1996 Ford Aspire Base 1.3 SOHC from North America

Summary:

Overall, I love this car, and I think it is very underrated

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car.

I buy only new parts, and only get the top of the line replacement parts.

Maintenance on time regularly.

My ceramic pads and slotted rotors lasted 4 years on my old Aspire, and when I replaced them, they were only half worn.

I think many people don't know how to drive, and ride their brakes too much.

General Comments:

Overall, this car is fun.

I have an intake and a cat-back 1.75" exhaust.

Slotted rotors with ceramic pads.

This car stock does 110mph, and can maintain this speed around gentle corners.

It handles very well. I race V8s and Hondas, and out-handle them.

It is slow with acceleration, but it is definitely not a slow car. Once you get it up to speed, it stays there and handles well.

In the upper RPM band, it is high revving, and has good top end.

I drove this car to Montana from Seattle in fifth gear, red lined the whole 350 miles each way, and all the cars could not keep pace with me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2012

20th Dec 2020, 19:54

The claims this reviewer makes are just laughable. The only Hondas this car might beat would be Honda scooters, and only if the scooter had one flat tire. V8s? Yuh right. What a joke.

1996 Ford Aspire 1.3 four cylinder from North America

Summary:

Reliable basic car

Faults:

Front wheel bearings at 148,000 miles.

General Comments:

I have had this car forever. It seems it's very slow, but it has truly been reliable for me. I have not replaced anything besides parts that wear out.

The engine and transmission are original. I did have the clutch replaced at 160,000 miles, and the alternator and starter have both been replaced.

The A/C still works, but it takes a few minutes for it to get cold now.

I have recently purchased a Toyota Yaris hatchback, and soon I will either give my Aspire to my niece or sell it.

The one thing that shocked me about this car is the lack of options; I mean I had a rear defroster, A/C, and a cassette player, and I think mine was fully loaded. Oh, and the gas mileage is excellent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2011

1996 Ford Aspire from North America

Faults:

Put brakes on it and a windshield in it. Had some rewiring to do because it was blowing fuses. But I only paid $400 for the car, so I expected to put money into it.

General Comments:

Was involved in two accidents with my little Aspire, and she is still going strong. The first accident someone did not stop at a 4 way. The truck that hit me spun my little car around, and the momentum took most of the damage (I believe).

A few months after that, I was going about 35 mph and hit a deer. Dented the hood, broke out a head light, but she still runs strong.

Definitely would buy another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2010

1996 Ford Aspire from North America

Summary:

Great little commuter car!

Faults:

Front brake rotors recently replaced.

Thermostat replaced.

Resonator pipe replaced (the original one broke, likely as a result of some of the roads I travel every work day).

General Comments:

My 4-door hatchback handles very well, and operates quietly. It's great for commuting to the train station and for scooting around town. It may not be as powerful as some other vehicles, but it does whatever I need it to do. I don't need a race car in my everyday life - and I really appreciate the $$$ savings on gas.

My only quibble is with the seat belts. I'm short, and the seat belt has a tendency to cross over my neck rather than my shoulder, and also it has a nasty tendency to twist. This is one area where the "economy" nature of the car shows through.

I anticipate many enjoyable years of driving my little 4-door baby :)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2006

10th Apr 2006, 18:26

Addendum to my original review:

A problem I have noted is the failure of the horn to sound when the steering wheel is significantly turned; that resulted in my car being hit today because I couldn't warn a guy backing up that he was backing up into me! I don't know if this is a design flaw, or whether my horn/horn buttons are faulty... in any case, I am less than a happy camper with this particular situation.