Hi all,

I'm looking to trade the Fav in for an estelle- there are a couple for the right cash floating about.

what should I expect?

I ask, as i'm in 2 minds whether to get rid of the favorit...

I can't remember if any 120s were 5-speed - I think only a few, and if it's a 4 you can expect a significantly lower top speed than the Fav for a start! You're flogging it at 70mph already. Depending on the age, and therefore on whether it's a swing axle (older type - can't for the life of me remember when they changed - maybe around 1982?) or semi-trailing (later) you'll get some quite surprising handling compared with a Fav. The Swing axle was the more extreme; basically it was unbelievable on short sharp corners but would gradually lose the back end on longer, faster, curves and when that happens you've got to oppy-lock like no-one's business or it's 'game over player one'. They were famous for overheating, which was nothing to do with the rear engine as such as the radiator was in the front and enormous: rather, due to a combination of head gasket problems (less serious than the 130 engine but still rather common) and imperfectly sealed coolant system (check level weekly or else!), they would get airlocked and then start to boil rapidly. Creature comforts are kinda basic but I must say I found all of mine (I had four assorted Estelles over 8 or 10 years) perfectly bearable including on trips from London to Edinburgh. A bit noisy, but no drama. Mine used to get through throttle cables on a regular basis - it's a roadside repair if you carry a few four-inch lengths of bicycle brake cable and some small electrical connector block, and a small screwdriver, in the glove box. But everything on that car is a piece of cake to fix - there's enough room in the engine bay to get in and have a party and the only thing I can remember being a pain to get at is the back brakes on the older style of car, where you need a slide hammer or a humungous puller to get the drums off.

The 120 s did come with 5 speed on the 120L5 , and the swing axle set up, the semi-trailing susp IIRC only came on the rapid. As richard said you have to keep the cooling system in check. When buying always check for rot around sills and box sections neer rear suspension mounts

I'm not sure that's quite right; I think the semi-trailing arms were on both Estelle 130s and Rapids.

A 105 or a 120 will definitely be a swing axle though. In which case the rule is "brake in a straight line, slow in, fast out, and don't even think about lifting off between putting the power on and getting straight, because this will result in an unplanned panoramic view of the surrounding area".

A 105 or a 120 will definitely be a swing axle though. In which case the rule is "brake in a straight line, slow in, fast out, and don't even think about lifting off between putting the power on and getting straight, because this will result in an unplanned panoramic view of the surrounding area".

sounds like fun!

One other thing I forgot to mention about Estelles in general: you can get a surprising amount of stuff in them if you're not carrying passengers. Obviously big items simply won't go in, but there a luggage space behind the back seat and if you remove the back seat, including the rear cushion (three or four M6 bolts for each) you end up with quite a large storage area, despite the front luggage compartment being a big disappointing. I once had 450kg of tape recorder spare parts in my 120, and although the back wheels developed several degrees of neg camber it drove along happily enough!

Theres a 120LXE Estelle on ebay at the moment.Its the special edition model that celebrated Skoda G.B.'s 21 st anniversary in the UK.Its also very rare in the fact its one of only 1500 120LX and 120LXE models produced.Also, its the only 120 with the semi-trailing arm suspension as fitted to the 130/135 and 136 models.Top speed was 93mph, standard was a 5 speed box, sunroof and 'Skoda 21' decals on the front wings.Estelles are great cars allround, but the Favorit is obviously more modern, and getting into an Estelle from a Favorit is a definate step down in the refinement stakes.

well I brought one...

Skoda 120L 120 L Estelle 5 Speed White 1989 G Reg. on eBay, also, Skoda, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 26-Feb-08 19:38:24 GMT)

I have managed to convice the Mrs to let me keep the Fav as well!!!!

going to pick it up at the weekend, so i will let you know how it goes

Try reverse-flushing the engine and radiator, remembering to include the front to rear pipes, to clean out the cooling system.

And take the comments about the handling as a warning that it's not necessarily the most benign car you'll ever drive.

excellent work fella ...

have fun with it

i'm sure rigsby & daverapid (amongst others)

will offer any techie advice you might need

Check the heated rear relay (the ebay ad said that the heated rear window doesn't work). Had the same problem on mine, and although the relay was moving, for some reason it wasn't fully engaging, so i just bent the contact a fraction and now the window works fine!

It says on the add that the coolant gets merky, this could be a sign that the head gasket is starting to go. But dont worry its an easy repair

Best advise of all is enjoy it!

Let us know how it goes and we're here for advise if needed.

all you need to know about cooling is that you run a 50/50 mix and it's supposed to run pretty hot!

all you need to know about handling is a 120 doesn't have the power to "drift", and with decent tyres will be too planted to slide unless in greasy/snowy weather.

and don't get rid of the favorit. every time I try another car it disappoints me and I get another Fav. potentially the best car ever

Got it home 200+ miles!

36000 genuine miles.

taty.

Dead happy though!

Just snapped up the other one that was on Ebay.

Beige 120.

Not a cheap as you got yours for.

Another Skoda to add to my growing collection.

Octavia vRS, Fabia SDI, Fabia WRC Build and now Estelle 120.

Cant wait! wanted one for a while now. Cool cars.

Come on westy, post no good without pictures

YOU KNOW THE SCORE

:)Two more saved! Excellent news.

Come on westy, post no good without pictures

YOU KNOW THE SCORE

When it stops snowing!

Just snapped up the other one that was on Ebay.

Beige 120.

Not a cheap as you got yours for.

Another Skoda to add to my growing collection.

Octavia vRS, Fabia SDI, Fabia WRC Build and now Estelle 120.

Cant wait! wanted one for a while now. Cool cars.

glad it went to another enthusiast!

Just found this on the net:

Trovit Cars

Looks really smart - a bit like the sort of thing I did to some of my Estelles and Rapids in the early 90's!

A steal at that price too.

That was mine a year ago, then wayne 105s and now its down south

The car is absolutely solid, and runs spot on. Well worth the money