Hello all,

Just registered on the site as I'm looking to buy a Skoda very soon, ie within the week.

I've been looking at quite a few in the mid-90's age range.

When was the change over from Favorit to Felicia and what are the main differences between the models?

I've had a look round the forums but couldn't find much info on the Favorit.

Are there any known issues on both models that I should be looking out for? Both are low mileage cars but are there any issues which may arise later on?

Out of the two models, which would be the best one for reliability etc?

Any help and information would be greatly received.

Thank you

I'd have thought Felicia since it's a newer car, but not really up on either of these.

Felicia for reliability as its the most modern of the two and the interior is very pleasent to be in. My brother has a facelift 1.6 felicia and its a very easy car to drive.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Being an older car isn't a problem for me as I'm a classic car person anyway.

The question about known issues with either model was mainly due to seeing quite a lot of Felicias on ebay with either blown head gasket or being unable to start the engine when it was warm. There have been quite a few for sale with these problems. Just wondered if it was something that happened a lot.

I take it the interior in the older ones is a bit basic?

To me the Favorit isn't old enough to have the feeling of a classic, whilst still appearing terribly old-fashioned. However they are dirt cheap, worth about the remaining value on the tax disc plus the price of petrol in the tank

Felicias are much more modern and IMHO very undervalued and excellent value for money. There are also more of them about, so you're more likely to find a good one and it will only cost a few hundred more than a Favorit. I recently sold my 1.6 Felicia for

Felicia 1.6 is a good buy, Polo engine.

The 1.3 isnt bad by any means though.

Thanks for the info. Ideally would like to stick with the smaller engine to keep the price of tax down. I've got a list of ones to hopefully go and see over the weekend. All the really nice low mileage ones I've seen, seem to have been snapped up straight away before I could arrange to go and look :(

Will keep you posted.

The Favorit is very dated now, but is definately more resistant to rust than the Felicia. The original Favorit was the most fun to drive, the later '93 on VW facelift Favorit was better built but didn't drive as well. The original 136 engined carb fed Favorit was a fairly spritely car. The Felicia is basically a heavily facelifted '93 on Favorit made more refined. The 1.3 engine in both Favorit and Felicia needs regular coolant changes to keep the head gasket problems at bay. I personally prefer the 1.3 engine though as the extra weight of the iron block 1.6 doesn't do the handling any favours and in 68 bhp high compression form isn't much slower anyway.

Thanks for that information. Well, as you can probably guess, I've gone and got myself a Favorit this afty.

It's a '95 (M) which I thought was pre-VW but obviously not from your post above. Anyway, there are a few more details in the intro section but it's 36k from new and just about spotless. Very pleased with it for the money. My other half has had a good look round it tonight and he's amazed at the condition.

Will certainly take heed about the coolant changes. It will be getting a full service as soon as we can find the time so the coolant will be changed then.

I've not had chance to drive it yet as my insurance company shut up shop at midday so couldn't transfer the details over but I have been reliably informed by my better half that it drives like a dream. The 1.3 engine certainly managed to keep up with the 2 litre Saab (which I've had to drive today) from Manchester back to Leeds then to Derby today.

I'm itching to have a go.

95[M] is when the Favorit gave way to the Felicia, though the Favorit Estate remained in production into 96[N]. The later Favorits like yours had the more powerful E engine. I guess I sound like an anorak, but I'm a big fan of the Favorit, especially the Mk1 version. The Favorit was the last pre VW Skoda, and also later became the 1st to be influenced by VW, so I reckon it plays a very big part in the history of Skoda.

Had two M reg favorits and kept them both for about 6 years, both gave way to head gasket problems, believe about half-way thro ownership they decided that only the vw 'pink' coolant could be used iirc to lower chances of HGF so check and make sure you use right stuff which irc is much dearer than blue/green normally bought from garages. HTH

Had two M reg favorits and kept them both for about 6 years, both gave way to head gasket problems, believe about half-way thro ownership they decided that only the vw 'pink' coolant could be used iirc to lower chances of HGF so check and make sure you use right stuff which irc is much dearer than blue/green normally bought from garages. HTH

re head gasket failure favorit/felicia does anyone know if renewing head gasket is it usually a straightforward job ? or can they be complications such as cylinder head needing skimming etc

When it occured in the first one was quoted a stupid figure for the head sending off and checking to see if it had warped and re-skimming etc (£500 irc) didn't bother and ran it, as was, for about 5,000 mile and then traded it. When I stared to notice the mayo/ gloopy coolant in the second I ran it for about 6 months then traded it. Given the value of the cars (even 7 years ago) it was not worth spending the cash.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Being an older car isn't a problem for me as I'm a classic car person anyway.

