A Driving Instructor says 'Hello'

Key2driving · 19-05-2006, 08:57

Hi Guys

I find myself here on the forum as a result of my driving school car, a Kia Picanto, being off-the-road again, and the nice people at Kia arranging a hire car for me.
I have to confess that when the girl at the hire company told me the loan car was a Skoda, my heart sank.

They delivered an 05-plate Fabia HTP and I've been using it since Monday morning. I'm a busy independant driving instructor, I have an average of 40 lessons a week which is 40 x 1 hour lessons or 40 pupils a week.

The typical reaction from my pupils has been this: They walk out, see the Fabia and moan about driving a Skoda. Fifteen minutes later they remark that it's not that bad! And at the end of the lesson they have ALL said that they would prefer to keep having lessons in the Fabia. So now I'm seriously thinking of buying one!

From what I have read, bearing in mind that I cover an average of 1000 miles a week, I would benefit from the chain-driven engine of the HTP, although a diesel would save fuel.

So...hello. I'm not a Skoda owner yet, but I will be by the end of the year.

**robmawer** · 19-05-2006, 09:02

Welcome to Briskoda...

Out of interest, what's up with the Picanto?

Rob.

vRS19TD · 19-05-2006, 09:06

Welcome to BRISKODA

Comes to something when they moan about driving a Skoda but were happy to drive a KIA!!!

**TaviaRS** · 19-05-2006, 09:08

Hello

We have a few ADIs on here, Chris_GB, Sharkrider, Andy Ellis to name but a few. The first two drive Fabia RSs and Andy has a modified PD100.

As to what they are like as driving school cars, they have posted their thoughts in several threads this one for example

MissPiggy · 19-05-2006, 09:08

my driving instructor has a 1.2 skoda fabia. i love it! i was learning to drive in a corsa but moved to the person with the fabia-wouldnt want to go back.

andy ellis · 19-05-2006, 09:22

Well come fellow instructor! There a few of us on here with a mix of cars but mostly the vRS or the PD100 TDi. There TDI's are great cars for learner as they are very easy to drive, no need for gas on manvoures and hill strts are a piece of ..... Is there anything to choice between the 1.4, 1.9 (pd100) or 1.9vRS TDi's? Personally the 1.4 would be no good for me as I do a lot of long distance and love the power of the 1.9 and the only reson I have stuck with the PD100 is a personally dont like 6 speed boxes or alloys on a driving school car. The power delivery is very smooth and even with "cough" the pupils dont ever find it a handful! If you in South London give us a pm and you can have a test drive! Oh and you will get 45-50mpg (35-40mpg if lots of boring stuff!"!

Key2driving · 19-05-2006, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmawer

Welcome to Briskoda...

Out of interest, what's up with the Picanto?

Rob.

Bought brand new in September 2004, It's a 1.1LX manual / petrol.

So far:

Handbrake unit replaced due to snapped teeth on the ratchet.

Intermittent fault with throttle sensor which sometimes means that the engine management system stops sending fuel, even though you have the accelerator pressed down. You have to lift foot completely, then re-apply pressue. NOT fun with a learner on a busy roundabout.

Crankshaft oil seal failed causing massive oil leak, resulting in:

Complete new clutch as original contaminated with oil.

Two weeks later the clutch cable snapped.

Another two weeks and another clutch cable snapped but this time, guess what?
There are NONE left in the UK, so I am waiting for a consignment to arrive from Korea!!!, so that a cable can be fitted, then they can investigate the reason for the cables snapping.

Eats front sidelight bulbs.

Air-con needs re-gassing as it's not very cold.

But apart from that...it's O.K.

Key2driving · 19-05-2006, 09:28

Thanks Andy. I'm up in Wisbech, North Cambridgeshire ( Tony Martin country ).
Nice to know other ADI's are using the Fabia.

Cheers

John

andy ellis · 19-05-2006, 09:30

Bugger me thats an impressive list! The fabias take the punishment well but those vRS alloys dont look good after a few kerb mounts! Tracking tends to stay true no matter what. Clutches good for at least 40k imho if not more.

andy ellis · 19-05-2006, 09:31

You are close to the mythical place that is jabba....

bugman · 19-05-2006, 09:40

local driving instructor around here has a fabia vrs to teach in. which is is nice.

JMK2 · 19-05-2006, 10:03

Another 'Fen' Person - Live down the road in Chatteris

Tom_vrs lives pretty close as well

Welcome

**TaviaRS** · 19-05-2006, 10:05

< turns PC speakers down to erradicate the banjo music >

***DGW*** · 19-05-2006, 13:37

Welcome to Briskoda from the A1 side of Cambridgeshire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaviaRS

< turns PC speakers down to erradicate the banjo music >

Coming from someone who used to live not that far from the Forest of Dean, that is a bit rich!

Key2driving · 19-05-2006, 18:10

Hi to all that have replied, thanks for the various snippets of information, and for that 'warm cuddly feeling'. To the 'local' owners, where's the nearest dealer for service work, is it still Mill Hill at March?

