SKODA FABIA 1.2 PETROL (GOOD PACKAGE BUT HIGH AMBIENT CABIN NOISE) UPDATE 13,000 KMS

I would take this opportunity to request the readers to go through the various comments of the forum, which shall be useful and wish to thank the readers and other people who have taken out time from their busy schedule to write their comments to help others take sensible decision. This review has received an overwhelming response (crossing 20,000 in less than a year). I shall update with other startling facts soon as its going to near 1 year. Please remember we have collectively presented our opinions but the ultimate decision should be YOURS to buy this car or

Dear Friends, I am a doctor by profession & need to travel approx. 50-60 kms in city. Earlier to this car I have used FIAT PADMINI & FIAT SIENA and no wonder I was having a hard time in finding a suitable replacement as safety was an issue paramount for me. Mileage could have taken a backseat but alas FABIA provided me both, a solid, tank like built with a reasonable mileage/ltr of petrol.I had zeroed to three cars; SWIFT ZXi, FABIA & FORD FUSION. Even though FUSION is good in many respect but in comparison, is really costly without enough safety features. Finally it was to be b/w FABIA & SWIFT. Both these cars are good in their own way. Rather owners of SWIFT are very satisfied and happy as it drives very well, is a bit cheaper and has MARUTI service back up. It should be your personal choice which is paramount. But the difference in the pricing (approx 64K) in NOIDA seems justified because of following reasons as FABIA;

1.Has REAR AC DUCTS and MUSIC SYSTEM with external input 2.Is approx a foot longer than SWIFT (3992 against 3695mm). It is taller too. 3. The REAR INTERIOR WIDTH is 20mm more than SWIFT (1310mm against 1290mm) Kindly do not be under the impression that SWIFT has wider seats. But of course SWIFT is wider from outside (1690mm against 1642mm of FABIA). I guess interior width would matter to the most. 4. 60:40 split of rear seats are really handy and you would find it useful on many occasions. SWIFT doesn’t have the same. 5.Has MOTORIZED rear view mirror which can be heated as well, absent in SWIFT 6.Has REACH & RAKE adjustable STEERING WHEEL, which is absent in SWIFT. 7. DICKY space is much larger in comparison to SWIFT ant it comes with two tier adjustable parcel shelf 8. Is heavier and solidly built and comes with a FLOATING IMMOBILZER as against STATIC IMMOBILIZER of SWIFT. 9.FABIAs back seat has significantly more leg & head room.

Though I am not happy with the noisy engine (considering it to be a petrol engine), the jerky ride when you shift the lower gears or while there is a change of speed as well as other noises in  the cabin

A word of CAUTION: Kindly get to know the important switches like indicators as it is on the left side of steering wheel, lights switches as it is placed somewhere else, REVERSE GEAR is forwardly placed. If you are not convinced about taking it alone, request the outlet people & hopefully they will get it delivered at your address.In all I am satisfied with my choice and I hope my satisfaction remains the same way. Kindly dont take me wrong when I say FABIA AMBIENTE can even be compared to the top model of HONDA CITY in terms of features. Check & compare the specifications of both to believe it.

While making a decision b/w petrol & diesel variants of FABIA kindly do some calculations and then take a decision as u would be paying considerable extra money which can be saved. Though current diesel engines are really topclass but the age-old fact remains that aftre 2-3 years they require more maintenance.

The petrol mileage of FABIA is pretty decent as after driving 4000kms now in Delhi & Noida, I am continuosly getting 12-12.5km/ltr of 91 OCTANE petrol with 100% AC on & my driving includes approx.20kms in 4-5th gear, 20kms in 3-4th gear and 10kms in 1-2-3rd gear. I remain hopeful that after 1st service I should get atleast 1km/ltr increase in fuel effeciency so that will take the mileage to 13-13.5km/ltr and also to get rid of the annoying WHINNING SOUND inside the cabin.

Sober & elegant style, good utility features, solid built-feels like a tank, tons of equipmentsNoisy CABIN, Slow pick up, jerky ride in low gears, costly spares & bothering after sales service