Car of the Day: why my Skoda Fabia 130 could be a car you buy with your heart and your head
Car changing is a big deal
News editor Jamie Edkins has been living with a Skoda Fabia 130 for a couple of months now, and he’s found a deal which solves one of his biggest gripes with the car.
This is my Skoda Fabia 130. It’s a sporty version of the brand’s smallest hatchback which I’m living with for six months, and around eight weeks in, it’s starting to grow on me.
It’s comfortable, good-looking, economical and easy to live with, but at over £31,000 it’s quite expensive for a small car. You could get a posher Audi A1 or Volkswagen Polo GTI for that money.
However, there are some deals on through Carwow at the moment which make the Fabia 130 much more appealing. Before I talk about money though, here are three reasons why you should consider this as your next car.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Three things I like about the Skoda Fabia 130
1. It looks really smart
The standard Skoda Fabia is a handsome little car, if a bit dull. The 130 version ramps things up with some sporty upgrades including larger alloy wheels, a more aggressive-looking bodykit and twin tailpipes.
I like the way my car looks in this Race Blue paint scheme, but I reckon the Fabia 130 looks even better in white. It makes the black details stand out more, as well as highlighting the blue 130 badges.
2. It’s nice to drive
Like the standard Fabia, the 130 is a really comfy small car for daily driving duties. It’s quiet on the motorway, easy to navigate around town and it feels secure on a country road. The larger wheels do make it a bit more jittery over bumps than the standard car, but it’s not too bad.
The 1.5-litre petrol engine also delivers more than enough power, with 177hp on tap, and I’ve been averaging almost 51mpg over the last 2,500 miles.
3. Practicality is excellent
The 130 is just as spacious and practical as any other Fabia. The 380-litre boot is almost a match for larger cars like the Volkswagen Golf and Mazda 3, and there are plenty of hooks, nets and even a hammock to keep things secure. I use the latter to keep my tripod out the way.
Rear seat space is generous for a car of this size as well. You’ll struggle to fit a tall adult behind my driving position, but that’s the same as any other car this size. I’m 6’3” after all, but at least I have plenty of room up front to get comfortable.
Skoda Fabia 130 prices and deals
The only fly in the ointment here is the price, because at just over £31,000 as tested, I don’t reckon the 130 feels sporty enough to command such a premium. You could have a nicely-specced Audi A1 for that sort of money.
However, there are some great deals available through Carwow right now which make this car way more appealing. At the time of writing, you can save up to £5,778 on a Skoda Fabia 130, bringing the price down to around £24,200.
That makes it only slightly more expensive than the SE L Edition model, a car with 61hp less than the 130 and none of the stylish tidbits.
Three annoying things about the Skoda Fabia 130
As good as this car is, the Fabia 130 isn’t perfect. Here are three annoying things.
1. It’s not a proper hot hatch
If you’re looking for hot hatch thrills, you won’t find them here. Having 177hp in a small hatchback sounds like a great recipe, but the Fabia isn’t as agile through the bends as something like a Ford Fiesta ST, and the engine sounds a bit naff as well.
2. Sluggish auto gearbox
The Skoda Fabia 130 is only available with an automatic gearbox, and it’s not the best. It’s fine on motorways and faster-moving roads, but around town it can be hesitant when pulling away and a bit jerky in slow-moving traffic.
3. Rubbish cupholders
Skoda gets so many details right on the practicality front. The Fabia has a handy clip in the windscreen for parking tickets, an umbrella in the door and countless storage solutions, so it’s disappointing that the cupholders are so tiny. Fitting anything bigger than a Coke can in there is a struggle.
The Skoda Fabia 130 isn’t quite the hot hatch I was hoping for, but it’s a mighty fine small car nonetheless. With Carwow discounts it makes much more financial sense, and if you’re after something small, sensible but with a sporty twist, I highly recommend it.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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