Felicia Owner wannabe - advice please?

[pollywog]

All 1.3 = Chain

1.6 or 1.9 = Cambelt

[Shiloh]

So what do I need to know about the ones with chains? Do they need replacing at a certain time, or are they for the life of the car???

[pollywog]

Actually they last the life of the car... You don't need to change them. The only thing which can happen is that they become a bit louder in the years, but this is no big problem. Maybe it's better to change the chain after 300000 miles

[Shiloh]

Oooh excellent, thanks Pollywog

[pollywog]

you're welcome

I'm gonna change my chain in spring because I'll do a engine revision

[bazz2004]

A drawback with buying unseen is that the car may have had some bodywork repairs. That's no problem with an expert job but mine turned out to have had some second rate work done on the back. The first I knew of the poor repair was when the filler started cracking a couple of months after purchase. Later, an impatient motorist lost the plot at a terrible roundabout and went into the back of me. The result was an insurance repair by a top body repair specialist which included a new tailgate.

I suppose it all depends on what you are looking for and are prepared to pay. There'll be bangers and quality motors of the same vintage.

[skodafelicia]

the 1.6 has a timing belt its only the 1.3 that has a chain

[pollywog]

@ skodafelicia... that's exactly what I said...

[Shiloh]

Is it mad that I'm getting a bit excited about this test drive tomorrow?!! :silly: Am determined to be sensible - am still keeping an eye out on ebay for other cars, and know that this may not be the one - but I really hope it is!!

[Shiloh]

A drawback with buying unseen is that the car may have had some bodywork repairs. That's no problem with an expert job but mine turned out to have had some second rate work done on the back. The first I knew of the poor repair was when the filler started cracking a couple of months after purchase. Later, an impatient motorist lost the plot at a terrible roundabout and went into the back of me. The result was an insurance repair by a top body repair specialist which included a new tailgate.

Definitely prefer seeing/driving the car beforehand, so glad I didn't bid for the one ebay

I suppose it all depends on what you are looking for and are prepared to pay. There'll be bangers and quality motors of the same vintage.

Got a very strict budget, so want the best I can get for that price - reliability more than beauty!

[Shiloh]

Back from my test drive, and the proud owner of a Skoda Felicia!!!!

The body looks good - no real dents or scratches. Made the two elder girls get in the back so I could listen out for any bumping sounds, but was fine - both for leg room, and noise.

Clutch was really high - I am used to my Rover 600 - so to start with it was a bit jerky driving around. But I ended up feeling like a boy racer. Talk about nippy - whipping round corners, in and out of little spaces to let people pass - it was marvellous :cool:

He originally wanted £750 for it, but I said there was no way I could go that high. So we agreed on £550. Paid him £100 deposit and he's dropping it off on Christmas Eve and I am giving him the remaining £450 plus £10 taxi fare (it was that or me and the three girls take a cab to pick it up).

Am grinning like a complete idiot, and looking forward to getting my little rapmobile. Just need to talk the OH into fitting my car stereo in.

Windows are manual, no central locking - he was trying to tell me these were all good things, obviously not realising that it was exactly what I was looking for - minimal electrics so minimal to go wrong :P Yes, I am very very pleased. Thank you so much for all of your help and answering of my questions - I really appreciate it.

[pollywog]

Congratulations, have fun with this excellent car

[skodafelicia]

what engine did you opt for in the end and colour? :p

[Captain Sisko]

Think he bought a 1.3 Felicia

Stereo is easy to remove and fit.

If its the orig Blaupunkt you'll need removal keys, bent coathangers or matchsticks.

I removed a crappy Goodmans from the Favorit using brute force and the car key!!

Got my orig one in for audio bliss until I get the speakers fitted from the Felicia

[Shiloh]

what engine did you opt for in the end and colour? :p

She bought a 1.3 Felicia in classic red, 1999 T reg

Will have to see if I have the keys to remove my stereo from the Rover, then check out the adaptors on the Skoda but can do that over the Christmas holidays

[driftwood]

Notice both of those are yellow pickups, so not he bog standard felicias. The one I am seeing tomorrow he initially said he wanted £750 for it. I said I wasn't prepared to go anywhere near that high - 1999 T reg, 70 odd on the clock, 1.3 engine. So he said he would take the stereo out and we could negotiate. We shall see

Yes, hence my words 'probably not representative ...'.

I went to my local (newbie) Skoda franchisee (Underwoods, Colchester) yesterday.

Viewed a 1.9 Octy estate.

He fumbled around to give me a p/ex price, but the asking price, 12,5K GBP, VAT paid, is a bargain!

I am not out to impress anyone, just want a workhorse.

I think that yu are wrong to generalise. If it is clean and mechanically sound, it is worth every penny.

Forget Glass's guide, what is reliable transport worth to you?

[Shiloh]

Am chuffed with it. although those yellow ones did look like fun!!

[bazz2004]

I may be quite wrong on this, but I added a dedicated CD changer unit to the radio because I worried about problems with reception. I got the impression that the factory installed Skoda radios have a signal booster and a replacement may not give good reception in the UK using the OEM aerial on the roof.

[Shiloh]

Tend not to use the radio, but will bear that in mind.

Edited 20 December, 2008 by Shiloh

[Shiloh]

Think he bought a 1.3 Felicia

Stereo is easy to remove and fit.

If its the orig Blaupunkt you'll need removal keys, bent coathangers or matchsticks.

I removed a crappy Goodmans from the Favorit using brute force and the car key!!

Got my orig one in for audio bliss until I get the speakers fitted from the Felicia

He's taking out his stereo and putting in the original Skoda one (not sure if it's a Blaupunkt or not). I'll be putting in my stereo - not sure of the make but it's an MP3 player with touch screen...

[Captain Sisko]

I replaced the radio head unit and had no problems with the radio reception.

you could ask him not to fit the orig radio so yours can go straight in.

[Shiloh]

Good thinking Captain

[Cepheuz]

Are you seriously saying you are driving with no brakes?!!!!!!!!! :eek::eek:

yup, thing is , i drive granny style and i dont accelerate when i need to stop or coming ot a corner, so a slight braking with the hand brake is more than enough most of the time, but i bought a brake pump today and fitted it,

i was such a easy job, remove the lines, remove the tank, put a little gravel and water in the tank, clean the tank, let it sit to dry, remove the pump with 2 nuts, clean the area and clean the new one, make sure seal is good and fit the new one, torque the nuts well, reconnect the lines, put the tank in, fill with brake fluid, and pump, thats it

now i have a brake that by merely putting my foot on the pedal is braking, im getting accustom to that (in the mean time i brake hard without wanting it)

[Shiloh]

You make it sound easy!

[Cepheuz]

You make it sound easy!

it was, i fitted the thing in the 20 min with minimal tools, no fuss and no vacuum or fluid leaks

oh, and i got the pump not from a felicia, it was from a VW Jetta MKII and it was a straight fit, the only differences is i payed 1000 pesos for it instead of 1600

i was so accustomed to moving my foot lot to brake that this new one is going to take getting used to, its just putting you foot on the brake (not even a movement you can feel) all that's needed to brake the car softly, a little more than that and is fast braking, press it and is hard braking....