1.4 DAB Sport and Normal Sport Models

[Shortride]

Hello SEAT owners.

I have been in this forum for awhile considering to by a new Ibiza. Recently I have been looking at Ford Fiesta's 1.4 which are around 2 years old but then on friday noticed the offer Seat were doing on the 1.4 Sport and the Special Edition DAB model with 0% APR. Just wondered how any of you guys are getting on with either the 75bhp 1.4 Sport model or the 1.4 DAB 100bhp as I am probably looking at getting one of those models ion 5 door. Worth changing my mind and going for a Ibiza rather than a Fiesta? Any comments about how you car is getting on will be appreciated.

Jonny

 

[Wev]

Had my DAB since 1st Of September. 3 Door in Black Magic.
Good points.
Once the 100bh Engine has loosend up a bit it's a fantastic little things, You can Rev the nuts of it.
Car always feels shure footed.
Good visability.
Stero while a bit user unfriendly is great. And the Ipod intigration is a godsend

Bad points.
The 4/6 Speaker debate. mine now has six but kind of leaves a bad taste that SEAT resorted to such blatent costs cutting.
No high adjustment on the passanger seat. Minor i know but when my wife drives I feel like i'm sitting on the car not in it.

All in all a great little car. I'm impressed by it. one thing don't get it in Black. It looks cool when clean unfortunatly doesn't stay that way for long.

 

[loonymoon]

Can't say much about the newer Ibiza's as mine is pre-facelift but I've been happy with my 1.4 SX 75ps 5 door so far. Like you I nearly bought a 1.4 fiesta but the Ibiza was nearly 2 years newer and the same price. I fell in love with the ibiza's looks and even though mine isn't actually that much of a sports model it looks far and away more sporty even than the Fiesta ST, which just looks like a normal boxy fiesta with white stripes IMHO!!!

The ibiza's interior plastics may not be as well finished as the fiesta's but the ibiza has several saving graces, such as the handling which is fantastic (mind you I'm sure the new Fiesta's is too), I used to have a Mk4 Fiesta and that was good - but I think the ibiza is better, it's much stiffer and you pay for it in bumpiness on harsh roads. I prefer it that way though as I can't stand body roll or soft suspensions.

I do find the 1.4 75ps slow compared to my old fiesta though so you may want to go for the 100ps in preference. Although this is made up for by cheaper insurance, the ibiza was 2 groups lower than the fiesta I had.
My Ibiza has been fine so far. No real faults although I think the previous owners had the common "rear-washer-pipe-popping-off" problem.

You may run the risk of more faults with the ibiza than the fiesta but to be honest reading the reviews is probably a biased towards the bad so don't be too swayed by them - just keep them in mind. The Ibiza is definately more characterful than the fiesta and that little bit exotic -which the new fiesta isn't really. In the end the Ibiza won it for me because it felt solid, was fun to drive and those looks man.... gorgeous...

 

[T. Spark]

Can't say much about the newer Ibiza's as mine is pre-facelift but I've been happy with my 1.4 SX 75ps 5 door so far. Like you I nearly bought a 1.4 fiesta but the Ibiza was nearly 2 years newer and the same price. I fell in love with the ibiza's looks and even though mine isn't actually that much of a sports model it looks far and away more sporty even than the Fiesta ST, which just looks like a normal boxy fiesta with white stripes IMHO!!!

The ibiza's interior plastics may not be as well finished as the fiesta's but the ibiza has several saving graces, such as the handling which is fantastic (mind you I'm sure the new Fiesta's is too), I used to have a Mk4 Fiesta and that was good - but I think the ibiza is better, it's much stiffer and you pay for it in bumpiness on harsh roads. I prefer it that way though as I can't stand body roll or soft suspensions.

I do find the 1.4 75ps slow compared to my old fiesta though so you may want to go for the 100ps in preference. Although this is made up for by cheaper insurance, the ibiza was 2 groups lower than the fiesta I had.
My Ibiza has been fine so far. No real faults although I think the previous owners had the common "rear-washer-pipe-popping-off" problem.

