Skoda Fabia 2000 test drive - 2007 -

All photos of Skoda Fabia 2000 - 2007

Six to ten

The nuances of the selection of inexpensive foreign cars

Dau-Matiz
He made his debut in 1998, in 2000 was updated. In our market, cars made in Uzbekistan are sold. It is produced with one type of body - a five -door hatchback and the only 0.8 liter gasoline engine. Price - from $ 5500 to 7100, depending on the equipment.

Skoda-Fabia
The hatchback was first shown in Frankfurt in 1999, later the station wagon and sedan appeared. An adapted version with a family of gasoline engines 1.4 and 2.0 liters is delivered to Russia, as well as with a 1.9 liter diesel engine. The equipment is provided with automatically. Price - from 9400 to 16,500 euros, depending on the equipment and type of body.

Renault-Simvol
The sedan based on the Hatchback Klio II was represented by the public at the end of 1999 as intended mainly for developing countries. In 2002, the symbol was modernized, simultaneously isolating from Renault Clio. A Turkish assembly car with two gasoline engines of 1, 4 l with a capacity of 55 and 72 kW, a mechanical gearbox and three equipment levels is delivered to the Russian market. Price - from $ 9100 to 11 500, respectively.

Hyunde-Getz
First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2002. The model is designed specifically for Europe and is designed to eliminate the gap between ATOS and accent. In our market, the Getz is represented by versions of GL and GLS with gasoline engines of 1.3 and 1.6 liters. For the latter, there is equipment with an automatic gearbox. The basic version costs $ 9490, the most saturated - $ 14,690.

Inexpensive foreign car, be sure to be new ... Which one to choose based on the upper budget bar is $ 10,000? A similar problem is probably familiar to many who have decided to change the domestic auto industry. First, consultations with friends, acquaintances, then studying the proposals of car dealerships, where often prices are not so folk - at least differ from advertising. Freedom of consumer choice is clearly narrowing, and the car that seemed affordable is growing in a price of several hundred dollars. How to be?
It seemed to us interesting to assemble the machine of the same price group for the comparative test, despite some differences in the types of bodies and working volumes of engines. What can you get new today, spending, say, from six to ten thousand dollars?
As expected, the list was small. They opted for four applicants: Dau Matiz, Skode-Fabia, Renault Symbol and Hyunde Getz. Moreover, for the latter, which had just appeared in our market, I had to get a concess: the cost of the GLS version goes beyond the agreed framework. And the batch of cheap hettes will appear in Moscow a little later.
Inspection with addiction

Little Uzbek with big eyes. If we discard traditional Russian snobbery in relation to small and low -power vehicles, then Deau Matiz will turn out to be a quite attractive vehicle, at least for a resident of the metropolis. Agree, today it is unlikely that you can buy something else for 6800. e., especially taking into account novelty, the presence of an amplifier of the steering wheel, air conditioner, radio, electric windows, as well as playful and sympathetic appearance. Of course, looking at the car, I would like to move on to diminutive-mall expressions, but, believe me, few will be able to compete with this prone in city traffic jams. However, before traveling on the road, let's, like real nonsense buyers, look at Matiz more closely.
The salon is clearly narrow for adult uncles. Having climbed into it together, and even in winter clothes, you feel it, pushing each other with every awkward movement. But on the gaps to the ceiling, the expanse, it does not matter in the hat or even in the cylinder.
But one is very free here, only I would like to move away, and the pedal node should have been located differently - the clutch pedal was painfully lifted up. Nevertheless, in general, the ergonomics of Matiz will be evaluated as quite convenient. Moreover, in the role of the rear passenger you begin to treat him with respect. You enter a large doorway, and do not squeeze, and even sit down with a margin on your knees - here it is, the opposite side of the modest adjustment in front. The luggage compartment here looks like a sort of frivolous appendage to the rest. Nevertheless, if you lay out the rear seat, it turns out a good hollow for transporting rather voluminous purchases.

