Skoda Favorit (NOT Forman) - Detailed walkaround, lack of oil, road test!

In this, longer video, I take a leisurely walkaround my 1994 Skoda Favorit LXi estate (Forman in Czechia, but not here) and show you some of the delightful quirks.
I also discover that the oil level is alarmingly low, and then take you on a fun-filled test drive through the town of Aberystwyth and out into the hills of mid-Wales. Naturally, it is raining.
Remember, all of your merchandise needs can be fulfilled by visiting HubNut.org - new designs in stock! Sadly, no Skoda ones yet.

[@weedmastersr]

As a Romanian, I can really appreciate how open-minded and unbiased you are about Eastern Bloc cars. Thank you Ian! The vast majority of Western reviewers, really trash these cars because they're not as refined and advanced as their Western counterparts, but I see that you're very fair to them and that you get that they were meant to be simple transportation. I didn't know you had a classic Dacia. It's amazing that you've come to Romania to get one. As a fan of older cars, I really appreciate what you do. Now I'm off to see the Dacia related videos. You've gained a new fan. Cheers Ian!

[@HubNut]

Thank you! I judge cars purely as cars, regardless of where they are produced.

[@weedmastersr]

@@HubNut That's what I love about your videos. Enjoy your Skoda, it's a beauty!

[@matthewgodwin3050]

I've always loved cars like this. Simple, unpretentous, honest to goodness transport that reliably takes people & things from a to b in comfort and without fuss. No unnecessary flim flam, no harsh suspension, and joy of joys, no silly touchscreen. Absolutely marvellous. Skoda, even before the VW influence, actually made really good quality cars that were always well engineered and well put together. They were always beautifully finished too, despite the built to a price design. A Skoda was certainly a few steps above rivals like Lada, FSO, Zastiva (not sure I've spelt that right) etc. The Favorit was the 90s equivalent of today's Dacia Sandero, and provided an opportunity for those on a budget to have a (really rather good) brand new car for the price of a second hand Astra or Escort. It speaks volumes that at one point, Skoda came no 1 in the JD Power satisfaction survey. Those who diss have clearly never driven one, and like with the Rovers, they are missing out on a damn fine car. A badge is just a badge, and most mean nothing, but some cars amount to much more than the sum of their parts. The Skoda Favorit is just such a car. It's alright, and I like it. Drive & enjoy, you deserve it. Classic case of good things come to those who wait.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

@Riki Diki89 Ha ha, you're right, I did forget tha Sana. I remember the Tiff Needell road test back in the day, but I'm not sure I've ever actually seen one on the road. These budget cars were never really cut out for our market, and compared to Astra, Escort, Golf etc, they couldn't really compete. I wouldn't call them crappy though. They were designed & built to a price to allow each manufacturers country to mobilise it's people & bring in foreign currency. Judged within it's own context, each of these cars provided comfortable & reliable (if very basic) transport for those with very limited choice, and in their own way, were extremely fit for purpose. Challenged they may be, but they certainly had a charm all of their own. Got to love em for that.

[@timhancock6626]

I'm sorry, but comparing Skodas to Yugos of any description is well out of order. I actually test drove a Yugo 311 or 511 (I forget which) in the hope it might be a cheap way back into the excellent Fiat 128, on which the Yugo was based. It wasn't. It was as dreadful to drive as the Favorit is nice to drive. I sat in a Sana......it was just awful and the fact that nobody bought them speaks for itself. The Favorit sold in millions. It deserved to and we bought 50,000 in the UK alone between 1989 and 1995

[@COT116]

Hi, your opinion is very optimistic and beautiful, but however.. My father owned Skoda Favorit for 5 years and he says it's the worst car ever made. It was always broken.. Legend says them cars were broken already when they left the factory.. lol

[@timhancock6626]

@@COT116 Not optimistic at all. We owned two Favorits and did over 240,000 miles in them, two Felicias with the same engine and did over 200,000 miles in them. We currently have three Fabias, two of which are 14 years old and still going fine each with over 100,000 miles on them and a Mk2 Fabia and a Mk3 Octavia 4x4. I think I know a thing or two about whether they are good cars or not as its my money that buys and maintains them. One thing they have never done is fall to bits. When we have finished with them we give them to our children and they love them too. Maybe your father didn't maintain his properly.

[@timhancock6626]

You mean the Yugo InSanaty. It was as bad as the Skoda is good. Its a good car to forget.

[@OfficialRainsynth]

In my country (Slovakia), this model was sold as Forman and these cars were really advanced back in the days of late eighties and early nineties. The Favorit was basically the first Škoda car ever with front wheel drive and hatchback body. It lasted pretty long and was also produced along with later model Felicia (production started in 1994). There are also some issues. The boot door can start to rust really quickly and basically the entire bottom of the car is highly prone to start rusting, if isn't protected by anti-corrosive solution. But speaking of reliability, it can run and serve you for decades with minimal maintenance and quite reasonable fuel consumption, which won't ruin your wallet. And of course, it was the last original Škoda car before the brand was sold to Volkswagen.

