1987 Ford Fiesta Popular Plus 1.1 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Rust galore, a stereo-typical first car!

Faults:

Everything went wrong.

Engine oil-pump, head-gasket, etc.

Coolant leaks.

Flat battery (not the cars fault to be fair)

Gearbox whine.

Creaking seats, leaking door sills.

Major rust in the last few years.

Pretty much all the plastics buttons in the interior broke.

General Comments:

Red 87' Fiesta on an "E" reg. Looked OK when bought at six years old.

Classic first car for a young UK buyer at the time.

Hated it, but had good memories with it.

Cramped and noisy interior, slow performance and not that great on fuel, though there was probably an issue somewhere causing that.

When it was running good (rare) it got you from A to B.

Really as basic as transport can get. I thought it was very dated even for an 80's car at the time.

A mint condition XR2i might have been a different story. But a rusty 1.1 pop plus model? Disposable as broken furniture.

I scrapped it in 1999 (good going at nearly 100K and 12 years old) but was glad to see the back of its rusty hide. Thanks Ford for the deathtrap experience.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd April, 2023

1987 Ford Fiesta L 1.1 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A wonderful little dependable car

Faults:

The only problem that I have had with this car is the starter motor sometimes fails to engage properly, however this does not cause a major problem as respinning the motor usually results in it engaging properly.

The cigarette lighter and clock illumination light were faulty when I received the car.

General Comments:

The Ford Fiesta has always been a favourite car of mine, and this one has not disappointed.

The car drives so smooth that it is difficult to fault, and although the engine is only 1100cc, there is plenty of power for round-the-town and short distance journeys.

As with most older Fords I have owned, the clutch "bite" area is a little small, but once mastered the gear change is smooth and very light.

This car is now 16 years old, but I can see it carrying on for another 10 years, with only minor maintenance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2003

1987 Ford Fiesta L 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A brilliant little car that has loads of character

Faults:

Only thing to have needed to be done is:

Tappets.

Rear near side Tyre

General Comments:

This is a brilliant little car and I love it to bits, it also has excellnt throttle response, far better than any other older car I have driven.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th October, 2003

1987 Ford Fiesta L 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Ideal first car

Faults:

There is rust along the rear bumper. It is not that bad, considering my car was free.

The battery is flat, completely, drove 70 miles and it still did not charge.

It has no M.O.T.

General Comments:

I really like the look of my car.

She is rusty, but not a great deal.

I am just concerned whether she will pass her M.O.T or not.

I do not know much about cars, but I would say she is in top knotch condition for a car of her make, model and age.

I do wish I knew of how to spruce her up when she has passed her M.O.T. I was thinking of getting an XR2 body kit, but I do not want people to think I am making my car out to be something she is not.

I am looking forward to driving her soon then I will be able to give an accurate account of how she runs.

I am sure after I have taken her out I will be open foir offers on her if any one is interested.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd February, 2003

1987 Ford Fiesta POP PLUS 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Ford got it right with this baby, cheap and fun

Faults:

Surprisingly little ever went wrong with this car, it saw me through four different jobs in different areas of the country, and through 3 house moves.

The water pump started leaking somewhere round the 50k mile mark, and was only a half hour job to replace.

Non OE exhausts lasted about 2 years, but were cheap. Tire's lasted about 30k miles and were again cheap as chips (135/80/13).

The only major thing to go wrong was the alternator which threw in the towel at 88k miles and cost £40 and a new battery at £25.

General Comments:

The bodywork was never a problem, I wax oiled from new and ziebarted the underside.

The bonnet hinges seemed a weak spot on these cars, and I noticed more than one with the "sunken bonnet look", fortunately mine never suffered this.

For an 1100cc car it was quite rapid, cost buttons to run, cheap on insurance and gave me about 400 miles to a tank (I did for most of its life 100 motorway miles a day).

I sold this car with great reluctance, and still see it around. The Rover 216 I replaced it with lasted 14 weeks before being bought back by the garage for a non curable gearbox fault, and the Mk 3 Fiesta I got after this was a bitter disappointment. (See my review Mk 3 Fiesta should be taken out and shot).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th January, 2003