Faults:

Absolutely nothing.

This car had extensive work done to it before I bought it (new CV joints, timing belt, brakes, clutch, exhaust), and I guess the previous owner got sick of it.

General Comments:

Performance? SLOOOOOOWW! But what do you want from 63 HP?

Very easy to park, and the gas mileage is outstanding (35+ MPG)

A tip for all you Aspire lovers (Festiva owners, too). When your original engine finally dies, a Mazda 1.6 liter SOHC (from a Mazda Protege, same block as your engine) will bolt right into your car, and has 20 more HP and a like amount of torque. In a light car like this, 85 HP will feel MUCH quicker, and the torque increase will make getting on the highway and climbing hills a lot easier also.

With a little extra work, a DOHC 1.6 (FWD version of the Mazda Miata engine) will also work. So will the turbocharged Mercury Capri XR2 engine, but now you're talking serious money and modifications. Search the web for more info. (try www.fordfestiva.com)

Faults:

When we first bought the car we had to change the clutch.

Now it doesn't run because the starter locked up and burnt the electrical wiring all the way to the fuse box.

General Comments:

With a 4-cylinder and a 4-speed transmission, this car is very quick and handles very well.

Faults:

Nothing so far has gone wrong with the car, except the seat belts ate a little loose for my comfort.

The car rattles when it's pushed passed 65 mph.

General Comments:

When I first got the car it was badly rusted and dented on the passenger side due to previous owner.

The car does not have power steering which isn't too bad after you've been on the road for about five minutes.

Excellent on gas.

The CD player that I installed can barely be heard over the roar of the engine, which is still going with the best of them.

Faults:

The heat shield tends to shake loose about every 4 months.

The front wheel bearings go out about every 30000 miles.

General Comments:

Other than minor repairs, the car has been fantastic. It is extremely cheap to drive, and is the definition of reliability. If Ford wants to reenter the great mileage auto market, bring back these little buggers. My Little Green Machine is the equivalent of the 60's VW Bug.

Faults:

I've had to replace the belt in the engine and my mechanic says there's something in the front axle that will need to be replaced pretty soon ($250 repair within 50,000 (?) miles) but not to worry because it will start making noises.

The fan motor is tricky - (it's easy to get to while driving) I have to hit it with my ice scraper - then it comes on.

The speedometer is noisy - I'm thinking of having it disconnected.

General Comments:

This car is very roomy. I have friends that have gotten SUVs because they haul around their bike, but I fit my bike in easily, and just came back from a 1100-mile trip with my bike and my 90-lb. dog, in addition to my luggage, and I still had the entire front seats to myself!

This car sips gas! I regularly get between 40-43 on the highway (my commute is mostly interstate) and around town about 35-38mpg.

Very dependable - it has never left me stranded even though it's getting up there mileage wise and I'm not the best person with maintenance.

Cheap - $1999.

Not much power - like another reviewer, my advice is to turn off the air conditioning if you need to go fast or up a hill.

Drive defensively because you'll be destroyed in a crash.