Very unenthusiastic Fabia Monte Carlo review

[woofy]

I thought the lhd rs fabia they had at the show had a better steering wheel than the octys and superbs have but it might have been an optional one we don't see here. I can't remember if it was in the monte Carlo.

[Jake02]

You lot should get the November 2011 issue of Wheels magazine. They did a supermini supertest and the placing is as follows:
10 - (New) Holden Barina ($15,990)
9 - Nissan Micra Ti ($16,990)
8 - Hyundai Accent Elite ($18,490)
7 - Mazda2 Neo ($16,500)
6 - Honda Jazz VTi ($17,790)
5 - (New) Kia Rio Si ($18,990)
4 - Suzuki Swift GL ($16,690)
3 - Ford Fiesta LX ($18,990)
2 - Skoda Fabia 77TSI ($18,990)
1 - VW Polo 77TSI ($19,850)

As someone who'll be looking at this class of car in the next six months, it's no shock to see the Polo at the top. But what did surprise me is seeing the Fabia come second (and the Fiesta third), especially as it's copped so much flack on here. I'm not presenting a pro or against argument here, I'm just presenting the facts. Another interesting thing to see was that they commented on just how close it was between the Fabia and Polo and that the Fabia is much more than just a Polo in different clothing, it's its own car and actually has character - "So it's nicer steering and ride, versus sharper dynamics and a more premium interior. It's that close" is what they said.

It's also great to see that the brand new Barina comes dead last (even worse than the Micra)!

[woofy]

Interesting to see how Hyundai are slyly creeping up in price these days. We are getting reamed by them compared to other countries. I'm still thinking about getting a Santa Fe, but the cost of them here is getting to me.

[brad]

Jake
Fiesta (current & previous models) is a very good drive if you like cars/driving.

Woofy: Check out the price of the Hyundai S40 wagon. Unbelievably high. It's cheaper to buy a brand new Citroen C5 estate.

[Transporter]

I'm still thinking about getting a Santa Fe, but the cost of them here is getting to me.

Also the cost of the spare parts is high, even if compared to Euro cars. That's of course would come in play after 5 years warranty. I looked at ix35 and was put off for life after the roadtest.

[Jake02]

Jake
Fiesta (current & previous models) is a very good drive if you like cars/driving.

I agree, Fiestas are fantastic little cars, particularly the last-gen ST (called XR4 here but meh). Believe me Brad, they are high on my list!

[pologti18t]

One thing I would like to see VW pick up from Skoda is their colour range. The colours (mix and match wheels and roof) is much more appealing than the Polo range.

The RS we get will have the blacked out headlights and grill. Should look a bit different to the normal hot hatch range if you specify a red one with black roof and wheels.

[Buller_Scott]

One thing I would like to see VW pick up from Skoda is their colour range. The colours (mix and match wheels and roof) is much more appealing than the Polo range.

+1. call me a simpleton, but i really cannot reconcile how you have to WAIT for your car to be built, and yet you can only choose from black, white, or grey. (oh, some models have red, too. wow!).

it's like saying "okay, we'll make your kebab to order. we've got lamb or beef" - "but you've also got chicken over there, and you're making mine to order, right?" - "nah, that's for other customers. you can only choose lamb or beef".

i too saw the fabia at the motor show and yes, skoda does have a propensity to put out designs that are either love-me-or-hate-me, but if australians would embrace the supermini hatch market, then they might find these cars to be quite worthy contenders, prices notwithstanding.

personally, i really like the look of the fabia and all things being equal, if it were between the polo or the fabia, i'd be hard pressed not to go the fabia.

the red one that pologti18t posted looks frckin rad, i reckon.

p.s. lol@ the review. it's a new frigging car, yet the lackadaisical review. i've seen more detailed reviews on VE series II commodores, as if they're wholly different from the series I. bah, support local industry i guess, even if it means the only way you can gain a few extra kilowatts is to bore the engine out another 2 liters........

[K1W1]

Next time I'm near a Skoda dealer I'll make a point of going and having a look at one in the flesh then.

I was near a dealer today so I called in and saw both the Fabia and Yeti for the first time live.

The Fabia while I will admit is better in the flesh than photos does absolutely nothing for me. I can't imagine anybody getting weak knees over one especially with the disadvantages it has in price and wait times and safety. Maybe I'm wrong and in the minority only time will tell and I'll be very glad to admit that I was wrong if in 12 months these things are flying out the door.

The Yeti on the other hand imo looks way, way better in the flesh it's still far from the best looking vehicle on the road but with the right colour choices should be a good alternative to the competition.. A 103 diesel 4x4 manual will definitely be on my list to look at next time around.

[Transporter]

I was near a dealer today so I called in and saw both the Fabia and Yeti for the first time live.

The Fabia while I will admit is better in the flesh than photos does absolutely nothing for me.

That's OK mate, that's why the cars come in many shapes and sizes.