My question would simply be:

Why not the Felly?

My main reason for shelving The Fun is purely cost (Insurance £600 + £200 tax + petrol costs at 24,000 miles a year) Can't acutally fault the vehicle itself in any way. What it did do is bring me over to Skoda. I have an Octy is a my main car now. My son hits 17 next March, so as soon as he's started driving, I'll be looking for a 1.3 Felly for him to have when he's passed.

Yes the fun isn't the cheapest running option. My lad turns 20 this year but despite my earlier efforts just couldn't persuade him on the Felly front. In my book a great first car option but not cool enough amongst his mates! Mind you it's worth noting that at 18 he didn't find the Felly particularly cheap on the insurance front when comparing different car options.

Mind you it's worth noting that at 18 he didn't find the Felly particularly cheap on the insurance front when comparing different car options.

Probably to do with the fact that the Felly was never officially crash tested and so there is no data on how well it would fair in a crash. When compared with other simialr small cars that have maybe been crash tested then they would favour those to one that hasn't.

Phil

this thread makes me even more satisfied of having a Felicia.

I really admire the passionate, yet objective opinions of the above posters.

for me, not having to go to an auto repair shop for most operations (having a fairly decent set of tools) is the biggest advantage.

the only downside is that some parts are no longer manufactured (i.e. carburetor) and some aftermarket parts are low quality (Vika = China)

Probably to do with the fact that the Felly was never officially crash tested and so there is no data on how well it would fair in a crash. When compared with other simialr small cars that have maybe been crash tested then they would favour those to one that hasn't.

Phil

Yes good point Phil. I've often wondered about the Felly and even with the drivers side air bag I'm not sure I'd fancy my chances in a hefty head on!!

this thread makes me even more satisfied of having a Felicia.

I really admire the passionate, yet objective opinions of the above posters.

for me, not having to go to an auto repair shop for most operations (having a fairly decent set of tools) is the biggest advantage.

the only downside is that some parts are no longer manufactured (i.e. carburetor) and some aftermarket parts are low quality (Vika = China)

The hands on / diy aspect is a point really well made. So many other vehicles just don't lend themselves to the same ease of access & maintenance.

I remember my mates reaction when I rolled up in my tatty Felly. Something along the lines of 'Mate... what the f*** is that? :wonder: '.

Even they quickly grew to like it. One of em said they were surprised at the build quality for a Skoda. Another like was the fact that it had five doors, most of my other mates cars being three. I made a point of not wanting to buy a three door - bleugh. Also, it was an estate, hardly... well... 'cool'. A bit mumsy.

Ahhh memories.

Mine's not in the good books right now.

It's a fun car to drive. I like the fact that I can push on a bit in the bends and it'll hang on. I also like the fact that I can take the backboards out, flatten the seats and turn it into a workhorse- I'd had a wardrobe and a chest of drawers at the same time in mine. It also ferried my sister and all her junk from one end of the country to the other.

Mine's not in the good books right now.

It's a fun car to drive. I like the fact that I can push on a bit in the bends and it'll hang on. I also like the fact that I can take the backboards out, flatten the seats and turn it into a workhorse- I'd had a wardrobe and a chest of drawers at the same time in mine. It also ferried my sister and all her junk from one end of the country to the other.

if its same as mine (x reg classic) the back seat folds in half, tip forward and lift off their hinges turning it into a van had a double matress and rather large 3 seater hanging out the back of her at one point

..continuing with my obsession of squeezing every last mile out of a gallon of petrol (tight git!) , i've just gotten back from a round trip of 320 miles done exactly on €50 of petrol (29.5 litres, 6.48 gallons)

On motorways and dual-carriageways keeping to a constant speed of 60mph (100kph, upto 120kph overtaking, thats 75mph), my Felica estate returned 49.38 MPG.... even allowing for any discrepancy in the fuel-gauge reading, it's still pretty impressive....and THAT'S why the Felly.

......my Felica estate returned 49.38 MPG....

Which engine?

Which engine?

Off the top of my head, I'd suggest it is the 1.3mpi.

Simply because such a marvellous economy effort is so close to what my own has managed, if I am careful [no constant speeds, however]...within 1 or 2 mpg's that is what I obtain all the time....even if I overtake people too!

Off the top of my head, I'd suggest it is the 1.3mpi.

Simply because such a marvellous economy effort is so close to what my own has managed, if I am careful [no constant speeds, however]...within 1 or 2 mpg's that is what I obtain all the time....even if I overtake people too!

Despite driving for years now on the economic side, I'm pretty sure I didn't average high 40's in the ones I've owned? The economy was what you'd regard as good but not to that extent. I don't really find the 1.6 any much worse comparative to the 1.3 mpi.

Which engine?

- its a 1.3 mpi.

Despite driving for years now on the economic side, I'm pretty sure I didn't average high 40's in the ones I've owned? The economy was what you'd regard as good but not to that extent. I don't really find the 1.6 any much worse comparative to the 1.3 mpi.

'Economic' driving style has had a fundamental change in procedures over the decades.

What used to work for the technologies available up to the 1980's and mid 1990's doesn't really work for the later technologies.

Overall fuel consumptions are also seriously affected by the driving environment usually inhabited.

