Hi all,
The trusty Mk3 Golf Estate is on its last legs and I'm setting my sights on a replacement. The Skoda Fabia looks good on paper, i need an Estate (couple of dogs) and I'm wanting to spent between 3-4k. Any hints or tips ?
Thanks
Rich
|
Above average mileage Focus 2003/4 diesel or one year younger petrol - good to drive, low costs, big on space, high roof line if you have dog cages or tall dogs who don't lie down.
|
|
|
The Fabia estate has lots of room and is good value. Go for the 1.4 petrol 100bhp version unless you do a high mileage and need the diesel. The 1.9 diesel is fast but noisy.
Cheaper than another Golf; so would be a Focus or Astra estate, and there are lots of both around, but they do rather give the impression that you've come to mend the photocopier.
|
I'm on my second one now, the first was a 1.9TDi, I now have the 1.4TDi 80 - I looked at the Focus both times and whilst the space for people is slightly better (it fits 5 easier than the Fabia), the interior design of the Fabia estate is far better than the Focus of similar vintage.
As you will be looking at 2002/3 ones with reasonable mileage I would strongly disagree with the poster who suggested the petrol - apart from the noise the 1.9TDi is a far better engine and will easily give you 50+mpg without trying. The difference in cost between them is not that great - just make sure the diesel has had its cambelt changed at 60k miles.
|
Should have added that the only thing to go wrong in 82k/6yrs ownership was the electronic stearing box - started playing up and was replaced for £145 - seems the 2001 models were prone to it, they sorted it on later models.
Have you looked at the Octavia estate, enormous inside, just as reliable as the Fabia and the TDis were very good.
Edited by b308 on 02/09/2008 at 22:22
|
Thanks for all the responses so far. If anything it would be a diesel as I do 50 miles each day to and from work.
I had thought of the Octavia but I just fancied something a little more compact, and given that we dont have any kids (yet) interior space isnt the be all or end all !!
Richard
|
|
Then it should be fine... for a Supermini there's not many with a 425l boot! BTW if you lift up the carpet in the back you will find lots of storage space round the spare wheel!
|
|
Cracking engine the 1.9 PD - plenty of torque - I'd sooner have a six cylinder diesel though :-(
|
:)
Might take the odd modification under the bonnet, P!
|
|
|
|