[@660einzylinder]

I was working at a Skoda dealership when the Favorit was introduced, I can remember the relief when we saw the cars at the factory on the service and repair course. They were a huge advance over the Estelle, which although dated was an excellent machine, and really well thought out. Engine mountings designed to shear off in a heavy frontal collision, hooks on the bonnet hinges to stop the bonnet coming through the windscreen in an accident, a rechargeable torch/boot light, easy access for service and repair, oh I could go on. I bought an Estelle as the Favorit arrived because the discount made it a no brainer, but my brother bought an ex demo Favorit Estate and ran it to over 200k miles with very little expense apart from normal service. Mind you, he did break the rear springs through heaving to many traction engine parts about in it!

[@JohnMcMahon.]

James May presents "Cars of the people" You actually live "Cars of the people"

[@weaton25]

Should that not be cars for the pore people you will get there but it may take time.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

Gotta love people's cars. Nothing decadent, nothing fancy.

[@williamspaul1805]

"I do like an irregular flash" explain that to the judge Mr Hubnut.

[@leviwrigley5260]

xD

[@jusb1066]

designed by bert and ernie, not bertone :)

[@suefankhauser7695]

Excellent comment😊😊😊😊but would have sounded better with designed by Bert and Tony. Excellent anyway.

[@jusb1066]

@@suefankhauser7695 but bert and ernie were sesame street

[@Mercmad]

@@jusb1066 yep," take it to the street " was the buzz saying back then....

[@ghvtg]

About 14 years ago we had a Favorit GLXi Blackline, '94 M plate. I bought it for £150, it came in px at a Kia/Daihatsu dealer i was working at at the time, was 1 owner and about 48k miles!! It was literally in as new condition and was such a bargain. Bought for my wife to take to the stables so we didn't mess up her 1 yr old Mondeo she loved it soo much she drove it nearly all the time and hardly used her Mondie!! It was great fun...i remember maxing it on the A14 at about 98ish. Good lil cars

Greetings from Czech ! Hope you like our old cars :D My Grandpa has still Škoda Favorit in the same color. Time to time I borrow his car and I am just cruising around. It 's just WONDERFUL car, so much fun to drive it. :)

[@HubNut]

Greetings from Wales. I really like this car. It has such a simple, charming nature.

[@lordrichy7044]

love how giddy and exited you get over these wonderful old cars - and that engine bay is stunning

[@frazzleface753]

I knew I should have combined these comments into one...but just wanted to say I love the camera angle when you're driving. Not that I don't want to see your face, but seeing the road, dash, wheel etc - very nice. I'm not sure you've used quite this angle before.

[@HubNut]

Thanks. Also deployed in the Volvo Amazon test.

[@saddoncarrs6963]

@@HubNut - I agree with Frazzle Face. You're very handsome and have some great headliners in you cars, but that camera angle makes all the difference. Great roads round your way - you're going to have some fun in that Favorit (although I still think adding an old MX5 to the fleet will give you even broader smiles per mile).

[@Piner5074]

Can’t understand negative comments either, your favorit has clearly been reasonably well maintained as evidenced in the bills, all essential components work as intended, hell even the wipers don’t squeak. Once it’s had a thorough clean and the T-cut, I’d be proud to call it mine. Great purchase as far as I’m concerned.

[@ShaunMurray63]

I gave the paint a good mopping and a wax and it turned out pretty good in the end , you can watch it here if you like. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@peterbarker6249]

More style than anything else in that car park .

[@sooty655]

Nothing wrong with the Favorit - good solid practical car. Love it.

[@spainter1985]

Like... and then watch! She looks mighty clean and not too oily under the bonnet. I wouldn't worry about the mayo under the oil filler cap, all of mine used to do it when used on shorter journeys. Paint them wiper arms and please waxoyl the rear arches, it's in great condition! Ignore the whingers, that's a good buy at £700 in my eyes.

[@spainter1985]

To put things into perspective I always wanted a Volvo 360 GLT and I bought my first one after owning two Favorits. Although it was obviously a higher quality product, there were certain things that the Favorit was better at and the 360 wasn't that much faster despite having twice the power - it probably weighed about 300kg more. I still loved the 360 as oversteer antics when you're 19 years old are hilarious, but I always thought there should've been a bigger gulf between the cars as an overall proposition.

[@jusb1066]

@@spainter1985 yes its diminishing returns, once its good enough, something even a lot more expensive doesnt really seem much better.

[@ShaunMurray63]

It's a really good car and it didn't polish out so bad either you can see my attempt at it here if you like kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@ademw7]

I'm a simple man, I see a Skoda Favorit I Press Like!

[@dannyhtheretrogamingmaster9548]

The good thing about simple cars like this is that there is less to go wrong and no complicated and long winded repairs on them.

[@klwthe3rd]

I agree. With modern cars it seems that something is always breaking. The early simple cars, there is so much less to go wrong.

