Potential 197 owner from Ireland

[fletch555]

Hey guys

Currently driving a Skoda Fabia vRS (170bhp 400Nm)....has given me 3 years of faultless and fun ownership however it's time for a change. While the Fabia is great on motorway spins and fast A roads(effortless overtaking ability), it's just too nose heavy to be enjoyable on back roads.

Test drove a 197 at the weekend and loved it. Felt very stable, handled great and looked nice and understated but still sporty. My only concern was its cruising ability,75mph equated to 4,000rpm(about double the rpm of the Fabia)! My question for owners, is whether the 197 is very tiresome on long journeys? While I want a fun car to drive, I'm worried the short gearing will bother me over time.

Thanks in advance for replies!

 

[Shorty_Irl]

Well Fletch! I test drove a 197 myself and absolutely loved it. I cant say I noticed the high revs but then I wasnt cruising in 6th for very long. My own 1.4 Clio sits at just under 4000 revs in 5th at 75mph (120kph) and I regularly take long trips. I cant say Ive ever noticed the car becoming tiresome. In fact, I drove from Dublin to New Ross to Cork City in 5 hours and got outta the car feeling fresh as a daisy. The 197 is as comfortable cruising in 6th as it is tearing round Mondello. I hope you pick up the car, its a fabulous machine. And I dont think you will regret it. Theres a few for sale in Ireland at the mo, which one are you looking at? PM if you like

 

[Mark R27]

Welcome to CS.

At first you'll be wanting to go for a 7th gear but once you get used to it you'll be fine. I think it was in October 2007 all 197's started coming with longer gear ratios for 5th and 6th. This doesn't make a huge difference probably revs at about 3600rpm at 75mph. It doesn't bother me on long journeys but I did come from a much less powerful car that also revved high.