...5 year-old Ford Fiesta Zetec-S this year. (The mark 5, which is the model before the one currently shown in the picture. I've included pics of mine for this review), in June of this year. I purchased a higher end model with air conditioning and 'Phase-2' styling. As purchased she had 43000 ... Read review
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Advantages: Fuel Consumption Very Good - Powerful - Good Looking - Disadvantages: High Tax Band - High Emissions - Reasonably Cheap Feel
I purchased a 5.5 year-old Ford Fiesta Zetec-S this year. (The mark 5, which is the model before the one currently shown in the picture. I've included pics of mine for this review), in June of this year. I purchased a higher end model with air conditioning and 'Phase-2' styling. As purchased she had 43000 miles on the clock and was in excellent condition, however the clock now reads 51000 miles, after considerable traveling over summer and I now ... ...
- Ford CD6000 CD Player
- 6 Speakers (Two sets of components up front, and 2 rear speakers)
- Ford Zetec-S Alloy Wheels
- Split folding rear seats
- Large boot-space
- Sporty white dials
- Front and Rear Foglights
The car was also available in 4 striking and unique colours, ensuring the Zetec-S would stand out from the crowd: Panther Black, Imperial Blue, Moondust Silver and Colorado ... more
I purchased a 5.5 year-old Ford Fiesta Zetec-S this year. (The mark 5, which is the model before the one currently shown in the picture. I've included pics of mine for this review), in June of this year. I purchased a higher end model with air conditioning and 'Phase-2' styling. As purchased she had 43000 miles on the clock and was in excellent condition, however the clock now reads 51000 miles, after considerable traveling over summer and I now feel in a top position to review this interesting sporty hatchback.
********************* Some Background *********************
The Zetec-S was introduced in 2000 heading up the new 'facelift' mark 5 Fiesta range, and produced for 2 years. With a sporty bodykit, 1.6litre ZetecSE engine, and loads of other additions it was designed to appeal to the hot-hatch market.
*************************************** What do I get when I buy a Zetec-S? ***************************************
With this particular model, two optional extras were available when purchasing the car: Air Conditioning, and a heated front windscreen. My car does not have the heated front windscreen, having only the rear. As standard though, here's what you get:
- 3-Doors - Electric Windows - Heated Rear Windscreen - Remote Central Locking - Remote Boot Release - Internal Electronic Boot Release - Traction Control - ABS - Ford CD6000 CD Player - 6 Speakers (Two sets of components up front, and 2 rear speakers) - Ford Zetec-S Alloy Wheels - Split folding rear seats - Large boot-space - Sporty white dials - Front and Rear Foglights
The car was also available in 4 striking and unique colours, ensuring the Zetec-S would stand out from the crowd: Panther Black, Imperial Blue, Moondust Silver and Colorado Red. In addition to this the supplied documentation: user guide, audio guide and so forth come supplied in a very smart Ford-branded leather zip up wallet.
******************************************* What sort of person is this car suited to? *******************************************
The car's original selling price was around the £12,000 mark, which would appeal to a younger driver with the pound/horsepower ratio relatively high. Typically, younger drivers are also more likely to want to drive fast and more aggressively but aren't on as a high-a budget as a more mature driver, therefore this car's petrol consumption is another added bonus. Older drivers looking for a cheaper but still sporty hatchback will find something very worthwhile here too.
*********************** The facts and figures ***********************
The Zetec-S's 1.6 litre engine produces 101bhp, which for a car that weighs only 976kg, provides a serious power advantage. Able to accelerate to 60mph in 9.7 seconds and with a top speed of 114mph, the facts speak for themselves.
If you're a bit of techno-junkie, I've provided some Parkers validated data:
After the first year or so of production, Ford decided to slightly revise the model separating these from the older models via the term 'Phase-1' and 'Phase-2'. The Phase-2's featured a stronger more durable and cleaner engine, a black, instead of grey interior and a handful of other small adjustments. This really tidied up the Zetec-S package as the engine was now more reliable and the interior looked much snappier. The reduction in emissions also lowered the car's wallet-quivering tax band stance to an E-rating.
So, as you can see, this sporty little car means business!
