1989 Ford Festiva LX review from North America
"A versatile, tough little car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The head gasket just blew... operator error.
The interior plastic does not hold up well in warm climates.
The clear coat is prone to falling off the base coat of paint after too much sun.
The original exhaust was the only factory piece that I was not satisfied with its lifespan... gone by 100k miles.
The original rear brakes made it 40k miles and quit. Aftermarket shoes made it 112k. (So far)
The alternator died at 140k.
The CV axles threw their boots by 100k, never clacked.
The drivers door window regulator broke in 2000/130k miles.
General comments?
Fuel economy has been exceptional. It averages 38 miles per gallon overall with extremes of 28 and 50.
After 152,000 miles, and judicious application of protectant, the vinyl dash panels look like they did the day I bought the car.
The handling has responded well to aftermarket dampers and a set of wheels donated by a Mazda 626 with 185/60 HR 14 rubber. It corners tenaciously at full throttle.
The steering is light and accurate enough to go around a fire ant.
The 1.3 engine is barely adequate with more than one occupant. It needs at least a 1.6 with the carburettor.
Styling is a strong suit-it lacks pretension and blesses the car with a cavern in its 11'8" length.
The seats have held up admirably. The cigarette burn that came with the car in 1992 has neither expanded nor frayed. They are also paragons of comfort compared to the chairs in more expensive cars.
The air conditioner was cold enough to hang meat.
It took a wallop from a Dodge Van in the tail, and the hatch still opens and closes, albeit with some difficulty.
Braking power is, at best, mediocre.
This has been a disposable car that has proven its worth over the last dozen years. It will be repaired.
Recommended reviews
| Closest I've ever come to driving for free |
|
| Fun and economical car, although old enough parts are less easy to find |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1989 |
| Year of manufacture | 1988 |
| First year of ownership | 1992 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.3 2v Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 3 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 32000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 152000 miles |
| Previous car | Opel Kadett |
| Date of Entry | 10th November, 2004 |