1996 Ford Fiesta LX 1.25 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The dog's danglies!

Faults:

Apart from the brake fluid level needing topping up, NOTHING!

General Comments:

This car is really brilliant. You must have some time to spend on it (looking after it, a coat of wax really helps prevent rust!!!).

The only "issue" is with the boot light, it's a bit dim - resolution was to put another light in the boot (the space is already there!). SORTED...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2000

1996 Ford Fiesta Classic 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A rust trap

Faults:

Brake discs replaced at 45k.

Head off due to a broken plug at 52k. However, very reliable mechanically although rough sounding engine.

But......... I sold it as every panel was rusty. The rear left sill was crunchy for over two feet. The rear arches were very bad and the floor was blistering all over. On a 4 year old car!!!! That is very very poor. Also the interior was falling apart.

General Comments:

Don't buy one with even the slightest suspicion of rust. It seems that 1996 was the bad year.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd October, 2000

1996 Ford Fiesta Base 1.8 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Economical - not for speed freaks though

Faults:

Problem with the heater. Even when set to cold, hot air would still come out. Ford dealer didn't know how to fix it.

General Comments:

Economical, quite fun to throw into corners but tends to gather momentum rather than accelerate.

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

Review Date: 19th October, 2000

10th May 2006, 07:49

The non-functioning heater control is a common fault of Ford Fiestas, Kas and the like.

The thing is that there´s a bypass valve from the cooling circuit to the heater, that usually gets stuck from not changing the coolant regularily.

The stuck valve causes the printed circuit in the heater control to burn, making it useless. (The valve works pretty much as the air idle air valve in the engine).

The only remedy for this is replacing the heater bypass valve AND the heater control dash (pretty expensive). Or having a technician install an on/off switch that selects full heater or no heater at all.

Here in Argentina we´re used to fix things rather than just replacing them. I happen to know an electronic technician that specializes in repairing that kind of circuits at about 1/5 of the price of a new heater control dash. And he gives a 1-year warranty (more than Ford´s 3 month for the new part..)

If well maintained, the Fiesta/Ka heater works great. Just remember to change the coolant every couple of years.

1996 Ford Fiesta Classic from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Don't waste your money -- better off with a Lada

Faults:

Needed heater plugs.

New discs.

New bottom track control arms.

Diesel solenoid switch.

Driver's door lock stopped working.

Front tyres wore heavily.

General Comments:

Pile of crap: woefully slow and dreary to drive, heavy heavy steering, Arnold Schwartzeneger would find it hard to park this baby.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd July, 2000

1st Jul 2001, 10:38

I agree with this review totally. I will never buy another Ford as long as I live.

8th Dec 2001, 04:50

My mum has a little 91 Fiesta Bonus 999cc, with 50K on the clock.

At the first MOT which we had it, although there was no visible rust, it needed 400 quid worth of welding, and the master brake cyclinder was leaking.

The tappets are also as noisy as hell, I've only driven it a handfull of times, but trust me, you're a lot better off with a 205. I've got a 205 open 1.4. It may have 140K, but these engines go on for ever. 205's NEVER rust, no mechanical problems, went straight through at MOT time, it's only about 250 quid an year extra to insure for me at 18.

The performance is a lot better, flying up hills, and on the local A road does 103mph before the corner where you have to brake, rather than 69mph in the Fiesta, as well as the legendary handling.

Finally, although my right foot is heavier than that of my mum's, I get an extra 5-10 mpg on her.

For a car that costs about the same as a Fiesta, a 205 will be cheaper, and leave you much happier. Just check out the reviews. 99% smiles.

25th Mar 2003, 14:03

It is simply not true to say '205's NEVER rust' I've seen plenty with rust around the door edges and the outer sill area. The bodywork is not that much better quality than the MK3 Fiesta.

1996 Ford Fiesta L 1.8 diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

I crashed it by spinning on some mud, and ended up in a hedge. Therefore a lot of things have gone kaputt.

General Comments:

Unreliable biggest pile of crap I've ever driven, it's so slow!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Review Date: 13th October, 1999

1996 Ford Fiesta Encore 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Nice style, quiet and economical. Not easy to get ito back of 3 door, rear seats fold forward in a peculiar way!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 1997

1996 Ford Fiesta Ghia (New Shape) 1.25 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Only had for 2 weeks. Bought second hand. 8,000 miles. No faults so far.

General Comments:

Excellent small car. Good roadholding although ride is a little pitchy, especially 4 up. Engine is fantastic for its size, both on motorway and B roads. Economy 40mpg hard driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th August, 1997

1996 Ford Fiesta Ghia (New Shape) 1.4 injection petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Faulty remote boot release (traced eventually to central locking module). Recycled air mechanism.

General Comments:

Good performance for size, superb handling. 'Big car' feeling of solidity. Safe and secure. Only gripe the above early faults.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th August, 1997