what about a skoda fabia?

RLJ

http://cars.rte.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1189336

Friend was thinking of buying above. Any feedback? Skoda any good. Another of mine has a 2005 skoda and he is happy with it. I think he said it has a vw engine? Are parts expensive? are the hard to repair?

pred racer

My parents are on their 3rd/4th one:eek: (I know, I know but they like it) All bought brand new and they have had 1 thermostat switch go in all that time.
nice little car to drive, engine always sound like a bag of hammers though.

spartacus93

Very good reliable car. 1.4 should be good powerwise. Basically the same platform and engines as a polo.

Looks like a good price, milage is quite high but shouldn't be a big issue if it was well maintained. Check all the servicing documents etc.

RLJ

looks like a good price, milage is quite high but shouldn't be a big issue if it was well maintained. Check all the servicing documents etc.

Thanks guys. Pal just found out no nct. To put thru NCT dealer would ask for 2.5 k

mondeo

The Polo would probably hold it's value more then the Skoda. Their fine cars if it's just an A to B thing. Not that stylish to look at.

Hal1

RLJ wrote: »

Thanks guys. Pal just found out no nct. To put thru NCT dealer would ask for 2.5 k

This would be raising an eyebrow with me now. Dealer saying he would want €600 more than the asking price to put it through the nct? Maybe he tried to put it through before and it failed on something. I would be a bit suspicious as to why he was asking for so much just for the sake of €48 and an hour of his time.

spartacus93

Hal1 wrote: »

This would be raising an eyebrow with me now. Dealer saying he would want €600 more than the asking price to put it through the nct? Maybe he tried to put it through before and it failed on something. I would be a bit suspicious as to why he was asking for so much just for the sake of €48 and an hour of his time.

+1

I'd approach with caution. Sounds to me like he knows there's something big wrong with the car.

If he isn't helpful or straight with you i'd probably walk away. Plenty more out there.

Bondvillain

RLJ wrote: »

Thanks guys. Pal just found out no nct. To put thru NCT dealer would ask for 2.5 k

It may appear cynical, but I'd think that if this dealer wants an extra €600 just to put it through the NCT, then you can take it as read that if you buy it at the lower non-NCT'd price, the arse and intestines could most likely fall out of the car, possibly within weeks, if not days after purchase.

When you push it back up to him, he'll suck a considerable amount of air in through his teeth, shake his head, and surmise that it'll be the guts of €2000 (+vat) to repair it for you, as cunningly, everything that's knackered in it isn't covered by whatever fag packet warranty he's given you.

Personally, I'd tell him to stick his accident waiting to happen up his ring, and look somewhere else for a nice Polo, or a more recent fabia, maybe 2002/03 (I drove a 99 fabia for a while, and fine as it was, the steering was very heavy compared to similar marques, and less comfy overall for long trips. I found a 2003 model to be considerably more likeable ) to spend your cash on.
He's hiding something potentially huge. Stay away.

RLJ

Bondvillain wrote: »

It may appear cynical, but I'd think that if this dealer wants an extra €600 just to put it through the NCT, then you can take it as read that if you buy it at the lower non-NCT'd price, the arse and intestines could most likely fall out of the car, possibly within weeks, if not days after purchase.

When you push it back up to him, he'll suck a considerable amount of air in through his teeth, shake his head, and surmise that it'll be the guts of €2000 (+vat) to repair it for you, as cunningly, everything that's knackered in it isn't covered by whatever fag packet warranty he's given you.

Personally, I'd tell him to stick his accident waiting to happen up his ring, and look somewhere else for a nice Polo, or a more recent fabia, maybe 2002/03 (I drove a 99 fabia for a while, and fine as it was, the steering was very heavy compared to similar marques, and less comfy overall for long trips. I found a 2003 model to be considerably more likeable ) to spend your cash on.
He's hiding something potentially huge. Stay away.

looking at a 01 Fabia 2,600. Where is the spare wheel kept? Thanks

RLJ

Thanks for reply

LIGHTNING wrote: »

One piece of advice from an ex-fabia owner is to steer clear of the 8v MPi petrol engine, its really bad on petrol no matter how you drive it. Go for the more modern 16v VW engine its got more power and its much better on juice. Apart from the petrol consumption it was a cracking little car.

where does one see which engine it is? It is a 1.4 Comfort 68 bhp[/B]

What does 68bhp mean please.?

RLJ

LIGHTNING wrote: »

The 68bhp is the older 8v engine, plus from the photos I can see it has a tow bar. Its a small enough engine for towing so it may have had a hard life. The 16v engine has 75bhp if I remember correctly. However they are more expensive than the older 8v engine.

he said it has a n engine like 98 golf. Not that i don't believe you re petrol LIGHTNING but has anyone else experienced high petrol use with the 98 golf type engine. Thanks

flazio

RLJ wrote: »

looking at a 01 Fabia 2,600. Where is the spare wheel kept? Thanks

Erm, under the boot inside the car.
Bought one of these last month, an 01 1.4 Comfort with just under 65K on clock for €2,300. It would appear that it is the 8v cos even after I got it serviced the fuel needle does move a bit on the fast side, still though the only post 00 cars with under 100,000 miles on the clock for below €3000 are these and Fiat Puntos and I know which one I'd choose. A couple of really minor electric tid bits (driver door sensor not working, passenger electric won't go up with passener control but will on drivers control and previous owner f***ed up the ciggie charger.) but over all feels like a solid car to drive. I would recommend.