Moderate run about (Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.4 5dr)

Member Name: ampuk2000

Product:	Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.4 5dr
Date:	13/11/03 (1928 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cost(although it is not cheap), Good dealers

Disadvantages: Minor problems, Hell to drive

My Fabia was an ex-demonstration model so all though it had been already registered it was only a couple of months ago, mileage was low and the price was cheaper than buying it brand new.

We got our Fabia from a small local dealer - we had taken in our other car for a service and was given this as a replacement and later the day we decided we wanted it!

As the model was a couple of months old it still had air-con as standard which is a must for all new cars, even in the winter as it clears the screens quicker.

We have had four problems with ours:
- Electronic engine managent system - whenever you go over about 75 for more than a second a light comes up and your speed is limited to 70 (temporarly) and according to the handbook you can drive it with care to the nearest dealer. This we have done and they have fixed it on four occasions (they put a new part in etc...) and the same thing always happens whenever you go reasonably fast.
- Fuse for windscreen wipers - Within about a month the fuse has blown three times. Apparently it is because there is too much friction on the surface (e.g. ice or there is not enough water) and so now we are constantly worried that is going to blow every time you turn the wipers on. The main problem with this fault is that the fuses are in no particular order and so it is trial and error in finding the right one to change - even the garage had problems with this. Also we have been told by the sales man who sold us this car that this problem is not just on our car.
- Gearbox - Reverse is by push down and to the top left of the gearbox and it is very difficuilt to select (it is commonly tenth time lucky). Second gear is also difficuilt when dropping down form forth straight into second. What can happen if you do not dislocate your shoulder into trying to slect it is that you end up selecting forth by mistake and cause the driver behind a shock. Also this problem is not unique to me and other dir
vers of our car have commented on the same problem.
- Engine rev's are wrong as when you start off in first you have to rev the car and it can sound like a jumbo jet taking off as otherwise you either completely stall it or you cause the car to jerk.

Overall I do not rate this car as nearly as highly as so called experts do. If this car is the best then I pity anyone driving the worst. However, I would recommend the Vauxhall Astra as I have driven one for many hours and it is ten times the car to drive than the Fabia( it may be more expensive but it is worth it) Also Skoda have reduced their prices and have lowered their spec. For instance air con is now standard on the Elegance only and costs £500 to have it put in on the others. Also they have reduced the engine sizes as the 1.4 8V Comfort is no more and so if you opt for a petrol you get a 1.4 16V or a 1.2. I have recently driven an estate classic 1.2 and it is severely underpowed - in fact a pedestrian has got more acceleration than it.

Summary: