SWMBOs car is shortly to be replaced (M Reg 1.1 Fiesta). She has the following main criteria:
Up to £4000 (but if cheaper comes along then not a problem. similarly a little more available for the "right" car)
Small and manouverable
Power steering
5 door hatch/4 doors
Reasonable to insure & run
Reliable
Low mileage (I know the potential pitfalls of this)
and, seriously, Green
She has no desire for any great performance, and her home - office journey is about to change from 2 mins back roads to 45 minutes mainly motorway.
I am likely to buy at auction (Blackbushe, although I have also bought in Nottingham and Preston in the past)
Having been through the car-by-car breakdown I had decided on a Punto (new shape) but they look "too mean" for her liking. Neither does she like the Yaris. She would really like another Fiesta (in green of course). I personally have some regard for Fords as they seem reasonably reliable and there are a million and one places and people who can service/maintain them, usually at reasonable rates.
So this post is specifically to ask which model Fiesta I should look for, and what sort of age/mileage she should get for her money.
And also, if I engaged buyer at auction, what would that cost?
PS she is deadly serious about Green & Fiesta, so I am not really looking for backroomers advice on alternative colours or makes!! Thanks in advance for any help.
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OK I think I'm perfectly placed togive u a little advice with this one, except for the auctrion bit, I know nowt about that :)
The Fiesta to go for is the 1.25 Zetec, it's FAR more refined, reliable and powerful than the 1.3 whilst having virtually identical consumption figures.
If you can, get a Ghia, they have all the toys and should hopefully have a quickclear heated front screen. Absouloutely brilliant in the winter, it can de-ice itself in 30 seconds! :)
The later Ghia models were only available with 5 doors. If you can, try and get a 99 or later with the Focus style headlights, they were improved over the previous models and IMO look a lot nicer too. If you're buying at auction you may well be able to afford a later model, if you get a good day.
So, there's not a lot to tell really, you MUST NOT buy the 1.3 engine if you want a reliable, quality car, the 1.25 Zetec or the 1.4 Zetec are far more advanced and much smoother, more reliable etc. Also, as she's gonna be using it on the motorways, the 1.25 is powerful enough to cruise happily, and the car is very comfortable. The handling on the modern models is far superior to the one that you're replacing, it's quieter, more comfortable, and MUCH sharper round corners.
Sorry if this seems a bit ranty about the virtues of a Fiesta, but guess what car I drive, a Pacific Green Fiesta Ghia 1.25 16V, before this I drove a N reg old style Fiesta like your current one! :)
Oh, and the car looks great in green! She has definately made a good choice! :)
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I thought the 1.25 wasn't available here (according to HJ!) - how did you get yours?
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Jagworth, please explain yourself. We are talking of the old shape Fiesta here. Have you spotted a mistake in the car be car?
HJ
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As HJ has said, we are talking of the old 95 - 99, and 99 - 02 models, in which the 1.25 was definately available. Ford are going to re-introduce the 1.25 in the new Fiesta in the not so distant future.
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I seriously doubt that they will reintroduce the 1.25, regardless of emissions problems, because they already have a 1.4 that is torquier and so close to it in power there is no point. The only possibility is a slightly detuned version to replace the 1.3, which would make more sense - except that the 1.3 has been developed to go from 60 to 68 bhp this time round as well.
For £4k you should be looking at a 30,000 mile 99V 1.25 Ghia with air. Yes, it can be done - my boss got one from a franchised dealer for that money, although I think that was a lucky break. It's still cramped in the back but maybe that's my fault for being 6'1" and basically a midget on stilts.
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I agree with Blue Oval. A 1.25 Zetec Ghia.. or if you can find one at the right price a 1.4 or better a 1.6. Much faster , as smooth and little difference in fuel economy.
Best small car to drive.
Great for 2 people. Brilliant heater and controls.
Can be driven like a gokart or as an OAP.
Good rear visibility and great security (best in class).
And surprisingly enough my local Ford garage really care..
If you can stretch to it, post June 2000 have 3 year mechanical/6 body warranty.
If you carry 4 regularly or go to MFI each week, forget it.
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Unless your rear seat passengers are aged under around 12, then yes, as paifl as it is, i would have to say forgot it.
I carry some very big passengers in mine from time to time and they manag OK, it's easy enough to get in and out of the 5 door, but I wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis or for very long journeys.
How many people will ride in the car regularly?
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"If you carry 4 regularly or go to MFI each week, forget it."
If you go to MFI or a cash and carry regularly, but otherwise have only one or two people to carry, get or borrow a trailer.
Went to the cash and carry on Saturday, shopped for us and mother in law, filled the trailer. What we bought would never have gone inside the car.
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"We are talking of the old shape Fiesta here"
So we are - sorry HJ, I should never have doubted you...
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Brian; are you describing normal life if you go to MFI each week with the mother in law and you find a car and trailer more convenient ? I imagine we all would. But seriously, I would have thought that the last thing you would need is a Fiesta plus trailer. One possibility would be to leave the mother in law behind. Another to hire a van and get it all done in one visit. Another....well it doesnt bear thinking about.
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The three year warranty was only standard on cars from late September 2000 (I think) on and offered free to people who bought after 1 September that year. There's no guarantee that they'd have taken it up though, afaik.
In other words, the 3 year warranty is only going to be on X plate cars and newer. For £4k, if it can be done at all, you'd most likely be looking at a leggy (50,000+) one in solid white. Prove me wrong if you can.
I'd recommend going for one of the slightly newer style front, with the Focus-style lights, as these look less dated than the earlier cars. This should still be possible on budget.
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