1995 Ford Festiva GLi review from Australia and New Zealand

New CV joints.

New clutch.

Body metal easily dinged.

I love Toyota's and I'm pretty picky about Ford's, and this car is certainly one of their better efforts.

The motor has around the same horsepower as a KA laser 1.5l I previously owned, but handles much better and has a smaller turning circle.

It has great acceleration and up to 90k/hr feels great.

At around 110km/h, it feels pretty light and it's not a speed for this vehicle regularly.

This is the first car I've owned where the oil change time is important; old oil makes the motor knock.

It's ability to corner and do U turns is the best I've owned.

The rear seat size is OK. You can transport 4 people is the car, but not if they are tall teenagers. Rear passenger area has come from the cargo area which is small, but that's fine for me.

Fuel economy is consistently better than 13 k/litre and has returned 14. I suspect in winter without the aircon I'll get 14 most of the time.

The aircon is only three speed and not ice cold. It's effective and works fine however.

4th gear pulls nicely from 50-70 kmh.

I regularly drive up a long steep hill, which it gobbles up in third gear.

Interior fit-out is great.

How good the power would be with an automatic I don't know.

The clutch is light and so well behaved that I taught my daughter to drive with it, successfully with no dramas.