I have to admit a Ford Fiesta would not be my choice of car but having been at the front of a three car pile up a couple of weeks beforehand my own car was off to get a new rear bumper and I was presented with a brand new Ford Fiesta for a weeks driving pleasure although to be honest the only ... Read review
I have to admit a Ford Fiesta would not be my choice of car but having been at the front of a three car pile up a couple of weeks beforehand my own car was off to get a new rear bumper and I was presented with a brand new Ford Fiesta for a weeks driving pleasure although to be honest the only real pleasure was the fact that it had a pretty good air conditioning unit that served to remind me that I needed to get the gas topped up in my own car. Having ... ...well illuminated. The CD/radio is Ford branded and is perfectly adequate although the lack of controls on the steering column for it is poor given this feature has been on the focus for a few years now. The other positive is the air conditioning which I have already mentioned and is very powerful and fast responding.
On the negative with the internal features as well as the lack of design appeal I found the seatbelts to be an uncomfortable ... more
I have to admit a Ford Fiesta would not be my choice of car but having been at the front of a three car pile up a couple of weeks beforehand my own car was off to get a new rear bumper and I was presented with a brand new Ford Fiesta for a weeks driving pleasure although to be honest the only real pleasure was the fact that it had a pretty good air conditioning unit that served to remind me that I needed to get the gas topped up in my own car. Having the car for a week meant I got to do about 500 miles in all on a number of different road types so it served as a pretty good test drive experience.
The particular model I had was the 3 door hatchback with a 1.25 petrol engine, now for running around town it was perfectly fine and it coped ok with rural roads where you were driving in the 45 to 55 mph range however once you get out on the motorway the car is seriously under powered and I was quick to notice the lack of acceleration and also the fact that at 70mph it was running at 3,200 revs in fifth and really struggling, I soon realised that this was not a car that I would trust in any overtaking situation.
The actual driving experience is a comfortable one, I found the adjustable seats were well padded without being too rigid and the lumber support provided adequate comfort for what is occasionally a troublesome back, I also suffer from a troublesome lack of height which is not a problem in the fiesta however he lack of size could be for those of a larger build as I noticed that even in my driving position there was a distinct lack of legroom in the back of the car. Driving on the road the suspension worked well providing a smooth journey and even when the engine was working hard on the motorway the car handled well with no judder on the steering wheel, whilst on country roads the cornering was very smooth and I certainly felt comfortable with the cars road handling abilities. It also handled really well in the rain and coped with the bit of flooding I encountered whilst travelling home through the worst of the July rain.
Initially I felt the brakes were a little spongy when I first started driving it however this may have had something to do with the fact that there was barely a 1,000 miles on the clock and they had not fully bedded in, after a bit of driving they proved a lot more responsive and certainly came to a prompt stop o one occasion in the rain when a dog ran out in front of me, on that occasion they worked perfectly well.
In terms of style and charisma the car does not have much of either. Much to the amusement of friends the one I was given was lilac in colour however secure in my sexuality and with threats hanging over their heads that they would be walking home no one made too many comments, what they did comment on was the fact that it is a bit of an ugly car from the front with two large round lights mounted on the front which makes it look a bit bug-eyed. This love affair with large round displays is repeated in the interior with the air vents for the air conditioning consisting of two round hunks of plastic centred on the dashboard which again seem to stare at you and rather dominate the fascia.
The rest of the interior is just black plastic with only a couple of redeeming features, the first is the clarity of the display which is well framed by the steering wheel, I liked the speedometer which in keeping with the circular theme was clear and framed in silver metal and the digital display showing mileage and petrol use was clear and well illuminated. The CD/radio is Ford branded and is perfectly adequate although the lack of controls on the steering column for it is poor given this feature has been on the focus for a few years now. The other positive is the air conditioning which I have already mentioned and is very powerful and fast responding.
On the negative with the internal features as well as the lack of design appeal I found the seatbelts to be an uncomfortable reach behind to grab, the variable speed on the lowest window wiper setting is much too high and in a light rain you almost have to resort to a manual switching of it on and off or suffer the sound of rubber across dry glass every other wipe.
