2004 Skoda Fabia vRS from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing at all.

Before making my purchase I spend months looking for my ideal car, my requirements were that the car had to be well built, good performer, economical car with all the extras such as air-con etc on a budget of £12k. I had firstly decided on the Seat Ibiza 100bhp TDI, but then later realized that I could get a a 130 bhp "rocket ship" for the same price with all the trimmings to boot! (Skoda vRS). The only slight problem I had was of other people's attitude toward the Skoda name. Now that I own one it gives me great pleasure in out performing most cars up to 60 and beyond, then maybe people will take notice and realize that vRS is a seriously quick car and basically a VW with a Skoda badge.

The car has been a pleasure to drive since new, great handling, fab acceleration and solid interior with all the functions neatly placed within the cabin. The seats could have been a little darker to perhaps mask the inevitable spillages that will happen throughout the life of the car, but apart from that I can't complain as they are comfortable.

I got my car through "Buy Your Car.co.uk" saving me over £450 on the list price which involves this company obtaining your Skoda through a main agent who will contact you direct, still receiving all the usual warranties, is a UK car and even deliver it to your door on a transporter!! So I would recommend them.

The fuel economy does still surprises me as I thought the official figure would not be attainable, but I'm getting 53mpg according to the computer and that includes a combination around town driving and dual carriageway driving.

The car looks good especially in the black magic pearl effect paint and does turn heads now and again as you don't see great deal of them on the roads, the 16 inch alloys and emphasised bumpers with spotlights tell you this car is different to the normal Fabia, but doesn't go over the top like other cars I could mention.

Overall I would say that this car is a great buy, cheap for all the equipment you get and not forgetting the powerful/economical engine that is raring to go under the bonnet. I would definately recommend that you buy one if you can live with a Skoda badge! (We need to educate people, so what are you waiting for, buy one today!)

Absolutely right, I Know, I bought one.

And Very Good it is too!!

I also purchased one.

Best car I have ever owned, and I have had a few.

130 bhp, 55 mpg, brilliant.

What more can I say that hasn't already been said. Badge no problem either!

Stop and think guys... If we tell everyone about these FABias then Skoda will realise they are in demand and put the prices up. Keep it to yourselves and just laugh at the Golf GTI and Bora buyers that have paid £5000 more than you.

I've had my red vRS for over a trouble-free month now and without doubt it is like a combination of stealth bomber and tornado fighter. People don't expect such performance from a Skoda. Needless to say, this car was probably the best kept "performance car" secret around until BBC Top Gear decided to race one with a mini cooper s on their test track, a feature that was repeated recently.

Best feature apart from performance is the monumental growl from the engine when you put your foot down, you just don't have time to appreciate this because you'll be exceeding the speed limit before you know it! You have to be careful.

Ian T., Bilston, West Midlands.

I too have been a recent convert to the FABia club, largely due to the rave reviews and have had my black vRS for 6 weeks and 2500 miles now. It is a great little car and as a result is being placed on a peddistal above others which is a case of its own success sinking it against serious opposition... read on...

There's been a lot of talk comparing this car to various hot hatches. You can't seriously compare this car with any real hot hatch as its not trying too hard to really be one. That's the beauty and why it works so well. Take a competent chasis (still no match for a focus though) add subtle styling and a proven 130bhp engine and hey presto... a sensible car that can take on a hot hatch without a lot of the drawbacks of being one itself, and compete favourably. End result is a diesel sticking two fingers up at seriously developed and seriously quick hot hatches and laughably coming out pretty well! This is all about the future of diesel and demonstrates that its now a serious contender, and yes, a slightly hot hatch to boot.

For those of you talking about chipping the engine etc, you've missed the point completely. In real world terms, cross country, the standard vRS is as capable as anything made, but does it reliably and far more cheaply. Once you've got used to the slight understeer and wallowiness (its NOT that bad) you can shuffle it along at alarming speed, so again, why interfere with the chassis? Point missed again for those that have. Try switching off the ASR and correcting understeer with a slight lift off where necessary (just be in the right gear when you do, ready to put power down when needed). My point? This is a phenominal success story for Skoda as they've effortly managed to produce a seriously good and quick little car without all the drawbacks of its boy racer peers.

