2001 Ford Fiesta Zetec-S from UK and Ireland - Comments

Wilf, you're just the person I've been looking for!

Send some replies in to our comments, especially those about warranties etc.

Are you a zetec expert?

James Fergusson (j_fergusson@hotmail.com)

I too have had the same problem with the front roll bar bushes. They have been replaced three times already (15000 miles). Ford have finally admitted there is a problem and state that they are in the process of designing a modified version (out in three weeks time). They will then replace them for a fourth time! I have also had knocking from all four suspension struts which have been replaced.

Even though I have had the problems, I will not get rid of it. It is a really great car to drive.

What are you lot talking about (I get burnt up buy VTR's).

I've owned my Zetec-S for 5 months now, not only have I thrashed VTR's, but I've even raced and beaten a VTS!!!

Before you lot shout at me he was faster, he had an uprated exhaust and a K&N sticker on his window. It took place in Milton Keynes, along all of those dual carriageways and roundabouts. I one coz his car couldn't handle as well as mine, but we were very close. I was just that one step ahead.

Again, I didn't dream this and he was trying. I doubt any of you will believe me but at least I know the truth.

As for VTR's...

As for VTR's, I came across a Zetec-S at the lights this morning on the way to work and must admit they are a nice looking car, and I was thinking about swapping my VTR for a Zetec-S, that was until I saw the Zetec's performance.

My VTR absolutely streaked away from the Zetec-S, making it look like he had selected reverse rather than first!!!

This car is supposed to be the "hot" Fiesta and comes with a 1.6 16V engine, why is it then that an 8v 1.6 VTR can streak away from it and a 1.6 16V VTS can blow both cars away.

The Zetec-S is a very slow car and Ford could have done so much more with the Zetec-S.

Anyway, I think I'll stick with the VTR - looks nicer and has far superior performance, if the Zetec-S is the best Fiesta that ford can offer, then it is slightly embarrassing!!!

Thank you everybody who's contributed to this comments section so far. I've decided to buy a Zetec-S already, and your comments have merely fanned the flames! I hope to be driving my own Zetec-S within a few weeks. I'm placing an order for an Imperial Blue this Saturday, so watch this space!

All you Saxo drivers talk about how smart they are and how fast they are, but there's so many of them going about now that they are merely just another car, while the Zetec-S is a touch of class that sounds and looks ten times better than VTR's.

Whoever said that the 'grating noise' isn't the self-test for the ABS/Traction, and that it is the system working when the wheels are spinning is talking out of their botty.

The noise occurs when first setting off, every time, wet OR dry, and DEFINITELY IS THE SELF-TEST. I know this because it happens on my girlfriend's car when she is setting off down the road, even driving gently with no wheelspin.

As for VTRs, they've already gained a yobbish image, whereas the Zetec-S is for people who have actually reached adulthood.

Who cares if the Zetec S isn't quite as fast off the lights as a VTR? The Fiesta is better in the twisties and as an ownership prospect it wipes the floor with the French car.

My mate bought a VTS new and yes it was much faster than the Zetec S (120 bhp vs 100). 13,000 miles, two ECUs's, one head gasket, one ignition module, three coils, one PAS rack and a year later, he sold it for next to nothing, sick and tired of things going wrong. By this time, several bits of the interior had also fallen off, the brakes juddered, the engine leaked oil and the comedy bodywork had tiny dents and ripples everywhere. Looking at the VTR/VTS reviews on this site, a lot of them are unreliable, poorly built dogs. By contrast, most Zetec S owners report only minor (if any) problems and their cars are well built and reliable.

At the end of the day, the Zetec S does lack a bit of grunt, but in its place comes reliability, insurability and day to day useability. It might not provide ultimate straight line thrills, but as an all round package it is a cracking little car. To be honest, if straight line speed is a real issue, spend £1800 on a Van Aaken turbo conversion - you can then waste Saxos off the lights as well as on the twisties.

Chaps and Chaplet's, for the people that are complaining about the performance why don't you have an engine transplant. You can pick up a RS Turbo engine for £400 pop along to Graeme Good or Castle Performance etc etc and get them to drop it in. A bloke in fast ford has done it to his, put a 2.0l Zetec engine in and has tuned it to 350bhp no lie. Saxo's won't know whats hit them. :D Then theres also NOS!!!

Funny reading this makes, at first I went out to buy a Saxo VTR now one of the country most common little things. First I could not get my legs under the steering wheel and while finding out it did not adjust a large lump of plastic fell off in my hand. After 30 minutes more of the dealer trying to sell me a awful finance deal that was going to cost me the earth and a half I changed my mind. My mate then brought a imperial blue Zetec S and had a few mods to make it ultra fat it look 100x better than the Saxo and handled even better and was just as quick the interior was not flowery like the Saxo to another bonus.