[@ianfrench1577]

I like that camera view, let's have more of those in future videos

[@HubNut]

Yes, I like it too. Only really possible with the external mics.

[@klwthe3rd]

I prefer the front shots when Hubnut is driving. I don't want to talk to the side of his face! Lol. And you get a crappy PSHCOUUUUUU!!! I like a REAL PSHCOUUUUUU!! Smiles.

[@eslater5219]

Ignore the hate, you've not bought a car, you've bought a new experience! Good luck with this project mate.

[@catriona_drummond]

The door noises are actually a Skoda feature. I broke inbto spontaneous laughter when you opened the boot and the groan sounded exactly as it did on my old Forman. It was my first car. Fond memories.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

skoda's do the job with no fuss. all you could ever want from a car. thats why i love em! good luck with ur skoda adventures, and will follow them closely

[@ShaunMurray63]

It is a really good car , I mopped and waxed it , you can see my attempt here if you like. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@forthelulz9165]

Like your review. Pure facts and your own experience with a car. I appreciate that you didn't simply say "All eastern cars are rubbish" in the beginning. More than half of my life I drive Škoda cars. Models 105S, Felicia 1.3GLXi, Fabia 1,4 16V. Unfortunatelly no Favorit. They were all good relliable cars at the time. Now Škoda are overpriced with shitty little turbo engines and it's like boring shitbox clone of VW.

[@YBM2007]

they still make fairly solid and interesting cars imo, maybe more mid-level than economy cars these days. The "grandson" of the Favorit, the Fabia have always been quirky in terms of design

[@adarbs6384]

Absolutely spot on ...they are now clones of VW with second hand prices in my country being the same as VW

[@rundllx3228]

The engine sounds, the driving sounds and the faded red bodypaint remind me of my 1992 golf MK3 75bhp. I wouldnt be suprised if your lovely skoda also smells the same :) what an honest and innocent little car

[@kimkiriniki9433]

Looks like an ideal conveyance to me...practical, no frills, keep fit everything, perfectly suited to your channel, good find, well done!

[@frglee]

Thankyou for that, I really enjoyed it..it took me back twenty years to driving my White (and black) Favorit Estate GLXi all over Britain and Europe for repping work, I did 20 - 30K miles a year in it, then had two Felicia Estates and did the same. Really excellent and practical cars, affordable and economical to run and service - suited me down to the ground. I hope yours serves you well in West Wales and you get a lot of pleasure from it. Really nice to see your obvious enthusiasm and excitement for your 'new' car. Engine bay looks so clean and new. I reckon you got a bargain there! Looking forward to seeing the polish up!

[@ShaunMurray63]

I gave it a good mopping and a wax , you can see the end result here if you like. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@TheSgtAngry]

Funny to see the battery on the other side, I always wondered what the empty spot on the right side of the engine bay was for! Edit: The story behind the headlamps is that the Czechoslovak company PAL, which already made the headlight reflectors for the Lada Samara, refused to build a different type of headlight for the Favorit, so the chief Favorit engineer convinced Bertone to use the Samara-based PAL headlights as nobody else could build different ones. I read a story where the company making bumpers wanted to make the front bumper made out of 4 separate pieces because they were lazy to design a new process to make them single piece. It was a similar story with almost all suppliers back then because they were guaranteed to have sales in the socialist economy, so innovation wasn't a top priority.

[@chesswizard31]

A part from the interesting old cars, wacky road tripping and your delightfully relaxing voice I must say another thing that keeps me coming back to the videos are the locations! I love where you live and have always been incredibly fond of the UK countryside. It's beautiful where you are, and a joy to see you drive through.

[@stevie007]

Ian may I say you are always a considerate motorist. Checking that old cars have hazard warning lights fully operational before setting off on a long journey is a must, as we can warn other road users in advance that we have broken down further down the road thus avoiding any potential rear-end accidents. Love your videos keep them coming

[@benday1218]

So clean under the bonnet. Marvellous.

[@avandriver]

I love it , My late wife bought one in 2007 without even seeing it first , when I went to collect it I hated it at first sight but it was a hoot to drive . had a tendency to cut out on fast bends .

[@antonyhowell6189]

Hi , we ran a fleet of lada car's as taxis. Good cheep reliable transport. They all have their place in the chain. Enjoy your Skoda.

[@Jakob_Leth]

Just joined your channel today. So cool that you bought a Favorit. I did the same thing a few years ago. Bought it from a family member who was going to scrap it. I gave only 250 eur for it. It has had a few repairs, mainly ordenary service, new brakes and brakelines and new control arms in front. I really like driving it and I look forward to following your videos. Mine is also a 1994 with 68 bhp in red (or rather pink) but mine is not an estate but just a 5d door sedan. I have exported it to Sweden where I live now. It was never sold here in the first place, so It is rare here. Take good care of your Favorit, it deserves it.

[@timhancock6626]

The steering improves with decent tyres. In the UK they came pre VW on Goodyear , post VW on Continental. Don't rev the engine too hard!!! It was never designed for it. Ignore people who make disparaging comments. They know sweet nothing. We paid £5400 for our LX in March 1990. Makes you wonder how Dacia do it!