The question about known issues with either model was mainly due to seeing quite a lot of Felicias on ebay with either blown head gasket or being unable to start the engine when it was warm. There have been quite a few for sale with these problems. Just wondered if it was something that happened a lot.

I take it the interior in the older ones is a bit basic?

Hello

OK the Engine in the Favorit and the newer Felicia are basically the same thing. the cars are basically the same.

The devil is in the detail only the 1.3 is still skoda technology in the Felicia, it is a reworked favorit engine. Catalysed and either electronically mpi or spi injected. More power from the 1.3mpi and a little less form the spi version. as for the inside the later models 1999-2001 have the face lift and the more comfy interior.

The favorits interior was improved and as you have seen much improved and well laid out. You do get a tool kit and spares with the favorite you did not get with the Felicia. however you did get on most of the glx versions Five alloy wheels . the other 1.6/1.9 versions are VW engines with I am told skoda gear boxes however most critics agree including the AA road test that the 1.3 version is faster and has more power. On that note because it is a re worked favorite they thought long and hard. It runs fuel on the 1.3 and consumes as much as the 1.6! however for the consumption you do get more power. These results are all before any modding and on the 136 engine.

Head gaskets always blew on rovers!, no only if they where abused

same for skoda's my dad had an Austin maxi! and even when it was 25 years old it still done 85 mph! and that was with a piston ring blown and it had clocked over 200,000 miles!. head gasket never went!

I seen a rover 75 that "threw a leg out of bed!" that's dude driving lol.

I have seen a Fancy 007 BMW (I don't know what there called lol) with a snapped drive chain. (the skodas use drive chains! the 1.6/1.9 vw is belted)

So no the only issue I have seen time and again is that stupid water temp sensor.

And on that.

it appears to be aluminium housed on the favorit and it is moulded plastic on mine! the skoda guy said they always go, there only crap plastic lol

Thanks

Simonize

Hope this helped. (I hope its correct! lol)

Thanks for the info. Interesting stuff. Will certainly keep an eye out for any potential HG/heating problems. It's got Skoda service history from the first owner up until it was sold on in 1999. Things get a bit sketchy from then on, although the majority of the 36k mileage was done by the first owner and not much of it since then. So, hopefully, the care taken in the early years will help it to last a bit longer.

If the HG does go, it shouldn't be such a big issue as we do all the work on our (too many!!!) cars ourselves.

I drove it about 1/2 mile yesterday and the clutch is a bit dodgy and takes some getting used to but it runs really sweet and pulls well. Insurance is now sorted so I get to play with it properly tomorrow !!!

On the subject of clutches, how easy/difficult a job is it to change one? Anyone else had problems with the clutch/cable?

CarMac's other half here !

I thought at first the clutch was on its way out as the biting point was right at the top but after some inspection I think somebody has just been over zealous with the cable adjustment!

I have loosened is so the biting point is about mid pedal and there is still no slack in the system and no sign of any slippage. Will see how it goes !

It's a fantastic car and takes me back to my previous Skoda ownerships of a 105 Estelle, 120 Estelle, Mk1 Favorit and then a Fabia (which my ex-wife now drives) !!!!

Will look into the coolant change and ensuring we use the correct anti-freeze !

Thanks for the info. Interesting stuff. Will certainly keep an eye out for any potential HG/heating problems. It's got Skoda service history from the first owner up until it was sold on in 1999. Things get a bit sketchy from then on' date=' although the majority of the 36k mileage was done by the first owner and not much of it since then. So, hopefully, the care taken in the early years will help it to last a bit longer.

If the HG does go, it shouldn't be such a big issue as we do all the work on our (too many!!!) cars ourselves.

I drove it about 1/2 mile yesterday and the clutch is a bit dodgy and takes some getting used to but it runs really sweet and pulls well. Insurance is now sorted so I get to play with it properly tomorrow !!!

On the subject of clutches, how easy/difficult a job is it to change one? Anyone else had problems with the clutch/cable?[/quote']

Hello

A simple test to see if the clutch and gearbox are pretty sound is to take your car to a flat level surface (where possible) And put the hand brake on, Put her into fourth gear and let the clutch out gently. see if she bites without cutting out. or any other strange effects such as jumping out of gear. Dont let it go into gear fully though, as starting a car in gears higher than first or second can seriously damage a gear box>< As for mending this part. Well i bring it to my local guy. I culd detect a problem, but he is the expert.

thanks.

Simonize

Gray's already checked and the clutch doesn't appear to be slipping. Will see how it goes and possibly get another cable.

Garages? We don't do garages.......they're far too expensive. We do everything ourselves !

Hi

Yea Garages here would be