[2cents]

Originally Posted by gupta_chd

I didn't get your viewpoint. Is it wrong to advertise the product?

Nops! It's the frequency which baffles me. If you recall, the last time we saw an ad for Fabia was perhaps more than a year back, when the old Fabia was still new. Truth is the new updates do not add much value to the earlier version, if you look at the prices. It baffles me how they expect the numbers to increase enough to justify this ad spend.

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Yes, the road tax of 1%+processing fees = Rs.7,223 is included.

1% road tax. Rest of the country must learn from Gurgaon

[adimicra]

For people interested in numbers, here are the numbers from autocar -

Acceleration (in sec)
0-60= 5.05
0-100 = 12.15
0-120 = 17.08
0-140 = 25.89
0-160 = 39.42

The acceleration numbers seem fine,particularly considering other hatchbacks - Ex, Swift does a 0 to 100 in 13 secs, so this is marginally quicker. But it is nowhere near the performance of other 1.5L or 1.6L motors (ANHC/Fiesta etc)


Acceleration in Gear
20-80kph in 3rd gear 13.85sec
40-100kph in 4th gear 23.05sec

The in-gear acceleration numbers are pretty bad IMO (comparable to the 1.2L hatchbacks) and indicates of a poor low-rpm grunt.

[Murugan]

Originally Posted by adimicra

For people interested in numbers, here are the numbers from autocar -

Acceleration (in sec)
0-60= 5.05
0-100 = 12.15
0-120 = 17.08
0-140 = 25.89
0-160 = 39.42

The acceleration numbers seem fine,particularly considering other hatchbacks - Ex, Swift does a 0 to 100 in 13 secs, so this is marginally quicker.

According to Autocar India, December issue, the New (2010) Hyundai i10 1.2 is faster in the 0-100 run than the New (2010) Skoda Fabia 1.6! Only the Palio 1.6 is supposed to be faster in the hatch segment according to them.

[shivir]

I have been driving this baby around for the last 24 odd days and have clocked close to 800 on the odo so far and I have a few thoughts to share:

1) Refined Power Delivery! The speedo on this beauty doesnt lurch up so it might fool you into believing its not fast or takes it time to get there. Keep an eye on the speedo, you feel like youre at 80 but the car is clocking over 120!

2) Bend Me To Your Will! Throwing this car around bends at high speeds is reassuring. Limited body roll, very predictable oversteer and just generally an obedient girl!

3) Bad Medicine! The music system in this car is not fit for human usage. But for a commute to work and back it just about pulls through, because the system is absolutely top quality but the speakers are hard on the ears! Ouch!

4) Fuel economy is absolutely top notch. Im getting about 14 and we still haven't hit the 1.5K mark on the odo. My swift struggled to give me 12/ 13.

5) Space Jam! I think the spaciousness is over rated (maybe coz Im 6'3"). While definitely better than the swift, it DOES not feel like a sedan.

6) Shifted! WoooW! This gear shift feels perfect, enough said.

And there is so much more to share about this new Value For Money Skoda, which I will soon after I clock 1.5K

Drive Safe

[adimicra]

Originally Posted by Murugan

According to Autocar India, December issue, the New (2010) Hyundai i10 1.2 is faster in the 0-100 run than the New (2010) Skoda Fabia 1.6! Only the Palio 1.6 is supposed to be faster in the hatch segment according to them.

The I10 has a huge advantage in terms of being almost 200 kgs lighter. Also the new VTVT motor has a better power delivery and more rev-happy. The earlier I10 had a 0-100 time of 13 secs odd. May be the new one is a second quicker Highly possible.

The Fabia scores in build quality, ride and handling and excellent quality of the interiors and is definitely one of the best premium hatchbacks particularly with this 1.6 motor. My only grouse is that Skoda has skimped essential features like the rear defogger/wiper and the electric mirrors to cut costs. Otherwise, this would have been a near-perfect hatch!

[theoriginal9321]

Is GC still a problem with new models?

[vivriti]

Going by the comments on this thread, I'm tempted to call the Fabia as a sedan with a shortened boot.

[pajero4me]

Originally Posted by vivriti

Going by the comments on this thread, I'm tempted to call the Fabia as a sedan with a shortened boot.

I'm in absolute agrement.315 ltrs of boot space is no doubt the best among hatches and just short of being a sedan.

[mempheS.D]

Hi shivir. Any glitches that you may have encountered so far on your new baby? Cross fingers and hope not. I plan to book my fab in a week's time from now and am really concerned after all that opinion of After-Sales-Service. And, I think I read somewhere on this forum that spares are only aabout 10% more expensive than the Swift's...

Opinion please.

Originally Posted by Fabiaous

Except for the clutch assembly all spares are cheaper than they were 12 months back. 5 -10 % more than swift spares.
Source July issue of Autocar

Can I really trust this? I really hope I can. I'm trying to make a list of good points to convince myself to getting the Fab 1.6.

Memphes

[iSpoke]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

I plan to book my fab in a week's time from now and am really concerned after all that opinion of After-Sales-Service.

I'm trying to make a list of good points to convince myself to getting the Fab 1.6.

Memphes

Memphes, is there any particular reasons you don't want to go for 1.2 MPI? I heard that the 1.2 liter 3-pot motor makes a lot of noise and vibration compared to 1.6, but during the test drive I didn't feel it a deal breaker. I mean even Polo has it too, and once you inside the cabin with doors closed its quite tolerable.

Please share if you see any other issue with 1.2 providing support in convincing yourself for 1.6!

