1995 Ford Festiva Trio 1.3 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Reliable and cheap car to run

Faults:

At 150,000, the gearbox let go, and replaced it with a Mazda 121 manual box, running auto transmission fluid.

General Comments:

The Festiva has been very reliable and cheap motoring, but is a little bit uncomfortable on long trips.

The good thing about this car is they are easy to repair, but the parts are becoming hard to get.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2012

1995 Ford Festiva GLi 1.3 litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Dependable, efficient and tidy

Faults:

New CV joints.

New clutch.

Body metal easily dinged.

General Comments:

I love Toyota's and I'm pretty picky about Ford's, and this car is certainly one of their better efforts.

The motor has around the same horsepower as a KA laser 1.5l I previously owned, but handles much better and has a smaller turning circle.

It has great acceleration and up to 90k/hr feels great.

At around 110km/h, it feels pretty light and it's not a speed for this vehicle regularly.

This is the first car I've owned where the oil change time is important; old oil makes the motor knock.

It's ability to corner and do U turns is the best I've owned.

The rear seat size is OK. You can transport 4 people is the car, but not if they are tall teenagers. Rear passenger area has come from the cargo area which is small, but that's fine for me.

Fuel economy is consistently better than 13 k/litre and has returned 14. I suspect in winter without the aircon I'll get 14 most of the time.

The aircon is only three speed and not ice cold. It's effective and works fine however.

4th gear pulls nicely from 50-70 kmh.

I regularly drive up a long steep hill, which it gobbles up in third gear.

Interior fit-out is great.

How good the power would be with an automatic I don't know.

The clutch is light and so well behaved that I taught my daughter to drive with it, successfully with no dramas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th April, 2007