1994 Skoda Favorit LXi Plus 1.3

Summary:

Cheap and very cheerful green monster

Faults:

Head gasket blew at about 52000 miles, replaced with a 67bhp engine from the Felicia, cost £700 fitted, a lot more power.

Front springs failed due to rust at 74000 miles.

General Comments:

Drives well engine, lively if pushed.

Plenty of space, easily removed rear seats give van amount of space, had a double bed in the back.

No worries about it getting nicked, you would be hard pressed to give it away.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2001

1994 Skoda Favorit GLXI Blackline 1.3 petrol

Faults:

Rear suspension creaked, rear door handle cover came off, central locking stopped working and the tappets needed adjusting (all done under warranty).

General Comments:

Overall a very good car, OK the build wasn't brilliant but hey, it was cheap. It was a special edition with alloys, roof spoiler, RDS stereo and central locking, it looked the business. Mind you I got some stick about driving a Skoda!

It was my first new car (and last) and when I win the lottery I'll track it down and buy it back, so if you own it, look out I'm coming.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2000

1994 Skoda Favorit LXiE 1.3 petrol

Faults:

Purchased second hand in September from a listed dealer with a 2 year AA Silver warranty. Dealer now in liquidation, having promised the earth beforehand in final rectification.

Heater blower switch faulty, winter thermostat required as the existing one, according to the 'new' servicing dealer, performed satisfactory, though the heating from the old thermostat left a lot to be desired in terms of warmth and de-misting properties. New thermostat returns wonderful heating, but the temperature sender now scales just below red danger level. Have asked Skoda for answers over my fears for summer driving with the winter thermostat in-situ and the problems of overheating etc etc. No answers since Jan 15 1999.

General Comments:

A minimalist's vehicle that does the job asked of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 1999

5th Jul 2001, 04:15

I'm just about to sell my trusty LXiE (1995 UK model) after 6 years 100% reliable service (now 2 many kids and have to get a 7seat Zafira!). Interested to read about your thermostat problems - mine was the same - great heater but goes near the red line in summer before the fan comes on. The garage (and myself) have all tried to find any leaks etc but I think that they're just meant to work like this! - It's never overheated once on me.

3rd Sep 2001, 12:16

I've got a '95 Forum which, like your car, always runs just below the red line. I've replaced the thermoswitch in the radiator, and the thermostat (when I replaced the blown head gasket - its only failing to date in three years) to no avail. It has been overheating in traffic of late - in hot weather the fan is simply activated too late to stop this happening.

For the time being I have wired the fan so that it runs all the time the engine is on - bodgery, I know, but it does the job for now. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Jaz.

1994 Skoda Favorit GLXIe Estate 1.3 petrol

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

A very reliable car with bags of space (I'm six foot five and there is plenty of head and leg room)

A blinding little engine for what it is (1.3 litre, naturally aspirated 67 bhp - not that much I know but it is enough!)

Have once done 115mph in it and it was rock solid, will cruise at 85mph happily for hours.

Sticks to the road much better than I had expected and has a good ride.

Estate has quite a lot of room.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 1998

19th Nov 2002, 08:07

I wish my Favorit did 115mph!!!

I'd be interested to know how you were going that fast when the speedo only goes up to 110mph!

I agree that it'll do 85 happily for hours tho!!!

3rd Jun 2008, 20:21

I had a 1995 GLXiE Favorit with a free flowing decat 2inch bore exhaust and it would sit off the clock at 110mph so was easily doing over 100mph.