I brought a red Zetec S in March 2002 and it now has 12300miles on it and I've enjoyed every min of it although having bean beaten away by the odd saxo.. I'm now about to have a £1200 engine upgrade that will give my baby 174bhp so any VTR and VTS will be a little dot in the distance and I will no longer be able to see the ugly mug driver and its fat bird. Also anyone else having problems with Saxo's I suggest getting a copy of fast ford mag a T25 turbo is also available as well as a 2 liter engine conversation so its Saxo bye bye!

Just my 2p.

I've bought a Zetec-S 2 months ago and after the first 1000 miles of running the car in have tried to see what the car is capable of. Straight line speed can be a little disappointing at times. My Mate has a saxo VTR and has been slating me since I got it saying his car was quicker.

The other day we were coming back from the merry hill cruise in Birmingham when we pulled up at some traffic lights next to a lightly modified VTR. From standing to around 90-100 miles per hour the saxo did manage to put about a cars length between our bumpers.

I was not a happy man. Problem is... Ford won't be happy to see a full exhaust, chip, and induction kit when it comes to service time!!!

I've stuck on a quick shift stainless induction kit which sounds very nice, but does not seem to have made the car any quicker.

Can anyone out there recommend a way to get more pace out of the car with mods that can be removed at home with a tool kit within a hour or so, so I can try and blag the warranty???

In the cars favour the handling is mint and I've been raced by a R34 Skyline, A Bentley Continental and a Porsche (Lost to all obviously) so it must look something a bit special to.

I've even managed to rinse a 200 SX twin turbo round a large island at the top of a main drag. And to anyone who thinks he was not trying his car was completely sideways with smoke coming of the tyres!!!

Just on a final note, of course the saxo's going to be a little bit quicker, theres nothing to them. The panels are made of tin foil and the interior is made of the poorest most shabbily build rubbish in the world. When you turn the engine off a fan has to cool it down for 10 minutes and the windows rattle when you drive above 30. Other than that there not that bad.

I feel someone has to step in to defend the honour of the little Saxo VTR ;)

Being the sibling of the quick VTS it suffers quite badly from little brother syndrome.

It also has a reputation of being driven by 17-20 year oiks who think a backwards baseball cap is "cool", mainly due to Citroen handing out free insurance.

I am not a 17-20 year old and I don't wear a baseball cup.

My girlfriend is not ugly or fat and I respect the Zetec-s for what it is a sensible, cheap nice drive.

I raced one a few months ago in my VTR and there wasn't a lot in it, I was ahead all the way up to 100, but only by a bumper.

I was impressed by his handling on a roundabout, but then my car matched it.

All in all it was pretty level.

You all comment on the build quality of Saxos, but there is an advantage to the build of a Saxo... Weight.

How else could I keep up with a 100+BHP Zetec-S in my 90BHP VTR?

FYI. Nothing has gone wrong with my VTR in the past 4 years apart from a leaking sunroof.

I am now running at 110BHP and 120ft/lbs of torque so it would be interesting to go up against a Zetec-S again.

I own a X Plate Fiesta Zetec S, I had a noise since new from the front of the car. After a few trips to the guys at Ford they sorted it, it was a loose electric box by the steering column.

My Bushes too have been replaced, has anyone had problems with the seering wheel wearing away?

On another note, I've had mine up to 130Mph on the M3, there was a slight decline, but not what I would call massive. Anyone else got theres up to similar speeds?

Cheers.

Dan

dpilling@totalise.co.uk.

I've had 129 on the motorway, it took a bit of a slope to build up the speed, but it held it fine when the motorway went flat.

The Engine didn't sound too relaxed, but its still an impressive figure.

Question is though... can you trust a speedo at that sort of speed???

Tried another run the other night on the same stretch of road and could not hit more than 119??

I need more power.

I already have a quick-shift induction kit and was looking to get a mongoose cat back system.

Only thing is the insurance company want £245 just for the exhaust!!!

That's a lot of moolah for something that I've been told may only give 2-3 BHP more.

Has anyone else fitted a exhaust/air filter??

Does it give you a noticeable gain as mags I've read give mixed reviews??

Please let me know.

Maxwell House.

If FORD had sorted out the reliability and build quality issues namely;

Anti roll-bar bushes

leaking power steering

Paintwork

Leaking gearbox

Course sounding engines at idle

Interior.

They would have designed a future classic car, however as always since it is a FORD, the owners allow for these problems.

I am in the process of complaining about many of these issues which the very unhelpful FORD customer service center claims are not very common problems.

If any of you fellow owners can e-mail me any problems you have had with you car, I will make sure the details are mentioned in my correspondence to FORD. Please contact me at fellepola@hotmail.com and I will keep you updated of the outcome.