[@frglee]

My 3 year old second hand (with 30k on the clock) Favorit Estate GLXi cost £3600 in 1996. They were holding values well.

[@vwestlife]

Porsche was also involved in the development of the Lada Samara, or at least that's what the Soviets wanted you to believe. And pre-1988 VWs also had unfinished backs on the stalks, so Skoda was only a little behind the times on that. I like the Favorit and once you get the paint restored this one will look really nice.

[@inglepropnoosegarm7801]

It's a beauty. As soon as you revealed the engine compartment I understood completely.

[@stephenmccluney4910]

Couldn't agree more !! I had one 15 years ago in the same colour , absolutely loved it !!

[@zakkmueller7987]

My favourite car you've purchased so far Ian, I love the simple communist styling and that interior is mildly wonderful.

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

@Chris Ayres steering wheel is on the wrong side ..........

[@TheSgtAngry]

@Chris Ayres 1000£ for a Favorit/Felicia sounds like a scam unless it's super pristine and/or very rare.

[@nickturner2813]

zakk mueller. That "simple communist styling" was designed by that well-known Commie design house Bertone, Turin.

[@nickturner2813]

@Chris Ayres. Why would he want to go all the way to the Czech Republic to pay over 40% more for a low mileage Favorit than it would cost in the UK?

[@SHISCO1]

@Chris Ayres in the CZ, our Favorits and Felicias are also rust buckets :D And Czech roads better than British roads? Hell no! Our highways are permanently half-closed and under repair and by the time when the repair squads get to the finish they can start over - low quality of material and stupid repair methods so the next winter makes new holes. AND ALL THIS FOR TRIPLE THE PRICE IT WOULD COST IN GERMANY OR AUSTRIA! Why? Because a politican's friend owns a road construction company! Also, when the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939 (thanks for betraying us at Munchen and serving us to Hitler on a silver platter, by the way :/ ) they started to build our backbone highway, the D1. And to this very day it is still not finished! The highways used to be free in the Czechoslovak times, now we have to pay for them! And for what?! The network hasn't really expanded since then

[@klwthe3rd]

I personally really like the Skoda. I'm a huge fan of the Mighty Dacia and this car gives you the same Eastern Bloc look and feel but with additional touches that really makes it more livable. Intermittent wipers, fuel injection and what about a nice cloth weave interior. The Skoda is different enough in looks that people will really notice it, which is great. But it's not too old school that it just feels like a Yugo with zero options. I really like the HUGE headlamps, so i'm in agreement with Hubnut on that fact. Whoever did own this car must have really loved it because for the year, the engine bay is immaculate. And with all those service records and using OEM struts, it only confirms my theory. Surprised he didn't have the odometer fixed??? Either way, i'm in favor of the new car and can't wait to see Ian polish it up and put the badges back on the rear. You could easily drive this car back to the Eastern Bloc and return without a problem.

[@HubNut]

I guess the price would have been high for the odometer fix, due to the labour involved.

[@timhancock6626]

I'm tempted to add a comment about a previous owner who spends £500 getting the brakes sorted......but doesn't check the oil. They do use a wee bit, but not enough to see it off the end of the dipstick without considerable neglect of duty. I'm sure you have had a lucky escape on that one. The odometer/speedo head is a doddle to do. I know. Its a lot harder on a felicia. I know... Having worked on Renault 12s in my extreme youth at a Renault dealer, and liked them.....I do have to say that to me the Favorit is in a higher league altogether than the Mighty Dacia. The Czechs are damn good engineers you know, and when VW took them over Skoda had been building cars just twice as long as VW had.

[@chrisredfield3240]

These were the dacia Sandero of there day. You did get what you pay for i remember when these were new and i have been in one and driven a Felicia almost the same car except the shell. They were not a patch on the astra or escort i had 4 astra's and 6 escorts. I think these cars are cool now and looking back maybe i should have had one. But i'm almost 39 now wish i'd gone for a Citroen bx 19rd estate too how our taste changes

[@timhancock6626]

@@chrisredfield3240 I had a FWD Escort MK3 estate with the 1.3 cast iron Kent engine. We preferred the Favorit estate, and the two Felicia estates that followed it. Better made than a Ford or Vauxhall, and far better dealers until VW sacked them all.

[@chrisredfield3240]

@@timhancock6626 that was a 1980's design the mk3 escort. A 1.4 or 1.6 mk4 was much nicer at the time i had a ride in a bran new H reg dark blue one .. The Astra was not so good until the mk3 came out. The brand new a J reg 1.7d LS seemed amazing at the time.

