1988 Ford Festiva L review from North America

The transmission was shot when I bought it, that was a weekend swap job.

The CV joint was clicking at the same time.

Very mild surface rust under the nose of the car, near the front stabilizer bar.

These little things are about the most reliable machines I have ever had the pleasure to operate. Anything that can keep ticking nicely at nearly 237,000 miles is a bargain.

I had to sink a little bit of time and money into it initially to get it road worthy, but that price is pretty negligible. The car cost me $164. Tack in a tranny at $272, and a CV joint at $66, plus about $60 for new plugs, wires, and fluids.. and we have a grand total of about $562 total for a nice little daily driver.

The car makes no strange noises now (as opposed to initial purchase: box of rocks transmission, and a rattling CV axle). Engine fires up consistently, ticks over clean, handles well given the inherent characteristics of a front wheel drive machine. Haven't had to put brake parts in yet. Recent fluid change, and oil is still nice and clean.

I get decent mileage somewhere in the 40mpg range (on the freeway), and couldn't be happier.

Parking is never a problem, thanks to the dimunitive size.

These cars present a great value for the money, given that many people sell their machines off for well under $1000, and if you have a bit of mechanical ability, you can find cars that are in decent physical condition that need a few minor repairs at a real bargain. Combine that with inexpensive parts and really exceptional gas mileage, and you more or less have a winner.

I have heard people talk trash about these little cars, calling them slow, junk, and just about any other name in the book. Most of the high horsepower lead-sleds can't last as many mile, nor can they pass up the next gas station on the road.

If you are in the market for a decently built, inexpensive commuter car, then you really can't go wrong if you find a used festiva in decent shape.