You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
My lad is looking for his first car. The 'baby bond' is about to mature and it will get him a decent second hand car.
Current favourites are a Polo 1.2 TSI SE or a Fabia 1.2 TSI Monte Carlo.
Insurance has been checked (he's nearly 19) and it isn't bad (£1600 ish without black box).
Any issues to look for - both cars just under 4 years old, but 60k on clock. What's the service interval like for the cam belt (I believe it say's lifetime but hmm) - I've always had cars with chains, which are fit and forget, so long as regular oil changes.
Polo is 98 bhp, Fabia 108 bhp. Insurance is £100 cheaper on the Fabia.
The cam chain is a common fault on this engine. See this thread: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/344005-12tsi-cam-chain-problem/ See if it's been changed and, if not, be very wary of any rattling noise coming from the engine.
Also, on the Skoda, the wiring loom is susceptible to damage, particularly at the doors where the movement can cause the wires to break so make sure everything electrical is working.
Actually, is this the MK2 or the MK3? MK3 has a belt and MK2 has a chain.
MK3 latest Fabia 65 plate, Polo 15 plate. Both engines look identical.
The Polo is a bit more 'up market' inside, although all the electronics/screen etc are the same - plastics a bit softer. The Fabia looks much better though. Both cars in excellent condition, alloys very good. Both are same miles, same price, garage about a mile apart.
Polo is white, and you'd walk past it, the fabia, being red/black and has a spoiler/black alloys looks very smart and the inside is quite bright.
It's a tricky one TBH. Polo has MOT report of scored discs and low pads, so would be a negotiating point. Fabia had some wear to front suspension bushes, but that's been fixed.
Holly molly, just heard the chain rattle on a couple of videos. Never ever had that on any Nissan's I've had - had a K11 Micra for a while, then a P12 Primera last 17 years and not a sound. Missus has a Squashi now, and she had a Mk1 Yaris before that that is a chain and was as quiet as a mouse until we sold it after 17 years !!!
We are just about to change our Seat Ibiza with that engine with 115PS. It’s been a good economical engine with good pull through the rev range. No issues over the last four years either (Touch Wood!).
The TSI unit on both those cars is belt driven. Therefore, doesn’t have the same issues as the previous generation of engines that suffered from chain stretch etc.
At That age they will have cam belts rather than chains. The service interval is 5 years or 120000 miles whichever is soonest according to my partners 2015 1.2 Tsi 115 ps service handbook.
Fantastic little engines, smooth, torquey and economical. Do all their best work below 4000rpm.
Advice?
Get all weather tyres for the extra grip pulling out of wet junctions....
We had a 1.2 tsi Ibiza with the turbo engine. Was great although the wastegate solenoid valve stuck and that was meant to be quite common. Was replaced under warranty at the time though.
Well, Mrs F went to see both cars yesterday, and put the deposit down on the Fabia.
It was much better looked after overall, and drove really well - my son said it felt the same as the Audi A1 he learn't in.
Engine is sweet, and it's pretty nippy being 108 bhp. Insurance isn't silly. Should pick it up next week when his 'baby bond' money comes through.
Our Seat Leon had its first non-service related item this week at 7 years old. Slight leak on the water pump, can't complain about that. Belting little engine, always though it would be a brilliant power unit in a sensible Caterham 7
just heard the chain rattle on a couple of videos. Never ever had that on any Nissan’s I’ve had
Probably because they learnt from their screw ups with the SR20DET - NVCS on late 90's /early 00 engines was a PITA - anything from a light diesel noise on pull away to a 'OHMYGODTHEBOTTOMENDSABOUTTOFALLOUT'.
Dont think too "small" of course you dont want them to have a large car but I found focusing on the very small sector of the market didnt always provide the lowest costs. Also why no Black Box? this provided lots of savings my son in his first year
Black box saves about £400, but he is keen on motorsport (camping at racetracks) and has friends in Wales and the restrictions on length of time driving will mean it takes forever to get anywhere.
He will also be using it for commuting so it's likely the hour limit will be exceeded.
The Fabia has actually worked out cheaper than a Piccanto on insurance. At least it's big enough for a weekends camping.
What time limit? My lads just had had speed and cornering sensors.
Yeah, no such restrictions with Coop insurance for my daughter in year one, those conditions vary hugely from company to company. Even driving late at night didn't negatively affect the 'score' I'd shop around again now you know what the car is.
Might have to check what the boxes restrict. I assume some are more sophisticated..