[@brendanbradyfan3589]

Loved watching you drive this and show us around the engine bay that Skoda has so much power lol

[@samb5327]

My grandad had a favorit GLXi, have many a fond memory in it. Watching these videos brings them back even the clicky noises of the buttons and indicators 👍 don’t think he ever did more than 50mph in it 🤣

[@jusb1066]

reason for boot light only working with lights...it was an afterthought, they dont have to run a permanent feed to the back of the car and steal it from the back lights

[@randomchannel1712]

not actually someone just re wired it poorly yet again my favorit could be newer

[@HubNut]

They came from the factory like that. It isn't a poor wiring job later.

[@randomchannel1712]

@@HubNut i dont know if memory serves correctly my grandfathers favorit had a fully working trunk light regardless of the lights being on or of

[@TheRyaneeae]

If you where living in a country where street light was poor you would welcome that as a bit of a safety feature by skoda plus it saved them a few pennies

[@kw9849]

@@TheRyaneeae I'd wager this is the idea. Perhaps the thinking was if you were doing something back there in the dark, forcing you to have the lights on made things safer? Somehow?

[@cornovii3012]

I love bringing a pink car back to red then put a nice wax on it, great satisfaction with the end results every time :)

[@iankrout7108]

Wow I am loving this new car. I too have secretly longed for one of these. I shall look forward to future videos. Thanks Hubnut.

[@KarlHamilton]

That bodywork is in unbelievably good nick.

[@Mrflash222006]

When you come to mop it, keep it moving and add water as needed as not to burn the paint, there are plenty of vids about on the subject

[@spriggy40]

skoda's have always been decent cars just got bad press great rally cars aswell

[@chrisredfield3240]

All makes are slated except VW and now Tesla there fan boys get upset. Ford are not as bad as people make out I've had ford's since 1998 and they have got me from a-b with very little cost and no big surprise's up to this day

[@richardgregory8964]

Super super tidy under that bonnet!! I never thought i would find myself wanting a skoda favorite!!! Good honest simplicity!! We all mocked skoda but i now miss the real ones as a pose to the dull hatefull cars that they now make under VAG!! Love this car!

[@stevenallen8802]

An ecellent piece of eastern European economic motoring very informative Ian keep up your interesting and eclectic work love it as always

[@timhancock6626]

That small amount of mayo is absolutely nothing to worry about. If it becomes a mayo factory...think again

[@garygriffiths2911]

It wouldn't be my first choice of vehicle to be honest about it, but variety is the spice of life they say and if you're happy with it then it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. I'm looking forward to see whether the paint is thick enough to take the bloody good mopping this car needs because at the moment it looks like Skoda get their red paint from the same supplier Parcelforce use! I must say there is something about Hubnut's Adventures in Bangerland that is quite addictive. Indeed, both my brother and I enjoy (and spend more time watching) this channel than just about anything else on KZbin - you Sir are the antidote to all those spoilt rich kids with clutter the Internet with ridiculous supercars they don't even appreciate. Good work!

[@ShaunMurray63]

@@garygriffiths2911 . The paint didn't turn out so bad after a good mop and waxing , you can see my attempt here if you like . kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@lancpudn]

Apologies! I thought 700 quid was a bit steep but after the detailed walk around I've changed my mind, What a lovely car.

[@HubNut]

That's ok. I appreciate it did look considerably worse than it actually was!

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

me too .........

[@chrisredfield3240]

£700 is not much now days i remember a bottle of panda pop for 15p a full size mars or marathon 21/22p. Bag of chips 45p. £1.54 for 10 cigs £10k for a new car. £3k for a new motorbike. £50k for a 3 bed house. Don't need to tell you how much all those things are now.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Joanna Lumley advertised the Favorit so that's good enough for me! Sadly, we never got these in Australia. The 120L was the last one we got and everyone hated them. I quite liked them but never owned one. I love your love for the unloved. Cheers.

[@timhancock6626]

Joanna Lumley not only advertised the Favorit she ran one herself, and liked it, but then they are very likeable cars.

[@RichieRouge206]

It grows on you - love its simplicity. And it’s rare! Amazingly clean under the bonnet. I love how its actually badged ‘Estate’ 😂😂 get the badges back on please!

[@gosportjamie]

When you compare that Skoda to a mk5 Escort 1300 Popular or Astra 1400 Merit of the same time, which cost a lot more money, it's really not hard to see why they were popular. Both the basic Astra and Escort were truly dreadful, particularly the Escort which was utterly, biblically horrid in every single way, the only advantage was that they were so rust-prone that most of them dissolved their way into the scrap yard a very long time ago. The rear-engine Skodas and the Favorit were the butt of jokes for a long time and people now seem to take the jokes as being fact, but the simple fact was they were really decent cars that gave you a lot more than your moneys worth and were actually a lot better than a lot of their competition when they were new. Let's face it, if they really had been that terrible then Volkswagen never would have bought Skoda as they would have been fighting the negative reputation for ever to no good effect...

[@clonSanG]

I agree I drove a escort from Dublin to the southeast I thought the hand brake was stuck on engine wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding oh how shite ford where I call them bored in stead of ford

[@jusb1066]

they were contemporary in price with a basic mini or 2cv, so the press used to compare them, not against an escort (even though we knew when we drove one)

[@gosportjamie]

@@clonSanG Plus the Popular had the most uncomfortable seats imaginable. They wouldn't have even been acceptable as an item of torture...

