... In fact the only thing that has gone wrong is when the fuel flap would not lock shut, but that was fixed free of charge by a Skoda dealer.
Engine
Quite remarkable really. If you drive it carefully you can get 60+mpg without any bother and without travelling unduly slowly. In fact I ... Read review
Advantages: Economical, powerful, very reliable Disadvantages: Can be noisy, Skoda badge!
...free of charge by a Skoda dealer.
Engine
======
Quite remarkable really. If you drive it carefully you can get 60+mpg without any bother and without travelling unduly slowly. In fact I once got 72mpg on a drive from Norwich to Cromer and back, just driving normally along the country roads. Having said that, if you stick your foot down the acceleration is impressive for a 'normal' car. I have had mine up to 110mph ... ...seats free of charge so Skoda obviously want to keep customers happy - perhaps the problem had been solved by the time my car was built.
The car comes with a good-quality FM/AM radio and CD player, which is unlikely to be a theft target as it is Skoda branded.
Inside there is is plenty of room for the driver and front seat passenger, the sterring wheel and seat hight and position being fully adjustable. It can be a little cramped ... more
I've had my Fabia for about 3 years now and have had no major problems with it. In fact the only thing that has gone wrong is when the fuel flap would not lock shut, but that was fixed free of charge by a Skoda dealer.
Engine ======
Quite remarkable really. If you drive it carefully you can get 60+mpg without any bother and without travelling unduly slowly. In fact I once got 72mpg on a drive from Norwich to Cromer and back, just driving normally along the country roads. Having said that, if you stick your foot down the acceleration is impressive for a 'normal' car. I have had mine up to 110mph on an airstrip and it was still accelerating. In 5th gear, the car will accelerate steadily in the entire speed range from 40mph and up. It's actually difficult to stick to 70 on the motorway as the car just seems to want to go faster. you will get about 60mpg on a run at 70mph. There is also a decent amount of torque, which is handy for me when I am pulling heavy trailers (about 800kg) I do not notice them nearly so much as I did with my old Escort.
Body, paintwork and interior ======================
The body is fairly solidly constructed and although the styling is not bang up to date it certainly doesn't look out of place on todays streets. The paintwork is of high quality, although I have found that the metallic green I have does tend to scratch very easily indeed. There is easy access to light clusters and bulbs for when these require replacement. I wired my towbar electrics in myself as the loom is easily accessed behind detachable panels in the boot. In the front, the dash is fairly plain but smart looking. The controls are neatly and logically laid out and everything is to hand - importantly, the buttons and switches are the same high quality as those used on VW and Audi models. The air conditioning is effective and easily maintains a pleasant temperature even on a sweltering summers day. I have to say that this summer it has struggled but then I have not had the AC serviced or recharged since I bought the car. Again, the upholstery is smart and is available in a variety of styles and colours. Some have complained that it wears out easily and becomes threadbare however after 36,000 miles I have not seen any appreciable wear. I do know of people who have had new upholstery and seats free of charge so Skoda obviously want to keep customers happy - perhaps the problem had been solved by the time my car was built. The car comes with a good-quality FM/AM radio and CD player, which is unlikely to be a theft target as it is Skoda branded.
Inside there is is plenty of room for the driver and front seat passenger, the sterring wheel and seat hight and position being fully adjustable. It can be a little cramped in the back if the driver is long-legged but 2 adults can be carried in comfort and all the luggage will fit in the spacious boot.
Safety =====
Airbags for the driver and front seat passengrer that can be deactvated for baby seats. Also features the iso-fix system for child seats.
Electronic stability prgramme and ABS comes as standard, together with traction control on this model. This is unobtrusive and only kicks in occassionally - but it has saved my bacon on at least 2 occassions. Once when there was no sign warning of a tee-juntion on an unlit lane with a lorry approaching - the road was greasy and wet, I was travelling way too fast and despite only realising the situation when I could see a hedge directly in front of me I still maanaged to stop in time - in my old car I would have skidded throught he hedge and nto the field beyond or been creamed by the lorry.
General =======
I do not regret buying this car. Sometimes I wish I had bought something a bit racier, but that is not he fault of the car. At the time I wanted something reliable, economical with a decent turn of speed and good value for money. That is exactly what I got. All of the components and running gear including the engine are VW. Essentially it is a VW with different styling and a Skoda badge for around two thirds of the price of the equivalent VW.