*********************************************** Enough 'on-paper' stuff! Time to get inside! ***********************************************
As a previous Fiesta owner, a low-end mark 4 model, the cabin in the mark 5 is physically little different. The black interior is really great, and the addition of the Ford CD Player is a really nice touch, whilst the dials are bright white and really stand out, pushing the sporty look. The steering wheel is much smaller than a standard fiesta and features blue or red leather sides depending on which colour car you purchased. (Sliver and blue got blue, black and red got red). The seats were revised to give more support, and the drivers seat can be 'bucketed' via an adjustable lever which raises or lowers your driving position for a more or less sporty feel. Sadly, however, Ford didn't included a full featured trip meter that many cars at the time included. It's nice to be able to go over your petrol consumption, temperature and so forth on the fly. A digital odometer was provided however, making 'clocking' much more difficult.
The front is generally very roomy and as a 3-door, the car is mostly built with 2 people in mind, so as you can imagine, even the taller driver can be accommodated without any fuss. Surprisingly, chuck 2 friends in the back and there's still reasonable room for both front and rear folk. The seats aren't made of leather, but are still very comfy indeed and stain resistant (trust me I know!) There are plenty of well-designed cubby-holes to store all your personals which I really find very helpful, and a couple of drinks holders if you fold down the glove compartment.
Electronically, the interior is very comfortable, with easy to reach window buttons and a driver-side passenger window button. The air-con and air flow controls are situated on the centre console below the CD player and are very easy to use. Plus the interior electronic boot release, placed at the bottom of the centre console, is a really great touch.
In the boot, a considerable amount of space is still available, which is very handy indeed. This can be variably expanded by splitting and folding the split and fold rear seats, if the occasion so requires. This is partly due to Ford placing the spare wheel underneath the car on a retractable plate held in place by a long bolt, screwed to the floor of the boot. Whilst this does mean much more boot room, it comes at the sacrifice of ease of getting to the spare wheel. Some tricky and time consuming...er...screwing is involved before the plate is low enough for the tyre to be extracted. Annoyingly, the plate actually catches the rear bumper on the way down and I fear that with continued use, it could create a rather nasty split at some point. Not good design there Ford.
******************* Under the Bonnet *******************
A quick flip of the internal bonnet release and a push of the external bonnet catch later, and the bonnet is up in the air. The engine bay is ergonomically laid out which is great for the DIY mechanic. The standard stuff is in easy to reach places, like the water reservoir, the fluid reservoir, the oil cap and so forth. User serviceable parts like the air filter are easily accessed too. The engine bay is reasonably good-looking; the Phase-2 models featuring a black plastic rocker cover embossed with "Ford Zetec SE".
Anyway...let's move on!
******************************************* Most Importantly: How Does She Drive? *******************************************
A quick press with the right foot gives a hint of what you're in for. The 1.6 litre engine is limited to 7000rpm, and provides peak power at around 4500. The engine really sounds meaty, giving off a massive roar when under acceleration. Critically though, the exhaust doesn't churn out some terrible boy-racer-esque earthquake under the same conditions. It gives off a very pleasing and subtle note that hints at the power, but doesn't get you "what a twat" looks when sauntering through town. I have to say, this car is very poweful. She really rockets up to 80mph in next to no time, and begins to plane out after that steadily climbing to top speed. Ford lowered the Zetec-S by 20mm over the standard models, and provided 15inch alloy wheels. The inclusion of a strong anti-roll bar and revised sportier suspension means the car really has the body to handle the power, or so you'd hope. Whilst cornering is very good indeed, and you get real feedback through the steering wheel, the organic drive starts to deteriorate above 65mph. At anything over say 90mph, particularly noticeable on the motorway, the car starts to twitch every so often. Obviously, this car is no motorway cruiser and is designed without high-speed motorway traveling in mind, and perhaps reminds you where the financial corners have been cut, but take this car back to it's favourite environment: windy country lanes and urban/suburban streets, and you realise just how responsive and pleasurable she is to drive.
