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Oh. I think the 1.25 is too expensive to insure for me, being group 6 on the 99-02 model. Is there any other alternative (must be reliable, not older than 1999 and have a decent image) or am i going to have to save for the 02+ model?
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Buy a 1.1 Peugeot 106/Saxo... cheap, good body, easy to insure 45mpg...
Make sure they have been serviced tho
madf
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Don't even dream of buying a 1.3 unless you live in a cave.
Don't worry. I would never contemplate owning a Fiesta.
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well i think for a first car the 1300 endura is a pretty bulletproof engine and sell loads with no problems,they will never earn brownie points but are pretty hard to self destruct with modern youngsters in mind who seem to have no mechanical sympathy.
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Pity the 1.25 is off your list. I'm currently driving a ten year old Fiesta with that engine and its superb. Sharp, quick, lots of torque, lots of power and enough speed to keep up at motorway speeds. Maybe find a slightly older car with that engine - it has to be the best supermini engine around (barring 'sporty' models).
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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WJH, don't forget the Mazda 121, this was a clone of this Fiesta, and may be cheaper due to being overlooked by the likely customer base of the Fiesta. Also, if you do see one of thee Mazdas and the price is high, you may be able to knock a lot off as they won't get many people ringing interested as they don't know about it.
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The 1300 ohv engine is the best all rounder,may be a bit rattley but its a solid little engine, unlike the modern 1.25 offering...Have a look on a very well known auction site and you will see plenty of 1.25 with blown/dead engines.
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And if you ever do need to do any work on it,it has to be the simplest engine in the world to work on!
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There is a previous link regarding the merits of the Fiesta.
I can't accept the 1.25 is a dud in respect of blown engines. Sure it rattles a bit now but it still pulls gamely and it is not smoking or showing any signs of running out of puff. As I mentioned in the other thread, it is a great little car and has been supremely reliable with just one dead battery and a sensor failing recently in almost 9 years of motoring. And just to underline its durability, the sensor did not stop the car, it just made it run badly when cold.
Having had an old Ford with the 1.3 iron block, I can heartily endorse HJ's comments in the gulf between the two engines.
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I had a 1.25 Fiesta and I think it was insurance group 6E despite being a 1996 Mark 4.
It amazed me just how much poke it had for such a heavy car. The only thing that stopped the car (and even then it still moved albeit slowly) was a blocked cat.
I won't lie to you - I caned that car. I really really did. But the woman we sold it to (the wife of the person we bought it off oddly!) still drives it today and says it's a great little car.
You're going to pay a fair whack insurance wise anyway but the 1.25 is a nice, smooth engine that doesn't deserve to be overlooked purely because of the insurance issues.
Get a quote - see what happens.
(My Mum now has a 1.25 Mark 5 Fiesta and absolultely loves it)
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catalysed when it was never orginally designed to be.
I think tha't a bit harsh, the HCS and Endura-E variants were both catalysed from introduction.
I've driven a Ka with one of these lumps in and it wasn't that bad. OK so you don't get the top end power that you do with the 1.25, but it gives good torque which is what you need for town driving.
As mentioned, if you need to fix it it's childsplay: no cambelt, no cam chain to the head, and all ancillaries easily accessible.
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Mike Farrow
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Makes me laugh all the people that criticise the 1.3 without having driven it. No 16v buzz, but no 16v complexity or consequent expense, and also pretty torquey.
Only thing is the camshaft's at the bottom of the engine, and can be prone to wear.
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Is the 1.3 the same engine as found in the Ka? Am off soon to local Ford delaership to see the offering.
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Yep, the Endura-E.
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Insurance wise that's very expensive though.
It's the same group as a 1.6 Focus(6)
For a group less, you can have a 1.9TD or 1.6 306(5), or a 1.4 Clio(5), or a MINI ONE(5)...
For two groups less, you can have a 1.4 306(4)
When you compare it to these even it's decent performance isn't great for the insurance cost.
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Is the 1.3 the same engine as found in the Ka?
No, Kas third quarter 2002 plus have a modified Duratec with chain cam. Still 8v. Before that it's still the Endura-E
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Mike Farrow
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See also www.dervman.com/duratecendurae.htm
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Many thanks for the input. Just sat it the new 2006 Fiesta and was very impressed, it felt like a smaller focus, nice driving position (if a little mean on the elbow room) and nice solid feeling dash and gear shift. Then went round the corner and saw the new Clio, which was nicer in every way. But very pricey. Used prices for the Fiesta seem very high for the latest shape, anyone got any idea what i'd pay for a very early one (1.25)? If not I will probably go for a 51 plate 1.3 as this seems affordable and the sweetness of the engine isnt that important to me for the moment! Maybe in a bit when I have a bit more cash I will get that new Clio with a nice big 1.6!
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get the 51 plate 1.3 as i said earlier they are good engines and bulletproof, the only reasons the plugs dont come out is because they werent serviced often enough,get them changed when you buy it and put some coppaslip on the threads and they will fly out at next service.Before i sign off make sure the fiesta you buy has power steering some dont even on this year and is in a nice colour (ie not white)and has five doors, when it comes to selling you will then have absolutely no problems in getting a good price.
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good engines and bulletproof, the only reasons the plugs dont come out is because they werent serviced often enough,get them changed when you buy it and put some coppaslip on the threads and they will fly out at next service.
Good advice oldman, yes, Ford didn't produce the head design for 30+ years with built-in spark plug rust traps or they'd have soon changed it.