You may run the risk of more faults with the ibiza than the fiesta but to be honest reading the reviews is probably a biased towards the bad so don't be too swayed by them - just keep them in mind. The Ibiza is definately more characterful than the fiesta and that little bit exotic -which the new fiesta isn't really. In the end the Ibiza won it for me because it felt solid, was fun to drive and those looks man.... gorgeous...

U've got my wanting to buy one, and I already own a beeza!! lol!

I used to own a 1.2 SX before my current FR TDi and imo both great cars, the only down side of the 1.2 (why I got rid) was lack of power, thats it!

Styling as mentioned great, even better standard out the factory now! Dont even see that many compared to your fezza, 206's etc etc so deffo doesnt take alot to stand out.

Personally i'd go for the 100bhp model, due to DAB (always gunna be good) and will have a little more poke, so you wont need to thrash it as much and save a little on fuel maybe? Or like me, means ur thrash it, cos its nice when going at full clacter!

 

[stu666]

I got a dab to its really gd and reasonably powerfull.
Very efficient 44mpg driving along country roads for 80miles driving average speeds.
Look at this pic below and imagine it setting next to a fiesta, u choose what looks better.

 

[Shortride]

Hey peeps

Thanks for your comments. (Any more will be appreicated) The 100bhp option does sound the better option but do you know how long this special edition model will be available for? Ive only seen the model in 3 door, can the DAB model come in the 5 door? I was thinking of getting it in Red if you were able to. Some things which favouring me to the Ibiza is that people say it drives really well. Also with the dials theres a gap in the centre of the dials. Is that where all the warning lights are?

Thanks for your help.

Jonny

 

[stu666]

the gap in the middle has some warning lights plus if you have sat nav u get directional arrows etc there

 

[RichieRich]

hey stu666 how did u get the blue fog lights? for me the ibiza stounds out so much more i also choose mine over a fiesta,206,clio it just goes with my style... for the engine if u like to go quick or like to get a move on then go for the DAB as the 100ps engine does have more poke to it... (i have to rev my 75ps enigne quite alot but then again it loves it!!)

 

[loonymoon]

Sounds like you're leaning towards the Ibiza now

When I said the 75ps ibiza was slow I was comparing it to my 1998 mk4 Fiesta which was 90ish bhp and much lighter tthan the newer fiestas. (It was pretty quick!).

The new shape fiesta I drove was also a 1.4 75ps and a bigger car, so I guess there wouldn't be much difference between the speed of the ibiza 75ps and the fiesta 75ps really!! They seem to have made the fiesta less powerful too. Were you looking at the 75ps fiesta or do Ford do higher powered 1.4 versions? In any case the 75ps Ibiza isn't that bad, (as richierich says you have to rev it) it just depends what you're coming from or what you want performance wise.

I was limited by budget and so couldn't afford a more powerful car, but I think if I were you I'd try to get the 100ps if I could, as it'd be great fun. The 75ps is fun too but you have to be much more proactive with it.. I don't know about 5 door 100ps versions though.....

 

[Wev]

When I orderd my 100ps DAB I was offerd a 5 Door. It's appears to be handled the same as any 5 door in the Ibiza range it's an "Option" costing about £600.
No offence to any 5 Door owners but I think the Beezer looks better in 3 door anyway. I when down form a Saab 9-3 to 3 Door beezer and have yet to miss having back doors.

 

[Leigh15]

If you're gonna go for the 1.4, get the 100bhp version. If you can't stretch to that, i'd recommend the 1.2 over the 1.4 75bhp.

The 1.2 revs so much more freely than the 1.4 that it feels better to drive than the more powerful 1.4 does!

Also IIRC, the Sylance gets climate and the sport only gets standard aircon!!

 

[loonymoon]

If you're gonna go for the 1.4, get the 100bhp version. If you can't stretch to that, i'd recommend the 1.2 over the 1.4 75bhp.

The 1.2 revs so much more freely than the 1.4 that it feels better to drive than the more powerful 1.4 does!

Also IIRC, the Sylance gets climate and the sport only gets standard aircon!!

I agree about the 1.2 revving more freely as I had one as a courtesy car for a while. It's a hoot to drive and this is why What car chose it as their favourite of the Ibiza range - brilliant value.
However if you do lot's of motorway driving (like me) the 1.4 75ps may be better (if you can't get the 100ps) as it is less breathless at motorway speeds. For city driving I agree the 1.2 is better.

