Ibiza Cupra/FR or Fabia vRS?

[Modelmakerman]

Hi all, Im new to this forum. Ive been lurkning for a few weeks reading old theads etc but I thought Id sign up and ask a few questions:

Im looking to buy a cheap to run little hatch back but I dont do boring little cars so it has to be a bit fun. Im starting a new job and the car will mostly be used for commuting but I have a really nice commute down nice unrestricted country lanes. After a few weeks of looking a various cars Ive been drawn to the Fabia vRS but after doing a little more research Ive seen that a lot of upgrade parts come from the Ibiza Cupra/FR so Im wondering not buy the Cupra or FR TDi instead of the vRS?

How do they compare on:
Ride
Handling
Performance
Economy
What road tax band are they in?
What Insurance band are they in?

Also Im guessing the Cupra will be in a higher insurance band to the FR, other than the 30bhp are there any differences between them and is the extra 30bhp just a different map or are there differences in the engine bay too?

Cheers
Dave

 

[.Phase]

FR

ride can be bouncy, very very harsh imo
handling is great, can skid out if you're putting your foot down too much round a bend, can be vastly improved through arbs and the like
performance I'm very happy with, and that's before remap!
economy is amazing, I got 470miles to a 45L tank, driven 100 miles on my current tank, though it was vented to 52L gauge not even moved off full
road tax is £110/yr
insurance group 8

cupra TDi is group 15
and iirc fabia is 9 (if not it's 8)

cupra has a lot more kit like bigger spoiler, 4 pot brakes, nicer front bumper, couple other things too
but insurance is 3x as much for me being 18 with 1yr so wasn't an option!

 

[thePHILosipher]

the cupra has this little lot over the FR/VRS

• FMIC
• Bigger Turbo
• Bigger Air Intake
• 312mm Brakes
• Stiffer suspension
• Better bushes
• bigger spoiler
• iirc the cupra has better injectors
• nicer alloys (maybe not if you get a facelifted FR)

other than that the FR is the same , i bought the FR as the insurance with extra's still worked out cheaper than the cupra and with a remap it has come alive

the VRS is group 9, and again try and track down the VRS SE, same great car but with added extra's like full branded Leather interior, cruise control, a nice striking blue and the fact that they were built in very limited numbers

i would always by a 56 plated one onwards as they smartened up everything on the inside as well as the outside

 

[great_kahn]

Skoda Fabia VRS / Seat Ibiza FR tdi
PD130 engine


Seat Ibiza cupra tdi
PD150 engine

And in addition to the above list, the cupra has a shoter ration gearbox.


Ibiza FR is a nice car and can be modded nicely for more power. However as an out of the box product the cupra as you can imagine blows it away. And Remaps eaily to 200bhp and 300 ib/ft on just stage one. And you can expect the below performance

0-60 sub 7 secs
0-100 16 secs ish
140 mph+ top speed

Plus the Fabia is only available as a 5 door, the cupra only as a 3. The FR came with both three and 5 doors.

Plus then there is the VW polo 1.9 tdi 130ps... which is the same as the FR and the fabia and came in 3 and 5 doors...... confusing.

 

[Modelmakerman]

So what sort of economy does the Cupra get?

I know the vRS gets about 40-50mpg on average with 60+mpg possible if you go steady, I would guess the FR is similar?

 

[great_kahn]

So what sort of economy does the Cupra get?

I know the vRS gets about 40-50mpg on average with 60+mpg possible if you go steady, I would guess the FR is similar?

VRS and FR seems to get better economy than i have seen with this. Commute to work in my 200bhp cupra tdi i get about 40-45 mpg down B roads. On the mway today i averaged between 45 and 50. Im sure a steady driver could get more, but i tend to boot it alot

I would suggest test driving cupra and the FR/VRS.

 

[thePHILosipher]

VRS and FR seems to get better economy than i have seen with this. Commute to work in my 200bhp cupra tdi i get about 40-45 mpg down B roads. On the mway today i averaged between 45 and 50. Im sure a steady driver could get more, but i tend to boot it alot

I would suggest test driving cupra and the FR/VRS.

remapped fr on a motorway cruise i get 55mpg-65mpg, standard was 60mpg-70mpg, B road blasts around 46mpg-50mpg now depends what you want, the fr is still a hell of a laff, but then again i would say that

 

[krussel]

Other than performance comparisons I think its also one of image. The cars really are chalk and cheese in this respect.
The Ibiza Fr/ Cupra has a slightly aggressive angle both front and back and with the 17” wheels look purposeful from the side as well.