On this forum I have often posted the average fuel consumptions I have achieved with a 1.3mpi felly estate....but I have added the proviso of describing the general driving environment the car inhabits.

However, to be fair , I have noticed a slight fall in fuel consumption if I have driven anywhere south of the M4 corridor! Dunno why, maybe the air down there has less oxygen in it? [Don't go down there very often these days....usually for holidays, etc..but I have come to expect averages below 45 mpg's once I arrive!]

Up here in Yorkshire my averages for mpg's are as stated above.

Driving style does affect consumptions greatly.... unless one has the technology that simply removes driver input completely?

As an example of my driving techniques, I drive within the posted speed limits....I ensure I maintain good distancing from the vehicle in front...and I take full advantage of the mpi's ability to return fuel to the tank on over-run......I avoid using the brakes for speed reduction as a result, if possible........but equally, I don't employ lower gears for speed reduction either....so I use my eyes, and simply 'come off the gas'' as early as I think I can, for known speed reduction areas like limits,junctions etc.....seeing how far I can go, off the gas in top gear, to reduce speed from, for example, 60 to 30?

For dealing with bends or corners, I come off the gas early for any necessary speed reduction, but also I aim to adopt a position or 'line which enables the car to negotiate the corner with the least amount of steering lock possible. This does it's bit to reduce friction, or the 'slowing' effect of steering, thus aiding fuel consumption in a small way. [Check out the book 'Roadcraft'....WH Smiths, next to the Highway Code]...for more explicit details on how to negotiate corners [at any speed!] to minimise vehicle instability, and maximise observation opportunities?

I 'block -change' the gears, both 'up' and 'down', wherever possible...often setting off from traffic lights, for example, in second with a light throttle..then, once the revs sound to be at a decent point, drop the gears straight to 4th...[usually at, or very near, 30mph]

This approach means the car gets to the intended cruising speed [30mph?} quickly..[one or two fewer gearchanges....changing gear slows down the rate of speed increase....when the clutch pedal is 'in', the car is free-wheeling, doing nothing positive, ie a 'toboggan']....plus, the gas pedal isn't being tramped up and down , with the attendant difficulties of accurately obtaining the lightest throttle necessary].

The 1.3 mpi is good at this sort of lark, as it is factory-tuned to offer good torque characteristics [so drivers avoid high revs, and holed pistons?}....2nd gear at 26-28mph isn't 'high revs'.....

As another example, [with my 1.3 mpi, anyway]....increasing speed from, say 25mph or so [maybe off a roundabout?} to an intended [close-to] 60mph using solely 3rd gear, on the lightest possible throttle, then popping it into 5th to cruise probably uses less fuel than tramping up and down on pedals changing gear and using 4th.....plus, you get up to cruising speed more quickly....quick enough to surprise many a driver of more modern, apparently better machinery! [one less gearchange...one less short period of not doing anything other than free-wheeling?}

Once I get up speed, I tend to 'read the road' to make full use of gravity, for example, to 'come off the gas'......so whilst I do drive at the speed limit, I am not afraid to drive at less than the limit, either.

All these, and other, little techniques add up to saving a little bit here or a little bit there......nothing significant in themselves, but when added up, can amount an a considerable increase in economy.

But, IMHO, the greatest single contribution the MPi system makes to the economy of the 136 engine is that ability to not use fuel on over-run.....but don't over-do things, as once the revs in any gear fall to around tickover, the system starts to pump fuel in again...[this can be felt if one comes off the gas in 5th...once below 28mph or so one can feel a gentle 'surging' from the engine, as its is fuelled, and the throttle juggled, to prevent a stall situation......you can feel it 'pick up' slightly...at that point, it is best to be in the next gear down?

So, if one can take advantage of this attribute, to the fullest possible extent, then fuel will be saved.

The main thing is... the 136 engine is the lightest possible unit....therefore has probably the best power-to-weight ratio of all three. [i'm guessing here, however]

Thus, a lightweight power unit, reasonably lightweight bodyshell and running gear, all the ingredients for an economical car.......then it's down to the driver.

After all that, I will add that, for my job I am deeply involved with 'driver training and education' in all its respects...and am obliged to frequently demonstrate a high standard of driving skill....to critical assessors.....[as well as assessing others].....both 'on' and 'off' road....so perhaps I have an 'advantage' over the vast majority of those out driving and using the roads....[not to mention nearly half a century of licensed ****-ups and mistakes to have learnt from?]........which is perhaps a trifle unfair....and maybe some of the stuff might not be what ordinary drivers would think, or dream, of doing?

But, as has been posted by others, the 1.3mpi can and does give excellent economy, is cheap and easy to maintain [another expense binned...labour costs?]....and is cheap to buy.

The important thing is to put ego on the back seat.

Cutting through the detail, which let's face it is fraught with variables, essentially we're all saying the Felly remains

absolutely, cannot be beaten at the price?

filled up yesterday [non-scientific, always to first click of the nozzle.....pretty consistent, however, I feel...]

47.2 mpg's...almost exactly the same as at previous fill-up...

[375 miles, used 36.1 litres, @ 132.9p each]....not been particularly careful with driving style....maybe I need to look at the plugs, as they've been in there 2 years-plus....and more than 30k miles....and the hairflitter is looking a bit grubby....not oily, just 'dusty'...