[@gosportjamie]

@@jusb1066 Yes, price-wise they didn't get close to an Escort, even in the highest trim level, so they got compared with various other Eastern Bloc horrors. We didn't have the 2CV in the UK when this Favorit was new, that having been killed of in 1991 and even the basic Mini was more expensive by a decent margin. But in terms of the type of car they clearly were comparable...

[@jusb1066]

@@gosportjamie also the mini and base escort had vinyl seats, vinyl mats ( ok the mid 80s estelle era) , i just rememeber the later 80s when the 2cv was still available.

[@ianvirco5897]

Raining in Aberystwyth ? it's a myth that it rains a lot in Aberystwyth, sometimes it only rains once a day !! The Skoda is the sort of car i could love, uncomplicated which means easy and cheap to repair, it's competent and useful, especially as it's an estate. Much like my Carlton estate except it isn't the size of a canal barge !!

[@dlittlester]

And no timing belt!

[@gbowne1]

longboat eh?

[@ianvirco5897]

@@dlittlester My Carlton has got a timing belt being a 2 litre, the 3 litre has a timing chain which is ultimately more trouble, eventually the chain stretches and rattles, to replace it means stripping the engine down, where as the timing belt is an easy change by comparison.

[@ianvirco5897]

@@gbowne1 When i park my Carlton Estate at a supermarket the back end sticks out in the roadway !!

[@robrusticwoodlandproducts6662]

I lived in wales for seven years. It only rained twice. Once for 3 years and once for 4 years.😂

[@chriscarroll3204]

I've had to watch again......can't get over how good this car actually is. I LOVE IT!!

[@loser_one]

That looks like a real pleasure to drive. Good work!

[@Stars_Falling_93]

I don't understand the hate for this type of car. I assume it's just because it's East European. It's the same kind of narrow mindedness when guys laugh at me for liking French cars. Anyway, lovely car. Very much like to see your progress with making it more beautiful.

[@HubNut]

I think it's more the typical British class thing. Brits do love to look down their noses at others. It's why idiots struggle to make monthly payments on a modern car, rather than live with the 'shame' of a car then can actually afford...

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

I think it's due to the fact that he went from a nice newer vehicle - the Rover to an older, much less desirable vehicle and paid a premium for it. Admittedly the vehicles are worth what Hubnut paid and the example is a good example, but it's just the amount. As Hubnut also mentioned Brits do look down on others... I get looked down at work or when I'm out and about for driving an older car, but I don't mind. It's reliable, it keeps running and does everything that I ask. Every time a certain fellow employee jokingly mentions something about my car I remind him about the £8,000 debt that he still has to pay off for his Vauxhall (I wanted to say Buick) Insignia... Car's are a disposable item and a status symbol here, most people won't drive a car that is ten years old, despite it still being mechanically able. Madness, I know.

[@darrenwilson8042]

Absolutely nothing wrong with French cars. I like FIAT and SEAT models too - an Uno is much more enticing than an old Fiesta to me.

[@Stars_Falling_93]

Being from the Netherlands, I don't know enough about the British to say anything sensible about that. But it seems plausible to me. Small and older cars are quite accepted and common over here, because flat country and thrifty nature of the people. Petrolheads, or so called, often only like german cars which are 'sporty' and 'cool'. I always have the idea they have to compensate something with their 'cool' and 'sporty' car. I used to just like oldtimers, but recently I developed a love for the unloved. So I feel very at home at your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@chrisredfield3240]

@@SuperFIFTHGEAR i bought a £10k ford Mondeo diesel estate powershift titainium-× in 2014 ex company car of mine. but paid it off in less than 2 years.. Borrowed the money from my dad most months paid back £1k. Just past 7 years old now. Can't wait for it to be 10 years old must still be worth around £5k but i plan on keeping it forever. A good condition a diesel automatic estate should always be worth something.

[@UncannySense]

Strutted glove box lid, nuff said.

[@lancpudn]

That's almost as good as Pentograph wipers.

[@timhancock6626]

Ah yes.....another time I crossed swords with CAR magazine over the Favorit. They repeatedly made fun of the fact that such an economy car had a sophisticated hydraulic strut for the glove box. I pointed out to a certain R.B. it wasn't hydraulic but just had a simple spring inside the tube and could they please stop taking the P*** based on their own inaccurate journalism. I told em off good an proper did I !!!

[@tinniswood2577]

Excellent road test and full appreciation given there. Tidy motor you purchased.

[@RichieRouge206]

I didn’t realise it was an actual Skoda rather than VW engine! Major kudos indeed.

[@trevorhartley5166]

I've got the badges for a yugo sana in my shed should you ever reach that motoring height there yours

[@HubNut]

That could be tricky! Not seen one in the UK for years. Saw loads in Serbia!

[@crashbox7130]

@@HubNut According to How Many Left, there is one remaining, which is SORNed.

