THE FABIA CLUB

fanfabia

With exuberance in driving cars from past 33 years and having had an opportunity to own and drive Fiat 1100D, Premier Padmini, Ambassador Mark II,III&IV, Maruti 800, Maruti OMNI, Maruti Esteem, Maruti Zen, Tata Estate, Tata Sumo, Fiat Sieana and Toyota Innova, I am fairly experienced in identifying Horses from Donkeys.
A phrase of inspiration from my late father was “Kabul mein Gadhe bhee Milte hain aur Ghode bhee” verbatim translation is that in Kabul you get donkeys as well as Horses. The analogy exists with market place where all sorts of items are availbale, one has to be sharp enough not to get trapped.

Ever increasing traffic situation in Delhi, coupled with parking woes, forced me to think on buying a Hatchback with following guide lines in mind with budget not being a constraint.

1.Should have a Good World Class Brand image.
2.Excellent Fit and Finish.
3.Superb ride Quality.
4.Unsweating Airconditioning to tide over scortching heat of North India.
5.Uncompromised Safety and Security.
6.Frugal Fuel Consumption.
7.Prefrably Petrol but no objection on Modern Diesels.
8.Occasional Highway Driving.
9.Optimum Boot Space

In light of above, had a prudent Test Drive of the following available Hatchbacks. Deliberately did not select SKODA FABIA owing to prevailing negative publicity by media on the car Stalling on roads and Highways and relatively unimpressive looks.

1.Volkswagen POLO-: Chilled the excitement with its more than small interiors. A bulk of 110Kg with a height of 6ft like mine Struggled to get in behind the wheel. The passenger seat adult was literally rubbing shoulders. Rear seats appeared to be for children. Rejected outright.

2.Hyundai i20-: Despite a negative feedback from one of its existing owners for ride Quality, ventured a test drive on their CRDi variant. Car was extremely peppy but on high speeds appeared to loose stability. Fit and finish was average but worst part was negotiation of road bumps and pot holes. Rejected.

3.Ford Figo-: Ebony interiors were not for me. Reminded me of my teens and the movies of John Travaolta in his convertibles with similar shade of red, galavanting with nymphs all around. Dash board and Speed o Meter was less than average. Fit and finish could have been better. Rejected.

4.Chevy Beat-: Contemprary interiors, more than peppy drive, good ride Quality but extremely miser on rear leg space and overall shoulder space. Rejected.

5.Fiat Punto-: Car looks were great, interiors were average and a little cramped up. But driving the so called 1.3 Quadrajet was a fiasco. The lady did not budge. Sales person inspired me on their 1.4 FIRE, good pickup but turning radius reminded me of my Fiat Siena. The sales person was non comittal on the FE of 1.4 FIRE. Could be Considered.

6.Honda Jazz-: Looks were appealing, Fit Finish, just what I was looking for, Cabin Space appeared to be just made for me. Driving was a struggle between II and III gear but all other goodies overshadowed this minus. Selected and decided to finalize on their Select Variant with Alloy Wheels and rear fabble tray it after return from a conference in Macau.

During the conference casually mentioned to a peer business friend, intention on buying Honda Jazz after seeing one zoom past. A very serious advice retorted from him to try the SKODA FABIA 1.4TDI. In the recent past he had bought the 1.2HTP and was more than satisfied. I took it as a casual advice and got busy with my business program.

After returning from a hectic conference week in Macau, was yearning to drive the new Honda Jazz, but at the back of the mind advice from the friend to try SKODA FABIA was floating. Anyway decided to give a casual try and then proceed to Honda Showroom which was near SKODA outlet.

Fahrenheit Automobiles, Moti Nagar had a good display of various trims of SKODA Fabia ranging from Classic, to Ambientte, to Elegance. Mind you it was love at First Sight on seeing the Brilliant Silver Elegance having chic interiors, dual tone black and beige dash board, roomy interiors, solid built. A thorough test drive on Shivaji Marg, sealed the decision on SKODA FABIA 1.4 TDI Elegance.
This was followed by negotiations and was able to strike a good deal with almost immediate delivery on 23/05/2010.

Have had an opportunity to drive around 900Km in last 10 days of ownership. One Highway trip to Haridwar and back on the same day. Average has clocked around 17Kmpl. Best part of Highway driving is the turbo kicking in when tapped, especially overtaking on two lane roads, with swiftness to avoid oncoming traffic. Owing to run in restrictions did not cross 90Km/h but Fabia appeared to be more deparate than me to go on higher speeds.

Nitrogen blow in all tyres is just fantastic. Shall switch to this great thing on all other cars. Noisy TDI PD engine has been slightly subdued by negotiating an Engine Noise Cover from Fahrenheit. A suggestion to SKODA to give this accessory as standard equipment. Another analysis, Fabia 1.4TDI PD is more noisy especially during idling owing to 3-Cylinder POT and the high pressures of integrated injector+pump (pumpe-Duse) on each one of the cylinders. Greatest advantage, redundancy of fuel pumps, frugality in fuel consumption and above all longer band of torque 1800~2600rpm. Bargain for Noise …..............tolerable.