[mempheS.D]

There is ONE BIG reason. (This car although will be driven by me 90% of the time and the remaining 10% to my nagging brother in case he gets outta control. hahah.. I hope he's not reading this.) We are one heavy family of 5 members weighing altogether about 400kgs. The main purpose behind getting this car is to help transport all 5 at the same time mostly short distances of 10-25kms max. However, there maybe one or two 500km trips too in a year. I felt that the 4 quintal atop a 1.2mpi might stress out the fabia a little too hard!

I know, considering this requirement of mine, a heavier sedan like a fiesta or so would do the job better, but unfortunately I do not have the budget to stretch that far, and have to settle for a premium hatch as the fab 1.6.

This brings me to another question. Considering the low ground clearance of 158mm, does the fabia have an issue of frequent scrapings ? I just won't be able to bear it if I had to do that to my baby just like I did a couple of times to a friend's Baleno.

Originally Posted by iSpoke

Memphes, is there any particular reasons you don't want to go for 1.2 MPI? I heard that the 1.2 liter 3-pot motor makes a lot of noise and vibration compared to 1.6, but during the test drive I didn't feel it a deal breaker. I mean even Polo has it too, and once you inside the cabin with doors closed its quite tolerable.

Please share if you see any other issue with 1.2 providing support in convincing yourself for 1.6!

[shivir]

No issues at all guys... 4000 Kms and its still as much as it was when it was new! I have learned more about the car over the last couple of months and there is nothing negative to report. Will update the ownership thread once I hit the 5K mark.

[mempheS.D]

@shivir: That's good news indeed and am I glad to hear that ! Have you tried loading the car with 4 fully grown adults (ie, co-pilot , and the 3 seats in the rear)? After comparing with the size of the etios, led me to think whether the fabia can really load to the limit and still continue to looks smart n fab without looking sluggish and suspensions squeezed? In short, since the car looks mini from the exterior, although spacious on the insides, can it still take a hump carefully without scraping the bottom ? Have you tried that yet ? Please let me know.

Thanks.
Memphes

Originally Posted by shivir

No issues at all guys... 4000 Kms and its still as much as it was when it was new! I have learned more about the car over the last couple of months and there is nothing negative to report. Will update the ownership thread once I hit the 5K mark.

[shivir]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

@shivir: That's good news indeed and am I glad to hear that ! Have you tried loading the car with 4 fully grown adults (ie, co-pilot , and the 3 seats in the rear)? After comparing with the size of the etios, led me to think whether the fabia can really load to the limit and still continue to looks smart n fab without looking sluggish and suspensions squeezed? In short, since the car looks mini from the exterior, although spacious on the insides, can it still take a hump carefully without scraping the bottom ? Have you tried that yet ? Please let me know.

Thanks.
Memphes

Got three adults a dog and some baggage in and didnt think it was either sluggish or scrapy! and the bags were pretty easy to fit into the boot.

Also, I love the amount of research we put into buying cars! For me it was as simple as a Test Drive and I was done!

[rajcs]

@mempheS.D: Having driven my Feb 11 Fab 1.6 for over 4400 km, I can share a few points for your consideration.
Firstly regarding ***, I had a guarantee claim after 1500 km since I felt there was slight occasional noise when the body rolled to left (such as cornering or riding on uneven road). I found the service provided by Fahrenheit Auto at New Delhi, extremely helpful. After a thorough examination they decided it could be a problem with a link on front axle. Although nothing was visually wrong with the part, they replaced it and the noise never appeared again in last 3000 km.
A few days later I was involved in a minor accident mostly due to my own careless driving - I was the last in a three car pile up and rammed into an Omni Cargo. Although I didn't feel any impact inside the car and drove off without getting involved in the altercation that followed between other drivers, on reaching home, I realised there were minor damage to the bonnet, front bumper, side panels and some of the plastic parts holding the front grill / headlamps. Being a new car with very liitle depreciation, I decided to claim insurance from Baja Allianz and took the vehicle back to Fahrenheit, The entire process of survey, approval and replacement of parts was done in a matter of five days, which I thought was very good. Quality of workmanship was excellent and vehicle was delivered as good as new. A number of parts were replaced mostly through insurance, and the following list can give you an idea on cost of parts:-
Bonnet: Rs 10746
Headlamp assembly : Rs 5819
Front Bumper cover : Rs 1879
Cover strip (the chorme strip around grill with Skoda logo) : Rs 1567
Labour (replacement of parts and denting on both side panels) : Rs 9000
Total bill was around Rs 40000 and I had to pay about Rs 10000 since rubber/ plastic parts / headlights were covered only for 50% in my policy. I was told that Baja Allianz offers a Zero Depreciation package for cars upto 3 yrs old, which would cover all parts at a marginally higher premium. It will be wise for you to choose such a pakage for a new car. All said and done, I was impressed by the service offered by Fahrenheit Delhi on both occasions.
Secondly regarding performance: I bought this car since I liked the peppy drive in TD and thought the vehicle will be great on highways, which it is. But recently I drove to Manali snowpoint and Dharamshala and I tell you this car is a dream on winding hill roads. Slick gear shift, excellent directional stability and ability to take rough terrain without a rattle - I didn't want to bring her down to the plains any more. I didn't feel the bottom scrape anywhere inspite of some very poor roads from Manali to Solang. Any way the bottom is all covered with metal cladding as part of India Package.
FE is also quite good : I have been getting around 13 kmpl in city with AC on all the time.
What I don't like in the car:
Lack of rear wiper and defogger even as an option
DRL can't be turned off: Many people wave at you to tell you that the lights are on.
Only one reversing light. I wish they had given two reversing lights instead of the DRLs.
Indicator stack on left hand side.
Owners manual is not for the Indian version.
Horn is hard to press.
No cooling in glovebox. Rear ac vents are near passengers feet.
No split folding of rear seat.
No remote opening of petrol lid.
I hope above info will help you in your choice..