USED Skoda Fabia Hatchback (00 - 07)

My car

Mid-range acceleration is astonishing. Very quiet when cruising on the motorway.

Ride quality is OK with some road noise because of stiff suspension and low-profile tyres. Good road holding (provided you are not a boy racer).

Economy is excellent, 50mpg combined cycle no problem.

The cabin is quite big for a supermini. Dashboard is a bit bland – lots of black plastic. Seats are too light – get dirty too easy.

Equipment is good with traction control, ABS, air-con, front electric windows, central locking and a CD player. Good price as well. I got mine new for £11,200.

Overall a surprising package and a great wee motor.

My car

Whist Skoda virtues of good fit and finish, exemplary reliability (nothing has gone wrong in the first 12,000 miles) and a rather understated appearance are now all taken for granted what makes the Fabia vRS so special is its enormous torque and a 6-speed gearbox that provides both economical high-speed cruising with a “gear-for-every-situation” on give-and-take roads.

Although some reviewers consider it a sin to save money when motoring, the vRS really does disprove the old adage about not having your cake and being able to eat it. Stuck in town for hours on end, an easy 45 mpg is available; reach country roads and the sporting performance can be enjoyed without a consumption penalty; potter around and almost 60mpg is within reach.

Handling on the very limit might not feel as secure as it should but in day-to-day driving this is just not noticeable. The downside? Make regular use of the acceleration and front tyre wear is heavy – a limit of 15,000 miles can be expected. And a more important gripe: whilst it’s clear that the dash, with a storage spaces and plain-Jane appearance, must have been commissioned to distance it from expensive VW versions there can be no reason for Skoda servicing costs to exceed those of VW.

The VW group should take care: no one likes being taken for a ride and if servicing costs are viewed as excessive, owners will be very quickly dissatisfied. I’m already undecided about ordering a new Octavia – why should it cost more to service than a

My car

I have been running this car just two weeks, and already I love it. The joke now is definitely on the 'Skoda Jokers'. Beautiful gearbox. Quietly lusty engine delivers smooth torque which is always controllable.

The build quality is first-class and, let's face it, this is a very good-looking car. My boss, getting out of her Mercedes coupe, asked in amazement what it was!

The joke is over and the fun starts here.

My car

I brought this car two and a half years ago and have not looked back. I managed to get a 100bhp car with a 1.4 engine - need I say more?

When you work the engine it flies. Keep the revs above 4000rpm and hold on tight. It's very funny overtaking people who get very annoyed when they they seen that a SKODA has passed them! When people try to joke about my car, it is I who has the last laugh.

My only quibble is I find it hard how a car can go for 40,000 miles before replacing spark plugs. I have just completed 30,000 miles. It was enlightening when you lift the bonnet and are confrnted with VW and Audi stamped parts. Also, much of the swich gear and other parts are shared with Audi cars - much to the annoyance of my friend who owns an Audi A4.