Basically test drive both and see what you think - try to get it on a motorway or the kind of driving you regularly do. I guess the SX is the equivalent of the Stylance as I have climate control in mine and it's great.

Best of luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[RichieRich]

it is just down to what You want/you want to afford/how sporty you want the car... if u really want the sporty seats/suspension the the sport one is for you but if u want the 100ps engine then the DAB is for you! it is your choice! just get a nice colour

 

[stu666]

it is just down to what You want/you want to afford/how sporty you want the car... if u really want the sporty seats/suspension the the sport one is for you but if u want the 100ps engine then the DAB is for you! it is your choice! just get a nice colour

The DAB has the same sports seats and suspention as the sport plus the dab has rear brake discs.

Also about my fog lights, jus changed the bulbs for ones that were a bit more intense and tinted blue

 

[Shortride]

it is just down to what You want/you want to afford/how sporty you want the car... if u really want the sporty seats/suspension the the sport one is for you but if u want the 100ps engine then the DAB is for you! it is your choice! just get a nice colour

I was looking if possible to get the car in Emocion Red. Well my P reg fiesta I have is a 1.25 and I would like something with abit more speed and pull. Heard acouple peeps saying how the 1.4 75bhp needs rev's. (which i dont particularly mind) but thats why i was looking at the option of the 100bhp. Acouple of quick questions.

1. The DAB radio is detachable like normal portable ones?
2. I know a newish fiesta has a good "demist" feature on it. Does the Ibiza have a good version as well?

Jonny

 

[loonymoon]

I was looking if possible to get the car in Emocion Red. Well my P reg fiesta I have is a 1.25 and I would like something with abit more speed and pull. Heard acouple peeps saying how the 1.4 75bhp needs rev's. (which i dont particularly mind) but thats why i was looking at the option of the 100bhp. Acouple of quick questions.

1. The DAB radio is detachable like normal portable ones?
2. I know a newish fiesta has a good "demist" feature on it. Does the Ibiza have a good version as well?

Jonny

Don't know the answer to 1.

But 2.. hmm the Ibiza doesn't really have the same thing as the fiesta. I had the "quickclear" heated screen on my 1.4 fiesta and it was brilliant. Demisted and de-iced in seconds, however it didn't last too long as the little tiny filaments in the windscreen break easily. Only about 50% were working at 4 years old (when I got the car but thankfully most that were working were on the drivers side) and 2 years later only about 20% were working.

Still it is a great feature of the fiesta though. I used to laugh on icy days because I didn't have to scrape the windscreen much - just turned the quickclear on and a few seconds later turned the windscreen wipers on.

The ibiza does have a windscreen setting on the aircon/climate control though which clears mist pretty quickly but as it does it by blowing air at the screen (like any other car) it takes a bit longer especially for clearing ice. I don't think any ibizas have heating filaments in the front windscreen like the fiesta..

 

[RichieRich]

yes the DAB radio is like any other radio probably just get the right set of blupunkt radio keys to pull it out... mind you the DAB only has 4 speakers (all in the front) but u can ask the dealer to fit the back ones at extra charge probably... or buy a decent set of speakers... my screen de-missed quick enough and de-iced farely quick i dont mind the fact of de-iceing my car after all i always want to drive my car!! i whent from near cheltenham to dover then over to france for a few hours!! 3 hour drive and my car and i (oh and my mate) loved the whole trip!!!

 

[J500ANT]

I'd see if you can get a deal on a normal sport and then shove a DAB radio in it (like wot I did) hehe.

 

[Shortride]

I'd see if you can get a deal on a normal sport and then shove a DAB radio in it (like wot I did) hehe.

Have thought of that as well. Theres a really nice 1.4 Sport 75bhp red Ibiza hardly very old at the Letchworth garage which is 20 miles drive. (only mk is a closer garage) and been thinking bout it. Only pain would be when it would come to servicing as there is Milton Keynes 30 mins away or Letchworth probably further

Jonny

 

[T. Spark]

Looked @ the PD100? Will deffo feel quicker than ur fezza, and will map and get better power gains than the petrol varients, and then wont be slow at all!!

140/145bhp i'd say with a remap, so would upset a few cars??!