***************************************************************** ******* So, Reasonably Comfy, Roomy and a Rocket Up Her Backside. Surely She's a Thirsty Girl? ******************************************************************** ****
Well yes and no. It all depends on the weight of that right foot of yours :) If you drive the car carefully and conservatively, you'll easily get a 300+ mile return on a £38 investment in a full tank of fuel. However, with heavy revving and tons of tyre squealing, you're likely to see this drop considerably. Official statistics claim 38-40mpg which I don't think is far off, and for a car with as much grunt as this one, it's really very good going. It certainly makes me feel much better when I stand there at a petrol station wincing at the luxury 4x4 owner next to me gushing £80+ into their car ;)
************************************************************** I'm into My Gadgets! What Does This Baby Have to Offer? **************************************************************
E rm..well..not...that much really. Ford did include ABS and Traction Control in this high-end model, but neither can be adjusted or switched off - they're in an always-on state. While this is fine, in order to maintain decent driving condition, neither is particularly urgent or snappy. The Traction Control is quite hard to activate and for me it creates a bit of a problem as I feel a bit challenged to make it kick in. I suppose that's just me however. The ABS isn't too bad as it's only meant to activate under extreme braking - I can't help feeling it could be doing better. Inside the car itself, there's nothing 'gadgety' button-wise on offer except for a pair of admittedly good-looking front fog lights. This might put some off, and I think this is certainly something Ford could have addressed and makes for a less interesting drive than some other hot-hatches out there. Despite this, the car is still very attractive inside and for me isn't a massive let down.
****************************************************************** *** ******* All Good News it Seems, But Running a Car Costs Loads These Days. As a Small Car The Costs are Low....Right? ************************************************************ ****************
Low in what relative terms! She may be small and good looking and clean on the inside but underneath she's a dirty, dirty girl! Chucking out 171 g/km of CO2, she's a hefty size 'E' in the taxband shop! This lumps me with an annual tax bill of £165. Ouch! Insurance is typically low considering the power, falling to 8 in the category system, but if you're a younger driver like me, expect to cough up between £600 and £1500 depending on your circumstances for fully comprehensive cover. As ever, servicing and MOT is down to you, but in comparative terms parts are cheap. Readily available, Ford parts are some of the cheapest around thanks to the popularity of the brand. This also means that high-quality spare parts can be sourced from your local scrapyard cheaply and easily - a big bonus when those little things go wrong. Furthermore, a popular car, means a big following and a huge user base and this makes things even easier. A high quality Haynes manual is available, teaching you how to carry out almost any job, and there are a wealth of enthusiast forums on the internet providing access to real-person DIY guides, solutions, spare parts and help. Here's a couple I regularly use:
- www.zsoc.com - www.zetecs.com
*************************** Looks, Looks and Looks! ***************************
I am in no way a boy racer, or bothered about what 90degree cap-wearing in-ger-land shouting tracksuit wearing chavs think about my car. You know the ones that put ridiculous body kits on their Citroen Saxos, and lump 24inch wheels on their Fiat Puntos...but I do take pride in having a good looking car. My car is completely standard, aside from a leather gear knob and handbrake lever. This car has a beautiful subtlety about it, that an afternoon's cleaning and polishing really brings out, and often attracts comments when meeting friends, family or colleagues and everyone is always surprised by the power once in the passenger seat, as Fiesta doesn't typically spell 'fast'. I really like that about this car. It doesn't shout "POWER!" and disappoint, rather the opposite!
***************************************************** The Whole Bundle Then, or Should I Stay Away? *****************************************************
I would whole-heartedly recommend this car to an aspiring younger driver who's interested in a great driving experience without adding more strain to university debts and first-time house buying. Especially this mark 5 version with top quality, lower mileage, completely standard models found around the £3000 mark. Costs are reasonable, and petrol is easier on the wallet than expected. Comfort and the interior are both good, certainly you feel you have value for your money, and with the power and handling both very good indeed, she is a joy to drive.
