or Leon 130 SE TDI? With my annual mileage now topping 20k, it's back to a diesel for me. This means not spending any more than £10k, but getting the most fun i can from an oil burner.
What i really want is a Leon Cupra TDi, but the budget just wont stretch.
So Polo GT, Fabia vRS or Ibiza 130. Whats the difference between them, and which one would you go for?
over to the experts..........
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Fabia according to most people. The car is very comfortable for 20,000miles pa and still very fast!
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Ride in the Ibiza is bone-crushingly hard. Make sure you can live with it over your annual mileage. Fabia better I believe although no practical experience, nor of the Polo.
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PoloGirl started a fruitful thread on this, going eventually for the Fabia which was one of her first thoughts anyway. Despite being fond of her current Polo she doesn't seem to have had a new Polo GT (officially called 1.9 TDI Sport 130 bhp) on her shortlist, probably because the road tests have been negative and also because it costs £2,000 more than the Fabia VRS.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=40...8
(sorry, I'm not clever enough to create a direct access but cutting and pasting on to the top line will get you there!)
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Ah now that's interesting - it's created it itself. The wonders of modern science....
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Nick S, I had this dilemma as well and plumped for the Fabia vrS which I am getting this Saturday.
Through the backroom, I had narrowed my choice down to the Ibiza or the Skoda but I just could not find an Ibiza anywhere in my area under £10k. I paid £9995 for the Fabia which had a screen price of £10495. Another dealer also offered me £500 off one of theirs.
Mines is Mar 05, 18,000 miles on the clock so that might give you an indication of what to look for. The Skoda website has a good search facility on it, I could not find any vrS outwith the Skoda dealerships.
I test drove it and although the inside of the car is rather basic, or maybe make that functional, the looks IMHO (especially in bright shiny red) are fantastic and the engine is a hoot. I have driven diesels for years, but never one that can take off in first gear so quickly which was a pleasant surprise for me. Torque as you pull through the gears is excellent and you can really feel the tyres struggling for grip if you put the foot down (traction control though).
So in short, I would recommend the Fabia but I have not driven any of your other choices!
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There is quite a good group test written by enthusiasts here www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/viewtopic.php?t=8439
I test drove an Ibiza Sport 130 (predecessor of the FR) adn found the ride perfectly acceptable - I'm not sure if it has been toughened up for the FR.
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This chap has collated a few articles about the Fabia VRS on his website, that may prove useful:
www.fabia-vrs.com
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a hoot. I have driven diesels for years, but never one that can take off in first gear so quickly which was a pleasant surprise for me.
Diesels can be extremely quick of the mark, maybe much faster than a petrol. The problem is they are *too* fast in first gear and momentum builds rapdily such that max acceleration is difficult as you barely get chance to grab 2nd gear before running out of revs. The lower the gearing, the worse this is.
High reciprocating masses probably do not help either. I think I would prefer a Pug 207 1.6, but I could never live with the ride on any of the cars referred to.
For 'sports' suspension read 'lack of' suspension..!
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Just got myself an 05 Fabia vRS (5K on the clock) and shortly my annual mileage will be around 15-20K. They're very quick and economical, but I guess the same could be said for the other two candidates.
I wouldn't touch a VW as after sales service seems poor (my Dad has never been happy with after sales care on his numerous Golfs) and the Polo is more expensive to purchase. It's also a little boring in the styling dept.
Nothing negative to say about the Ibiza but it is more expensive than the Skoda.
There's something to be said for driving a very quick Skoda, it suprises people!
Try briskoda.net for more info on the Fabia, they're a nice bunch.
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Well I have observed Hampshire police have used a unmarked Fabia VRS in the past on motorways.. I think its a crafy move by the police - well who would expect to be caught speeding by a unmarked Skoda! Now they use the Octavia VRS... so if its good enough for Hampshire police it must be good!
I am not a real F1 driver by the way..
Dorian
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