2006 Skoda Fabia vRS from UK and Ireland - Comments

Only had for 3 months and 3000 miles so as expected, nothing has gone wrong so far.

The front suspension sometimes 'knocks' over bumps, but I'm told this is common on all Fabia vRSs.

I bought this car at the start of July '07 as I fancied a change from the 122k mile Astra I had previously, and wanted something fairly discreet looking, but with a bit of poke. It is discreet looking in Silver, and doesn't even have colour coded door handles etc.

I read a review of it before I bought it which said it was a hot-hatch for more mature drivers who didn't really want a hot-hatch. This is probably quite true, as it's certainly not a chavtastic high revving screaming hot-hatch, in fact, it isn't a hot-hatch at all. Performance and handling is good, sporty, but it isn't a performance car. The Fabia is a compromise between a sensible economical small hatchback and a hot-hatch. Understand that it's not trying to be anything else and you will enjoy this car.

The good things: performance is respectable and you can make swift progress, looks good if somewhat discreet (but I like this), it has very good fuel economy and general running costs, it's not a Mini Cooper (Estate Agents and 17 year old girls vehicle)!

The bad things: the light interior is easily marked if not careful, paint on the front which chips easily and has a black coat underneath, slightly offset pedals to the driver's seat.

I like my Fabia and don't regret buying it, but will probably buy something different in another 3 years just for a change.

Without a doubt though... the best thing about the Fabia vRS is its ability to rile BMW drivers and drivers of other rep-mobiles. They HATE being passed a Skoda and obviously see it has a personal mission to overtake you in return. To give you an example - I was following a Mondeo TDCi 130bhp down the A1 last week. As we approached a roundabout, I took the right-hand lane so as to overtake him as we exited the roundabout onto the dual-carriageway. He obviously was not keen on a scummy Skoda driver passing his mighty rep-chariot and booted it. So I booted it to... Cheerio Mr Mundano! Ditto Mr BMW the next day. In the short few months I've owned my VRS, this happens regularly. I'm usually an average driver who treats my car with a bit of mechanical sympathy, but I can't resist an invitation like that from the badge-snobs in their rep-mobiles (BMW reps easily identified by their de-badge option and pea-shooter exhaust!).

If you want a VRS, buy one - they're fun and you won't regret it! Just understand that it's not in the same league as a Civic Type-R or Clio 192 etc etc (but then neither's the price!).

'The front suspension sometimes "knocks" over bumps, but I'm told this is common on all Fabia vRSs.'

I'd get it checked at a dealer, but it's probably the anti-roll bar. It is a common problem that's easily sorted.

P.S. Glad you like your car. Annoying repmobiles is one of my hobbies, too.

I agree with your positive comments, but just one thing. It is impossible to tell from outside the car whether a Mondeo TDCi is the 90 bhp, 115 bhp or 130 bhp version. I've driven both a vRS and a 130 TDCi, and although the Skoda is definitely quicker, it wouldn't be "bye bye" as you describe it.

I suspect you came up against the 90 or 115bhp version.

Original reviewer here. 7k miles & six months of ownership later, the Fabia's up for sale. The problem I noted with the slight knocking from the suspension has never materialised again - I think it was just due to turning at full-lock over pot-holes in the works car park. Only fault to materialise during my time of ownership has been the aerial base-plate requiring replacement due to deteriorating radio reception. The car still performs as well as ever; I still enjoy driving it, but other than some reasonably good performance, I haven't found it able to offer anything (comfort, reliability, build quality, toys etc) that my 5 yr old 122k miles Astra diesel didn't offer so it's been a little disappointing in that respect.

I'm finding cars too boring these days, so the Fabia and existing bike are making way for a new Yamaha R6... TWO WHEELS ARE THE FUTURE!

2 wheels will never be the future, but they are OK for a bit of fun. But then again, choose the right car and have your fun in that.

Agreed - 2 wheels will never be the future outside of large cities, as most folk don't know how to ride them, are too scared of doing themselves an injury, and whinge about not having their creature comforts, but point to point across our increasingly congested towns and cities, even a £500 commuter bike will provide more smiles and be miles quicker than any car. My previous Impreza was no quicker around the city than my wife's 1.2 Punto. My old £2k Hornet whipped them both :)

Well each to their own. I would rather sit in my nice comfortable car for a bit longer each day than lug a helmet and all the biker gear around, and then chance it on the roads with no protection. All cars are the same speed in traffic, but not on the school run or on my way to work; I would rather be in my Impreza than a 1.2 Punto.

Original reviewer here. I hung onto the VRS another few months, but it never really 'grew' on me and I ended up selling it at Easter. It was a decent car, with the only other fault being a wheel bearing required at the last service. Fuel economy never lived up to expectation during my entire ownership of the car - I regularly, even with gentle driving, returned 47-48mpg when measuring it properly, despite the on-board computer averaging 56mpg - this is the first car I have ever had in which I have failed to achieve the manufacturer's mpg figures. Build quality was not a patch on my previous 2002 Astra and I can't believe people rave about the quality of VAG cars! Handling was OK, but a little heavy at the front and skittish at the back. Fabias are good cars, are recommended, but aren't the great cars that some claim. I don't miss mine!