Current model Ibiza is basically a current model Polo, minus the badge, minus the 50% VW tax.

I was considering changing my motor, and went and drove a load of the 8 month old/10k miles ones the local car supermarket had. All ex-rentals.

1.2 S petrol, good little car as long as you don't venture out of town much. A bit lacklustre on the motorway.

1.4SE petrol - my pick of the bunch. Goes well (85hp) and gets decent fuel economy. I don't do many miles, some in town, some on A roads, some on motorway.

1.2TDI - cement mixer engine. Awful. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Good fuel economy.

1.6TDI - this is the one to go for for big miles on the motorway. Low geared round town, so I'd be wary of clogged DPF unless you drive everywhere in 2nd or 3rd.

Otherwise, they drive well, and are almost as well put together as the Polo. The radio is rubbish, though, but that's easy changed by your local car audio shop (or Halfords if you're brave).

Hiya,

I have a E-Ecomotive ST which I bought this time last year. I personally love it, but then I hate paying through the nose for fuel which is why I bought the eco model. I get on average about 70 mpg which is excellent but a little short of the claimed 80 made by Seat... but you will hear that argument on all engine consumprion figures provided by Seat.

My parents bought the 1.6 TDI version which does really go, a lot faster then my little 1.2 TDI but then it uses more fuel (they get about 55-60 mpg). Depending on what you want, best fuel economy or pace will make that decision for you.

I have covered just over 20,000 miles and the car is faultless, no problems and is very reliable. I recently drove to Austria with a ski box cruising at 80 mph all the way there and the drive was easy, done in a day and no aches or pains. So the comfort is great, very pratical and cheap to run... not much not too like.

The only critism I have is the space in the rear. I would have prefered a slightly smaller boot (which is massive) so the rear seats had a little more room. I have a 5 month old daughter and her car seat means the passenger seat has to be moved forward. Thats fine if the front passenger isn't too tall, but you would struggle to sit 3 other adults in comfort. When my daughter gets a bit bigger and I can fit forward facing car seats, then their will be plenty of room for all, but rear facing car seats are a sqeeze.

Steer clear of the big 17" alloys (and sport suspension if you can) which my parents have, they are not very forgiving on British roads .I would highly recommend this car, a great drive and cheap to run.