[@987654321Edd]

Yugo badges on the Skoda, just to confuse people 😃

[@garyhammond8622]

Suits you sir 😉

[@amunarjoh]

I used to own the Favorit GLXi for quite a few years. A delightful car! Hugely underrated (at the time)

[@plutomotorsblackpool]

Just discovered your channel, I've been binge watching your videos and love the reviews of ordinary cars. I used to drive an L reg Favorit estate for work around 2004-2005 which showed 27000 miles on the clock but had definitely done a lot more as the drivers seat base had collapsed and most of the interior plastic had faded. I remember it being awful to drive, especially the gearchange which was very stiff. Fortunately yours looks in much better condition.

[@twocvbloke]

I noticed a lot of the Skoda jokes were also used as 2CV jokes, I guess people were just jealous of them because they paid too much for an SD1 that fell apart as they rolled off the dealership lot... :P

[@jusb1066]

yep when a basic even mercedes in the 80s had no heated rear window, and the mini certainly didnt, the skoda was decently appointed.

[@jusb1066]

@Chris Ayres they were al rust buckets, my dad had a 7 year old fiat 132, nothing was holding the door interiors on. it all rotted. renaults rotted badly, a shiny skoda vs a rusty metro for the same price....you could see they made sense

[@jusb1066]

@Chris Ayres haha the alpha sud, all were gone in the 80s, good car for the 3 minutes it functioned :)

[@jusb1066]

@Chris Ayres having a skoda in 1987, i remember the headlight full beam stalk was playing up, you could literally take them to bits and buy the copper contacts from skoda, about 40p or something daft to fix it, .....until vw stopped all that. orig parts were dirrt cheap brake pads (albeit didnt last near as long as ferrodo) the headlightss werent cheap..because they wernt factory but uk supplied for RHD, but the same part as a marina! i had to replace one, they wanted to scalp me for it, till i realised the scrapyard is full of marinas! i loved the 8 years i had my estelle, best car i think at the time, hated to death the week i used an allegro, the old mk1 escort i learned to drive in, basic but ok , but vinyl seats, yuk

[@stevetaylor8698]

The wear on that gear stick knob suggests 120k miles, rather than 20k.

[@rustywreck6631]

When you say you fell in love with the shape of them, it brings back memories of a friend who had an early estelle, there was something mesmerising about the car to me, shape/rear engine I was totally hooked on it.

[@ruglund]

that is a very clean example Ian. they were laughed at here in Denmark too. but unfairly I say, they do drive nicely and reliably. my mates dad had his favorit for donkeys years and it never let him down. another mate thrashed his felicia every day he owned it, and it still started and drove with almost no trouble.

[@saintfunny]

A rag with a bit of vegetable oil on it would sort those plastics.👍

[@stewartdcampbell]

peanut butter works too.

[@delukxy]

Peanut butter (smooth) for the win.

[@saintfunny]

@@delukxy In defence of the vegetable oil you can add a few drops of lavender oil to stop things smelling of a chip shop in summer.

[@delukxy]

@@saintfunny .....and make it into grannie's boudoir.

[@saintfunny]

@@delukxy Other flavours are available.......!

[@michaelowen7694]

Did you slip something in there about buying a Lada? Definitely an opening for a new youtube channel - "Motoring Masochism". Enjoyable video as always. I'd rather watch these than egotistical morons in super cars any day of the week.

[@jusb1066]

oh is a trabant on his list now?

[@g.uu.]

Allways have liked Skoda and Lada cars but I forgot that I'd owned a Felicia about 12 years ago, how I managed to forget god knows, just a good little a to b motor, good on you for picking this one up Hub Nut.

[@johnbroadmeadow7652]

I think that little Skoda looks great. With a good polish , the paintwork will really shine through once again. The mechanics on them are nice and simple to work on, unlike today's modern offerings. A great car to get your hands dirty on. Well done Hub Nut on your latest car :-)

[@ShaunMurray63]

I gave the paint a good mopping and a wax and it didn't turn out so bad , you can see my effort here if you like. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@ballockybill2277]

That's not the petrol cap Ian !!

[@HubNut]

Word fail...

[@EdFrankes]

Yeah, the old Skoda jokes get old rather quick. Same goes for Lada jokes. My grandfather had several Lada's and they were fine cars. Not very sofisticated, but they never broke down. And he drove those cars a lot and not like your typical granny style either. The Samara was more modern, but the 2105 had way more character. And according to my grandfather (and in my opinion too) the 2105 was the better car. I don't have any experiance with pre Volkswagen Skoda's, but i'm sure they are fine too. As to my experience with post Volkswagen Skoda's, i own a Superb V6 estate and i love it to bits!

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

Those Superb's are lovely machines.

[@jamesgoodwin2450]

My dad and mum both had ladas from new,horrible car to drive and all the plastic got brittle after a few years,my dad loved them because they were cheap 😂 😂 😂

[@mrdoofa9357]

I just love the simplicity and charm of cars like this, no nonsense A to B machine, no frills motoring at its finest, the engine sound is magnificently old school, typical 8v 4 cylinder drone in the higher rev range though.

