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your quotes say that [only] fabia/skoda/honda users are refined and polished, isn't it?
basically, anyone buys any car which suits his needs. it doesn't meant that suzuki/tata/mahindra/hyundai/gm users lack refinement. in my countryside, some polished and refined billinare farmers use tatas and mahindras for drive in rural india.
i don't know whether fabia is good or bad car but i surely know that suzuki/tata/mahidra/hyundai/gm are not bad car.
everyone has pride about his own choice but they don't bash on other for his choice.

bty...our own moderater mr samurai owns grand vitara. do anyone want to say about his class?


in that price segment, which is successfull suv?

May be true in a way. I wouldn't have purchased fabia if it didn't give me the comforts. Hence i stretched my budget a bit more to buy a fabia as i was tired to just moving around in a zen which didn't give me any enjoyment. Why quote the 9 lakhs figure alone? the price range start near 6.30 lakhs for diesel, 5.85 for petrol and goes upward. so it's there for anyone who wants to buy a nice car. After all, one should buy what ones heart feel, provided there is the means to buy.

there's a small correction. in my last post i had mentioned as "Why did Suzuki Grand Vitara become a success despite 2 launches?". please read it as "Why didn't Suzuki Grand Vitara become a success despite 2 launches?"

@ Ashish if you've gone thro my earlier postings, I was trying to tell that the choice of a car is each users prerogative. As you've rightly mentioned "Everyone has pride about own choice". Fabia bashers too should learn from your words. Seems once i used a bit of negativism about others, others too started feeling bad..

Mods Please delete the repeat post. Sometimes the net here acts so crazy

man,take it easy.
here, we are to discuss about cars, not about owners class.:)

cheerscheers:

enjoy your car.

Dear Friends, by 'OTHERS', i meant about the VEHICLES only and not about the USERS. I tender my apologies if I've hurt anyones feelings.

Guys, Every car has its own characteristic, whether its performance, handling, ride, comfort and the list may go on. But amongst cars below lakhs how many are there which would give you both the best ride and handling. Apart from that list of features the skoda offer you. No doubt 9L is a lot of money for a hatchback. But, let's look at it beyond a hatchback, as a car which gives you comfort, safety, \also by means of stronger body and chassis, ride handling, how many hatchback or cars under 9 lakh goes steady like a leech at speeds like 150,160,170. One of the biggest reasons i bought the car is for its handling and ride, steering feel, at this price bracket. Has one of the slickest gearbox if I have felt. I could have opted for honda city but just din't give me all that fabia did. For once even thought of going in for an octavia but din't as found the comfort higher in fabia.
Looking at plus and minus it could go on and on and on. But you can never get enough from any car. If you want quality be prepared to pay a premium for it. If you look at maintenance point of view, one might have to give to the quality aspect of it.

AJAY: you would be surprised to know that the headlight works only on one type of bulb i.e. H7 which is single filament bulb which is used for both high beam and low beam. So, its just single bulb used for both purpose. It's done by the headlamp which has reflecting mode mechanism in the projector which reflects the bulb in both high and low beam together.
Also, all four windows comes with auto up/down glass function. I guess not found in many car, and does get very useful while driving.

PRANAV: Would it be possible for you to put the details of the charges you paid for your 2nd service would be good for comparison, and many would get to learn out it as to what is done in 2nd service.
Thanks.

Netchef: Yes, its all in the eyes of the beholder, for someone like me, who pays attention to detail, the competition just doesn't cut it, I hope this thread doesn't turn into a Fabia-bashing/retaliating thread, our whole 60 odd pages will be scarred forever. Which may happen to be the only thread saying something good about the fabia in the country.

Well said, something to think about.

Revhappy i would like to add that the 2 lacs extra the customer is paying is definately not for refinement, as the diesel engine of the fabia is as crude as a engine can get.
But the 2 lacs the guy is paying for being pampered by the car, and yes so that his/her peers look at him and say 'hmm this guy has a distinguished taste'

Cheers,
AC

P.s: I have had the Fabia for 2 days, and trust me I have had cars which are twice more expensive but did not give me the same 'feel' that this fabia gave me.

revhappy: I don't think he's saying that at all. ANYWAY, I couldn't be further from 'High networth Individual', so it certainly doesn't apply to me.


naikpranav: I agree, Sir. We don't want any sabre rattling here. There are no absolutes, and there aren't any brownie points for driving the 'better' car because all of it is subjective. If anyone wants to bring us fair critique, they are more than welcome. In no place do we say we are not open to criticism- every single person is entitled to their opinion and when confronted with a contrarian view, we need to be mature enough to AGREE TO DISAGREE.

