Not posted much on here for some time, been busy with a family bereavement and with my small Fiat obsession, especially if it involves Pandas. However, after a lot of soul searching and deep thought I decided it was time for a change of vehicle. Our Ibiza ST has suffered a number of problems which I've mentioned previously on the forum which has completely destroyed my confidence in the car. It's going quite well just now but we've a lot of motoring to do in the immediate future so, with it now going into it's 8th year I decided a new car was needed.
But, what to replace it with is the question. Since the middle of the summer I've been looking for suitable replacements. The Ibiza ST pretty much ticked all the boxes but SEAT don't now do a small estate and neither do Skoda since the demise of the Fabia estate. We've had many VAG products of both the Skoda and SEAT brands in the extended family so the temptation was to stay with what I know but because of the problems we've had with the Ibiza I decided to take an unbiased look at the current competition. Turned out to be a bit of an eye opener! "Wet" cam belts - wouldn't have one in a gift. Big name brands with well documented timing chain problems. Dual mass flywheels - not unless there's absolutely no alternative. Concentric clutch slave cylinders - who on earth thought that was a good idea? some with not only no spare wheel provided but also no option to specify even a spacesaver as an extra. Some brands with well documented problems with some "infotainment" electronic systems. It just went on and on. Also I like a conventional Estate car design and don't especially like the trend for "high riding" SUV type things. Anyway, I took a few test drives and was quite impressed with the way most drove but all had at least one or more of the above listed problems.
Ok. better stick with "the devil" I know which has none of the above drawbacks. Whittled it down to either an Arona 110 SE or Scala 110 SE. Took my better half to see and sit in both and she would have been happy with either. However there's absolutely no chance of getting a full size spare in the Arona and they don't even specify a space saver as an option (probably get on which would fit from the folk in the midlands where we bought one for daughter in law's Mazda 2 though?) Also, most of the used, but nearly new, Aronas are FR spec and I don't want the harder FR "sport" suspension.
Looking like a Scala then? We were shown a Monte Carlo spec but it was far too flashy for me and ran on "rubber band" low profile tyres. Then shown a range topping SE-L spec and it seemed to tick all the boxes although it had lots of stuff "tech" I don't need or want, but it was nice to sit in with all the controls well placed and not all that far from what the Ibiza was like - unsurprisingly. They dug up a used example - don't think they had a demo - so we could drive it and I was lucky enough to drive it through the town and out onto the A1 so I could experience it both in traffic and out on the open road cruising at speed. The car is very comparable to the 95 hp Ibiza I have in terms of performance - no doubt the small increase in weight compared to the Ibiza accounts for that (I'm looking at the 110hp Scala). considerably more comfortable though if just a smidgeon less agile on the country lanes - I'm happy to trade that for the comfort now in my "dotage".
Back at the showroom now but, disaster, no "nearly new" SE spec models anywhere in the system. The one in the showroom is available right now sir, but no I don't want a new SE-L with it's multi configurable digital dashboard and "super computer" infotainment system with a screen in the dashboard big enough to rival my home TV (joking of course) but I'd much rather have a row of analogue dials with "useful stuff" like oil pressure and temperature, battery voltage, etc instead. So the SE spec with it's simpler screen with actual radio volume control knob etc will do me just fine.
Seeing I was about to walk the, very helpful, salesman called in the sales manager - as they do. About three quarters of an hour later I'd signed up for a pre-registered Scoda Scala 110 SE Technology in Energy Blue non metallic paint. SE Technology? a spec I didn't even know existed. It's aimed at the high mileage business customer who spends much of his time in the car so has some nice wee additions, more attractive alloys, but still 16" rims so no "silly" low profile tyres in fact they're 205/55R16 so the most common tyre size in UK today. Parking sensors all round (SE only has them on the rear) and some other "nice" stuff. Being a Pre-reg there was a very attractive reduction in price over a brand new one - I bought the Ibiza on the same basis - Anyway, seems it's the only SE spec available pre-reg (new face lifted model due with the new reg nos in March) so I signed up for it and paid the deposit. due to the pre reg restrictions, which I don't really understand I can't have it 'till Feb 28th. It's in the compound at Glasgow docks.
