Auto Express review of facelifted Ibiza

[Ol' Timer]

The Auto Express site has got a brief review of the facelifted Mk 4 Ibiza. Nothing I've not heard before although there is a reference to it as a £14,000 car so perhaps SEAT have put the price back to what it was originally. Or perhaps Auto Express have got it wrong.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/64602/seat_ibiza_fr.html

I wonder if it will be in a higher insurance group now that it is more overtly sporty looking and 'nickable', with more aggressively styled bumpers and 17" wheels.

 

[FR-RUSH]

hmm not massive changes tho are there, just little changes to the lines.

 

[Ant FR]

I sent a complaint in. Once again they compare it to the VRS fabia and say wow the fabia has it all with its economy. and at not what point did they mention the fact that the FR can come with the same engine. Donkeys.

 

[Ol' Timer]

It does seem that the press can't get their heads around the concept that the Ibiza FR is available in a petrol or diesel version and with 3 or 5 doors. I have tried to point this out to the authors of such articles by email but I suppose I come over as just another cranky Ibiza owner.

It also drives me mad that in their press release about leather seats now being available on the Fabia vRS, Skoda are still peddling the following myth: "Combining practicality and excitement in one package, the Fabia vRS was the first car in its class to use a high-performance diesel engine to deliver its kicks." What about the Ibiza TDi Sport amongst others?

 

[Ant FR]

yep i have this argument all the time, oh and apparently they have build quality to outshine the ibiza, all of a sudden skoda owners think us seat drivers are the poor relations. Out of all the fabia range there is only one model that is liked, the ibiza range has about 6 of em.

GGGGGGRRrrrrrr!!!

 

[BeezerDiesel]

Ant, calm down and stop being so anti-Fabia - don't foget there's also the Polo which shares the common chassis and engines, but you don't attack that one so often. Is it a badge thing?
The press look at the overall package and the LIST price, the SEAT PR people obviously aren't working their magic with the press, and looking at these forums SEAT dealers don't seem to be looking after their customers, though I never had any major complaint with SEAT dealers or the four SEATs I've owned.
I wouldn't say Autoexpress were particularly pro-Fabia vRS, they didn't give it that good a send off when they returned their long termer.

 

[Ant FR]

so often,

When was the last time i slated a skoda, just this post from my memory. and considering we have skoda ownership in the family thats hardly susrprising is it.

You should see some of the posts on Briskoda, anyone would think its the only diesel ever made the way they slate others.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

Sorry my mistake it was actually Skoda owners you passed your observations on last time not Skodas, my memory is getting worse in my old age http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=79274

As for the posts on Briskoda, unfortunately some on there are rather young and rely too much on heresay and perceptions of the TDI 130s torque levels making it feel actually faster than it is, though fortunately there are plenty of more mature owners to balance things out, so perhaps you should be a little more selective of what you read on there - yep some are even older than me!
Think yourself lucky they all went out and bought vRSs, as if they didn't they'd be on here posting shite about their FRs instead........

 

[djrichard]

I saw a review for the new FR in the Sun on Friday. I had to laugh when I looked at the pic they took in what was a very favourable review, the headlights were misted up! Still not fixed them.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

How did the Sun rate the FR?



*Note: Fabia lights can mist up badly too, and dealers are just as reluctant to change them.