I think MysticEyes was misconstrued: in marketing jargon, it is commonplace to profile persons/ a target group, for instance such as the 'types who own Rolex watches' or eat caviar. Nothing wrong in pointing out- I suppose- that xx or YY sorts don't! At least I don't see it as personal affrontery.

Let's keep it clean, guys. We love our babies and we know why. Sure we have a right to express that, but we must be careful not try to establish -or seem to- the 'others' as the bottom of the barrel.

naikpranav: this diatribe not aimed at you in ANY way, sir.
Meant to address ASHISHPALLOD Revhappy and other gents 'on the topic'.

Dear Fabiosis,

Firstly, my apologies to those that have been disappointed by not seeing the interior pictures of my car, yesterday. I wasn't keeping well and did not make it to office yesterday, which is why you didn't see any post with pictures of the interiors. I am here today, and have the snaps uploaded. Sorry to everyone that have been waiting for these.

Note: These pictures do no justice to the quality of the leather seats. The black portion is made of art leather and the off-white cream colored portions are real 'classic' leather. This leather seating fitment has been executioned by Stanley Leather [from their in-shop facility inside TAFE dealership]. The real leather portions have 'perforations' on them; I just realised that unfortunately I haven't gotten any close up macro snaps. I'll will get that done over the weekend, but only if someone wants to have a close look at the perforation. If you want to see, just ask. ;)


1. Leather seating - Dual tone in rich black and off-white cream.


2. Steering wheel and the Dashboard in rich black [stock]


3. Doorpads also done in Dual tone finish - hand rest portion in real leather off-white cream color. Rest of doorpad in black art leather.


4. Back passenger seats with same Dual tone treatment. Seat Back pockets retained for the front seats.


5. Dash Board and Steering.


6. Sun Roof [with glass unopened] and Sunglasses compartment.


7. Doorpard leather treatment on Right side doors.


8. Leather treatment on Left rear door.


9. Front seats again, with Arm rest [also in black art leather].


10. View from the hatch door position.


11. DANCE - Stock Double Din Mp3 music system. This is also one of the best 'stock' audio systems that I'm positive, can rival that of any system sold as stock in Indian hatchbacks and some C class sedans.


12. Audio head unit displaying the Song Title along with track number and lapsed time.


13. Twin Glove boxes. Bottom Glove box is a 'cooled' one, armed with AC controls. This glove box's door is also features a hydraulic 'open action 'system. Awesome.


14. DANCE stock music system displays MP3 information too.
15. Sunroof has a 'glass lift' feature, where the entire glass area isn't open, but opens up 'slots', with a 3 stage setting. This, I am told, is largely used by those who prefer to smoke with their windows up. Clever..

16. Sunroof can be opened up to your desired level. There are controls for atleast a 7 or 8 stage 'pre-programmed' opening slots.


17. Sunroof completely open with 'glass' and 'plastic & fabric roofing' withdrawn in.


18. The 1.4 litre petrol engine. Smooth, buttery smooth.


19. The humongous 300 litres boot. Doesn't accomodate, it swallows. Fabia, if I'm not wrong, is the only hatchback with the largest stock boot space [stock = without folding rear bench seats]. I am uncertain if the Fusion is more than 300 ltrs and if Fusion is also termed a hatchback.



Anyone that wants to see and get a feel of the quality of seats, before they wish to get the same done for the seats, are more than welcome to take a look at my car. Do not hesitate to PM me if you want a 'dekho' [in B'lore, of course].

I've not been able to write in the last 2 days, so please pardon me for not posting my entire buying experience. If I get some leisure time from work today, I shall put it up by EOD today, else it will be on Monday.

I've run 486 kms so far, and it moves like a song.. I'm planning to do another 100kms over this weekend and about 500kms all of next week, to complete the run-in soon.
---------------------------

[For those wondering about the kind of person that can afford a Fabia but not internet at home: I am currently in a rented house and will be shifting to my new house my 1st week fo Feb. I have not taken internet yet knowing I'm going to shift to my own house soon.] :)


Cheers everyone. Take care.... aK

Terrific photos Ajay! Congratulations, clearly you are set to have a great time with the car. Just don't let your wife / girl friend see your post yet - or you may be forced to choose :)

I have been following this thread for quite some time now and this surely is one of the more realistic and useful threads, to say the least. (Frankly speaking some of the ego clashes that have propped up of late could have been avoided)

Though I wanted to come in earlier, I waited so that I could provide a detailed review with a sizeable number in the odo, my car is a Silver Fabia Ambiente Diesel which has done 23,000 kms, it has been a thoroughly exhilarating experience so far with the car. The performace has been truly fun, without any hiccups so far. Also I added Pete's immediately after 1st service (10k) and that has made a huge difference.

