2000 Ford Fiesta Zetec-S from UK and Ireland - Comments

Timing belt tensioner needed replacing (under warranty) at 6000 miles.

There was a water leak inside the car, Ford dealer couldn't fix it, so I had to. Just a case of re fitting the rubber seal around the door properly.

This car is definitely worth the good reviews it had in the motoring press. I paid £8500 for a five month old one from a local Ford dealer, saved £3000 on new.

Standard the car is supposed to run at 103bhp at the flywheel which is rubbish, most Zetec-S' push out 110bhp standard. Perhaps Ford kept the performance figures down to keep insurance ratings down???

My car has been modified with a Jetex panel filter and Janspeed catback system. A Superchip will be fitted after its first service. The car will beat a standard Saxo VTS with just the exhaust and filter. People seem to compare the Zetec-S with a Saxo VTR, in my eyes there's no contest, it handles better and is a lot quicker.

Interior wise the car looks good, seats are supportive, although it could do with lumber support and maybe an adjustable steering wheel???

All in all I would recommend this car to anyone and get one soon as production ceases at the end of 2001.

If you want further info on my car, check out my website on http://www.zetecsports.cjb.net

It's got to be said that the Zetec-S has more BHP then Ford state it has.

Mine keeps up with a standard VTS on the straights, and will handle better into corners and exits.

The best hot hatch of the year by far!

Agreed. 115bhp is commonplace on rolling roads BEFORE tuning takes place.

I'm certainly not complaining.

You can think what you want about your fiesta beating or getting near a VTS and that's the only place it will do in your mind. Physiscs dicate things here.

1. lighter car and more power = a much higher power to weight = faster acceleration

2. Not seen anything keep with my VTS round a track including a clio 172 and a gti-6 so a fiesta with 10-20 bhp down on and a VTS will not get anywhere near (taking into account driver ability etc etc)

That's my argument anyway no need for insults or swearing just stating the facts.

Sorry, but Top Gear managed just that. Beat a VTS and a Corsa SRi around Mallory Park (I think) despite being 15 bhp down.

Won the test convincingly too.

The test was at Curbra I think he says (like a Kart track)

Steve berry said "The Saxo VTS is Britains best selling hot hatch, next to the Zetec-S its hard to see why". Although the presenter stated the obvious that the Vts is faster in a straight line, the mechanics, handling, looks and ride, were superior on the fiesta.

Performance isn't just a straight line.

Can I have some of what you're all on ;)

Zetec-s Vs VTS...

Please give it a rest!

The VTR will handle a Zetec-Ss just fine, although the festers do corner a VTR will match them.

Just look at the figures from EVO.

Citroën Saxo VTR Citroën Saxo VTS

Price Engine/ £9995 4/1587 £11,795 4/1587

Bhp/rpm 100/5700 120/6600

Lbft/rpm 100/3500 107/5200

Bhp/ton 99 130

0-60mph 9.3 7.6

Max mph 116 127

evo rating **** ****.5.

Ford Fiesta Zetec-S

Engine/ 4/1596

Bhp/rpm 102/6000

Lbft/rpm 107/4000

Bhp/ton 106

0-60mph 10.2

Max mph 113

evo rating ****

So not a lot between the Fester and VTR, but the VTS is a very different beast and there's no comparison.

I've been reading through the comments on these pages and I have to say it's a laugh a minute!

Granted that paper figures give little indication of ability, and shouldn't be trusted, but just because someone on TopGear beat someone else doesn't mean anything either.

I'll also agree that Citroen's are tin boxes, they seem to avoid any use of screws if they can, but there is no way in my experience that any Fiesta would be able to keep up, around a bend or straight, with a VTS! Ignore the VTR, they really are crap!

I have a Zetec-S, but have driven several Saxo VTS's. I'm sorry to say that in standard form, the Fiesta is beaten soundly by the VTS in a straight line, as you would expect with a 17 bhp power deficit and a tad more weight.

However, the Zetec-S will truly hold its own with pretty much any front driver when the going gets twisty. It's beautifully balanced, and its weightier, quicker and more communicative steering, and its torquey delivery makes controlling those oversteer moments much easier than in the VTS.

The VTS is a cracking car, but is more nervous on the limit, and "bites" much more readily. The Fiesta manages to retain all the agility and razor sharp turn-in of the VTS without getting all ragged and nervous when you reach the limit. The Fiesta also has far superior brakes and its slick, ultra short throw gearbox is barely mentionable in the same sentence as the notchy, sloppy Saxo.

All the VTS has over the Zetec-S is straightline performance. In any real road situation, and I don't mean traffic light drag races, you'd need to be Schumacher to extract any advantage in a VTS. And the Fiesta won't be falling apart by the time it's done 20,000 miles.

I have a Zetec-S, but have driven several Saxo VTS's. I'm sorry to say that in standard form, the Fiesta is beaten soundly by the VTS in a straight line, as you would expect with a 17 bhp power deficit and a tad more weight.

However, the Zetec-S will truly hold its own with pretty much any front driver when the going gets twisty. It's beautifully balanced, and its weightier, quicker and more communicative steering, and its torquey delivery makes controlling those oversteer moments much easier than in the VTS.

The VTS is a cracking car, but is more nervous on the limit, and "bites" much more readily. The Fiesta manages to retain all the agility and razor sharp turn-in of the VTS without getting all ragged and nervous when you reach the limit. The Fiesta also has far superior brakes and its slick, ultra short throw gearbox is barely mentionable in the same sentence as the notchy, sloppy Saxo.

