Scala, Fabia Estate or....?

...just keep the Leon?

Have a Scala, like it. Suspect Fabia will be very similar. Insurance will be awful for either, obvs.

…just keep the Leon?

It's a 150bhp FR.

Too expensive to insure. Like huge. Like if we add the two older boys it is £2.4k - but add youngest = £3.9k (and first insurer I recognise and without black box =£13k).

😮 Ah that makes sense then. I'd assume insurance doesn't get much lower than a 1.0 Fabia estate!

We've had two normal Fabias, and they are deceptively spacious - could take a medium road bike with wheels on. The estate obviously gives more boot space

Not been in a Scala, but I'm not sure how much it gets you over a Fabia.

We've also had 2 Octavia estates - what would the insurance be like for one of them?

Indeed, they're group 8-11 and the Ibiza is 8 so we know ish what to expect cost wise.

We’ve also had 2 Octavia estates – what would the insurance be like for one of them?

Leon or Octy is higher insurance group, less mpg, more expensive tyres etc for same engine. With having a huge van, we can get away with smaller car.

Neither, both look a bit depressing.

Surely it would cost more to change than to just stump up the extra insurance cost for a couple of years?

Can the under 22s not pay their own way for use of the vehicle presumably they have jobs if they are driving?

The Honda is likely to be cheaper on insurance, based on quotes I had for Octavia, Fabia, Civic and Mazda3 a few weeks ago.

used daily for rural work driving in Highlands and occasional longer motorway journeys. Does need a reasonable boot

Berlingo XTR / Peugeot Partner outdoor?

I'd go for the Fabia estate then BUT think about which engine - we had the 1.2 Tsi(105) and it was zippy in a little car. Currently have the 1.0(85) from when Jnr was learning, and my god it's slow.

Currently have the 1.0(85) from when Jnr was learning, and my god it’s slow.

The old Ibiza is 1.4 16v 85bhp - and same again, it works, but it's slow and not ideal with more than two people in the car... Plus it's 130k miles in...

I replaced my Leon with a Scala. I can now leave the rear wheel on the bike when carrying it inside. I'd take both wheels off in the Leon. I could just get the frame in a Fabia.

The 115bhp 1 litre engine gives reasonable if not exciting performance and good fuel economy.

The 115bhp 1 litre engine gives reasonable if not exciting performance and good fuel economy.

Username checks out. 🙂

That's the model I have as well - pulls reasonably well in the 3rd/4th gear zone - nothing to excite the leather-glove wearers, but it's not that much worse than the 1.4tsi Octavia it replaced. Bit more body roll through the corners. Infotainment system annoying, but that seems to be the norm these days.

Having driven both, I would have the Fabia, although I think the Scala I drove  had ‘sports’ suspension which didn’t suit it at all.

Focus estate 1.0 litre 125bhp returning 45 mpg insurance ( for a retired couple) under £350 , happily cruise on the motorway at national speed limit 🤔oh and 2 hoofing great E Bikes will fit in the back with front wheels out and the entire contents of 2 people's winter riding wardrobe 🙄

We’ve got a 1 litre fabia estate. Plenty quick enough unless you’re a boy racer. Massive boot. Very happy. DO NOT get one with lane assist.

Skoda yeti? I’ve a 1.2 petrol, 13 years old, cheap to run and drama free.

Skoda roomster, swallows bikes, no boy racer would want to be seen dead in one.

Skoda rapid spaceback? You could save a decent amount against a scala.

DO NOT get one with lane assist.

I think I may have been responsible for a whole thread on this issue. You can get one WITHOUT lane assist?

Fabia! I had a normal hatch 1.0 tsi for a while. I waited and found a 6 speed with the slight higher hp engine. Was honestly brilliant. Drove midlands to Arbroath with 2+dog and 16ft canoe on the roof more than once without issue. The only thing I would have liked is a bigger fuel tank. A second set of steel wheels with winter tyres and it was unstoppable in the snow.

Only got rid of as we went to 2 cars. (VW van and electric Mini.)

