SE 1.4 16v 85 5dr Hatchback

Stylish and individual

Replaced a 2002 C3 for my driving school car. Currently also drive a Jazz 2009 ishift. Previously driven 09 Focus, 04 Verso, 94 Civic and 4 VWs. Was intending to get a Giulietta but with a budget of £7500, they were hard to come by, so looked for a 09 Fabia around £4000. Then saw a Ibiza parked near my son's school and looked really smart, so found one with 47k on the clock from a Seat dealer in West Yorks offering 2 yrs 0% finance and 1 yr nationwide warranty and breakdown service-bingo!

The design is great and looks much better than a Fabia and more interesting than the Polo. Infact, it looks like Italian/Alfa influence.( The facelift models look even sharper).

The car drives well and is feels much more powerful as the figure suggest. I drove some 200 miles on the collection of the car and after 4 hrs of driving, never once did I feel underpowered. It was also refined and smooth as the car is well built plus you don't hear any rattles even on this 5 years old car. The material used are classy and the whole car feels solid. The seats have many adjustments which actually suits the driver, unlike my C3 when the only position you can set is the highest. The gears are easy to engaged and are closed together. Clutch could be lighter but is not too heavy with the brakes give a sense of confidence. The steering is light enough in town but steady on faster roads and the rim has a sporty feel to it. The corning lights is a welcome feature on a car this age. The boot is big enough and is nice to see a spare full size wheel under it.

I would like more storage space in the cabin, e.g., extra glove compartment as in the C3 and Jazz. More cup holders in the back and under seat tray would also help. The minor switch controls looks neat just in front of the gear but trying to press the rear heat or hazard warning light is a hit and miss when your eyes are on the road. (I gathered they addressed this in the facelift model.) The interior light is in front of the cabin like the Focus but trying to help your child put his seat belt on at night is difficult. The stereo is difficult is use even though it looks attractive and the remote doesn't make things easier. A surprised from a design product from the VW group is how shallow the rain channels on the roof are. Each time you turn, the water on the roof moves to the front side windows, and if you left a gap opened, you will get cold shower! Another feature that hasn't changed from the VW group since the 80's is the fact that their altenator/water pump and belts are really noisey! My pupils thought I was driving a diesel! The fact it does't have sound proof under the bonnet does't help.

However, I love using the car so I can recommend it!

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