Skoda Fabia/ Nissan Pixo/ Suzuki Alto?

10JH

I'd choose the Fabia without a shadow of a doubt. Excellent cars that get really good reviews. The Greenline engines are really economical too.

iolanthe07

The Alto and Pixo are poor cars compared to the Panda/i10 and C1/107 etc.


Really? I drove a 107 for a day and thought it was a horrible little car.

hethmar

Well, Ill be honest. I always had Golfs and then I bought a Fabia. Yes, the skodas have great reviews now and are a decent price and the Fabia was a decent enough car to drive but I still couldnt get over the feeling that it was second best to a VW and I used to pray that the driver coming towards me in another Fabia would not have a grey perm or flat cloth cap but Im afraid 99/100 they did.

Everyone used to say to me, "Oh, a skoda, yes they have great reviews now dont they" but I still felt it has not yet overcome the tarnish of decades. One of my sons referred to the "anti-theft" badge quite frequently. I tried to convince myself that it was so naff it was cool

So, yep they make lovely little cars now and mostly reliable though I have to say that you need to take that with a pinch of salt as the majority of skoda Fabia owners are not likely to be doing a lot of mileage.

When 3 years had passed I was again looking at the bargains Skoda offered and my OH said FGS get a VW because he was sick of me trying to justify buying the skoda over a VW when he knew my heart was with Golfs

However, from the three cars you have listed, the Fabia would be a much better buy spec wise.

Up to you though, Im sure that in time skodas will be the same as any other middle of the road brand. So are you a badge snob or does value over come that?

jd82

iolanthe07 wrote: »

The Alto and Pixo are poor cars compared to the Panda/i10 and C1/107 etc.


Really? I drove a 107 for a day and thought it was a horrible little car.

Then you need to sit inside the Pixo, lots of cheap plastic everywhere. These cars are essentialy a Maruti built in India and it shows inside. Think Cityrover but nicer to drive.

hethmar

If you are looking for a cheapish small town run around, what about the VW Fox?

michaelvintner

Fabia is Vat free at the moment.

http://www.skoda.co.uk/offers/offers.aspx?section=1#offer358

http://www.skoda.co.uk/pdf/tax-free-skoda.pdf

You can get a 1.2S 6V 60BHP for £8040. I would spend a bit more money and at least go for the 12V version of the same engine which has 70BHP at £8475.

jd82 is right. I Sat in a Suzuki Alto in the showroom when they had just come out and the interior plastic looked like it was made out of old yogurt pots.

It felt cheap and I knew I would hate it if I brought it.

I have not been in the new Fabia but I have driven the old one and it felt like a well made properly put together car.

Another Alternative is the Seat Ibiza. Better looking than the Fabia (in my opinion) but under the skin it shares bits with the Fabia and Polo.

Also VAT free at the moment

Three Door Starts at £8145

http://www.seat.co.uk/generator/su/com/specialoffers/site/NewCars/newIbizaSC/noVAT/main.html

Five door starts at £9379

http://www.seat.co.uk/generator/su/com/specialoffers/site/NewCars/newIbiza5dr/noVAT/main.html

missmean

Thanks for all replies. Especially the skoda pictures!!! Have narrowed it down to the Fabia. However am still open to something else if the price is right and it has good reviews.

funkycoldribena

Ive got a 2005 Fabia and love it.Very smooth drive,gearbox is nice and I couldnt give a monkeys about the badge.
What about a new shape Ka? or is that a bit girlie?
New shape Agila?Hyundai i20?

funkycoldribena

hethmar wrote: »

Up to you though, Im sure that in time skodas will be the same as any other middle of the road brand.

I'd say they already are.

jd82

missmean wrote: »

Thanks for all replies. Especially the skoda pictures!!! Have narrowed it down to the Fabia. However am still open to something else if the price is right and it has good reviews.

Just be careful what engine you choose, the only reason I choose my the Panda instead is as it is lighter it is quite a bit quicker. I think the Skoda is 0-60 in about 16 seconds in the most basic engine form, which is fine for city driving but if you do a lot of motorway driving it might be a problem. Other than that it is a very good car.