Seat Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI PD 130

first class car loads of room and good looks

I've owned my Ibiza FR TDI 130 since 2004 when I purchased it new. It's racked up 39000 miles since then and I've never had a single problem with it. The two best things about this car is both the acceleration and economy; I average 42mpg with a heavy foot. Drive it smoothly and you can easily do up to 500 miles on a tank. And at the red light you can get in front of most cars with ease- there's plenty of torque.

Drawbacks: The ride is firm and when driving over rough or uneven surfaces- it's admittedly uncomfortable at times. It's also noisy at high speed. But for me, the economy and the fact that it's so cheap to run and insure makes up for it.

I've yet to see another car out there in it's price range that is as quick as the Ibiza TDI 130, is so cheap to run and looks as good. When the day comes I'll be sad to see it go.

I have owned my SEAT IBIZA TDI FR130 for neary three years now. It's generally a very good car, fast, cheap to run and insurance is pretty cheap too. Car has a nice 6 speed gearbox. I would buy the car again. As other reviewers, I have also had my car 're-mapped', it's now a true rocket when accelerating, can suprise some fast cars!

On long distance journeys I have been able to manage 72mpg average for the journey and it's not been unknown for me to get 600miles out of a tank of fuel (with a light right foot)

I believe the engine should run for a long time being a Volkswagen/Audi group product, the services can be expensive and the dealer support/help poor, but, you're not obliged to go to a main dealer once out of warranty.

The FR is generally a comfortable car, it can be let down by it's hard suspension.

Ive owned my 2003 PD130 Sport(the FR's predecessor)for 18 months now and always smile when i get in and grin like a cheshire cat when i get out. The thing that floats my boat so much is the torque band and the handling, its addictive short shifting to keep it in the torque band and seeing how hard it can go round corners before the TCS light starts flashing to spoil your fun(you can press the TCS button to have more fun).

Ive had mine remapped like Freeky says in his review to 190bhp and 320ftlb, its now a truly awesome car and ive never driven anything similar in power delivery. Obviously tuning the Sport/FR models requires a little more work than the Cupra's but if you want a stealth pocket rocket, get one!

Nothing other than the window mechanism has broke up til now, the rest of my expense on this little car has been because of my right foot and the power hike ive given it.

Visit Jabba Sport in Peterborough for VAG car tuning and servicing, they do know what they are doing and i trust them entirely.

Ive owned my Ibiza Sport(the FR's predecessor) for 18 months now, ive always smiled when ive left the car and its the highlight of any day when i get to drive it. Maybeim easily please or very sad but either way i cant fault the Ibiza.

After my dealer warrenty ran out i remapped it using a company called Jabba Sport, they boosted the power to an estimated 190bhp/320ftlb. This brings new problems in itself and extra wear on the running gear but believe me or not, its cheaper to run after the map because you use the low down torque rather than revving the nuts off it.

I know a number of VAG group diesel owners and we all complain about one thing, the tyres. Because of the torque it rips them up. A steady right foot is needed to save them, it is so hard not press a little harder though.

Bits bought for the car so far-

4x Goodyear Eagles @ £100-125ea

80000mi service @ £350

Remap Stage 2 @ £450

Sachs Racing Clutch @ £750

Passenger window repair (new mechanism) @ £190

New wishbone bushs @ £300 (After the map)

EBC brakes all round @ £100 pads/ £250 discs

More to buy im sure but i like my car so much i dont mind spending so much on it, half my expense has been because of tuning the engine. These cars are so reliable and modest, BMW and Audi owners beware!

I bought my Seat Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI PD 130 about 6 weeks ago now. My previous car was a 1.1 Punto, so as you can imagine, it was a bit of a shock to the system, not to mention the right foot when all the torques kicked in. Inside it isn't to bad. Its fairly dark but the chrome pack lifts the interior a bit. FR badges are everywhere and the racing style chunky steering wheel is spot on. The seats are very comfy and again, have big FR badges on them. And what a god send the climate control is. Performance wise, I couldn't ask for more from a diesel. The turbo kicks in at around 1700rmp and goes right the way through to 4000rmp. On the motorway, 75mph in 6th and your doing 2000rmp. 500 even 600 miles from a tank is possible driving carefully. If your after a bit more performance, you could always re-map the car from around £500. This would get you into the region of 180bhp and 300ft lb+ torque but it is advisable to upgrade the clutch to avoid clutch slip and breakage. Also with this you will need to up grade the brakes aswel so that you can stop. All in all, this is a great car with stunning performance and the looks to match (17inch alloys look lurvly on the car).