Opinions of 1.2 03 Fiesta?

Ostrom

Any opinions appreciated, I am about to buy one of these within a month and know next to nothing about the technical side of things. We need something small and cheap to run, and from what I can see the seems to fit our needs (and budget).

What is the opinion on fiestas in general? I cant afford to scale up to focus with insurance and tax costs, and any of the other mini's (Micra), I cant tolerate for any length (I'm tall). It will mostly do weekend runs from Waterford to Dublin and back, and I gather anything under 1.2 is ill advised for motorways.

- Thanks!

zilog_jones

The engines are pretty good (1.25 75bhp) and reliable, and the handling and ride are better than most in its class. However they are not the most spacious - a Honda Jazz or Toyota Yaris would be better in this respect (not sure about headroom though).

Plug

Some of the 03-05 fiesta's had the 1.3 engine, make sure this is the 1.25 engine. Much better.

zilog_jones

AFAIK the 1.3 OHV engine was only fitted until Jan 2003. Easiest way to check is on the tax disc - 1.25 DOHC is 1242cc and 1.3 OHV is 1299cc (it also sounds like a bag of nails ).

onq

My wife and I once travelled from Portimao to Lisbon in Portugal and back again in a 1.0L Renault Twingo.

Fords in general tend to score high on reliability tests as to Micras.

I'm not sure when Fiestas were revamped and thsi might be a point to bear in mind, newer technology being more desirable in general.

You need to balance the result of the JP Power type reliability reports against the Euro NCAP crash tests results when considering a car.

For learning a Fiesta is fine, and you prolly don't need a 1.2.

ONQ.

Henry Ford III

efla wrote: »

Any opinions appreciated, I am about to buy one of these within a month and know next to nothing about the technical side of things. We need something small and cheap to run, and from what I can see the seems to fit our needs (and budget).

What is the opinion on fiestas in general? I cant afford to scale up to focus with insurance and tax costs, and any of the other mini's (Micra), I cant tolerate for any length (I'm tall). It will mostly do weekend runs from Waterford to Dublin and back, and I gather anything under 1.2 is ill advised for motorways.

- Thanks!

Nice wee car but it's done almost 100k miles!

bazz26

A bit expensive for a 03 considering the mileage, there are a few 04 models with a little less mileage going for similar money:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200939195311614
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200947195924738

Ostrom

Thanks - I was a bit concerned about taking a 1l out on the motorways (I really dont know anything) - only reason besides restrictive headroom in the Micra I looked at 1.2+

Thanks for the comments, when it comes down to buying, is there typically much scope for arguing down the price?

onq

efla wrote: »

Thanks - I was a bit concerned about taking a 1l out on the motorways (I really dont know anything) - only reason besides restrictive headroom in the Micra I looked at 1.2+

Making sure you fit the car is important on a day to day driving basis.

If you're a big heavy guy a bigger engined car might be more suitable, but to be honest, despite all the Top Gear hype and the nonsense spewed by car nuts, you don't need a big engine to get from A to B even on motorways.

If you're always carrying a full complement of passengers or drive a lot in hilly country a bigger engine can help, assuming the suspension and brakes suit but that's about it really.

Speed seems king when you're young, but when I had the pick of models to choose from a few years ago in a make I wanted to buy I chose the smallest auto box with cruise control - to slow me down!

Thanks for the comments, when it comes down to buying, is there typically much scope for arguing down the price?

Other posters have noted that the one you're looking at seems a bit dear.

Its a buyers market.



ONQ.

Ostrom

onq wrote: »

Making sure you fit the car is important on a day to day driving basis.

If you're a big heavy guy a bigger engined car might be more suitable, but to be honest, despite all the Top Gear hype and the nonsense spewed by car nuts, you don't need a big engine to get from A to B even on motorways.

I'm tall and light unfortunately My only concern about the engine was wear and tear - I was under the impression that 1l were unsuitable for motorways, purely because I have never driven on one!

onq wrote: »

Speed seems king when you're young, but when I had the pick of models to choose from a few years ago in a make I wanted to buy I chose the smallest auto box with cruise control - to slow me down!

Exactly what I want, I have no desire for speed, just one that wont wear down too quick at higher speeds. Will probably go with a yaris if engine size isn't a problem, money being tight and all...

Tea 1000

That was the Fiesta's lowest point in its history. In fact, I rate that model Fiesta so lowely, I'd actually go for the previous model (01 or 02) and save myself a few bob for a nicer car! As said, avoid 1.3