One word of warning, be careful of some of the optional extras, some of which are very overpriced. The sat-nav option was nearly £2000 when I bought my vehicle, this was for a radio sized unit with a single line LCD display when a full colour screen moving map unit could be had for less than a quarter of the price. From time to time there are deals such as free alloy wheels and trim options. There was such an offer running at the time I bought my car but hte dealer did not tell me and I only found out by chance later (in fact when my car was delivered he went to the trouble of taking the alloy wheels off and replacing them with standard!). So make sure you check the Skoda website and ask your dealer if he/she doesn't volunteer the information!!
Advantages: Price, economical, comfortable, fast acceleration, vast storage space Disadvantages: None
I bought my first Skoda 5 years ago when I retired from my full time occupation. I had intended to buy a decent second hand model but on visiting the dealer, I was so impressed with the estate version of the 1.9tdi Fabia, that I took the plunge.
Having since had 100% reliability, economical fuel consumption , the added bonus of quick off the mark acceleration for an exceptionally value for money price, I am glad I took the plunge as I have not regretted ... ...the car.
Without doubt Skoda have come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years and not only am I proud to own one, I also have a smile to myself at the badge snobs with their Volkswagen who are paying a few thousand more for more or less the same vehicle as I have but with a different badge and perhaps a little different shape.
I am now wishing the next six months or so away for the launch of the new Fabia 1.9tdi estate in the new year which ...
plod591 20.09.2007 (15.10.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi Saloon
Advantages: Nippy, Comfortable, Economic, Secure Disadvantages: CD extra cost, No Electric Windows in back
...of the range car? only skoda knows!
Otherwise, be prepared for 55mpg with a nippy, turbo-boosted acceleration and ABS with traction control.
On the diesel (PD VW engine) it also has a electronic differential drive detection.
Plenty of storage space including a coolable glove box - but not a lockable one.
Remore control/alarm locking with drivers door opening only on first unlock (excellent for female drivers etc.) Remote boot release (which disarms ... ...has excellent key tab fold away feature thus taking up less space in the handbag!
Fully adjustable steering wheel (something Vauxhall have taken years to fit in astras/vectras) with fully adjustable heated front seats (yes warm your bum on a winter's day).
Pollen filter with aircon means no sneezes once inside the cool car on the hot sticky summer days of July.
Cruises effortlessly on the motorway - you try keeping to 70mph! Yet still returns ...
petergee 29.07.2002
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi Saloon
Advantages: frugal economy; more for less without doubt Disadvantages: looks, if that really worries you
Just on three years ago I purchased a Fabia 1.9TDi Elegance Estate - and can say that it is the best car purchase I have ever made. The consumption has got to be its best feature - I have averaged 19000 miles per annum with a lot of motorway mileage but have consistently returned 63 mpg. The comfort level is perfectly adequate. I am not tired or stiff after 250-300 mile journeys and the driving position is great - the ability to raise/lower the seat ... ...position without the weight/drag of a big, heavy vehicle. My car has not been in the garage apart from normal servicing and has always run as sweet as a nut. Handy hooks in the boot mean I can tether shopping/parcels so they don't slide around (ok, so I'm not the slowest driver on the road!) The little touches like an air-conditioned glove-box and drinks holder within easy reach of the driver means that I can have a cool drink or something to eat ...
pennyfarthing 02.12.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi Saloon
Advantages: a comfortable, economic,, straightforward car Disadvantages: had a problem when the electric window failed a few months ago. it stopped working when the window was completly down!!
ive owned my skoda fabia for 2.5 years now and touch wood it had been a very good car- very reliable. the only problems that i have had have been with general wear and tear. my window - whilst down decided to stop working so i couldnt close my window until i could get it to the garage the next day!! to top it all of it rained that night!! had to use black bags to cover window!! apart from that i cant think of any other probs. its easy to drive, reliable, ...
webbergirl 26.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi Saloon
Advantages: Very Economical, smooth ride, handles well Disadvantages: None so far
...£1,300 discount with the dealer and also got free comp insurance for the first year. Although I note that Skoda knocked £920 off the on the road price two weeks after I bought this car. I still got a good deal.
Superb, VW have surpassed themselves with this beauty. ...
CamdenMark 04.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi Saloon
