2004 Skoda Fabia vRS from UK and Ireland - Comments

No problems to report after 6 months.

Skoda were generous enough to lend me a vRS overnight in an extended test drive. However, you don't need a whole night to know you'll want one of these if you're looking for a performance diesel.

I have owned my Fabia for 6 months now, and can safely say that I totally agree with the other positive reviews on this page.

Everyone who has been lucky enough to have a ride in the car has been stunned.

It's amazing that in this day and age, after several years of ownership from VW, that people still expect a poor car from Skoda. The funniest comment I get from people is "It's just a shame about the badge really isn't it!?". Err, 1. No not really, and 2. If it bothers you that much don't worry, because you won't be able to see it when it's 20 miles ahead of you!!

If I ever spend a better 12k than this, I'll be sure to let you all know.

I agree with this review. The Fabia VRS is superb. It uses the same basic materials as the Polo Gt 130 and the Seat Ibiza.It's thousands cheaper than the Polo with much the same equipment. Having driven and Ibiza 130 I can say that the Skoda engineers must be a talented lot because it has all the virtues of the Ibiza (fast and frugal) without the vices (noisy, bumpy ride and not that well built).

My wife owns one and yes it is slow, doesn't handle that well, but is fine for a runabout. No way is it a hot hatch! Its barely a warm hatch.

With reference to the above comment, can I suggest you check under the bonnet of your ‘VRS’ for the correct engine (the end where the shopping doesn’t go)? It may be the case that the selling dealer saw you coming and sold you a dressed up 1.9SDi. Unfortunately this happens sometimes – after all, it’s easy to take advantage of the village idiot!

Depends what you are used to though, doesn't it?

You don't really know what the guy who said that is used to. I used to own a vRS and felt it was pretty quick at the time, I've got a Clio 182 now, and the Clio is much faster, but that doesn't make the vRS a bad car.

The vRS really needs a remap before it can be compared in performance terms to a proper hot hatch.