1992 Skoda Favorit GLXi 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A bargain estate with more bang than you think!

Faults:

Usual lights windscreen wiper etc.

My head gasket blew at 75000 fitted a new one and had the head skimmed. Took about a weekend to do.

Head gasket blew again at 80,000 this happened at same time as temperature sender failed and after testing the Automatic fan sensor failed as well so I worked out what caused the Head to blow the first time!

Gear box melted and stop at 70mph about 89,000 near Northampton very scary with artics and cars getting out of the way asap!. Impressive skid marks though.

Gear box replaced with second hand one, but seals around gear box gone so need to fill up with gear-oil every two months.

Head gasket again at 98,000 still cheap to fix at about £15 plus my own time.

Never been able to get the wash/spray for the front window to actualy spray in a decent pattern its always over the roof or under the wipers!

New discs at 88,000.

New Headlight after hitting a Stag at 60mph very close to killing me!

Trim just started to peel at edges on dash other wise very good.

General Comments:

The car was very quick when it was young 20,000 it was our 'family' car the 1.3i engine can pull and accelerate well to 60mph.

Not as easy as the old favorite to work on because of the electronics, but it does give you more power.

Interior is bland, but NOT bad.

Does go around corners well and fast much better than my old fiat uno or cavalier estate, well it did come second in the RAC rally not long ago!

Would by another, good for working on yourself.

The estate is BIG for the price.

Starts every time no smoke after 103,000 miles.

Put in Bosch super 4 plugs expensive, but have lasted forever and DO give better economy and burn after comparing with the colour of the old plugs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2003

1992 Skoda Favorit Forum 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very highly recommended unless you really want a BMW

Faults:

The front shock absorbers failed the MoT test, and were replaced with new.

The indicator self-canceller broke, so a new indicator arm was needed.

The rear screen heater requires optimism and patience to get a result.

General Comments:

Cheap and cheerful runabout used mainly by my teenage daughter, but it's remarkably lively on the road. Can be used to embarrass Corsa and Fiesta drivers away from the traffic lights, but runs out of waft at about 60mph.

The interior is very spacious and will carry 5 adults, but it's not really recommended for long journeys.

The car rides well but comfort is marred by a very noisy engine at motorway speeds.

You need a sense of humour to drive a Skoda, but inverted snobbery wins every time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd January, 2002

25th Jun 2002, 15:58

My mate's Favorit doesn't run out of waft at about 60mph. It can quite easily reach 100mph, but the truth is that is very difficult to control car at this speed, and nearly impossible to hear anything other than the motor's racket.

7th Aug 2002, 14:13

My Favorit had 57000 miles when I bought it and now, 18 months later, has over 80000: it runs like a sewing machine and, thanks to the best shock absorbers and tyres I can find (KYB front and Boge rear shocks, all gas types, Pirelli P4000 treads at the front, don't care much about back treads so they're budget radials), it cruises perfectly happily at 76mph all day. More than that I reckon is asking for engine trouble in the long term. I do all my own servicing which is a complete breeze on this car.

10th Sep 2002, 07:50

I love mine, done 94500 miles, known it from new, my Dad owned it previously. Easy to service, and will go on past 60mph easily any day, that's were the torque is!!! I have had 95mph out of her!! Great car ignore the jokes!