Fabia prices now up...

[VAG newbie]

Not sure where you're are coming from... how is the Golf a competitor to the Fabia?
What about your whinging about the stereo, equipment level etc in the fabia? As far as I can tell the Golf 1.2 has the same radio as the Fabia, no cruise control, no blueethooth, not leather trim on steering wheel etc....

Yes, Golf is not a competitor to Fabia, it's one class higher. Sorry I should make myself a little clearer as I've been posting between two threads, so bit confusing.

VW is doing free ORC on all Golfs (except GTi35, GTD and R). So Golf 77TSI (same engine as Fabia) with DSG at $24490 driveaway. A Fabia with DSG will easily be >$25000 driveaway. This makes Golf cheaper! Also the stereo in the Golf is RCD310, which is better than Fabia. It also comes with 7 SRS instead of 6. 5 star EuroNCAP safety as oppose to 4 star in Fabia. Bluetooth and leather steering? I think most people would be happy to live without it and inexchange, an extra SRS and extra star on the NCAP. Where I'm coming from? I think many buyer will come from the same place that I'm at now.

My whinging about the equipment was compared to Polo, the same class car. I wasn't comparing with Golf because I thought it was too dear and not worth comparing. Clearly that's not the case now.

BTW, spoke to my dealer, they have pricing for DSG. $21490 + ORC. I tried to get them waive the ORC and if Fabia will be $21490 driveaway, then it's much better deal. (except the dealer can't promise me anything, he needs to speak to the general manager, who also deals with VW)

[VAG newbie]

Full specs here Skoda Fabia on sale in Australia | Car Advice | Reviews

Skoda Fabia manufacturer’s list prices (excluding government and dealer charges):

• 77TSI – $18,990
• Monte Carlo – $21,990

Major options:

• Metallic/pearl effect paint – $490
• Rear parking sensors – $390
• Climate control – $390
• Electric glass sunroof – $990
• White/silver roof (77TSI only) – $390
• Partial leather seats (77TSI only) – $1190
• 15-inch alloy wheels (77TSI only) – $990

At least the options are very well priced. But why don't they simply include some of these cheap option standard (like climate control AC and parking sensors) this makes the price more justified, yet the cost price for Skoda is less than $1000! I suspect in a year or 2, they'll be standard.

15' Alloy wheel for $990? Cheaper to buy Polo if you want alloy wheel. I guess the only justification is Fabia is from Europe and Polo from SA.

[pologti18t]

Also the stereo in the Golf is RCD310, which is better than Fabia. It also comes with 7 SRS instead of 6. 5 star EuroNCAP safety as oppose to 4 star in Fabia. Bluetooth and leather steering? I think most people would be happy to live without it and inexchange, an extra SRS and extra star on the NCAP. Where I'm coming from? I think many buyer will come from the same place that I'm at now.

I think you will find the stereo in the Fabia quite satisfactory. It also has an AUXIN and 8 speakers just like the golf. No option of climate control, sunroof, etc on the Golf. Even the wheels are the same steelies as the Fabia

You make the mistake of comparing a SALE price with full RRP. Who pays full RRP? You should expect 5-10% off.

I better you would be able to walk into a Skoda dealer on Saturday and walk out with a Fabia for around 20K. Maybe even throw in the alloy wheels

[VAG newbie]

I think you will find the stereo in the Fabia quite satisfactory. It also has an AUXIN and 8 speakers just like the golf. No option of climate control, sunroof, etc on the Golf. Even the wheels are the same steelies as the Fabia

You make the mistake of comparing a SALE price with full RRP. Who pays full RRP? You should expect 5-10% off.

I better you would be able to walk into a Skoda dealer on Saturday and walk out with a Fabia for around 20K. Maybe even throw in the alloy wheels

That would be great! If I can get it for around 20K (with DSG), that's $5000 off, ie, 25% off not 5-10%, which for a small car that has just been introduced to the market, which most dealer don't have them in stock, I'm not sure if the dealer can do it! Golf with free ORC is 20% off making it very attractive. Even the Golf is cheaper than Polo at the moment.