Anyway, phone call to say the car's here and would I like to come in and look it over. So we went yesterday:
and I absolutely love it. lots more little details I hadn't known about on this version, like the chrome trim round the windows. Wheels are lovely compared to the SE standard alloy. and, although it doesn't impress me, it's got the larger infotainment screen from the SE-L with sat nave etc. Spare wheel in the boot:
which I took out and stood beside a wheel on the car and it's the same diameter although it's a 195/60R16 whereas the car's on 205/55R16 which means it has to be treated as a speed restricted fitment. However the diameter being the same as the car's wheels and the spare wheel well being deep - look at the picture - I'm confident a full size will fit. I'll be applying anti seize to the wheel/hub interface as soon as I get the car home and I'll try a wheel off the car in teh wheel well at that time with a view to buying a full size spare to cover us on our long distance trips down south.
The dashboard is analogue, hurrah!
and looks very similar to the Ibiza, especially that little centre screen where I like to display coolant temperature when I'm driving. Many of the other controls look the same, cruise etc, so I think it'll take no time at all for me to become familiar. Oh, and notice it's got the very latest two spoke steering wheel - wasn't expecting that.
Many similarities on the engine compared to the Ibiza but some very obvious differences:
Air filter now mounted to the N/S with a big black breather/oil separator (I guess) on the top of the cam cover. The top belt cover is now ally, not plastic like the Ibiza and the twin thermostat/water pump is now all aluminium, not a sign of black plastic - hurrah! Much easier to check brake fluid level and there's a very clever fold out "funnel" on the screen wash filler to help stop spills:
She's slightly longer, maybe 10 cm? and wider than the Ibiza estate with maybe very slightly more boot space and a lot more rear seat space. The extra width in the front means my better half's right arm doesn't get in the way of the handbrake lever and I don't tend to nudge her when changing gear - yes folks, it's got a "sensible" manual hand brake!
Gona be a long month's wait before I can get my hands on her!
So folks, I will soon be SEATless! I'll still "lurk" about on the forum though but I suspect I'll be thinking of a password for the Briskoda forum before too long.
Thanks for all the interesting exchanges we've had over the last few years and especially thanks to RUM, for the very interesting stuff we've discussed.
Edit. PS. Just 9, yes NINE, miles showing on the clock!
But, what to replace it with is the question. Since the middle of the summer I've been looking for suitable replacements. The Ibiza ST pretty much ticked all the boxes but SEAT don't now do a small estate and neither do Skoda since the demise of the Fabia estate. We've had many VAG products of both the Skoda and SEAT brands in the extended family so the temptation was to stay with what I know but because of the problems we've had with the Ibiza I decided to take an unbiased look at the current competition. Turned out to be a bit of an eye opener! "Wet" cam belts - wouldn't have one in a gift. Big name brands with well documented timing chain problems. Dual mass flywheels - not unless there's absolutely no alternative. Concentric clutch slave cylinders - who on earth thought that was a good idea? some with not only no spare wheel provided but also no option to specify even a spacesaver as an extra. Some brands with well documented problems with some "infotainment" electronic systems. It just went on and on. Also I like a conventional Estate car design and don't especially like the trend for "high riding" SUV type things. Anyway, I took a few test drives and was quite impressed with the way most drove but all had at least one or more of the above listed problems.
Ok. better stick with "the devil" I know which has none of the above drawbacks. Whittled it down to either an Arona 110 SE or Scala 110 SE. Took my better half to see and sit in both and she would have been happy with either. However there's absolutely no chance of getting a full size spare in the Arona and they don't even specify a space saver as an option (probably get on which would fit from the folk in the midlands where we bought one for daughter in law's Mazda 2 though?) Also, most of the used, but nearly new, Aronas are FR spec and I don't want the harder FR "sport" suspension.
