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I had one of these (a diesel) as a hire car to go to a Conference. I drove a 250 mile round trip. Found the inside was easily up to BMW standards (for about 10 years ago - which ain't bad by the way). It was almost like a small scale 3 of the mid nineties. Sound system was a tad tinny. I had plenty of room for my size tens. It felt quite capable on the M/way and quite fun on the rural bits. Wouldn't buy one myself (bit small for me) but not a bad motor really. Oooh I didn't like the road noise.
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Wrong one CF i am smoke ;-).
I tend to sit with my foot flat on the floor, so i don't tend to notice that, but yes i get your point. In the LHD Mk6 that i drove it was much better as the footwell is i think a little larger on the LHS than on the RHS, and also you dont have the transmission tunnel by the clutch foot ( Ford have designed the car for the LHD market). As for backache, i tend to spend ages getting car seats just right (or i get horrific back ache after even a couple of miles) and i haven't noticed any trouble even on 500 mile trips.
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Test of latest diesel Fiesta at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=155
By a bloke who drives around 120 different cars a year, mostly in in the £5,000 - £50,000 price range.
HJ
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I have no axe to grind about the Fiesta, as I haven't been in one. However, there is regularly an accusation of anti-Ford bias in this Forum, whenever someone criticises a Ford product.
I have known lots of people, over a long period of time, who have this attitude towards criticism of Fords, and they regularly expound the opinion that many other makes of car are not worthy of consideration, without realising, it seems, that they are doing exactly what the perceived Ford critics are accused of doing.
I have only owned a Ford once and it was a dog, but it was many years ago. I have driven a few since but not over a long period of time, so I am not qualified to make any real critical comment. I was quite impressed by a Ka I had for a short while, although not by the engine in it. I have test driven a Mondeo, or a least a much as one can be allowed to do so by dealers these days, and found it a nice car, but I didn't end up ecstatic about it, as some seem to tell me I should be.
However, I am now interested in the new Escort, as there is the option of the CVT transmission with the 1.6 TDCi engine (HDI or TDCi, which is it, is it just a different name?). I don't like the look of the car, however, but my wife has to have an automatic, so we could shortly end up owning a Ford. If the C4 came with the same transmission and engine combination, there wouldn't be a contest.
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Sorry, Machika, you may find there's a bit of a delay on the TDCI CVT. I keep receiving reports of delivery dates of the same engine and transmission in the C-MAX being put back.
HJ
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I wonder if the delays are due to reliability problems?
If not, it sounds very tempting. One reviewer said "To say that Ford's CVT is a delight to use would be an understatement. Mated to the 1.6-litre TDCi engine powering the C-MAX test car, it proved to be just about the most effective coupling of engine to wheels I think I have ever encountered - better even than Audi's impressive DSG pre-select 'box."
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Girlfriend has owned new Fiesta 1.4 TDCi for just over a year now.
Fantasic on the motorway, 53 mpg even if driven enthusiatically.
Superb handling.
Nice comfy seats.
Excellent stereo, just turn the bass & treble to 7.
Couldn't disagree more with the original post.
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Blimy, No Wheels, who said that?
HJ
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Somebody called "Graham Whyte". see uk.cars.yahoo.com/040730/4/1x2sm.html (also on Tiscali and Newcarnet)
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Thanks, NW. So that's what he's doing now. Not a bad read, though.
HJ
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Sorry, Machika, you may find there's a bit of a delay on the TDCI CVT. I keep receiving reports of delivery dates of the same engine and transmission in the C-MAX being put back. HJ
HJ, you may be interested in an explanation that I was given at my local branch of T C Harrison. I called in to make enquiries about the launch date of the new Focus and I mentioned the problem about getting a C-MAX with the CVT transmission. I was told it was because they are keeping them back for the new Focus. Do you believe that?
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I've held back from posting on this one as I know for a fact I will be accused of pro-Ford bias, I haven't been posting much lately but most of the older regulars may remember my previous name, and also the fact that I work for Ford, but here goes anyway! :-)
The pedals too close together? They're much better spaced than many of the other small cars that I have driven, cars like the Saxo, Punto and Clio cannot really compete, and whilst I don't remeber it being much worse, I don't recall that the Corsa was much better than the Fiesta either. I'm afraid that in a small car the pedals are bound to be closer together than in a larger car.
The bit that I really can't understand though is the comments about the car's handling, the Fiesta is one of the best standard small cars on the road, without question, I would imagine that most people who have driven them would back that up. I know I used to find that mine coped very well at high speeds on the twisty roads, in fact it put many other cars to shame.
As for the stereo, no, it isn't the sweetest sounding system in the world, but it's on a par with the competition, I reckon they've got it right with the design as well, not many customers want rows of flashing lights and countless buttons on their stereos. :-)
So there you go, accuse me of blatant pro-Ford bias if you like, but I don't believe I am, I reckon my comments are fairly accurate.
Blue
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