[@davespooney8472]

When I saw you sold the Rover and bought this I was shocked. Now I get it, you love this little car!

[@slatt9995]

Any Czech guy here?

[@beamngcatgirl]

Yes

[@matej_n8392]

...and here.

[@lofty7180]

apart from the wheels looking to small for the car (my opinion...) ive always liked the simple lines of the favorit estate. Its as if the designer used nothing but a pencil,ruler and setsquare. btw, that engine bay is gloriously clean, im giddy with anticipation at what the bodywork will look like once mopped.

[@ShaunMurray63]

the Skoda has been given a good mop and waxing by me , you can watch it here if you like. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ymgpJrn85rh5o

[@jfrorn]

What a cool little car! Looks very well kept. Reminds me of a mid 80's Totoya Corolla. With a bit of love and spit and polish it'll look great! I love square cars...

[@ou6037]

‘I like an irregular flash’ just a golden comment mate 👍 I’m also pleased I observed your a fan of the digital watch, it’s quite rare these days 😁 👌

[@tommoger5880]

Car looks awesome good few miles left in her yet thanks for another good vid 😄

[@arokgod]

Just nice to open the bonnet and see loads of space available to work on the engine if need be and no plastic covers everywhere. Reminded me of my old cavalier in 88”.. Looks a nice example ! and being an estate nice and practical... do like an estate 😊

[@vampireechidna]

I always wanted a Skoda Felicia, having nearly brought one new in 97 as a possible first car. There was something about them I liked. I like the simplicity of your car! The price you paid wasn't bad at all.

[@admiralalcatraz6080]

Much love for the Skoda Mr HubNut. I can see some of the Italian styling coming out. I never knew that the Felicia was a remodelled Favorit, I thought it was a polo underneath, so in learned something too!

[@deepestdub]

Cracking car. Don't listen to the haters. Let's see that paintwork gleam like new after a mop. Look forward to more updates very soon.

[@TonyWilliampianoman]

Smashing little motor Ian. Wish I'd got to it before you. Tony :)

[@davecraig7082]

The intermittent wipers are just very hubnut! Love that

[@paulfro1958]

I had one of these as a company car way back in 1994/5. It did just over 214,000 miles during it's time with me. No breakdowns to report and nothing required other than menu servicing plus two clutches, a starter motor and a rear wiper motor. It was replaced by a Jaguar that broke down five times in it's first 3,000 miles and then cremated itself at just under 5,000 miles. I then had an Audi A6 automatic that ate gearboxes faster than Audi could replace them. I currently drive a Superb L&K estate. One year old and 102,000 miles. Not missed a beat so far.

[@joaop.carvalho842]

Damn Ian, I never thought anyone else rather than me used the expression "Will to live" in relation to diesel and boring cars in general. I'm amazed! I'm always teasing my friends with that. :D

[@cappaculla]

Awesome stuff Ian, love this !!

[@peterjones2845]

I liked that you had more oil on your hand than what was in the cars engine

[@chlorine7922]

I used to have a Felicia and still rate it as one of my favourite cars Ive owned. I particularly liked the trick intermittant wipers that ran at the speed that you set on the single wipe

[@ChakatSandwalker]

Something about that boxy, angular design is very attractive to me. It seems more 'exposed' or 'bare'. New cars are all about sweeping curves and luxury, but the 80s and early 90s had those marvelous angles, as if the designers hadn't quite got to the last stage where the curves are applied. This car is certainly a favorit(e).

[@Dazzletoad]

There's something incredibly satisfying about your video. Nice history, a bit of commentary and current state of affairs, and a great drive around. Just one suggestion, if you could orientate the camera a little more towards the road. Can't wait for some more videos. Great stuff 😁

[@LUPUS1970]

I used to own one of these , better condition than your one but I loved it and had such character ! Today I run a VW owned Skoda and still like it !

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Great stuff. I had a Polo that had plenty of Mayo especially in the engine oil breather system. It was totally clogged until I got my hands on it.

[@madhatters1966]

A nice addition to the fleet, I think it will prove the haters wrong, Good luck sorting the paintwork out.

[@johnnorth9355]

What a fantastic motor - engine sounds fine to me and the whole of the body work puts many a younger car to shame with it's lack of rust. Yes it needs a tidy but it's a proper means of transport and more of an MPV than many modern offerings. Brilliant.

[@alangale5666]

Loved our Favorit estate, went all over the country in it, it even doubled as a double bed at Avebury during one Summer Solstice and at Glastonbury became an impromptu camp kitchen. We had extra driving lights fitted into a custom grille and sprayed our wheels and sills matt black . It was a great car and one of the few that I actually regret selling.

[@Saturno76]

That was a very enjoyable video, I must say that engine bay looks very accessible for the period. Also interesting how Porsche had a hand in both this and the mk1 ibiza; the last of both Skoda and Seats pre VAG cars (I think)