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Don't even dream of buying a 1.3 unless you live in a cave. It's an ancient iron block, iron head pushrod engine with spark plugs that rust into the block and all sorts of problems from ahving been catalysed when it was never orginally designed to be. HJ
I would say that is a tad OTT HJ, that engine in a KA gives very sprightly performance due to being adequately powerful and more toruey than most 16v's of the same size, a 3 dr Fiesta is not much heavier. I would look for a 1.25 16v in a Fiesta though, very crips and free revving.
Regards.
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I drive a 1.6 Mark5 Fiesta and sevice my son's 1993 1.1 Endura engined one.
My experience is that the 1.1 (read 1.3 as well) is easy to service and if the tappets are correctly adjusted not moisy - well not too noisy. Never had any sparkplug problems as son's had low mileage 50k when he bought 3 years ago probably because it was serviced occasionally:-)
1.25 = 1.6 engine as far as main characteristics: great engine but does not like wrong oil (5-30 essential) or neglect and big ends go I believe if infrequent oil changes. Lovely cam effect when you rev above 3500 and it flies. (of course the 1.6 is faster than 1.25 but the 1.25 is nice and flexible in town.)
Son's Fiesta has done 30k miles in 3 years - - new clutch/front disks (I diy) - you must check both when you buy.
The 1.3 engine tends to sludge up/block breather tubes if oil not changed regularly and bores will wear. Son's burns oil 1/2 litre per 500 miles or so.. and has done so for last 3 years with no deterioration. Oil changes every 6 k miles.
Watch for front lower wishbones wearing - not expensive to replace.. parts costs around £40iirc.
Shop around for insurance and if under 25 try brokers : they mmay very well be cheaper than on-line who tend to cherry pick for older more mature driver with 9 years NCD...
madf
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Try www.confused.com for the insurance- worked wonders for me as my renewal was 587 quid, and the cheaest on confused was 372 for the exact same cover. And I'm only 21!
Ben
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Thanks for all the input much appreciated. How much should I be paying for a not too many miles 2001 1.3? If possible I would like it to be nice looking ie. alloys and a nice colour (black or silver)
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I could look in the book and tell you what it says, but the real proof of the pudding comes in what's advertised for sale.
Have a good look through autotrader using the link on the left of this page and see what's available. Go and see a few to see what condition they're in.
Check ebay too.
--
I read often, only post occasionally
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Sorry to bring this up again. I was thinking perhaps the Ka would be a better choice now, and that I could probably get a newer one for 3k plus its better to drive? If I got this car instead, wat age/spec would be the best buy? Does anyone think it's a bit girly?
Is there any other car that anyone can reccomend, 1.3 litre max, good to drive,low insurance, with a soild image (ie. no kia prides thank you)just that i'm almost ready to shop but am still unsure.
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Ka - good fun to drive but yes - girly. 3 friends of mine have them.
That being said, they are cracking cars. If you're looking at a 1.3 then make sure the spark plugs aren't rusted solid into the engine. (Although I don't think newer Ka's had this problem).
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ka"s are girly and made of crappy steel make sure you give it a very good inspection before you buy it especially in the usual ford places, low mileage a definate and dont buy red they dont sell on well,im sure i read that ford are now knocking basic new ones out at £4500 or did i dream it?
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Does anyone think it's a bit girly?
Well, Adam & oldman do, but the thought never crossed my mind when we bought ours. I still don't think of it thus. The fact that ours is black may help :-)
You are better getting one with the new (Duratec) engine, rather than the old Endura engine. I think the changeover was some time in 2003. Which means that if you are trying to get a cheap one, you are looking at the most basic spec available. You should be able to get one from about £3500 - possibly less
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Black was definitely my favourite colour. Strangely, I think the cheaper models with plastic moulded bumpers and a dark colour look better than the ones with body coloured bumpers. Is the Ka better that a 106?
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Kas rust.. everywhere. Less room than a 106 . Only 2 doors. Horses and courses.
madf
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Girly? No, not really, I have two male friends who have bought them (one new) and I'd be happy to own one myself. The one bought from new was in December 2002, which I'm pretty sure has the Duratec engine.
Inside they're comfortable enough but they are only a 4-seater. In this respect the 106 has surprisingly more rear legroom than other cars in its class.
Duratec vs. (Endura)
Max Power (PS) - 70 (60)
Max Torque (Nm) - 108 at 2800rpm (103 at 2500rpm)
Compression ratio - 10.2:1 (9.5:1)
Max engine speed rpm (continuous) - 5950 (5450)
Max engine speed rpm (intermittant) - 6175 (5675)
Not much to choose between them IMHO, and you'll probably find that 3.5k buys you a newer than '52 plate Ka anyway.
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Mike Farrow
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up here in the north they are girlie cars,yorkshire.,just like pewgot 206 cc"s
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right. hows the 106 1.5 diesel? good engine? any quirks?
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Also I have heard things about the 106 pedal box. Is it really that bad? Would I find it very distracting after driving the new focus about?
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Also I have heard things about the 106 pedal box. Is it really that bad?
As a lowly size 8/9, I don't find it that bad, though I have to pivot my foot on the inner wheel arch for the accelerator. Only way is to try it yourself IMHO.
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Mike Farrow
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Ka beats Peugeot 106 easily in every owner satisfaction survey I have ever seen.
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1.5 diesel is stong/easily serviced reliable...
madf
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up here in the north they are girlie cars,yorkshire.,just like pewgot 206 cc"s
Speak for yourself,we don't all suffer from blinkered prejudice in the North.
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I thought the Ka was a girly car in any part of the country, seeing as Ford's target market with the Ka was actually women? :-)
Not saying that it's a bad car, or that I wouldn't drive/own one, but to say that it's anything other than an inherently girly car is probably far fetched!
Now the Sportka is a different beast :-)
Blue
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