Advantages: Great to drive, superb handling, fun, space Disadvantages: Wind noise on motorways
The newest Ford Fiesta is an all-new car. It is not a revamp of an old chassis with go-faster stripes. I have just bought one for my wife and would like to tell you all about it. "Telling" may soon be about all I can do where this car is concerned; as the more she drives it the less she let's me near it. We have not had the car so very long but if I learn anything new - I'll add it here over time, good or bad.. First Impressions =========== Having ... ...I visited 2 Ford dealers but never managed to see a salesman for more than a minute before the phone rang and they left me standing there like a lemon. So I checked out the What Car best price from a dealer for the model we wanted and saw that the list price of £11,495, with the metallic paint we wanted, would be unlikely to fall below £10,500 if we were lucky / pushy and very patient. So I surfed around the internet and came up with a car and a ...
ciaotoday 04.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.6
Advantages: Reliable, economical. Low service costs. Retains value well. Disadvantages: Still a "small" car.
...~ This little beauty, the Ford Fiesta, is still arguably the best car in the supermini sector, despite huge opposition from the Japanese manufacturers in particular.
The biggest trend in the new car market in recent years has been drivers “downsizing” from larger cars, that has resulted in a huge increase in the demand for cars like the Fiesta.
However, lots of these “new” customers have brought along many of their large ... ...that were first introduced by Ford donkey’s years ago in the Ford Escort, and that are also still used in the Ka “citycar”.
Some models now use the more up-to-date 16-valve 1.25-litre engine, and the top of the range Zetec-S and Ghia have the more potent 1.6-litre powerplant.
~ ~ Over the years, the Fiesta has simply evolved and “grown up”, rather than undergoing revolutionary changes like many of its competitors.
...
the_mad_cabbie 28.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.6
Advantages: Looks, drivability, handling, everything. Disadvantages: Cant afford One
...ended up with was the Ford Fiesta Zetec S.
less than 1000 miles on the clock, brand new car smell and acceleration to knock the balls off a brass monkey. I knew this was going to be fun.
Getting into the car, everything was in the right place and the sporty seats did make the ride to work at 3am very comfortable.
My usual trip to work was about 35mins, with this car, I can honestly say, you will struggle to keep it under 90mph. It literally just ... ...screen wash squirter was recovering after a money tried to make monkey love to it.
The only thing I can say is (In true Jeremy Clarkson style -Top Gear) TOP TIP: dont take a Ford Fiesta into a monkey enclosure, cos you'll end up missing bits... On that Bomb Shell.... ...
dwspalton 08.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.6
Advantages: Small, economical and great features. Disadvantages: It's a 1.6 so doesn't come into the cheap tax bracket.
Now, I am not a fan of Fords. I never have been. I have always found them basic in the extreme. I have never liked the model shapes, faces or rears. They have never seemed to be able to make a decent executive or sports model and their middle-of-the-range fleet car (Mondeo - known in my trade as the Mundaneo) is unexciting to say the least.
However, my boss has lent me her Fiesta Zetec for a month over Christmas and I have fallen in love with it.
... ...own a small car because I don’t do enough miles out of town to warrant anything bigger. So, for the purposes of this review, I am pitching the Fiesta against other small cars I have driver like the Clio, Renault 5, Peugeot 206, Citroen Ax, Vauxhall Corsa, Nissan Micra and Rover 100.
This little Fiesta has a high spec interior as standard. It has a CD player, Aircon, electric windows, remote control central locking, ABS, PAS, sports seats, driver’s ...
Motley 28.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.6
Advantages: Great Styling, handling, grip. Disadvantages: Dagenham build quality.
I picked up a new X reg Zetec-S Fiesta on 1st September. So far this has turned out to be the most fun i have ever had in a new car. It looks stunning in Imperial blue with it's bespoke alloys and bodykit and turns heads wherever it goes. I know a Fiesta turning heads, well believe me it has been so nicely modified from the standard Fiesta people forget what it is. It has a Puma shaped front bumper with two round front fog lamps and a bright mesh ... ...fire up the 103ps engine you hear a sporty rasp front the tuned exhaust system. The engine will spin all the way round to it's 6750 rpm limit giving a even spread of power and torque. The sweet aluminium engine is matched to the sweetest gear-change on any current
Ford.
The interior is still the same as a standard Fiesta with the addition of a half leather colour coded steering wheel, metalic effect dash and white dials.
The handling is something ...
tcook5 20.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Ford Fiesta 1.6
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