I found the fuel consumption to be reasonable but not as good as the manuals claim, the predicted 36mpg in urban areas, 60 mpg out of town with a combined 46 mpg was not realised, certainly n urban areas it seemed fine but on the longer runs I reckon I was getting nearer 50 -55 mpg and the combined about 40mpg, now I’m used to driving a diesel engine but I still expected better from the fiesta.
In terms of cost you are probably looking in the £8,500 to £9,500 range depending on features although What Car recommend a target price just below the eight grand mark. As a company car it falls in the 15% bracket and with servicing set at every 12,500 miles or one year and sitting in insurance band 3 it is still a relatively cheap car to run.
Personally this is not the sort of car I would use as it is far too small with inadequate boot space and under powered, ideal for short journeys around town where parking would be a lot easier. If I was going to venture for a Fiesta I would certainly want at least the 1.4 engine which has a better reputation for economy of performance and has a little more grunt as well.
Advantages: Had a ford before Disadvantages: Everyones got fiestas!!!
Well, after having an old ford fiesta for two years I decided it was time to change (just for the simple fact that my old car was going to cost too much to get repaired - but thats another story all together!!) anyway I went along to my local Ford dealer to see what they had on offer...well if I brought a Ford it would only be a fiesta, everything else is too big for me!
So my sales man was about my age so I found him very easy to talk to and ask ... ...buying (I really think I should do an op about the dealership as well, I have quite ALOT to say about them!) and I decided my new car was going to be a new 'Y' reg Fiesta Freestye 1.25i - 16Valve (I like to get the 16V bit in!!!)
It came with alloy wheels, electric windows, CD player, front fod lights and optional metalic paint. Well of course I had to have metalic paint....which would cost me another £250!!
The car is not bad at £9,995! (only ...
tracy2002 12.09.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.25
Advantages: Tidy, reliable, economical, a lot of character Disadvantages: Not much space on the back seats; prone to rust
I have a 1995 Fiesta Ghia (Ghia means it has snazzy extras like electric windows, remote central locking and one of those buttons to open the boot with). It's N reg but I'm quite proud of the fact that it was one of the first Fiestas in the 'new' shape - okay, I know there's another new shape since that one, but you know what I mean. I always feel a bit smug when I see an N reg in the old shape, and like to imagine the owners feeling all awe-inspired ... ...ergonomic silver shuttle.
So maybe I'm exaggerating, just a little bit. The Fiesta is never going to be a top-of-the-range, desirable model or the envy of all who survey it. But for a first-time buy, you can't go far wrong with a second (or third) hand Fiesta. I got mine about eighteen months ago for a mere £850, with a little over 60,000 miles on the clock. As a girl, this meant bugger all to me, until I was told that the average car does at least ...
CFG1985 27.03.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.25
Advantages: It's a cheap, fun car! Disadvantages: You have to search for the best ones
...actually) My car is the Ford Fiesta from the year 1997. It has the standard 1.25 Zetec engine but the car itself is actually a LIMITED EDITION and is therefore called a Ford Fiesta Fusion.
A little about the car itself:
It is the middle shape of the Fiesta (Not the old shape)
It has a standard 1.25 Zetec engine
16V
3Door
Available mostly in metallic paint
Year of production: 1997
Can come with electric windows/central locking/sunroof
Hatchback ... ...modern. I have the standard Ford CD player and radio, all my air vent and light controls and a small tray near my gearstick. When I say it is very simple - I mean there is a lack of coin trays, secret draws and things to accomodate junk! I also lack a cigerette lighter. The dash is not ugly in anyway through the basicness, it is actually quite appealing. I do not have central locking nor electric windows but for a car of this age - this is available. ...
emu128 22.08.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.25
Advantages: I'm the driver and not the one sat in the back Disadvantages: Some of us big arse's wouldn't fit in
...what we've got here, a Ford Fiesta. Ford are known for making quality cars and as in this case, a car even Tiny Tim couldn't fit in let alone Vanessa Feltz!
This is a wonderful car to drive as long as you make sure you've got powersteering as I'll explain a little later.
Plenty of times I have drove this car around town giving it a good work out! So let me explain this car to you.
UNDER THE BONNET:
Under the flimsy bonnet lies a small but airly ... ...SHOULD shift much faster, only Ford bosses are still at school learning from teachers such as Ms. Mercedes and Mr. BMW.
The top speed is definetly exceptable, so don't worry, you wont be coughing and choking in shock, its max speed is 104mph. But like most engines, your be suprised how easy they are to push which is where I refse to comment.
The Zetec engine is much more shifty, no, not shifty as in dodgy but it jumps of the mark into 60 about ...
chunka 12.05.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.25
Advantages: Small.Economical.Smooth Disadvantages: High speed noise.Fanbelt.
I have owned a Ford Fiesta since March 2001 which was brought new.
I am very pleased with the car overall and it is about the best of the rest when it comes to small cars.
My Fiesta is the 1.225cc and 16V with the aluminium head and i must say that it quite nippy when it needs to be.
The car is very economical in urban surroundings and very economical on out of town runs.I recently drove to Le Mans in France and the car returned 40-42MPG which ... ...seems to be on what Ford call a third rate panel,that is to say the inside of doors and inner panels.
The price difference between the 1.225 and 1.3 is £800 and yet all you get different on the 1.3 is aircon.You can put aircon in the 1.225 for £500 thus saving £300 and keeping the smaller engine.
The engine is very good and picks up nicely when asked when shifting through the gearbox.When in fifth the engine is quite happy to pull you along at ...
wotnot 07.10.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.25
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Fuel consumption
Looks
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Ford Fiesta 1.25"
Advantages: Nippy - reliable - cheap to run Disadvantages: uncomfortable - not very spacious
My version is the FordFiesta 1998 LX 1.25 - it comes with sunroof and that is it - its the bare minimum - but I love it.
The car is very good looking - although it is a very simple looking car - you can tell that it was built to last. To be honest though wherever you look on the roads there is another fordfiesta - so if you want to be individual dont buy this - but for me I dont mind.
The car in my opinion handles very well - although as it ages it does slightly deteriorate - but to be fair it's barely noticeable. If you are ever need anything replacing on this car - you will easily find spare parts - they are very cheap too.
This is my first car and I'm 19 so the insurance is very high - but for someone with 2 years experience and no points (my uncle) it will only cost about £800 a year.
The tax is £66 for 6 months ...
Advantages: CD Player, Power Steering, Central Locking, ABS, Airbags, Economical Disadvantages: Basic features fitted in the car at a not so economical cost
on a black display with red dials that light up and green backlight as well, a real modern car for the modern lady.
I cannot fault this car as I have had no problems whatsoever and is perfect for a learner driver, housemum or basically anyone that wants a reliable car.
The heaters are fast and there is an improvement on the air circulation compared to the last fiesta model, although I felt that I was downgrading from my last model as that came with electric windows, fog lights etc I feel my new ford has not let me down in any way for a 1.25i 16v this is a nippy car perfect for city driving as it whizzes in and out, also a good performer on the motorway too.
I have to recommend Ford for their updated design as this is a solid car and truly reliable and am sure that the next version will be just as great. ...
KELLYLOUJ 08.08.2005 (07.03.2006)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.25i 16V
Advantages: Small and Convenient and good on the Fuel Economy Disadvantages: A little lacking a Acceleration...but it is 1.25l
Back in the day the FordFiesta was the car of choice for your first Car - you went down to your local 2nd Hand Car Dealer and found whatever rusty bucket of a Fiesta he had on show (or not to save blushes!) But this has always been an image Ford have been trying to shake off because the Fiesta is a great little car and the 2004 model takes that even further.
The Fiesta has always been a good performer with an excellent transmission, good handling and fuel economy to compete with the best in the small car category. The newest edition adds good looks and functionality to that too. It really is a looker! And larger too which makes it seem so much more spacious - well it is. The boot is enormous for a car in this category and with the back seats down you can fit a bath in!!
But lets get down to the nitty-gritty! The engine ...
