USED Skoda Felicia Hatchback (95 - 01)

My car

I DROVE MINE FOR TWO YEARS,HAVING PURCHASED IT FROM A SKODA SPECIALIST.IT WAS ONE OWNER WITH FSH 19000MILES ,1998 1.3 GLI.THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WERE ONE OF THE REAR DOORS CENTRAL LOCKINGMOTORS KEPT FAILING THIS WAS FIXED BY REPLACING THE SOLINOID MOTOR.FIRST GEAR WAS VERY NOTCHY TO ENGAGE.THEIR WAS ALSO A STRANGE STALLING PROBLEM WERE THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART UNLESS PUSHED OR LEFT FOR 10-15MINS THEN RESTARTFINE.GOOD POINTS WERE:THE BOOT WAS A GOOD SIZE,THE POWER STEERING WAS GOOD,AND I ALLWAYS THOUGHT THE CAR LOOKED GOOD FROM THE FRONT.I COVERED 13000MILES.

My car

i owned this car, the T318KPV as i fondly remember her, for 5 years. then one day, i went mad and sold her to a friend, for a pittance. dont ask me why, but i regret that desicion ! the car is built like a battletank, handles like one and is spartan as well like a tank too![ got the base model here]. very good to run, nothing to go wrong in the car actually and the skoda retailer DM Keith in Wakefield was very friendly, honest and upright and very reasonable on pricing as well! i still dont know why i sold my car, the new owner refuses to sell it back to me !

My car

Felicias have excellent points. Owners look after them, they are hugely practical, very cheap and the VW engines are superb.

Even the 1.6 will deliver easily over 40mpg, but (see below) is too much for the car. Beware, though: Felicias are notorious for overheating (as mine has) but parts are cheap and DIY repairs incredibly easy.

There are constant niggles: mainly electrical accessories and the boot release popping open at any time. The metal is paper thin, making dents easy and corrosion (always on the rear arches) a problem.

This cannot be recommended for safety (though it has an airbag); it simply feels flimsy, the brakes are dreadful and it does not feel stable at speed (don't cruise beyond 65mph).

Overall, if you can pay a few hundred for a cheap, low-mileage hack, fine. Otherwise go for something newer with thicker metal (Polo, Golf or go up to an Octavia estate) - all much cheaper than the hatchback.

My car

I have owned my 1996 Felicia from new and it has never let me down.

It has been a fantastic car, although the interior lets it down and I don't think the exterior has aged well.

The running costs are quite high with it being the sporty 1.6 engine, but apart from that, it has plenty of power for the size of car - it surprises a lot of people. I have recently fitted twin 45s and a big valve head.

The car has now done 175,000 miles and still going strong.

All in all, it's a great car.