The Skoda looks quite ordinary and would not get a second glance from most unsuspecting motorists which is its greatest asset as it’s a fantastic “Q” car.

I imagine you could have some really good fun in the Skoda certainly from the older driving Rover 75 brigade who seem to love to tailgate.

 

[craig_87]

i have a 56 cupra mate, awesome, work commute record is 68mpg.lol doing an average speed really.
(and not sunday driver speed at that...)

definatley the facelift model of a cupra/ fr though.

fabia vrs.......well a mate of mine had one and was pretty happy with fuel returns etc but imo the seat would be best!

as the guys were saying insc can be pretty meaty but if you offest that with the cost of all the extra kit on a cupra to that of an FR i think a cupra is still worth a punt especially at only 125 quid a year road tax!!

 

[great_kahn]

i have a 56 cupra mate, awesome, work commute record is 68mpg.lol doing an average speed really.
(and not sunday driver speed at that...)

definatley the facelift model of a cupra/ fr though.

fabia vrs.......well a mate of mine had one and was pretty happy with fuel returns etc but imo the seat would be best!

as the guys were saying insc can be pretty meaty but if you offest that with the cost of all the extra kit on a cupra to that of an FR i think a cupra is still worth a punt especially at only 125 quid a year road tax!!

No way did you get 68mpg lol... is it entirely downhill?

 

[craig_87]

ha ha no mate just straight drivin at about 45 to 48 mph ish.

definately have!! next closets was 67.5mpg and 62.2mpg on the clock. just really steady acceleration decelration and right gearing!

is that a seatcupra.net world record then?????lol

 

[flegz16]

if it is am not far off, my records 65.6mpg

 

[craig_87]

woop woop!!!!!!!!lol

 

[Guinness]

for me would be:

Cupra, just for the styling and the PD150 ness
then VRS
Then FR

 

[craig_87]

is it not pd160??

 

[BIG glen]

Cupra all the way.

If your gonne do something do it propperly!!!

 

[great_kahn]

Tried being as economical as possible yesterday and today..

Got 57mpg on the way home, and 53mpg on the way to work this morning. Changing up at 1700 rpm, very steady acceleration, never exceeding 55mph. All B roads. Boring as hell

Still 57mpg from a 200bhp car.. i will take that.

 

[Lippo]

I don't pay attention to the trip computer - it's hopelessly optimistic, particularly after my remap. Thebest way is to brim it and check the mileage. My trip was showing around 55mpg but I only did 50.7mpg according to fuel used. Still pretty good though.

 

[Ad Lav]

vRS is built alot better... having had an Ibiza TDI for four years and now the vRS for a year I have noticed the difference!

Seat Ibiza has a younger/sportier following.

Fabia vRS is very understated!

 

[knight85]

Skoda Fabia VRS / Seat Ibiza FR tdi
PD130 engine


Seat Ibiza cupra tdi
PD150 engine

And in addition to the above list, the cupra has a shoter ration gearbox.


Ibiza FR is a nice car and can be modded nicely for more power. However as an out of the box product the cupra as you can imagine blows it away. And Remaps eaily to 200bhp and 300 ib/ft on just stage one. And you can expect the below performance

0-60 sub 7 secs
0-100 16 secs ish
140 mph+ top speed

Plus the Fabia is only available as a 5 door, the cupra only as a 3. The FR came with both three and 5 doors.

Plus then there is the VW polo 1.9 tdi 130ps... which is the same as the FR and the fabia and came in 3 and 5 doors...... confusing.

isnt the cupra pd160?

anyway i was in a similar position before i bought my Fr so will try and provide an impartial view...

I went for the facelift FR Tdi as needed reasonable economy as well as something that looked a bit different, low insurance and still had a bit of grunt...I feel the FR provided all of these...however the ride was a bit crashy on OE set up. I get between 55-60mpg out of a full tank so around 500 miles per tank.

however in hindsight i wish i had gone for the cupra tdi as i have spent money on my FR getting it up to the cupra standard...ie. remap/bigger brakes/intake etc..however increased insurance meant that it wasnt really feasible..and to be honest the FR i feel looks just as good as the cupra with the facelift 17's and still same rear bumper but slightly different front bumper to allow air to the SMIC.

I had a look at quite a few VRS and was very impressed with them, the ride quality was better than the FR but the FR swung it for me in the end due to Seat doing me a great deal on a pre-reg one and there being limited VRS with low milegae within striking distance of me...as previosuly said look for the VRS SE but they are very rare and keep their prices.

whatever you choose im sure you will be pleased...all the the cars are very similar and is really down to budget, insurance and your personal preference