All the VTS has over the Zetec-S is straightline performance. In any real road situation, and I don't mean traffic light drag races, you'd need to be Schumacher to extract any advantage in a VTS. And the Fiesta won't be falling apart by the time it's done 20,000 miles.

End quote.

That's the best comparison I've read - whoever says a Zetec-S will beat a VTS in standard form is trippin.

I am an independent car journalist currently employed by a well known car magazine. I have personally road tested both the VTR & Zetec S together on the same day so I could do the usual comparisons. To answer the question "which is the better car"? I would have to say the Zetec S, simply because you get a lot more in terms of interior features & safety features (plus a leather steering wheel) BUT if you were to ask me "which car would you rather have?" It would definitely be the Saxo VTR, the smile per mile factor is so much more, there is a reason it has been the best selling hot hatch in Britain since the beginning to end of production (1996-2004) and its definitely not because Saxo owners haven't heard of FORD.

To test the cars performance we took them to Donnington Race Track, on every lap bar none the VTR was at least 2 seconds in front of the ZS. We also did a 50-80 test in 3rd gear, again the Saxo beat the ZS reaching 80mph 2.35secs before the ZS (50-80mph test takes out all driver skill as all you have to do is floor it at 50mph in 3rd gear).

As far as handling goes, the ZS is superb around the corners & really does stick to the road, but the VTR won "BEST HANDLING CAR UNDER 12,000 POUNDS" for two consecutive years. The VTR drives, feels & handles like a Go-Cart. The Test was carried out in November 2000 (for the record it was the series 2 Saxo with the newer 100BHP engine). If you want the more sensible, safer & more luxurious car then the ZS is the one to go for, but for a young testosterone fueled young man who just wants to have fun then definitely opt for the Saxo.

As for saying the ZS could beat or even keep up with a VTS is like saying a VTS could beat or keep up with a Ferrari - NOT A CHANCE!!!

I didn't give a second thought, about chosing a Zetec-s over a saxo, as its build quality is stronger and the handling is far superior, and it doesn't just out handle saxos, I recently raced a new 2.0 Clio sport through some country lanes and he struggled to keep up until the straights, if your after a more enjoyable driving experience get a Zetec-s now!

Mark Colyer.

YES the zetec is better made YES it's a great little car, YES it will beat a VTR, but a VTR will have the edge to 60, but only being 8v, it gets breathless after that and the ZS has the edge, but only just.

A VTS is a complete different animal, 0-100 in 17s, 0-60 in 7.2 (with 1/4 tank fuel, no passengers, manufacturer quote)

LOL at the 1.25 zetec beating a VTR - grow up. I have had a VTR 98bhp and my best friend has a zetec 1.25, he couldnt stay with me whatsoever, in any gear or situation. when I had this VTR I also played about with a ZS on the motorway who was also my mate. he had a new backbox + forced induction, and he could only just pull away from me.

I now have a VTS and ZS's just don't stand a chance. they don't rev long enough for a start, a VTS pulls all the way to 7500rpm along with its short range gearing it flies upto 120mph and then the rest.

As far as handling is concerned, ZS's r fantastic, very well poised and great road holding. a great chassis and suspension setup along with 195mm tyres on 15" rims = very quick round corners! VTRs are almost as good, theres hardly anything in it at all, just they have 185 tyres and r ever so slightly softer. VTSs have slightly stiffer suspension and 195 tyres and therefore easily match a ZS as they have a fantastic chassis and great damper/spring setup.

Don't get me wrong ZSs r really nice cars, nice inside and out, and pokey for a hatchback, but when compared against a VTS performance-wise, they just can't quite make the cut, whereas a VTS delivers everytime. theres a reason why 106gtis/VTSs got put in the top10 best handling cars ever made and the fiesta didn't.. because its true.

My mate owns a Saxo VTR and I personally own a 1.6 Zetec-s.

Both are not modded up in any way, and we have both been driving for about a year now, as we are both 18 years old.

The zetec-s got away very fast compared to the VTR in first and second gear, when it came into third gear, the VTR started to catch up a little, but the distance between both our cars was significant. The fiesta won in a straight line race. We also both admitted that the fiesta handles much better. I personally prefer the looks of the citron. In the end it was obvious which one was better.

I own a 89 1.1 fiesta (A real shame I know!). But working in a few places that I have and growing up in motor sport I have picked up on a few things.

I can see the fun in racing round town centers in tarted up motors, but there are a few things about the Zetec s ford missed out!

Piper (piper exhausts etc) do a cam set for that engine with cam's, cam followers, springs etc. It will set you back a cool £550 but the shape of the cam's really makes a difference. Take this further by doing an engine remapping and you could be seeing up to an increase of 13-14bhp!!

This will give the mid range and top end the Zetec s always lacked, giving VT'S drivers a run for their money.

It really does work, my colleague races them!

-Bilbo-

Had a Zetec-S for a while, loved it. Remember, it was never sold as a hot hatch, was never claimed to be the fastest thing on earth and would be positively crapped over by most proper hot hatches.

What it did have was handling to die for (Ford know their stuff here), good build quality and total reliability. The latter two are something you will never get on a French car, and particularly a cheap one like a Saxo or Clio. It's horses for courses.

I now drive an E46 BMW 330Ci which would obviously take the Fiesta apart in any scenario, but even in this context, I still remember the Z-S fondly. It was just a fun, affordable, insurable little car that took as much abuse as I could give it, never broke down, and handled well enough to make me take the twisty routes wherever possible. Why can't owners just leave it at that instead of waving their willies in the air?