MORAL OF THE SAGA “PLEASE TD SKODA FABIA” WHENEVER YOU ARE PLANNING A METRO VEHICLE

Word from Admin team: Hi. Kindly space your text well and paragraph them, so it's more readable by all members. Cheers.
- Admin Team.
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

admin · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject:

Nice review sir. Keep it coming.

Fabia fulfills most of your requirements. Hope it keeps you similing all time.

Happy motoring.
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Robin

k_ajay · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:59 pm Post subject: Welcome to the Fabiosi Land

Hello FanFabia,

That's a nice reivew of your selection process, sir, and thanks for sharing it with us.

You also seem to have a rich history with Cars; it's lovely to read. Here's hoping that the Fabia remains a wonderful car throughout your ownership and miles of joy & togetherness.

Cheers
Ajay K
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Peace precedes Prosperity..

rm · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject:

Congratulations Fanfabia on acquiring the little darling. Welcome to our small but happily increasing family.

With your extensive ownership experience i am sure you would have considered all the pro's and con's (listed or otherwise) before you made the choice.

We all hope to see more posts and pics as you start your sojourn with the lady.

Cheers you too have been 'Czech'mate'd. Smile

rm
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Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it

fanfabia · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:29 pm Post subject: Three Weeks With CZ Beauty

Driven close to 1400KM, with two outstation trips to Haridwar in Uttranchal and Karnal in Haryana. Perceptible reduction in Noise, even at idling while on crusing speeds it is difficult to make out its Diesel pedgree. Brow raising FE of 16KMPL in City and 20KMPL on Highway. Mostly Daytime driving with A/C on for Highways, whereas Night Time Driving in city with A/C and Projector Lamp on. Amazing ride with Nitrogen, but had a top up after ten days and found reduced pressures. Any comments on ideal blow for Fabia? Diesel has been Normal, a strict no for branded fuel because had a problem with Toyota Innova of excessive Smoke and subsequent advise from SA to refrain from using Speed, Xtra Mile etc. Any take on this from Fabiosis?
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

orionph05 · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Three Weeks With CZ Beauty

fanfabia

I was reading somewhere that ULSD (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel) is now available in all Metros with BSIV implementation from 01/04/2010. Although Oil refineries had apprenesions on same. Will use of NON-ULSD Diesel have some harmful effect on BSIV Engines? Any take on this!
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

orionph05

fanfabia · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:06 pm Post subject: BSIV Diesel

Thanks Pravin for the input. Do you experience a Humming Sound on the First Selection of the A/C Blower? I am hearing this, which gets subdued by the Hissing Noise from the Vents on higher Blower Speeds. The sound is distinct Blower Hum!
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

admin · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: BSIV Diesel

Srreekumar · Been Around Fabiosi Joined: 05 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

congrats fanfabia..rightly said about the negative feedbacks from biased media.many jump the course based on hearsays and pass negative remarks on fabia. it is one of the best built cars in terms of space, fit & finish, quality and driveability.

may you've many happy miles ahead with your car

admin · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject:

Srreekumar · Been Around Fabiosi Joined: 05 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

fanfabia · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:36 pm Post subject: Sound Horn

After a brief stint with an Automobile Major Yamaha Motor Co., I realized that Horn is most under designed component for India in any International Automobile. Reason quite obvious, minimal use all round the world except India and outher developing and under developed countries. My Maruti 800 had a horn failure during warranty, way back in 1988. Then Esteem had one of the Dual Horns failing, post warranty, followed by Fiat Siena having both the Horns muting.

So my dear SKODA is no exception.
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

fanfabia · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject: CZ Beauty was on NH1 Ramp

Cheers! It was exhilirating! Peaked at 140KM/H for a brief period, otherwise maintaines 120~130KM/H on NH1 (between Karnal and Delhi on the famous World Bank Supported 8-Lane Delhi Chandigarh stretch). Other Cars which I have e.g Innova, Siena go shaky after 120. But this beauty appeared to have glued to the tarmac and there was no sign of exertion or fatigue. I must say SKODA is SKODA.
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

admin · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:01 am Post subject: Re: CZ Beauty was on NH1 Ramp

fanfabia · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:16 pm Post subject: Balance of Power and FE

I have no clue on 1.2HTP power and pickup. But some Polo owners have complained of similar issues on poth 1.2 Petrol and 1.2 CR Diesel. It seems power to weiht ratio plays a significant role here. With a bulk of 1190Kg, both Fabia and Polo need great power to come out of the inertial frame. Moreover for Auto designers the balacing act is between Power and FE, because mathematically both are inversely propotional. I cannot comment on BSIII 1.4TDI PD but its BSIV successor is minus Smoke and the typical pungent exhaust.
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Saket Kapur
New Delhi
Owned & Driven Fiat 1100D,Premier Padmini,Amb MarkII,III,IV,800, Esteem, Zen, Omni,Estate,Sumo, Sieana,Innova etc. Had the opportunity to Drive in Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand and Greek Islands.Cars are my passion .

jbarai · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:30 am Post subject:

has someone tried to remove the spare wheel (reduce weight) and see if that helps in getting a perceptible & better response ?

should not be a big deal being in the city and on tubeless tyres.
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~ Jig

Drive On!

admin · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:37 am Post subject:

jbarai · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:44 am Post subject: