Ford Fiesta 1.3 > Reviews (55)

I have often been knocked for driving an automatic car and being a lad. People say there for people who can’t drive, disabled people or for women. I personally find this offensive and would like to express my view on this super little car. I personally have been very lucky with my Fiesta. At my workplace there are five of us that have them. Mine is the only one not to have broken down or required major work while it has been in my ownership. My Fiesta 1.3 LX is a 5 Door model. I would class it as a good second car or ideal first car. I paid £1300 for it in May 2002.

The Fiesta MK 3 was available in automatic guise from 1989 (F) to 1996 (N) when it was replaced by the superb Mk 4. I should also mention that this car is also available in 5 speed manual.
The Fiesta was available in a range of exciting as well as conservative colours. Mine is metallic Dark Aubergine which was very unique on this range.

Fiesta has served me well for the last 18 months as it’s been well serviced and looked after in the past. I knew the previous owner and was aware of how well he looked after his cars. However he had problems with the gearbox and it had to be replaced. This can cost quite a bit and it’s expected that the original gearbox won’t last more than about 60,000 miles. Mine lasted to just over this point and this was with careful driving and servicing at a local Suzuki garage.

One of the issues that you will find when you drive any automatic car is the increased use of petrol and added wear on the brakes. This will cost a little more in the long run but is to be expected. The advantage around town of no gear change is its biggest selling point.

This is because it uses a technology called CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) which means there is no gear change. The gearbox literally runs on a steel belt rather than a conventional gearbox which uses cogs. The CVT is unreliable, but improving so watch that gearbox if your thinking of buying one. In the CVT as you accelerate the revs just rise. It’s great if you have never driven one and will save petrol over an auto box with “real” gears. The CVT transmission can also struggle on hills something to do with the torque. CVT gearbox can be seen on the Fiesta, Punto and Micra so watch out.

The Fiesta copes very well around town and the 1.3 engine used can serve well if looked after. It’s now used in the Ford Ka and has been used since the 60s. Make sure your garage adjusts the tappets every 10,000 miles.
On the motorway the cracks can begin to show. It can rattle a bit and my Fiesta can struggle to hit 50. At other times it’s easy to get to 70. (Any idea why?). This model has a rev counter which I really like. Be warned carrying over 60 stone in weight can literally be difficult but the car can cope.

You will notice with this car that when it comes to MOT day you might find it difficult to pass on the emissions test. I find that using Shell Optimax petrol has helped. (£28 - £35 to fill tank at 80.9 p litre) My garage agrees that this helps to clean the engine and can only be a good thing.

Watch out as the Fiesta can rust on the valence and the wheel arches which could lead to a fail at the MOT test centre.

NB. Front tyres seem to wear on this car very quickly over my dads Saxo and Mums Corsa which are all front wheel drive. This is a known fact on the Fiesta. However it may point to steering/suspension faults.

There is very little security on this car but it was made nearly 10 years ago. This car also has an immobiliser built in which is nice. With regards to safety cars from early 1994 with an airbag and stronger body shell were introduced.
There are no electric windows or power steering but the car does come equipped with that standard driver’s airbag. The radio is half decent for its time.

I am now currently at 80,000 miles and my car and I are both going strong. You can’t go wrong with a Fiesta. They are cheap to buy, run and maintain as well as comfortable. But do watch that gearbox I can’t stress that enough.

Be fussy when looking for a Fiesta. There are so many of them around and you can normally get a good deal. Go for LX models or better equipped Ghia - low spec cars lack creature comforts so buy the best you can afford. Happy motoring and good luck.

For more information on CVT visit http://apps.edmunds.com/ownership/techce​nter/articles/45104/article.html

For more information on Fiesta visit
www.parkers.co.uk
www.ford.co.uk