11th Mar 2001, 17:24

Count me in! I bought a 1990 Festiva L Plus new, and it now has 160,000 miles on it. Wipers, tires, mufflers, and brakes are the only things I've had to replace, with the exception of the waterpump (at 136,000 miles) I change the oil only every 5000 miles. I can bring it to Philly or NY and park on the street, it's so compact. It's comfortable, fast and safe. I'm always on the lookout for another.

3rd May 2001, 23:01

I totally agree, my 1990 Festiva has over 148,000 absolutely trouble free miles except for 1 rear wheel bearing which was getting a little noisy, so I replaced it in my driveway. I average around 55 mpg, and thoroughly enjoy driving it. Now tht gas may get to $3.00 per gallon this summer, I am looking for another.

22nd Nov 2002, 21:52

After many of your reviews, I am struck by the fibbing that people do about their gas mileage... as I mentioned before, the FESTIVA had a four cylinder, l.3 engine that I found could get around 45mpg maximum--that was virtually all freeway driving, at 60mph. And that is with the 5-speed manual! So, don't believe these people who talk about 55+MPG...JUST NOT POSSIBLE!!! Maybe a 3-cylinder METRO could achieve such numbers... with a good tailwind!!

5th Jan 2003, 11:32

I am so glad to find that I am not the only one in this world that loves these cars! I bought a 1990 Ford Festiva used and its the best car I ever owned. I have 250,800 miles on this car now. It still runs great and it has had no major repair work. My mother has one that reached 350,000 miles on it before her first major repair. It is the best car that anyone could have.

25th May 2003, 16:57

Hi! I'm another Festiva lover and wouldn't you know it, but after 10 years, in the last two weeks of HOT weather, I couldn't start it. I'd wait a few minutes and then, voila, it would start. However today, Sunday wouldn't ya know it, Memorial Day weekend, it won't start. I'm a female, who doesn't know much about cars, but I took my owners manual out and wound up checking the fuse box... fuse is okay. I guess the overheating might have done something, but I wonder if there's something I can do, with my limited knowledge, to start my car? I'm sure everyone's partying today, so I don't expect a reply now. Too bad. I'll go to a mechanic Tuesday, after the holiday and I don't want to appear to be a moron when I tell them what they should look for. Can you let me know a guy's way of saying "don't overcharge me, because it's..."? Thanks. Oh, the lights work and when I turn the start on, I can hear something trying to catch. Thanks again! Oh yes, it's a '93. Thanks!!

Carole.

22nd Feb 2004, 18:18

I bought my 1990 Festiva L+ 5 speed new in 1990. Had no trouble until I hit 236,000+ miles last December. The left CV began to click and the clutch was beginning to slip. While I had the trans-axle out to replace the clutch, I decided to replace some suspension parts also (ball joints, tie rod ends). While I had the steering knuckles out, I also decided to replace the bearings and rotors. And I noticed the boots were off the rack and pinion, so I decide to replace that too. It's all back together now and handles like new. Still averaging 42 mpg. "Best Car I ever owned". Even the AC still works great after 14 year.

Jess.

18th Feb 2006, 16:00

A few of your reviewers are giving mpg figures for the Ford Festiva that simply are not possible... I owned two of these fine little cars; both were 5-speeds, no air conditioning, and I drove the 2nd one (1990 L+) about 90,000 miles... I kept meticulous mpg records... most (90%) of my miles were on the freeway at 60 mph... My average ranged from 41 to 44 mpg... there is no way to achieve above 50mpg with the 1.3 litre, 4 cylinder engine... those figures are made only by small cars that use 3-cylinder engines, like the Metro, etc. Honda offered a small Civic back in the early 90's that the EPA rated at 56mpg highway--hard to believe, but I guess someone could write in about verifying that figure... Please people, be honest about gas mileage, as that is one of the main reasons people are interested in these cars in the first place!!!

18th Feb 2006, 20:51

Maybe those 50 MPG quotes are in Imperial gallons (4.55 liters as compared to 3.78 liters). Therefore, 44 US MPG equals 52.84 Imperial MPG (conversion courtesy of convert-me.com).

21st Mar 2006, 10:28

I have a 1990 L-plus and was wondering where you got the boots for your rack and pinion.

20th Apr 2006, 18:00

Lots of info at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/festiva/

Boots at www.festivamotorsport.com

Jess.

9th May 2006, 18:50

Festiva gas mileage performance above 50 mpg may be hard to believe if your experience has always been in the 40-to-49 range, but I can testify as a 17 year owner of a 1989 four speed with 297,000 miles that they are capable of mid-50s performance.

For the first 10 years I commuted to work in my Festiva 40+ miles each way with average speed of around 45 mph. During the warm weather months fuel economy averaged 54 mpg very consistently.

I discovered the first time I replaced the 145SR/12 tires that the original equipment Yokohama tires produce far less rolling resistance than some alternatives. A set of four rebranded Michelins returned only 45 mpg! Two weeks later a new set of Yokohamas was on the car and mileage went back to 54 mpg!

Believe it!

10th May 2006, 09:21

The original 145 tires were really not suited to the car regardless of mileage. I upgraded to 165's (can't remember the brand) and my Festiva's personality totally changed. I may not have gotten 50+ mpg, but that gauge didn't go down that often and the car was a blast to drive especially going 70 mph on the freeway (which wasn't really possible on the 145's).

Amazing car and I wish I still had it.

10th May 2006, 17:37

Hi,

Just had this link e-mailed to me from my best friend and fellow Festiva owner. He and I would have to agree with the praise given these cars! His is an "89" and mine was a "90", bought new after hearing his thoughts about the vehicle. Before taking mine off the road, I had 239,000 miles on it! Aside from standard PM, I did little in the way of repairs, ie, boot sleeves, exhaust and the like. I never babied the car in the way I drove it, on ramps and off ramps were always too much fun to lighten up on! As for mileage, I generally got about 45 mpg (honest). My friend however, who is a machine designer, went a step further. He removed the mirrors (mounting one inside), took off the wipers and did a lot of free wheeling, gaining a true 60 plus mpg! Although I no longer have the car, I cannot say enough about it. My friends car, however, is still in service, reliably, and probably will be for quite some time! I want mine back! Bob.