Quite a number of things have gone wrong with my fiesta since I bought it privately.
Firstly, there was a lot of problems with what I think was the single point injector as when you started it it used to rev up for 5 seconds or so as if it was stuck which was very embarrassing . After a LOT of difficulty this was finally replaced with a second hand part costing just £25 or so and the replacement of the spark plugs and leads helped also and as a result starts fine now.
Another thing which has stopped now probably due to replacement of the parts listed above was the engine revved like hell when you clutched to change gear which suggested the revs were too high as the car also used to basically drive itself along when you lifted your feet off the accelerator and clutch!Annoying and dangerous as braking distance was increased due to this.
I was stranded overnight at a petrol station due to the fact that I could not turn the key in the ignition as the ignition barrel had seized. After a long night the garage removed the car from the forecourt and charged £130 for a new ignition barrel!
Other problems include catalytic converter falling off at 76,000 miles (replacement costing £163 inc. labor ) from Kwik-Fit.
The car also repeatedly fails the emissions test during Mot's , but the garage always manage to just get it through and pass it. This was still the case even after a new catalytic converter had been attached.
Radiator leak - fixed with liquid sealant.
The engine is quite poor on performance on the motorway for instance coming off a roundabout and getting smoked by Ka's and the like.
However, in the case of town driving it does the job.
The handling is excellent in the dry probably due to bigger tires I have on it. In the wet however the handling is quite scary on roundabouts and corners.
Burns oil!
The ticking over noise is a nightmare and is only drowned out by the fans and stereo being turned up!
On the plus side this car is a very nice colour (Cayman Blue) and looks nice with the 13" wheels and alloys.
Electric Windows, Central locking, Twin airbags and very nice interior. No Power steering though!
Good fuel economy (no idea about mpg)
Good momentum on hills rather than any decent acceleration.
Top Speed (down a hill with the wind behind you and a 2 mile run up) 95 mph!crap.
Not much rust as previous owners including me have looked after it very well. some rust round the rear window wiper base and some on rear wheel arches.
The next time you take this Car fot the ticket (MOT) Simply remove the Air Filter first. This will ensure it flies through the Emissions test.
I found taking the rocker cover off most revealing as it was full of old sticky oil. An hour of cleaning this and the tappets (then adjusting the tappets to the correct clearance) has made the world of difference. My Sapphire does not smoke anymore and makes hardly any noise!! After talking to a Ford mechanic he recommends changing the oil (and the filter) at least every 6000 miles as this engine eats the stuff.
Strange about the power steering as mine has it.
I bought my sapphire in march 2006 with only 66,000 miles on the clock and only cost £400. had to change the rocker gasket which only cost £1.99 and fitted it my self which was very easy. I also changed air filter and adjusted the tappets my self to save on mechanics bills. it now runs superbly and very quiet.
Interior is very comfortable and has good storage. has central locking, electric windows, but sadly no power steering.
If I had the choice to buy this car again would.
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