Summary:
Fantastic gas saver, and it's original, no one else has one!
Faults:
Well I bought the car 5 days ago, and have put 700 miles on it. That cost me about $45. I have gotten anywhere between 30 and 70 MPG.
I bought the car for $600, and have had to put $283 into getting to pass safety and IM. So it's cost me more than I wanted, but has saved me around $150 in gas compared to my other car, a 94 Cadillac Deville.
I had to have the exhaust between the catalytic convertor and muffler replaced at $119. And the emergency brake was broken; cost $45 to fix.
Otherwise, it leaks oil; enough to smoke visibly after long drives.
General Comments:
It's definitely a no frills car; 2 speaker AM/FM tape deck, FM doesn't work, tape doesn't work, and it can't remember where you were last time it was on. The presets also don't work.
The 1.3L engine is powerful enough to keep up with traffic; more torque than a Metro, so better MPG as well.
The headlights work well.
There is no: power steering, power windows, sunroof, electric anything, air conditioning. It does however have power brakes, which is a minute difference when coasting with the engine off.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th July, 2012
20th Jul 2012, 07:37
The Festiva was considered a disposable car when new, so when it sustained even moderate accident damage or required major mechanical work, it was usually junked rather than repaired.
So even though a lot were sold, most of the ones who have not yet been crushed, soon will be, to make more disposable cars.
21st Jul 2012, 22:05
One that actually gets 70 MPG (as the reviewer claims) would certainly be original.
Suspect that if this claim is even true, it was while coasting downhill only.