1998 Ford Fiesta Ghia X 1.4 Zetec
Summary:
Shabby build but quick with satisfying drive
Faults:
Cracked petrol tank, leaking brake cylinder, rear light circuit failure, misc. electrical gremlins, failed heated windscreen, squeaking speakers.
General Comments:
It seems that Ford is very good at building basic cars but this model with lots of comfort extras suffers from a lot of build quality problems. The electrical problems have been particularly difficult to fix and often dangerous.
All these problems take the edge of what is otherwise the ultimate urban runabout. The interior is both stylish and full of nice gadgets such as electric seat height adjustment, CD player, Air-con etc. With its sexy alloys and sharp looking front end, this car looks the part too.
Spookily though, the registration ends with WOE and this sums up the luck this car has had. All of these niggles and several accidents to its name after less than 3 years of gentle and infrequent use spoils an otherwise great little car.
Despite all this I can't help but love the car for its speed and handling, which are completely above reproach.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th June, 2000
18th Oct 2007, 04:19
Love driving this little car. Economical (fuel, tax and insurance!) and nippy it makes a great run-around whilst being comfortable on motorways too.
I am amazed at the interior space (kids don't seem squashed in the rear either), good headroom, reasonable boot space and the amount of gadgets this Fiesta has - love the heated screens, air-con and electric mirror.
Small niggles - rust... little bubbles appearing over the arches that I must sort out! also the heater valve had stuck over the summer, but that was easily sorted. I've had a problem with the fuel tank too (a 'pin hole' leak... that they've tried to mend!) - waiting for a new one to be fitted!
I'd certainly have another Fiesta.
3rd Feb 2009, 10:38
OR reviewer here again. It's funny that rust has been mentioned here, ours had rust bubbling up around the driver's side front wheel arch too at around 2.5 years old - forget to mention it before.
I wonder if it's a common fault or this happens to be the same car with its new owner!
26th Oct 2004, 11:32
Having been the owner of this nippy little car for over 4 years now. I Have little to complain about. Spookily enough though, I too have a problem with my front heated windscreen, this being that only the passenger side works! A terrific idea, in this country and one to be jealous of on a frosty morning... If only the correct side worked. The steering fluid is leaking, leaving a mess on the driveway. This steering rack has been replaced, but the problem has come back. We appear to of been targeted also by the dreadful rust! Front driver wheel arch to be precise.