The Top Gear review was a perfect demonstration of my points above, but wasn't this against the non-supercharged (ie standard) mini cooper? I had a run in recently with a mini cooper "S" and trust me, it's a whole lot quicker than a Fabia vRS (it has 170bhp) quickly leaving me for dead! Don't buy this if you have the cash for a "real" hot hatch. Do buy a vRS if you want a verrry rapid, economical and refined alternative at a fraction of the cost of its peers.

Totally agree with everything said. I have just bought a Skoda Fabia vRS last week and cannot stop grinning. The car offers spectacular performance for not a lot of pennies.

I swapped a Ford Focus for the Fabia and wish I'd done it long ago. The standard kit is first class and the optional extras are very reasonably priced too. I went for the heated seats, cruise control & black magic paint. I know you are supposed to take it easy for the first few hundred miles, but I couldn't resist racing an Audi TT yesterday. We flew past this poor chap on the M6 toll (and he wasn't standing still either!).

I quite like the exclusivity of owning one of these stealth bombers too. In fact it was one of the reasons for swapping the Focus. There were just too many of the damn things on the road.

If people don't buy one of these cars because of the badge, then that's their problem. I spoke with a guy last week who had just bought a new Polo TDi, and he reckoned the vRS was a far better looking car than his Polo. Also, he admitted that the badge would be a problem. It's unbelievable that someone is prepared to spend £2000-3000 on a lesser specced car because of a wee badge.

Happy motoring. I'm off to look for Coopers and TT's!!!

I too agree with the comments above, having also just changed my Ford Focus for a black magic vRS. I have found myself on the road for any excuse. Before the end of the month, I will be exeeding my yearly miles for insurance, as I am on tour every day as the ride is fantastic, and I can't get enough (my husband is going mad).

I do feel a little difference with the steering as in understeer, but hey that is all. The car is superb, and is always turning heads. All I can say is it's the best car I ever bought. Superb. Loving the Skoda.

Fabia vRS - what a fantastic car. I've just brought my 2nd vRS after selling my Clio 182. The Clio was quicker against a standard Fabia.

My first vRS was remapped to 200 bhp and 400nm of torque by Jabba Sport. This was faster after 70mph than the Clio. Also faster on top speed - over 150mph flat out.

Picking up my new car in next day or so, and taking to it Jabba Sport straight away. Look out CTR/VXRs, the difference is unbelievable.

I'm looking at a getting one too! I've tried to do some research with reviews etc as to which car is the best buy for a young driver without sacrificing performance. I need something that won't tire me out on motorway runs, but is nimble enough around town. The Polo 1.4 I drive at the moment is awful since it’s a daft four-gear auto (my Mother’s car) and it’s a nightmare above 60mph. It stops pulling altogether! I have to say, everything I've read about the Fabia vRS is very positive. It’s insurance group 9 and I hope I get a decent quote. If I do get one, it’ll be after my 21st in the New Year.

150 mph from a fabia? I think people get a bit carried away with this car, I know its good for a diesel, but not that good.

A standard one might not do 150mph, but the re-mapped ones will. The upgraded 300lbft of torque on offer is plenty to pull you through the aerodynamic wall that limits the standard car to around 130mph.

I should be buying a new car in a couple of months, but I wonder: at this time, would you think it's still worth investing on a Fabia? I mean - even thought it's still an excellent car - we got the new Yaris, the new Clio and recently the new Corsa. The new Fabia should be coming in December/January.

I was seriously looking forward on investing on this model, but I'm afraid I'll be investing in an old car. For that money doesn't it make more sense to buy one of the recent models above?

What do you think?

Good car love it, but blew turbo after 30,000 miles.

Car is standard 130 bhp,how do the chipped ones cope?

All this talk of how long a car will last. What about Golf pdi engines. No one moans about them. I can't get over the look on peoples faces when I've just blown them away.