1993 Ford Festiva L review from North America
"Great reliability + performance, but loses in a collision"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
A hand brake line seized, locking one of the rear drum brakes on. Resulted from rusted brake line assembly. Occurred twice.
Exhaust train very prone to rust -- had the manifold between catalytic converter and engine repaired twice.
Windshield wiper fluid pump failed when the car was eight years old, needing replacement.
Some parts were god-awful expensive, like the headlight assemblies, which would run US$200 re-manufactured, $100 salvaged.
Breaks seemed to require service every two years, but this could've been my driving habits. :)
No structural integrity when in collisions. Was totalled in September in a three-car rear-ending that didn't really damage any of the other cars!
Fixed-position steering wheel a bit cramped for my 6'3" frame.
General comments?
Great economy.
Felt "stable" at high speeds (e.g. 80 MPH and on corners). Handled beautifully well in the winter on ice and snow; FWD+manual transmission. Very forgiving of aggressive driving on slick surfaces.
Lots of head room in the cabin.
Pretty spunky for a 65HP 1.2L (Mazda) engine when combined with the 5 speed manual transmission!
Some parts were very cheap, like a $30 front quarter panel replaced after a collision.
Recommended reviews
| All around great commuter car |
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| This car excels at what it was designed for - providing cheap reliable transportation |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1993 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.2L Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 22000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 69300 miles |
| Date of Entry | 1st December, 2001 |