I'll keep an eye out for that , I should have remembered that about the Fabia badges tho! D'oh!