But as you said, you get to have more options with Fabia, and the Monte Carlo is certainly good value.

As I'm entitled to corporate + discount, and I bought a Superb from the dealer already, sounds like they will try to do it (but has to be approved by general manager). At least they didn't kick me out of the door immediately saying what a ridiculous offer I made.....If I can achieve it, I'll keep you guys posted, and I'll agree with you that RRP means nothing!

They do, however, have a few MY12 Octys 90TSI with DSG, all with metallic paint for $26895 driveaway. I'll show my parents those as well and see if the dealer can slash $1-2000 more, or maybe throw in free tints, car mats and free service voucher.

[pologti18t]

They do, however, have a few MY12 Octys 90TSI with DSG, all with metallic paint for $26895 driveaway. I'll show my parents those as well and see if the dealer can slash $1-2000 more, or maybe throw in free tints, car mats and free service voucher.

That's a good price for a 90TSI... will they take the 2.8% finance? Keep their money in the bank earning 5.5-6%

[VAG newbie]

That's a good price for a 90TSI... will they take the 2.8% finance? Keep their money in the bank earning 5.5-6%

The sales person couldn't answer that question. The finance manager will contact me. However, according to my car broker, she says it only applies to RRP. Her theory is that the reserve bank's official rate is 4.75% (ie. The lowest rate any one can get) why would they lose money by leading it at 2.8%?

But if they'll take it, my parents will come back to Skoda!

[bluefrog]

The price is way too expensive. If Skoda is serious about increasing it's sales in this segment, it better offer huge discounts or special promotional pricing. Compare to some of it's major Japanese competitors:

1. Honda Jazz GLi Man $16990 drive away. Auto $18990 drive away!
2. Honda Jazz VTi Man $20220 drive away. Auto $22280 drive away! (The VTi is much better equipt than Fabia)
3. Mazda 2 Maxx Man $19250 drive away. Auto $20900 drive away. (I didn't bother to compare with baseline Neo as it only has 2 front airbags).
4. Mazda 3 Neo Man $21490 drive away. Auto $23490 drive away. (Even one class higher, the king of the small car, is cheaper than Fabia!!)

I know some people may argue that Fabia should not be compared to Honda Jazz or Mazda 2. But with the majority of buyers out there who needs a small car that will get them from A to B, why would they pay a premium for Skoda?

looks like they listened for a change ; )

[VAG newbie]

looks like they listened for a change ; )

Eh!? What have they listened? They just offered a "competitive" finance rate, which might still have a lot of catches. My broker adviced me to make sure this is the CONTRACTED rate, not the BASE/COMPARISON rate, as the latter one may have lots of hidden fees, taxes.....etc. So a 6% rate may end up 8-9% when all costs add up. Also you might have to pay full RRP to get the discounted rate (yet to carify)

However, I just learned that they have reduced the price on the Yeti 77TSI by $2400 before launch, so they are listening, except it looks like Skoda is depending on Yeti to increase its sale, so it won't pay much attention to how Fabia performs. Sad....

[buzuki]

Just got 2 new fabia in the dealership today, 1 standard and 1 monte carlo. In looks department, the basic is no comparison to the monte carlo.

The 77tsi is quite a good little engine, i got in not expecting much but to my surprise its gets along ok. Unfotunately DSg is not available atm and i think that will also hurt sales.

They do seem a little pricey but will see how they go.

But I do quite like them.

[K1W1]

My broker adviced me to make sure this is the CONTRACTED rate, not the BASE/COMPARISON rate, as the latter one may have lots of hidden fees, taxes.....etc. So a 6% rate may end up 8-9% when all costs add up. Also you might have to pay full RRP to get the discounted rate (yet to carify)

Rather than constantly telling us that your broker knows nothing why don't you get on the phone to Skoda and ask them to email you the full T's & C's. The information on the front page of the Skoda Australia web site gives more than your broker apparently knows and yet you seem to think they are the only source of knowledge.
And by the rate the special rate is 2.8% not 6% so saying that you may end up paying 8% is just a red herring.