1993 Ford Festiva GL 1.3

Summary:

This is a fine econoy-box with the best that 1980's engineering could offer

Faults:

One tappet stuck for a while. The transmission has begun to get rough.

General Comments:

This car was the most practical, comfortable and reliable basic transportation available in the States.

It's slightly smoothed two box styling, like everything else about the car is more practical than beautiful.

The back seat has room for six footers, but the rear springs are too soft for the weight of two adults in the back.

Fuel consumption for the automatic isn't what it should be, but the performance is fine.

I dearly wish somebody would take the basics, add a hybrid (or turbo diesel), a little sound deadening, and some 21st century engineering touches. I'd pay $20K for that.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th February, 2003

1993 Ford Festiva 1.3

Summary:

The best car Ford never built. (Because KIA built it)

Faults:

I needed to replace the faulty coolant within two months of bringing it home.

Replaced the Timing Belt as required.

Had to bring it in to have the park brake repaired, but they have to do it again do to poor workmanship.

New front bearing was put in a few weeks ago, and that was about $100.00.

After 9 years I finally had to replace the first bulb in the drivers side tail light.

I have to replace the exhaust system this year.

It also needs new rotors which will be replaced by a tire shop because they over torqued the wheel nuts when I had new brake pads put on at around 120000kms.

General Comments:

This is truly the best car I have ever owned. I have had everything from overpriced Chevrolet Blazers, to over priced and over rated BMW's. This car will outlast all of them put together. I would rate this car as high as my Honda Civics in reliability.

Comfort on the other hand is not it's strong point. The seats are lacking in back support. The heater is really poor.

The paint is not in good shape at all even after being cleaned, waxed, and polished.

It handles better then any car I have driven, and navigates threw snow like it's a four wheel drive.

I can drive on a tank of gas for two weeks with gas left over.

I wish they still made them. They were todays answer to the beetle of yesteryear. They were affordable, tough, and economical to drive.

I will get rid of mine when they pry the steering wheel from my cold dead hands.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd August, 2002

11th May 2003, 18:01

I agree this great little car does everything. Once I upgraded the lame 145 tires for 165's, I was able to do 75 mph on the highway all day. People were constantly shocked at how this car performed given its small engine size.

I don't understand the original poster's heater comments. I never had a problem with the heater, other than you always have to have it on defrost to get heat.

The car was dirt cheap to fix, and the only thing that ever really went wrong was the starter motor had to be replaced twice.

From my understanding the design came from Kia and the motor came from Mazda. That's why the body panels are so flimsy (having your doors vibrate at speed in high winds is very disconcerting). Thank God the only Ford part of this car was the emblem on the back.

Finally, believe it or not I remember when this car came out reading an article that said it was safe for its size. Of course, there are no airbags and such, but I would take this over a Geo any day.

Unfortunately, the safer and larger Aspire lost all the "spirit" of the Festiva, and that's why I replaced my (unfortunately) totaled Festiva with a 1984 BMW.

I also loved the car's anti-status image. I remember meeting friends for dinner at an extremely expensive restaurant in San Francisco. I had to have the Festiva valet parked. When I came out there it was, my little red baby set among the giant Mercedes, Jaguars, and BMWs - I wish I had a camera. The valet actually treated me better than some of his other customers. The Festiva seems to put a smile on everyone's face.

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