If you are using it for daily rural work in the Highlands why restrict yourself to Ulez compliant? Where is the nearest Ulez zone either now or likely to be in the future? It doesn't sound like you really need it to be and the odd occasion you reach an Ulez zone it would not be that expensive to just pay the fee, given you could possibly get a more suitable car on all other criteria. Just a thought 

2015 Fabia estate SE 1.2 TSI (110ps) here from new, tbh it's been a brilliant car, properly nippy around our hilly country lanes, can fit an XL tallboy in with seats down and front wheel off with ease. 45mpg minimum, £20 tax. 

Ah ha! I was in a similar position last week, budgetary also, and I bought a Seat Arona. Literally yesterday. High spec, reliable and proven engine, 1.0 TSI 115. Ticks all your boxes, importantly with biggish boot, and has roof bars also.

I think I can reliably recommend.

If you are using it for daily rural work in the Highlands why restrict yourself to Ulez compliant? Where is the nearest Ulez zone either now or likely to be in the future?

One son in Glasgow and occasional work in Glasgow city centre. And Glasgow is a fine, not a fee.
One son, about to be two, living in Edinburgh.

fwiw I wouldn't be surprised if the newer Astra Estate has less boot capacity than my 16 year old one. It takes son's L/XL roadie with both wheels on and without having to move the front seat forward. It's a tardis due to being a very square shape. Currently done 121K and it's never let me down.

I should add to my post above: same reasons re Glasgow, and kids studying, etc.

Martinhutch - yes. We had one with it; awful. It got written off (not related to lane changing!). Replacement doesn’t have it thankfully.

Another vote for a Focus, have a Mk4 diesel that covers all those bases.

Skoda roomster

The best car we never bought - a better Fabia estate

We have a 14 plate 1l focus estate. All three(!) Cylinders get it about. It's not as bad/ slow as it sounds. It's never winning a drag race but gets there.

We're discussing swapping it out as a few garages have highlighted that this era of eco boost engine can develop serious problems around 85k (currently on 69k)

We've had it loaded with roof box and massive tent.

Matt, we use our Fabia estate in much the same way as you probably will, minus the youngsters. It's really useful in every way, it's a straightforward car with no bad habits. Unlike my biking buddy's repeated Astras.

Two bikes in the back with just the front wheels off. Longer roof line is useful for carrying a boat.

Safe, for it's size and a good performance in the snow as it has decent ground clearance.

1.2Tsi and I am assured by our garage that being Czech, it's a much better built engine than the Spanish assembled 1.0 or 1.4s.

Does need a reasonable boot, but usually only one or two people in it

Do they need seats, or are they in body-bags?

I'm firmly of the opinion that <150 bhp in an estate is under powered, especially when loaded or with stuff up top. That said we had a 110bhp diesel golf Estate for a few years and it was acceptable for most usage. You just need to think a bit more about motorway overtaking and it was noticeably sluggish when loaded. We never had roof racks on that though. Something around 150 bhp is a less stressful drive.

I’m firmly of the opinion that <150 bhp in an estate is under powered.
*snip*
Something around 150 bhp is a less stressful drive.

Not with young sons driving it is not!

Anyhoo, new to us Fabia estate in 110hp manual flava incoming to OAB_towers. Insurance is just £30 more than the Ibiza was, under £600 for the year for all of us which is a full on win. The difference in policy cost over the next three years would have paid for the new car - and we have a car which is newer and half the miles of the old car.

Anyhoo, new to us Fabia estate in 110hp manual flava incoming to OAB_towers.

Enjoy. The 110hp petrol is surprisingly nippy, only slightly less than my previous 1.4 Octavia, and cruises nicely on the motorway.

Once you've learned how to turn off 'lane assist' automatically, all will be well.

Once you’ve learned how to turn off ‘lane assist’ automatically, all will be well.

I've bought one without it. 😎

Good choice. I think it will have the 6 speed box as well which makes a difference on a long motorway run. Surprisingly big in the back as well.