USED Skoda Fabia Estate (00 - 07)

My car

Ran a TD Elegance for 3 years and absolutely loved it - the space, practicality and grunt. I am now driving a fabia vrs, but miss the space of the combi.

My car

Most reviews of this car are for the bigger engines, but I wanted to add my thoughts on the 64bhp 1.2 We were looking for a small estate car, and this one fits the bill perfectly in every respect apart from the load area, which is anything but small. It is as useful a luggage carrier as our other car, a Peugeot 406 Estate.

Performance is surprisingly good, and it handles the Scottish roads and traffic with ease. Running costs are very low as well.

If you are looking for a small estate, don't have any qualms about the small basic Skoda - it's brilliant

My car

How many other cars can you name that are under £13,000 new, have a boot size of over 400 litres (seats unfolded), and do 0-60mph in under 12 secs (official) and have good mid-range acceleration?

Now, how many can you name that have reverse parking sensors, cruise control, air-conditioning, a CD player, heated seats, electric front windows, electric mirrors, leather wheel, stability/traction control and alloys as standard, and which have fuel economy of over 55mpg (offical comb.), have good residual values, drive well and are reliable?

Probably none.

The official fuel economy fiugure is 56.5mpg, though while the engine is loosening up (it's new) I am averaging around 47.5 mpg. Official 0-60 time is 11.5 secs, but it feels much quicker. Build quality is excellent. Interior space is good, too. It's an excellent motorway cruiser, and has low company car tax (18%).

The negatives (which are all minor) include: windows in the back that are not electric; people pull out in front of me assuming I will be driving slowly; small fuel tank (45 litres); engine noisy at idle; slightly firm ride (due in part to my upgrade to 16-inch alloys). Oh, and of course, image - if that concerns you.

In summary, I am very pleased with my choice of car. For me, it's a more practical choice than the fad supermini-MPVs.

My car

I have traded my Skoda Fabia vRS for a Fabia Estate Elegance TDI. I am very much impressed with the fuel economy and the boot space that it has.

The engine is smaller than the VRS but it does shift and has power. Another great car from Skoda. Keep up the build quality.