The name Ford Fiesta has appeared in year 1976, when the first Ford Fiesta has been made (the old Fiesta). And already in 1989 a new model has been made. The 3 generation Ford Fiesta (to wich we have got used). In year 1992 manufacturers have improved this model: more updatings has been added and some Exterior changes are made. In year 1996 the manufacturers have started to made the other (next) model (4 generation). So the 3 generation Ford Fiesta was made from 1989 - 1996.
General characteristics: body type - Hatchback number of doors - 3 or 5 number of seats - 5 lenght - 383 cm width - 164 cm height - 134 cm whellbase - 245 cm equipped weight - 1000 kg trunk volume - 250 liters
Engine: number of cylinders - 4 working volume - 1753 (1.8) Power - 60/4800
Dynamic characteristics: max. speed - 155 km/h acceleration 0 - 100 km/h - 16,8 sec. average fuel consumption - 6 liters
For me the quality of assembly of a body is good, but with a rust not so good - it is not easy to find the car of the first years without rust ! I would estimate the design of interior as "to simple", but handy. At the wheel the driver of any growth can freely be arranged. But at rear place will suffice only to two.
So here are the condictions i have made (based on research work): Body: i would say the reliability of the body is bad ! Already after 5-7 years in most of the Fiestas you will find the rust; Suspension: somehow it is coming out, that at older cars the front suspension is more reliable. And at newer cars more reliable is the rear suspension; Steering system: the steering system is not reliable, already after 8 years conking apear (hinges, rods geting out of order). Lighting: somhow it turns out, that in Fiestas wich were manufactured in 1989 - 1991 the lighting is more reliable. In the cars wich were manufactured in year 1994 - 1996 you will oftener find that the headlamps (front and rear) work badly, the turning movement lamps work badly or do not work at all. Often meats even that the windshield wipers and demister are working badly. Engine: the same kind of thing is with engine. The engines of older Fiestas are more reliable. In newer fiestas oftener occur that the exhaust silenser is burnt or the silenser holders are broken. Often are problems with fuel system. What about exhaustion - in all Fiestas the exhaustion esceeds the norm (thats in Lithuania).
Based on the research the Ford Fiesta on reliabiliti takes the 2 plase (from 5)
SO !!! If you want to buy a 3 generation Ford Fiesta, you buy better the older car (1989 - 1992 manufacture year). The parts are the same, the body will be little bit more rusted, but essentially the older Ford Fiesta is more reliable!
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Aug 5th, 2006
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