1984 Skoda Estelle 120L 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

One and only truly original

Faults:

You name it! Master brake cylinder, alternator, fuel pump, overheating..... never a dull moment.

General Comments:

It was my first car and I loved it. Never knew what was going to go wrong next which all added to the fun.

Once spun 180 degrees on a railway crossing thru cornering too fast, and scared the life out of myself.

Not a motorway car, needed a fifth gear. Once drove back from Torquay to Bradford - 300 miles with the choke out.

Eventually saw the light and got a sensible Sierra.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2000

1986 Skoda Estelle 105S 1.0 petrol from Hungary

Summary:

Roomy, economic car, great fun to drive

Faults:

The previous owner did not know anything about maintenance. Oil consumption was high, therefore piston rings have been replaced. Fuel consumption was extremely high (13l/100km) because of carburettor problems. Most parts of the ignition system has been replaced, starter rebuilt, fly-wheel changed.

I also had other problems, but of less importance: windscreen-wiper switch, heating system, electrical contacts, and more. It is obvious, if the previous owner had done any maintenance, I would have had almost no problems.

General Comments:

Although I managed to get a worn-out car, I still belive that this is a good car (My father also had one a couple of years ago.) If the price is also taken into consideration, it is even better. Steering is extremely easy (if the tire pressure is OK), fuel consumption is economic (remember this engine is almost the same one that the 1000MB entered production with in the mid sixties). It is one of the best cars in winter due to the its rear-engine and rear-wheel-drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2000

23rd May 2005, 14:11

The estelle was the worse car I have ever owned since 1974. On a regular basis it would just conk out, especially waiting at traffic lights. The heater hose burst which was sited inside the car. I thought the car had caught alight at first until I felt the hot water burning my legs. I swore that I would never buy another skoda again. (I didn't)

12th Mar 2006, 04:32

I Liked the Estelle 105. it was easy to drive and had lots of room for the family. It could turn on a sixpence and handled like a thoroughbread. It was prone to cylinder head failure and gasket leeks. It was well engineered, but was vary maintenance intensive. It had grease nipples on the suspension, but worst of all the gears would be lost. This was caused by the wrong lubrication on the gear lever. A plastic ball was used to secure it to the mechanism - due to this gear levers broke. The fuel pipes leaked going into the fuel pipe and the carburetor. At the end of the day it was not worth it, when driven there was always something at the back of the mind that said, "Soemething will break!"

1984 Skoda Estelle 120 Grand Super GLSE Custom 1.3 petrol (Rapid) from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Previous owners have neglected to put water in previous 1.2 litre engines, resulting in 2 engine replacements. Present engine is a 1.3 litre Rapid Coupe transfer that blew its head gasket Summer 1999. I'm not complaining, the donor Rapid had had 10 owners without any problems, and 90,000 miles on the clock!

General Comments:

This is a 1984 Estelle II with an engine upgrade to 1.3 litres, a strange Solent Blue colour, and the interior of an F Reg. 130GL. The only drawback is a 4 speed gearbox. It does have the only whale tail on a Skoda Estelle, this helps it barrel down the highway in a straight line in crosswinds. Silver window inserts and a vinyl roof, with a sunroof make it limousine like. Probably the oldest and most unusual Estelle on the road. It is ultra reliable, and ridiculously cheap to fix.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th December, 1999

1985 Skoda Estelle S 1.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Head gasket blew (rather dramatically), oil pump needed replacing.

General Comments:

This car was fab! I had it for almost seven years. It gave excellent service - it went pretty much the length and breadth of the country, and I still see it on the road today!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 1999