Czech superecon. For a long time I wanted to get acquainted with the low-budget Skoda-Fabia in the configuration of the junior. It was painfully similar, at least ideologically, this car seemed to the once popular Felicia. Either we have changed, or really overcopted with a junior - but the car did not make a proper impression.
No, if you start acquaintance with Fabia from an unusual angle - at the lift, you will be pleasantly surprised by the abundance and accuracy of the use of the most important technologies. Powerful screens encircle the release system, aerodynamic panels remove all possible twists, even the plastic protection of the engine looks quite solid - German practicality is felt in everything. But the situation is more controversial on the surface. And the point here is not only in unpainted bumpers, 13-inch wheels and an almost empty salon. Agree, when the rear janitor, shelves of the luggage compartment, a glove compartment and a steering wheel amplifier, becomes sad from such excessive practicality on your car for 9590 euros. And although for this money they offer a very convenient and spacious interior and a full -fledged (not to compare with matiz) the trunk, the feeling of poverty does not leave for a minute. On the one hand, a pillow for the driver, head restraints for the rear passengers, the regime of an adjustable pause on wipers and baubles in the form of a delay in lighting of a salon or sound signal, if not completely released a handbrake. On the other hand, the surrounding emptiness and manual windows, making from the stop to the stop as many as seven revolutions. Perhaps Felicia was more democratic.

Light trunk. Renault Symbol is not deprived of the attention of our magazine. Recently renewed, he became even more expressive, however, he has risen slightly. And although some do not like his peculiar appearance, this car is sold well. The price of $ 9100 includes an honest adaptation to Russian conditions, including a solid road clearance and powerful steel protection of the engine, as well as a power steering, a pillow for a driver and an immobilizer. We took the car for the test with ABS - exactly we met in the allotted 10 thousand u. e.
Undoubtedly, the business card of the symbol is its trunk. They look there with respect, involuntarily puzzled, than the hollow can be filled. I know from personal experience - there really is a lot of fit there. However, the body clearly lacks universality: it is practically not suitable for transporting long -termers. So do not flatter yourself especially, other items are much easier to transport to Fabia or even on Matiz.
The interior pleases with light shades of plastics and upholstery, creating inexpensive comfort. Unlike Fabia, everything is logically completed here, but the plastic is quite rude. In addition, the cabin is crowded. Of course, Renault is not Daewoo, but after the immense trunk, it is somehow inconvenient to feel the shoulder of a sitting next to him and resting his head against the roof. In this nomination, the symbol is clearly inferior to practical Fabia. Closely and in the back seat, which makes you suffer pretty, especially at the entrance and exit. It seems that this is another vehicle for an individual, which, however, is quite acceptable for a car of a similar class.

The novelty of the season. As if having thoroughly studied competitors, Hyunde Getz offers the consumer not only a completely European appearance, but also an equally thoughtful salon. In internal dimensions, it is close to Fabia, but at the same time more comfortable and pretty. Convenient landing, rationally located controls - a sort of rationed good, in appearance very solid. Even if you discard excesses of the GLS configuration, all the same, in a car, an immobilizer, a central lock, one pillow of safety, a power steering and a rear seat that is spreading in parts will remain in a car for $ 9490. In the immediate plans of dealers, supplement this equipment by air conditioning - for all 9990. e. It is impressive all the more since an adapted suspension will appear soon. It is very relevant, since a 120 mm road clearance completely deprives the hetz of fighting qualities.
It is cozy in front, not bad from behind and the trunk is reasonably organized quite reasonably - it seems that the hetz has seriously prepared for our test.
How do they go?

Dau-Matiz. Against all the expectations and spite of owners of more serious cars, on Matiz it is easy to maintain the rhythms of the movement of the big city. He compensates for the modesty of dynamic capabilities. A good visibility and a sense of size, sensitive steering wheel and brakes, confident acceleration to 60-80 km/h allow you to forget about the complex of a small car. Of course, the motor is noisy. This is noticeable both in the city, and especially on the highway, where with an increase in speed, its sound frankly presses on the ears. That the autobahns are not his element, it is also felt according to limited traction capabilities. Of course, Matiz is able to accelerate to 120-130 km/h, but even a small upsurge is enough - and it dullly loses its pace, giving way to more powerful brothers. But still the biggest problem of the car is the suspension. Liquid and short -term, they are prone to vertical buildup and do not hold strikes on potholes. If their characteristics are acceptable in the city, then outside it will have to look for roads equally, since the savings of the car can affect even the reliability of control.
Skoda-Fabia. In the first seconds, the idea comes about the malfunction of the steering. Then you remember: there is no amplifier! Alas, the steering wheel did not just become heavier: heavyweight and thoughtfulness appeared in the responses of the car. The nimble Fabia became lazy and clumsy.

In contrast to Matiza, she meets the Sedokov uncompromisingly rigid pendants, significantly shaking on every unevenness. Thanks to them, the car copes with most pardon, but you have to forget about comfort. The 60-horsepower engine tested for decades does not shine with the sophistication of characteristics, but is quite convenient for confident driving both in the city and beyond. At the same time, there is some negligence in the settings, noticeable against the background of a more common 68-horsepower engine. The thoughtful and at the same time nervous gas pedal, fuzzy, jerking triggering - and noise, noise, noise. Obviously, this version of Fabia is ignored by acoustic comfort: after 3000 rpm, the sound of the engine drowns out in the cabin all the others.
Honestly, we did not expect such striking differences in driving from more expensive Fabi options.

