Got myself a new car! Skoda Fabia VRS...

[Karl]

Firstly. Sorry I haven't be on the forum for a while. I got married two weeks ago so its been manic.

Not that its all done and dusted I thought I would treat myself to a new ride as the Golf was playing up a bit. I can't complain though - 60MPG for £600 isn't bad going.

Obviously I was looking for a newer diesel burning hatch with 5 doors that would take the strain off the Fiat Ulysse (That only does 30MPG). After looking round for a couple of weeks I settled on a Skoda Fabia VRS 130 Tdi (2006 in black).

After a weekend with the car I am VERY impressed. Built just like you would expect something from the VW Group to provide but without the stupid price.

Inside its got nice bucket seats and all the goodies you would expect from a top of the range model (AC, CC, iPod connector etc...) - but the best part about it is the engine. Its the 1.9 Tdi 130 unit that normally graces the Golf and in a small light car like the Fabia - it makes for an absolute laugh. I've had some very fast cars in my time but I am very pleased with the pure pulling power the car produces. On the motorway its scary how fast triple figures COULD be achieved.

Now for the important bit.. MPG. Over the weekend we've done a lot of running about and I am already showing an average of 67MPG and that's not even exceeding 50MPG or even touching any dual carridgeway. The problem for me is that I keep getting the urge to give it a boot full - its taken a lot of restraint just to drive nicely.

Overall - its the best car I have ever had. Drives like brand new - smooth, powerful and economical. A winner!

And yes... it does have a heated rear screen! lol - will post some pics when I get the camera out.

[frv]

Nice one Karl - I've never had a Skoda but as you say I'm sure they are well built nowadays. I'm old enough to remember ALL the jokes
What are manufacturer's stats on this one? - will be interesting to see what you achieve

[Karl]

Official figures are 67.3mpg extra urban & 55.4mpg combined.

I would hope that I will be getting 70+ for my normal day to day commute. With so much torque on tap it will be hard for me not to dab the accelerator now and again though. The box is quite close so I think it will be extra hard to balance bogging it down against going too far.

I am very tempted to opt for a more direct route with less stopping and starting to make the use from its straight line MPG. Sticking to 60-65 in 6th shows 80+ for most of the time.

[frv]

Sounds good!
Congrats on getting hitched by the way - I think

[Karl]

Many thanks for that.

Its since been back to the garage twice but I'd rather get the bugs ironed out while its still under warranty.

Its not doing quite what I expected to the gallon - about 55MPG but its soooooooooo hard to stop the brief bursts of POOOOWWWEEERRRRRR (JC).

Here is a little pic I took.



I am still very impressed with it.

[Karl]

and another

[IanLorenc]

Well done Karl on taking the plunge and making a commitment that many men are inexplicably nervous about doing. Also, congrats on getting married!


She's a beaut, best colour deffo. Hopefully the handling will help maintain speed through those corners but you too now know the slight tinge of frustration from trying to hypermile in a car that's partial to a bootful! Is it 5 or 6 speed?

One thought I always have about modern turbo diesels is leaving them idling to let the turbo spool down (I'm sure this is what's causing the majority of problems for people). Though, I suppose this doesn't apply to hypermiling because you never really get the turbo spinning anyway.

[Karl]

Well done Karl on taking the plunge and making a commitment that many men are inexplicably nervous about doing. Also, congrats on getting married!


She's a beaut, best colour deffo. Hopefully the handling will help maintain speed through those corners but you too now know the slight tinge of frustration from trying to hypermile in a car that's partial to a bootful! Is it 5 or 6 speed?

One thought I always have about modern turbo diesels is leaving them idling to let the turbo spool down (I'm sure this is what's causing the majority of problems for people). Though, I suppose this doesn't apply to hypermiling because you never really get the turbo spinning anyway.

Tell me about it, I had to take the plunge at somepoint. As always I got buyers remorse after I put down the deposit but I think that was the shock of paying so much for a car!

Its the 6 speed and what a very nice box it is to. Very precise but as you say, it the same car unitl you give it a boot full. The 48MPG it retuned (see the MPG stats post) was VERY upsetting... off to put a bock of wood under the accelerator!!

I always give it time to warm up and down, that brings back some memories. Both my MR2's had turbo timers, but then they did about 15MPG with the way I drove!

[frv]

..... The 48MPG it retuned (see the MPG stats post) was VERY upsetting... off to put a bock of wood under the accelerator!!

The block of wood bit made me laugh - is it time to change your sig or are you waiting until after the Bognor run?

[IanLorenc]

The 48MPG it retuned (see the MPG stats post) was VERY upsetting

What kind of mileage does it have on it? I know with the parental's old Corsa CDTi 1.3 90bhp, their economy was abysmal (think mid '30's!) up until about 15k, when it began to gradually improve. They've just changed their car (Motability, you see) to another Corsa (boring!), this time a 1.3 95bhp. Economy is slightly better than the previous one but still only just above what I'm able to get out of mine.