It was driven over varied terrains and even a fair amount of offroading, atleast 30% of total kms was high-range driving which was truly fun with the torquey engine.

The long term average returned is 17.8, I started writing down the fuel consumption right from 2.5K and always it has been emty-full tank cycles so the average should be fair enough. Also my driving style is also not very mileage conscious, though I have seen some member mentioning speedo touching 160+, I have never had the courage to do that yet, the maximum I have gone is 140.

More than anything else its the sheer driving pleasure, the superb handling(even in tight curves) and the very sure braking is what makes this a real beauty. Its in the curvy roads of the hills that the one gets the real pleasure of driving this car - the exceptional handling and torque

Will add some snaps in coming days

I hope that Mysticeyes did not mean to hurt anyone not having purchased the Fabia. IMO, it is not smart or meaningful to say that only High Networth Individuals should or could buy the Fabia. This cannot be true, since I have bought one, and I am far from being considered one, in all honesty. I'm plain middle class, still.

Agreed. Diesel mill is costly and tipps the Ghandhi red note scales at 8.95+ lacks. But Petrol starts at 6 lakhs and is an awesome vehicle to buy at that price, minus some fancy features. I got my petrol top end for 7.91L on road. A very, very competent car when compared to Fiestas, Vernas, Ikons, Accents and what have you.

Haven't some members complained of Honda's high handed nature here? But I see Honda being worshipped rather than being canned. Why?

MadRash: Thanks a lot mate. Yes, the black in the Elegance trim is different from the black in Classic. I am unsure what the black is called in the Classic trim, but on the Elegance, it is called 'Chic Night'.

I have now posted interior pictures, below.

RG: Agreed. I'll send a note to the mods. How does the name 'Skoda Fabia Experiences Diary' sound? A section dedicated to every Fabia story. That should be nice, now.

&
Ashish: I really wish that Fabia bashers take note from your statements here. Thanks for these.

Agreed. Unsure of Suzuki and others but Tata certainly isn't a bad car. How do I know? I owned one.

I am positive none of us here are to make any statements about anyone's class or about the vehicle they own. We are just happy with our own purchase. I only think Mysticeyes was making statement about 'physchographics' or whatever it is, that NetChef mentioned about.

Right and true. Those who love to bash must also be willing to be at the receiving end. This is not meant for anyone in particular but to anyone who is eager to engage himself in pointless arguements and bashing.

So are we, we certainly are enjoying our cars and wish the same for you. Cheers to that and welcome to our experiences section and for being a part. We absorb positive criticism cheerfully, so please do stop by whenever you can.

Oh! I didn't know the Fabia was using H7 bulbs for the headlights. You have good technical knowledge, else, you have studied your car well. Great going.

Hmmmm.. I have Philips Xtreme Power H4 bulbs, I wonder if they can be used on the Fabia. Let me see..

Yes, this I am aware of. Thanks for adding.

Yes, absolutely. I pray these pages are not breeding ground for Fabia bashers. I hope they'd be happy to do it outside our wonderful pages. And I request all Fabiosis and Fabia admirers to not retaliate to anyone bashing the Fabia, in these pages. Let them be at it.

This is positive criticism and I agree. I did test drive the Diesel Fabia and it sure is noisy. I am unsure though, that if the noise dies down after warming up. For between 6.7 and 9 lacks, I am sure the Fabiosi here that have purchased diesel Fabias, deserve better engines for their money invested. Maybe only Mahindra Bolero [non CRDe] engine sounds worse. An ex-colleague owned one, and the next building will know he has started his vehicle lol:

Now I don't expect anyone to say that I have distinguished taste. And I am not going to become someone with a 'distinguished taste' just because I purchased the Fabia. But for peace of mind, I sure do expect that I don't find anyone coming upto me, only to tell me what a fool I have been for spending close to 8 lakhs for buying a quality car.

Now cheers to the honesty. Appreciate it AC. Thanks for stopping by and please visit as often as you can. We will always be honest with our posts and reviews here.

------------------------------------
These are only my opinions and responses, just like everyone else has. I have not intended to hury any individual's feelings here either, but if someone has been, I am sorry for that.

Cheers. aK

@AJAY,
first i congratulate you for lovely interieres of your car. leather work is really nice.
i am not critic for anyone. i expect same from others also. last year in delhi at autoexpo jan 2008, i was the man who was standing in front of fabia for almost 1/2 hour. i really liked the car. i had never driven fabia, so can't comment on it. what mysticeyes was telling was something correct and something wrong. fabia is lovely car is something differant that is correct but others cars are dirty that is something wrong. some people on board feel hurted. i have taken it as on board friend commenting and thats why i cheered him in my second post. thats all.
i will definitely like to see your car as i will be in banglore during 23/24/25 jan for imtex.
cheers.