Car Reviews Skoda Favorit

Skoda has long been a name found in the punch line of jokes and generally as a source of humour, that, however is a thing of the past. Along with many other aspects associated with Eastern Europe, Skoda cars have managed to combine the practicalities of eastern manufacturing with the flair of western design to produce a very good product. Admittedly they are never going to compete in the boy racer market or have the flash image that appeal to the sales executive, but for a practical and reliable run around they are a real contender. This review is based on the 1.3 estate model, but this range contains a number of variations, but as a general review most of what follows will apply. On first view the Favorit is a fairly angular car and has the look of an older model of Volkswagen, but this is a reflection of the age of the design. The newer models from Skoda, such as the Fabia or Octavia have moved with the times and present a set of sleek modern lines and curves. It is quite a big car, both in regard to the amount of cargo space in the rear and the amount of room for driver and passengers, and this makes it a very appealing family car or even as a work vehicle for tradesman. Once in the driving seat, you are presented with a simply laid out dashboard with everything that you expect, but nothing more. Dials are easy to read, and all controls are in the right place. The windscreen wipers have fast and slow settings and an intermittent setting that can be easily changed as you drive. Comfort and style, is probably the major setback for the Skoda. The styling for the Favorit is not a pretty sight to behold. Everything on this car is square. The general shape of the body is flat with no curves at all, the interior boasts square air vent, square buttons for the lights, square glove box, square dashboard, square indicators, the list goes on. The only things on this car that aren’t square are the wheels, and I’m not too sure they didn’t think about making those square either. The car is, however, very comfortable to ride in, even over long distances, so again its practicality over style. Regarding the speed of the car, it is surprisingly nippy when pulling away, which well suits town driving, but it doesn’t compare well at the top end. It will cruise well at 70 but 80 is a bit of an effort to control and above that it’s a bit of a white knuckle ride. Even at its higher speeds it is not as noisy as you would think it would be. From 1993 onwards, after Volkswagens impact in the Skoda set up had taken effect, the engines were improved in the form of a fuel injection system, increased break horse power and better interior design, so if you are attracted to the idea of this car, go for a later registration. Also to be noted is the handling which, surprisingly for a big car, is very easy even when steering one handed or at high speeds. One of the big selling points of the Favorit, and indeed Skoda’s in general, is their cheapness. Second hand Skoda’s go for hundreds rather than thousands of pounds, making them idea first cars for younger buyers or anyone on a tight budget. They are cheaper on the insurance, due to their less that sporty nature, and very reasonable to run. Parts and servicing are also to be had at a lower price, and its not as if you will need to spend any more in this area than with any other car, as I have found mine to be very reliable. I would say ignore the snobbery and the jokes and find out for yourself why Skoda’s old reputation is vanishing fast. This car would suit a range of people and is well suited to school runs and round town driving especially if you need a car with plenty of carrying capacity. Its not for anyone who needs to be anywhere in a hurry but will cruise steadily for a year and a day. It’s also great as a first time buy on the second hand market where you could save hundreds of pounds compared with other names. To paraphrase another advertising slogan “it does exactly what it says on the tin” Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil