Faults:

Firstly the steering feels a little wobbley.

The fuel cap was very stiff, which broke the key. This is apparently a problem with Ford petrol caps..

The clutch snaps down sharpely on occasions.

General Comments:

All above problems aside, the car is very nice to look at, very quick and handles well.

The interior is not to fussy, clean looking and stylish.

I like the car as standard, the only change is a set of new alloys. But the car can be modified almost endlessly.

Faults:

Needed a tune when 1st bought.

Hydraulic tappets replaced (very noisy).

The passenger electric window's motor-belt wore out.

1st gear hard to engage.

Various hoses needed replacing.

General Comments:

My Fiesta benefited by replacing the air filter with an aftermarket filter i. e k&n and exhaust with an aftermarket exhaust i. e magnex/piper...BIG DIFFERENCE.

Use quality part synthetic oil.

Very quick not afraid at the lights!

Handling not the best, but you learn to compensate.

Faults:

*Unknown mileage: Car developed oil leak. Apparent upon purchase (March '02), due to the oil light constantly on, thanks to lack of oil.

Approx 80,000: Electrical fault causing the car to misfire. After trying several parts from a scrap yard, the crank position sensor was found to be the problem. Cylinder head stripped and re-built. Loss of heating, still not fully cured.

Approx 87,000: Knocking heard from Nearside Front, believed to be worn wishbone, caused by oil leak. to be cured.

Approx 91,000: Gave up with the oil leaks and bad fueling on 1,117cc Fiesta Engine (original), replaced with 58,800 mile 1300 Engine from 1989 Ford Escort van. This swap cured the fuelling and the oil leak problems, as well as giving enough power to go up a hill. Also brought some heat back to the interior.

General Comments:

The car is generally reliable. It always starts when cold, and while it may sound rough at first start up, when warm it sounds fine. Occasional problem with live wire to the starter motor, meaning the engine won't turn over when the key is in the start position. Unplugging the wire then plugging it in again cures the problem.

Thanks to modifications done by myself, the car looks good. It is in Excellent condition for a Fiesta of it's age, as many have been eaten away by rust.

XR2i seats are much more comfortable than original LX seats.

Car is simple to work on. Where there's a problem, you don't need a computer to tell you what's wrong. Taking things to bits is easy, and they fit together again as simply. you can easily chop and change for parts from higher specification cars (as I have done, taking almost everything except the engine, from an XR2i).

Ford dealership is helpful in finding and pricing many parts, some of which are very reasonably priced.

Faults:

When I first got the car it had to have the following done:

Bottom Brackets.

Oil Change.

2 New Tyres on the front.

Wheel Alignment.

After this it was running OK. However the Starter motor has packed up. Gearbox Bearings have worn and need replacing. Oh and the clutch has just about died.

General Comments:

Not a bad car, feels strong and well put together unlike my last car (Citroen AX GT). It's quick, but it doesn't feel it unlike my AX, the power is very smooth.

Doesn't handle very well too, although it probably just needs some stiffer springs.

The brakes are very good on it, ventilated on the front, but drums on the back, not very nice to look at with alloys on!

MPG is good about 100 miles on £10.