Looking like a Scala then? We were shown a Monte Carlo spec but it was far too flashy for me and ran on "rubber band" low profile tyres. Then shown a range topping SE-L spec and it seemed to tick all the boxes although it had lots of stuff "tech" I don't need or want, but it was nice to sit in with all the controls well placed and not all that far from what the Ibiza was like - unsurprisingly. They dug up a used example - don't think they had a demo - so we could drive it and I was lucky enough to drive it through the town and out onto the A1 so I could experience it both in traffic and out on the open road cruising at speed. The car is very comparable to the 95 hp Ibiza I have in terms of performance - no doubt the small increase in weight compared to the Ibiza accounts for that (I'm looking at the 110hp Scala). considerably more comfortable though if just a smidgeon less agile on the country lanes - I'm happy to trade that for the comfort now in my "dotage".
Back at the showroom now but, disaster, no "nearly new" SE spec models anywhere in the system. The one in the showroom is available right now sir, but no I don't want a new SE-L with it's multi configurable digital dashboard and "super computer" infotainment system with a screen in the dashboard big enough to rival my home TV (joking of course) but I'd much rather have a row of analogue dials with "useful stuff" like oil pressure and temperature, battery voltage, etc instead. So the SE spec with it's simpler screen with actual radio volume control knob etc will do me just fine.
Seeing I was about to walk the, very helpful, salesman called in the sales manager - as they do. About three quarters of an hour later I'd signed up for a pre-registered Scoda Scala 110 SE Technology in Energy Blue non metallic paint. SE Technology? a spec I didn't even know existed. It's aimed at the high mileage business customer who spends much of his time in the car so has some nice wee additions, more attractive alloys, but still 16" rims so no "silly" low profile tyres in fact they're 205/55R16 so the most common tyre size in UK today. Parking sensors all round (SE only has them on the rear) and some other "nice" stuff. Being a Pre-reg there was a very attractive reduction in price over a brand new one - I bought the Ibiza on the same basis - Anyway, seems it's the only SE spec available pre-reg (new face lifted model due with the new reg nos in March) so I signed up for it and paid the deposit. due to the pre reg restrictions, which I don't really understand I can't have it 'till Feb 28th. It's in the compound at Glasgow docks.
Anyway, phone call to say the car's here and would I like to come in and look it over. So we went yesterday:
and I absolutely love it. lots more little details I hadn't known about on this version, like the chrome trim round the windows. Wheels are lovely compared to the SE standard alloy. and, although it doesn't impress me, it's got the larger infotainment screen from the SE-L with sat nave etc. Spare wheel in the boot:
which I took out and stood beside a wheel on the car and it's the same diameter although it's a 195/60R16 whereas the car's on 205/55R16 which means it has to be treated as a speed restricted fitment. However the diameter being the same as the car's wheels and the spare wheel well being deep - look at the picture - I'm confident a full size will fit. I'll be applying anti seize to the wheel/hub interface as soon as I get the car home and I'll try a wheel off the car in teh wheel well at that time with a view to buying a full size spare to cover us on our long distance trips down south.
The dashboard is analogue, hurrah!
and looks very similar to the Ibiza, especially that little centre screen where I like to display coolant temperature when I'm driving. Many of the other controls look the same, cruise etc, so I think it'll take no time at all for me to become familiar. Oh, and notice it's got the very latest two spoke steering wheel - wasn't expecting that.
Many similarities on the engine compared to the Ibiza but some very obvious differences:
Air filter now mounted to the N/S with a big black breather/oil separator (I guess) on the top of the cam cover. The top belt cover is now ally, not plastic like the Ibiza and the twin thermostat/water pump is now all aluminium, not a sign of black plastic - hurrah! Much easier to check brake fluid level and there's a very clever fold out "funnel" on the screen wash filler to help stop spills:
She's slightly longer, maybe 10 cm? and wider than the Ibiza estate with maybe very slightly more boot space and a lot more rear seat space. The extra width in the front means my better half's right arm doesn't get in the way of the handbrake lever and I don't tend to nudge her when changing gear - yes folks, it's got a "sensible" manual hand brake!
Gona be a long month's wait before I can get my hands on her!
So folks, I will soon be SEATless! I'll still "lurk" about on the forum though but I suspect I'll be thinking of a password for the Briskoda forum before too long.
Thanks for all the interesting exchanges we've had over the last few years and especially thanks to RUM, for the very interesting stuff we've discussed.
Edit. PS. Just 9, yes NINE, miles showing on the clock!
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Sticking with my Cupra for now though 
