Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

Pete, we had a Fabia before we got the Focus.

I liked it. OK ours was a budget spec one. So was short on Luxury, but it drove well and it handled OK to. Was thirsty on fuel being a 1.4 litre petrol for what Liz was using it for it wasnt ideal. But we never had any trouble with it.

If I wanted a small hatchback it would be something I would seriously consider. Just not a petrol one...

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

We have the 1.2 12v triple, it's not too bad on fuel.

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

my mum had a fabia a few , wrong a couple of years ago she had two changed when the first one got to about 150,000 miles she now has a roomster, aka pope mobile, don't think she had any problems with them.

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

Ours was on a W plate, 1.4 litre 8v, was thirsty, but then it spent its life on the A303 when Liz was commuting in it, which it was never really suitable for..

Around town it was OK, just on a run it used to drink it...

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

This is what I have, I get around 45 mpg, possibly more on a long run, but far worse around town. Could do way better imo!

First Fabia, 1.4 8v 2000 suffered from persistant coolant loss, clutch failure, steering motor fault (which was dangerous) tracking problems, intermitant radio fault which drove me mad, Leaked water resulting in 2 inches of water sloshing around the footwell ( got in through the polen filter) plus loads of stuff I've long forgotten. Thought it was a 'Friday car'. So Got a.........

2006 1.2 3 cylinder job. Let me down twice with coil failure, electric switch for windows failed, unbelievable misting problems, and front discs needed replacing they were worn paper thin. Front seats not very supportive either and the clutch is juddering now. It's only done 20k!

All in all, never again! I just wanted something cheap and reliable, should have got the Micra.

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

i'm in the same boat really :( i want to part x my beemer for something cheaper to run but dealers are offering me peanuts or they dont want it at all because of its engine size :(
my experience of selling private is a pain in the butt :(

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

i've had acouple of sniffs for the beemer, some cheeky wide boy from slough

-wide boy:'no messin' 'bout mate, whats your best price for cash?'
- me: make me an offer
- wide boy:what's your best price?
- me: make me an offer, you see the ONO price
- wide boy: ok, what about £5k
- me: haha! that's 2k below my ONO price, no thanks. get closer and maybe we can talk
-wide boy:'i'm offering you the easy route here, you won't have to deal with people asking for finance or what sort of warranty you are offering'
-me: errrrr....i'm a private seller, people can see that, why on earth would they ask me for finance or a warranty?
-wide boy:'well, you got my number anyway'
-me: yes, bye.

and also some normal guy, hopefully I can line up a viewing or two for the weekend.

TBH i've only heard good things about the (new!) skodas. not sure about fabia looks but i've got a purty bike (curvy naturally!) to more than make up for a fugly car. may give the fabia a miss, the focus may be the one but guess I'd best wait to make my mind up once i've sold the beemer and have cash in my hand.

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

You will probably be a bit like myself and just have to bite the bullet down sizing to a smaller car but hey ho I will probably appreciate the 1000cc with two wheels more for the odd thrilling experience.--Good luck with the sale.

P.S.One of my reasons for changing,and not just for an economical diesel,was my wife only really likes the smaller car and a good small diesel is expensive compared to the new generation small petrol engines.Service intervals and the additional cost of diesel/diesel engine actually takes quite along time and many miles to recoup the extra money spent in buying one and I generally don't keep a car long enough for this to happen.

Re: cars - trading down via dealership/trader
 

New Furby Hatchback is ooogly, like a Mini gone wrong. The estate version is better.