Cheers
John

gillywibble · 19-05-2006, 18:23

You got a warm cuddly feeling? You must have paid extra

Welcome to Briskoda

19-05-2006, 08:57	#1
Key2driving Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Hi Guys I find myself here on the forum as a result of my driving school car, a Kia Picanto, being off-the-road again, and the nice people at Kia arranging a hire car for me. I have to confess that when the girl at the hire company told me the loan car was a Skoda, my heart sank. They delivered an 05-plate Fabia HTP and I've been using it since Monday morning. I'm a busy independant driving instructor, I have an average of 40 lessons a week which is 40 x 1 hour lessons or 40 pupils a week. The typical reaction from my pupils has been this: They walk out, see the Fabia and moan about driving a Skoda. Fifteen minutes later they remark that it's not that bad! And at the end of the lesson they have ALL said that they would prefer to keep having lessons in the Fabia. So now I'm seriously thinking of buying one! From what I have read, bearing in mind that I cover an average of 1000 miles a week, I would benefit from the chain-driven engine of the HTP, although a diesel would save fuel. So...hello. I'm not a Skoda owner yet, but I will be by the end of the year.

19-05-2006, 09:02	#2
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,371 Thanks: 2 Thanked 63 Times in 56 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Welcome to Briskoda... Out of interest, what's up with the Picanto? Rob. __________________

19-05-2006, 09:06	#3
vRS19TD Silver Fab vRS Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Stourbridge, West Midlands Posts: 1,862 Thanks: 89 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Welcome to BRISKODA Comes to something when they moan about driving a Skoda but were happy to drive a KIA!!! __________________ John http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j79/vRS19TD/ www.petrolprices.com For Cheap Fuel Prices in Your Area. www.pipelinecard.org Check Out The Website For Potential Fuel Discounts. http://www.myspace.com/vrs19td This is me, if you're interested. Also on Facebook now.

19-05-2006, 09:08	#4
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,918 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Hello We have a few ADIs on here, Chris_GB, Sharkrider, Andy Ellis to name but a few. The first two drive Fabia RSs and Andy has a modified PD100. As to what they are like as driving school cars, they have posted their thoughts in several threads this one for example __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-05-2006, 09:08	#5
MissPiggy Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 7,178 Thanks: 24 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' my driving instructor has a 1.2 skoda fabia. i love it! i was learning to drive in a corsa but moved to the person with the fabia-wouldnt want to go back.

19-05-2006, 09:22	#6
andy ellis Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,289 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Well come fellow instructor! There a few of us on here with a mix of cars but mostly the vRS or the PD100 TDi. There TDI's are great cars for learner as they are very easy to drive, no need for gas on manvoures and hill strts are a piece of ..... Is there anything to choice between the 1.4, 1.9 (pd100) or 1.9vRS TDi's? Personally the 1.4 would be no good for me as I do a lot of long distance and love the power of the 1.9 and the only reson I have stuck with the PD100 is a personally dont like 6 speed boxes or alloys on a driving school car. The power delivery is very smooth and even with "cough" the pupils dont ever find it a handful! If you in South London give us a pm and you can have a test drive! Oh and you will get 45-50mpg (35-40mpg if lots of boring stuff!"! __________________ Fabia TDI PD100 "Q" and driving school car. Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6hDi+EGS with disability adaptations.

19-05-2006, 09:28	#8
Key2driving Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Thanks Andy. I'm up in Wisbech, North Cambridgeshire ( Tony Martin country ). Nice to know other ADI's are using the Fabia. Cheers John

19-05-2006, 09:30	#9
andy ellis Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,289 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Bugger me thats an impressive list! The fabias take the punishment well but those vRS alloys dont look good after a few kerb mounts! Tracking tends to stay true no matter what. Clutches good for at least 40k imho if not more. __________________ Fabia TDI PD100 "Q" and driving school car. Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6hDi+EGS with disability adaptations.

19-05-2006, 09:31	#10
andy ellis Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,289 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' You are close to the mythical place that is jabba.... __________________ Fabia TDI PD100 "Q" and driving school car. Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6hDi+EGS with disability adaptations.

19-05-2006, 09:40	#11
bugman Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 156 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' local driving instructor around here has a fabia vrs to teach in. which is is nice.

19-05-2006, 10:03	#12
JMK2 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cheshire Near the Cat Posts: 866 Thanks: 23 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Another 'Fen' Person - Live down the road in Chatteris Tom_vrs lives pretty close as well Welcome __________________ I would like to put something here, but just can't think what

19-05-2006, 10:05	#13
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,918 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' < turns PC speakers down to erradicate the banjo music > __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-05-2006, 18:10	#15
Key2driving Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' Hi to all that have replied, thanks for the various snippets of information, and for that 'warm cuddly feeling'. To the 'local' owners, where's the nearest dealer for service work, is it still Mill Hill at March? Cheers John

19-05-2006, 18:23	#16
gillywibble Cuthbert Dibble Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Watching Tom peeping at Lady Godiva. Posts: 5,605 Thanks: 209 Thanked 184 Times in 147 Posts	Re: A Driving Instructor says 'Hello' You got a warm cuddly feeling? You must have paid extra Welcome to Briskoda __________________ I drink, therefore I spam.

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