1994 Ford Fiesta Si 1.6

Summary:

An excellent handling, well built car

Faults:

No major mechanical faults.

Some rust on driver side front wing, new wing was fitted and no more rust has been evident since then on any part of the body.

General Comments:

This car is an excellent handling car and would challenge far more powerful cars on twisty B-roads.

Straight line performance is nothing to write home about however it is comfortable on long hauls owing mostly to the superb seats.

Brakes are superb.

Cabin is solid and there are hardly any squeaks even at 70K miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2003

1994 Ford Fiesta Mistral 1.1 HCS

Summary:

Generally reliable, basic features

Faults:

Engine had erratic idling problems, it would cut out when cold and also rev higher than it should do. This problem seems to have been due to driving short journeys, as I have started walking to work (about 1 mile) and it has cleared up.

The passenger seat folding mechanism has seized up - very annoying as I have to get out to let my mates in the back!

Courtesy light does not come on when drivers door opened.

The engine has recently started drinking oil. I can't find a leak and it doesn't show signs of burning oil, v. strange!

General Comments:

As my first car, its not bad.

The insurance I thought was a bit expensive for the power; £1036 (third party, fire and theft) and the motor is only 50bhp.

The car is quite cheap to run, but I thought it would manage more than 35 miles per gallon.

The trim is very good quality and the seats are very comfortable.

The features are quite basic, though and the only thing it really has is the sun roof, oh and drivers airbag.

Oh and the heater is very good, after about 3 minutes it will heat up the car very quickly and nice and cosy in winter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd October, 2002

1994 Ford Fiesta Si 1.6

Summary:

Not so cheap to run despite being a Ford

Faults:

I have owned this car for nearly 6 years, so have had a lot of experience of it.

Sticking valves replaced under warranty soon after purchase - a design fault that a Ford technician mentioned to me when the valves started to stick (and cause jerkiness at speed).

Starter motor replaced quite soon after purchase - apparently this was another design fault which it shared with the Mondeo.

Front shocks replaced at about 30000 miles.

Water temperature gauge packed in a while ago.

Front discs and pads replaced at 65000 miles and 101000 - the pads are harder than the disks so the disks wear out first!

Have had rear brake cylinder replaced this year and corroded brakepipe at rear.

Also had to have the steering universal joint replaced - NB you must get the front wheel alignment re-done after having this done. And this was done at MOT time only a couple of months after a FORD dealer failed to spot this ...

The rear wheel arches and sills have become rusty - this is despite me looking after the car and washing and polishing it regularly!

General Comments:

Cheap insurance.

Nice seats.

Good performance - particularly on the motorway.

Average fuel economy.

It's a Ford, and my next car will be a Honda!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th September, 2002

29th Jun 2005, 10:31

Hi there. I own a Ford Fiesta Zetec on a W plate (2000).

From the day I brought the car I have had nothing, but problems with it. I have had it from new.

The first day of picking it up it broke down on the way to the petrol station as fords were nice enough to hand it over empty. Any way being the first reg of the month it was very embarrising for me. It turned out the ultinator cable had not been fitted!!! From this the car had to go back for a respray as I noticed a lot of water marks in the paint work.

Around 2 wks later the heater went. Following this the relay went for the indicators so a constant ticking sound. It took Fords 2 attempts to find the problem on two re-visits. Near present I still have the Shed, 3rd clutch later which people have said it was my driving, but the clutch burns when the car is idle!!! A core plug went so the garage had to take apart the engine to reach. Over £350.00 Plus toe charge. Present The cars air bag light is on constantly!!! The front shocks have gone. It pulls back when you accelerate and sounds really bad when you pull away from stand still. To top it off 3 people have driven into it causing extensive body damage. (Non my fault)

So really I have had no good Experience with my fiesta zetec and now my family will not even go out in it.

P.s Its Green and has 13 in the Number plate!!!