Renault-Simvol. This, on the contrary, conquers directly cheerful responses to manipulations of governing bodies. A sensitive steering wheel, light brakes, a painful and at the same time funny motor. You even forget about the shortcomings of the cabin quite quickly. Only 75 liters. s., but they allow not only to move reliably, but also shooting when overtaking or from a traffic light. This is also the merit of a rather close-together urban transmission, which allows already 50-60 km/h to turn on the fifth gear and roll, without hesitation. The reverse side of the medal - the noise at high speeds, which the engine inevitably comes out, you just have to accelerate more difficult. So cruising 130-140 km/h on the auto track, on the one hand, are easily achieved, on the other hand, they put pressure on the eardrum with a loud buzz of the motor.
Together with the update of the model, the settings of suspensions have also changed. The symbol has grunted the degree and became more like an elastic ball. Honestly, the sensations are controversial. Of course, the tendency to swing on wave -like irregularities decreased, but the fee for this is a deterioration in comfort, especially in the city. In a word, still not perfect.

Hyunde-Getz. Apparently, the Koreans did not experiment in some separate directions, but built anxredity-appropriate vehicle. A kind of quite friendly set of a traction engine, a stretched transmission, comfortable suspensions, good controllability and brakes. Nothing bright, but also without frank failures. If you do not try to find the expression of your own self in all this, you will be completely arranged by stable responses of the motor and you will even forgive him some lethargy at high speeds. A more energetic search for family traits is more likely to disappoint. The noise at high speeds, too calm acceleration after 120 km/h and rather early slipping in quick turns. Only the pendants will remain invariably comfortable, striving not to miss anything to the car body. Agree, reasonably. In relation to a low -budget version, you can look through the fingers at most of these shortcomings.
Something about cheapness
It turns out that a cheap foreign car is not quite what we are used to seeing in advertising booklets, and just on the streets. Having hardly limited yourself in expenses, you will have to forget about most of the benefits and be content with only squeezes from them. Things such as ABS, the second airbag, air conditioning, the central lock and electric windows for the layman most often become luxury; Hundreds of dollars are asked for them, not to mention a more powerful engine or machine gun.

If you sink from heaven to earth, then in relation to our wards you need to clearly formulate why the car is bought. If the main criteria for practicality is a spacious interior and a convenient trunk, and the rest is secondary, it makes sense to look at Hyunde and Skoda. It should be noted that for the amount indicated in the condition, the hetz provides much more consumer sorts and this is clearly preferable to overly Spartan Fabia. Do not forget about the current Hynde horse - a five -year guarantee.
Those who appreciate the driving qualities in the car and are ready to put up with some shortcomings in terms of ergonomics, a symbol is more suitable. Without a doubt, this is the fastest and most dynamic contender for that kind of money.
Dau Matiz is an exception to the rules. This is a purely urban resident with all the advantages and disadvantages that ensure from here. But, choosing a complete set, you can order all the most and most and count on a five-year guarantee without looking back. Even in this case, the price of the car will not exceed the coveted bar.

An adult kit - in the salon of the baby Matiza.

A compact car is a compact motor.

Case compartment.

Irritating asceticism - there is not even a glove compartment cover.

Under the fashionable lid - an old motor.

The whole back of the rear seat, but with the headrests.

The updated interior looks stylish and fresh.

Mal spool, yes energetic.

The trunk is the dreamer's dream.

A spacious and well -equipped salon is a highlight of the hetz.

A solid, modern 1.3-liter motor, but without a light.

The dimensions are medium, but thought out perfectly.

SUMMARY
Daewoo Matiz
+ A high level of equipment, a good sense of dimensions, convenient accelerated abilities, a five -year guarantee.
- weak for the domestic conditions of the suspension, a cramped interior, a small trunk.
Skoda Fabia
+ Thought out salon and trunk, good ergonomics of the driver's workplace, high technical level of performance.
- A very low level of equipment, noisy engine, controllability flaws.
Renault Symbol
+ Comfortable engine and transmission, roomy trunk, large road clearance.
- Close, especially in height, interior, insufficiently thoughtful workplace of the driver.
Hyundai Getz
+ A successful ratio of the size of the salon and trunk, thought out ergonomics, good smoothness, five -year warranty.
- sluggish engine at high speeds, a small road clearance, lack of protection of a motor compartment.