Skoda Good or Bad Choice

Shadow_2k5

Hi All what you all think of the 99 Skoda Felica's apart from there Look are they reloyable ? any one know of any common Problems with em at all or even serious ones I should look out for ?

bazz26

For the money they are asking for these then they make financial sense for someone on a budget. They use old VW parts and on average were generally reliable. As you said the shape looks totally obsolete as it was basically an evolution of the pre VW owned days of the Favorite. The interior was functional rather than stylish and used alot of Mk III Golf switch gear. Don't expect miracles from the engine though as it was not known for its power. If you can find a diesel version then all the better. The 1.9 non turbo diesel from the early 1990s Golf/Vento was not the most powerful or refined, but it did give good economy and handled high mileage well.

unkel

Yep they're so cheap it is hard to get better value for money than buying a '99 Felicia. What are you paying, about €2k - €2.5k?

It ain't as good as current generation Skodas and a large part of the population still has a bad image of Skoda in general and the older models in particular

PaddyFagan

From http://www.honestjohn.co.uk:

What's Good
Looks like a Favorit, but really a VW Polo in Skoda clothes. PAS now available with 1.6 petrol and 1.9 diesel engines. Sound, practical cars. Well built. Excellent paint quality, good shut lines. Strangely, high quality trim and plastics seem as if they're deliberately made to look cheaper than those of Polo. 1.3 versions cheap, but the engines feel it. Haynes manual available from March 1999. 3-year warranty means dealer servicing for first three years but dealers are friendly and sensibly priced. An amazing 3rd from top in 'R' reg J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. Still 16th from Top in 144 car 2002 JD Power / What Car? Customer Satisfaction Survey of V and W reg cars. Skoda generally lowest average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 31.93) Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk 1995-1997 petrol and diesel models average for breakdowns, problems and faults in 2003 Which survey.

What's Bad
Skoda image not good for the status conscious. Old-fashioned single-plane door and ignition key up to April 1998 grille facelift, when it was replaced by twin-plane key. Diesel version a bit front heavy for standard width tyres - can lose adhesion. Very limited model range from early 2000 with most models discontinued. Pop-up sunroofs tend to leak. Have been some gearbox failures on diesels. Further problem areas include: defective central locking, alternator failure, self-destructing ignition locks, failure of frong screen seal leading to water ingresss. High 7 point death rate from accidents in this model. 1998-2000 petrol and diesle models average for problems but poor for breakdowns and fault in 2003 Which survey.

What to Watch Out For
Owners home-servicing using the Haynes manual from March 1999 may take short cuts and will miss any rectification work carried out by Skoda dealers on TSBs. Check soundproofing under carpets for damp from leaking sunroofs and screen seals. Don't buy a monopoint injected Felicia converted to LPG. The engine is not suitable for conversion.

Recalls
1998: (models with airbags): wiring for airbag may chafe. 2001: Recall by Continental Tyres for free replacement of CT22 tyres on Felicias because they may split.

Dagon

What I can't figure out; back in the late eighties/early 90's, Skoda were down there with Lada and Proton as being some of the cheapest, ****tiest, worst lumps of crap with four wheels.

So Skoda decide to team up with VW to get things right, and well enough - they get things right. A new chapter...

Yet they decide to keep the Skoda name - WHY?

There are thousands of people (mainly the older generation) who have an AWFUL conception of the Skoda brand, and simply will not go near them because of the infamous name. Even now, when SKoda are somewhat proven as being up there with VM in reliability terms, still people just want to steer away from the name Skoda, based on their association with that name. My parents for instance - when they hear the name Skoda, they instantly think Lada, Proton, etc. even though they know it's not relevant anymore.

Jip

Because Skoda has been around alot longer than the 80's and 90's and were a luxury car manufacturer to begin with.

alias no.9

How about the fact that they are the 3rd oldest car manufacturer in the world after mercedes and renault?

Yeah, they had bad years under communism but there's lots of manufacturers who've managed to produce terrible cars without any state interference. The skoda estelle and rapid were as good as much competition from western europe when they were launched and had quite a good record in rallying but were very long in the tooth before they were seen in this part of the world. The favorite was the only really terrible car they produced.

Ironically it wasn't until VW took over that skoda started making cars based on other peoples designs, meanwhile, Lada had been churning out ancient Fiat 124's for decades. It's hardly a fair comparrison.

yellow012

Dagon wrote:

Yet they decide to keep the Skoda name - WHY?

Because Skoda have a fantastic motoring heritage, thats why? Check this article out if you don't believe it.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/feature/retrospective/skoda-centenary/retrospective.html
I don't think Skoda are going to change there name just because there are still some small minded eejits about. Anyway its their loss not Skoda's. Skoda can't build the new Octavia's fast enough to supply demand in Ireland and the UK so there are plenty of people who realise the great value in Skoda

Shadow_2k5

Hi All Thanks for the responce. I got the Skoda Felica GLXi 99 ok first inpressions she not the best looking but for an estate she's a looker. I dont mnd about looks. her body is fine nice bit of space & I must admit She is nice on fule 20 Euro will almost fill her up. She's not a fast motor but Im not in it for the speed so far so good knock on wood. her power on a hill is very good it can take hills with no problem. its my first car & Probley a bit crazy of me to go for a Big car her 1.3 is decent. for just little over 2k you cant go wrong power stearing Imobliser,Central locking. she needs a small bit of attention to tidy her up inside & few little bits not serious attention, apart from that Not a bad Car


Cheers