Perfect for someone with a small budget!
Nothing has gone wrong with the car.
I would avoid all manual choke Fiesta's because they are very hard to get started in cold weather, and if it is not done correctly the car will splutter a lot.
If you can afford it, buy the LX or Ghia models because they are quieter and are more comfortable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th July, 2001
A really good buy, that's why I've kept it so long
Just minor faults.
The exhaust blows after 3 years, then again after 6 years.
After 48,000 miles the car overheated, which was caused by a leaking pipe, which was fixed for under £20, but the temperature gauge still shows the car is overheating.
The car is still running very well today, nearly nine years after I bought it.
The car is good enough for normal driving. I do about 400 miles a week now, after rarely using the car in the first few years, and it's still very reliable, and able to keep up with all the other cars out there.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd June, 2001
Your problem with the fuel gauge misreading is probably caused by a faulty fuel sender. They're pretty cheap to buy, but it might be a garage job to fit.
I meant temperature gauge and temperature sender, sorry!
I had the same problem with over heating, this time at 46k.
Needed a new temperature sender, fan sensor and water pump.. all three went at the same time although the pump probably started it.
Thank god it was a ford and the parts cost like £30 and an hours work to fix :p.
Goes like a go-kart, when you know what you're doing
ONLY ONE PROBLEM SO FAR (touch wood). Bet after I write this the car will blow up on the way home or something!!
Faulty thermostat.
Injectors are a bit noisy too.
The car has a lot of dead spots, this is sorted out by chipping the car, but the only problem with the Ford Zetec engine, is that every time you do a mod eg. exhaust or K&N air filter, you will need to get the car tuned & chip re-mapping on a rolling road, to get the most out of the mod, so PUT THE CHIP IN LAST!! After the K&N, exhaust & cams.
Don't BOTHER with a power boost valve for this model, it doesn't work!!
After doing all this, you will need to tow a petrol tanker around with you, I can only just get 170 miles town driving after all this, so the running costs are HIGH!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th February, 2001
An OK report, but a bit inaccurate...
Unless the engine has been replaced it is not a zetec, it is a CVH. If it is the zetec then this should have been in the report.
Just a little niggle though important if you are looking for a car like this.
The XR2i was fitted with an 8v CVH between 1989-1992 the engine is rated at 110BHP 0-60 in 8.9secs and a top speed of 119mph.
The CVH was replaced with a 16v Zetec engine then known as the Zeta engine. production was 1992-1994 it is only rated at 105bhp 0-60 was the same at 8.9secs top speed was poor at only 113mph.
The CVH is lower geared and demands skill with the gear changes in order to drive quickly. The Zetec was geared for economy and makes a better motorway cruiser. The true hot hatch however is the CVH version as it has a far better power to weight ratio and it also feels more responsive.
Further to the last comment, the 1.8 16v Zetec fitted to late XR2i's was low on power due to the introduction of the RS1800. Ford didn't want the XR2i to out-power the top of the range model and so restricted the engine with the filter, exhaust and cat. Fitting an aftermarket exhaust, filter and de-cat will improve this cars figures to more what you'd expect from a Fiesta fitted with an 1800 engine.
10th Jan 2002, 13:18
You're right about manual choke Fiestas. Mine is one of the last 1.1 manual choke versions (a 1992 K), and can be terrible from cold. It usually starts OK, but there is such a lack of power that even moving off can be difficult! This is not only annoying, but also potentially dangerous on junctions etc. It is a fault which should not occur on a 1990's car in my opinion. It's a shame, because the car is otherwise generally good.