1994 Ford Fiesta Mistral (Special Edition) 1.3 injection petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Airbag warning light kept coming on! Problem was finally traced to a loose wire! New clutch, twice, as first replacement one was faulty, that's it.

General Comments:

My third Fiesta, I'm a Driving Instructor, so considering the mileage I clockup, the few niggly problems I've had, show what a good car it is.

Other Fiestas were a 1986 1.6 Popular Plus Diesel and a 1990 1.1 L, both gave no major problems, apart from a little carb trouble with the 1.1. The diesel was a little noisy, as is my current 1.3 when revved. I recently drove a MK1 1.3 Ghia, and that was nicer to drive!

The Mistral is well equiped with Sunroof, Rev-counter, Velour Sports Seats, Driver's Air bag, rear tailgate spoiler, colour-coded bumpers and Metallic Paint.

Passenger Air-Bag was optional.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 1998

15th Sep 2005, 08:48

I brought a ford fiesta 1.3 mistral 4 weeks ago and I have had nothing, but problems with it.

I have had many fiestas and this is the first time I have come across such bad luck with a car.

Here is a list of problems:

Water leak

Hole in the Petrol tank

The car broke down and needed a new battery, alternator and carburetor.

There is a major problem with the steering and I nearly crashed driving the car and managed to stop with out hitting anything! I don't know what the problem is with the steering at the moment, but it doesn't work!

The mileage has been clocked at some point.

I like fiestas and have found they just keep going, until now!

I have learned from this experience and will be buying a new car soon, but not a fiesta boo ho.

3rd Nov 2005, 11:45

After the bad experience with the ford fiesta, I decided to buy a Vauxhall Astra M reg for £600 and fingers crossed the car has run really well. Excellent on petrol and for a 1.6 it goes really well. After such bad luck with the fiesta I have happily found my car so it's not all bad.

1994 Ford Fiesta LX 1.1i petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Easier to knock the tracking out of line than in other cars.

There are a few different versions of the 1.1i LX for 1993/4 (L reg) which use different components in various places. Most notably, it took 3 attempts to have the correct replacement shock absorbers put in!

General Comments:

Reliable, nice enough to drive - could do with a bit more poke.

I'm happy with it doing 30K a year of mostly motorway driving, though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 1997