| Product: |
Ford Fiesta LX in general |
| Date: |
26/07/02 (1927 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Running costs, Build quality, Interior
Disadvantages: Urban MPG, Gearbox, Locks
I bought this car in 1998 for £5000.
Surely I'm not the only owner of this model, I think maybe the other owners are keeping rather quiet. I have never seen another one advertised, nor have I met another owner. Yes, this is the one with only one gear. I'm afraid I don't know the ins and outs of gearboxes but it seems there is a big rubber band in place of the cogs, maybe a comment from a more knowledgable member is required here. Mine is a N reg 96 model, last of the Mk 3's I believe. As clean and tidy examples of these models can now be picked up rather inexspensively I feel I must warn you of the CTX automaniac gearbox. I told my Toyota dealer friend about my experiences and he couldn't stop laughing, he assured me I was not the only one who has had this problem with the CTX Auto box.Mine started playing up at about 40k and 4 years old. It used to take me by suprise but oh no, not any more. It first happened while I was sitting at the traffic lights, I didn't hear the warning whine, maybe the chilli peppers from the stereo were up a notch or two too much, the only way I can describe it is a massive clunk throwing me into the back of my seat as if I was hit from behind at 30mph by a Transit van, in fact the first thing I did was to check my rear view mirror to see what had hit me. I don't know what caused it, I don't much care but it was frightening, that was until I put 2 and 2 together took notice of the warning whine and learned to deal with it. It only happens when the car is stationary so what I have to do now is when the whining starts turn off the ignition and re-start the engine, simply putting it into neutral will not surfice as it will wait until I select drive and then perform. This is one of them problems that can be gauranteed not to show it's face when being checked out by a mechanic.
Anyway, enough about the gearbox, what about the rest of the car?
Lets start inside. Comfort for a small car and big body
(6'1" of me) is fine, the driving position is good, I have driven from London to Cornwall, Cardiff, Skegness, Scunthorpe etc with no complaints (apart from those of the Mrs and kids). I quite like the interior, not too flash but everything you need and expect in a small hatch is there, adjustable mirrors, half decent sound system (but no Cd), sunroof etc.
The build quality must be good as it has held together well despite the two kids doing everything possible to wreck it.
This car has no power steering, not a problem for me but for a member of the fairer sex I would worry. All round visibility is average to good, put it this way, you get used to it.
Economy on a run is first class but around town it's quite the opposite, in fact if you tend to put your foot down I would have to class it as dreadful.
The steering is not that precise with very little feedback, It can wander and you can find yourself sometimes bottling out and reaching for that middle pedal a bit rapidly when approaching a bend at speed, I would never rely on the steering/tyres to hug a corner.
Performance is ok (for me), 110 tops and a 0-60 of about 12 secs, thats alone, but start loading the car or giving lifts and those figures are severely dented.
I am quite happy with servicing, parts and insurance costing and the car uses no oil between services, having said that the car still has only 53k on the dial.
The car has been totally reliable and has never let me down.
The car has quite a big hatch space for it's size but I wouldn't advise using it as a family car and loading it up for trips as I have.
The locks, yes, the locks. The passenger door, drivers door and hatch locks all ground (literally) to a halt within 3 months of each other. Apparently this is a common fault with Fiesta's according to Twickenham Ford, not very reassuring when your car is just over 3 years old.
I have had some fun times in this little car but it's had i
t's day and will soon be replaced by a proper car. I have driven newer Fiestas and the improvements are enormous, please don't acknowledge this review if you are considering a Mk4 or later.
Summary:
|
|
