Is it a Zetec or Zetec LX? Insurer needs to know, but I don't!

furnace · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:17

My girlfriend's just got a 1998 Ford Fiesta "Zetec" (1.25ltr 16v)

The number plate doesn't bring up the correct details for the car on any website bar ebay, but even ebay doesn't give the exact model (it just brings up "Fiesta" not "Fiesta Zetec" etc).

So any help here would be appreciated

The insurer gives the options of

FIESTA 1.25l (98-02) ZETEC 3DR 1242cc 3DR
FIESTA 1.25l 3DR ZETEC LX 1242cc 3DR

How can I tell between them? The car doesn't have alloys, if that's any kind of giveaway.

Cheers :cool:

(NB we don't actually have the car yet, we're picking it up tomorrow & trying to arrange insuarnce beforehand, thus no documents 'till tomorrow)

Tom|Nbk · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:19

How on earth can you have a Zetec LX it's either one or the other. Both are different trim levels. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

nicRob · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:20

Zetec is also the engine
If it doesn't have alloys, I'd guess it's the LX (as zetec is the 'sportier' version)

Luke · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:22

If it hasn't got alloys, it's an LX.
If it has alloys, front fogs and a tailgate lip spoiler, it is a Zetec.

Tom|Nbk · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:23

nicRob said:
Zetec is also the engine
If it doesn't have alloys, I'd guess it's the LX (as zetec is the 'sportier' version)

All Fiestas have the Zetec Engine.

nicRob · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:29

What about the 1.3 endura? Or the 1.8 endura di/de diesel?

Howard · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:56

nicRob said:
1.3 endura

*shudder*

Tom|Nbk · 20 Mar 2008 at 19:59

nicRob said:
What about the 1.3 endura? Or the 1.8 endura di/de diesel?

They're utter crap and don't count

therealnerd2 · 20 Mar 2008 at 20:14

zetec can be both a trim name, and an engine name

[TW]Fox · 20 Mar 2008 at 20:28

Tom|Nbk said:
All Fiestas have the Zetec Engine.

No they dont - neither the diesel nor the 1.3 is a Zetec.

This car sounds like a 'Fiesta Zetec' though

ste_bla · 20 Mar 2008 at 20:28

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/vehiclechecks/status_checks/

Enter the reg and it will give you the make mode and trim level

Luke · 20 Mar 2008 at 20:33

[TW]Fox;11338239 said:
This car sounds like a 'Fiesta Zetec' though

Not if it has steel rims. (as standard)
To be honest, the OP has not really given enough info. As my last post stated, if it has front fogs, the tailgate lip spoiler and alloys, then it is a Zetec (trim). If it hasn't got all three, then it is an LX.
Obviously it has a Zetec engine being a 1.25, but it doesn't sound like the trim level is anything other than an LX to me.

Tom|Nbk · 20 Mar 2008 at 20:46

[TW]Fox;11338239 said:
No they dont - neither the diesel nor the 1.3 is a Zetec.

This car sounds like a 'Fiesta Zetec' though

Thankyou that has already been pointed out and as said they don't count as they are epic fail

Justintime · 20 Mar 2008 at 21:05

Tom|Nbk said:
How on earth can you have a Zetec LX it's either one or the other. Both are different trim levels. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

My Focus is an LX Trim/suspension with Zetec engine, has got 'zetec' on the back badge and LX on the front doors.

[TW]Fox · 20 Mar 2008 at 21:25

Justintime said:
My Focus is an LX Trim/suspension with Zetec engine, has got 'zetec' on the back badge and LX on the front doors.

Then a previous owner has added a Zetec badge - this popular amongst those who think its some sort of cool feature.

Jonnycoupe · 20 Mar 2008 at 21:35

Justintime said:
My Focus is an LX Trim/suspension with Zetec engine, has got 'zetec' on the back badge and LX on the front doors.

Shortened to...

I have a Focus LX.

Tom|Nbk · 20 Mar 2008 at 21:46

Justintime said:
My Focus is an LX Trim/suspension with Zetec engine, has got 'zetec' on the back badge and LX on the front doors.

Oh dear.

Vonny · 20 Mar 2008 at 21:50

ste_bla said:
http://www.rac.co.uk/web/vehiclechecks/status_checks/

Enter the reg and it will give you the make mode and trim level

Cheers for that mate, I'm buying a motor soon & this might be useful.

furnace · 20 Mar 2008 at 22:37

Tom|Nbk said:
How on earth can you have a Zetec LX it's either one or the other. Both are different trim levels. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yeah that's what I thought... I know you have the Zetec engine and Zetec trim but the Wiki entry for Ford Fiesta says "1998, Si replaced by Zetec, petrol LX models briefly renamed Zetec LX, Ghia X models axed;".

Putting the registration number in RAC Car Data Check says "Ford Fiesta Zetec" so I guess it's got to be the first choice - "FIESTA 1.25l (98-02) ZETEC 3DR 1242cc 3DR".

What else would suggest it's not a Zetec? It has a colour-coded grill and I'm sure it has a tailgate "spoiler" lip. Can't remember if it has front fogs...

Well, we've organised for Dad to drive it (he's got 3rd party insurance from his fully-comp policy), so we'll wait till we see it again in the morning and get it insured then. Don't want to insure it till we are 100% sure exactly what car it is.

It sounds so dodgy that we don't know specifically what car it is

Don't worry, we gave it a really good look over, I just can't remember it from a week ago & didn't realise that there was more than one type of "fiesta zetec" until we came to sort out insurance a few days after seeing it.

Justintime · 23 Mar 2008 at 15:55

[TW]Fox;11338579 said:
Then a previous owner has added a Zetec badge - this popular amongst those who think its some sort of cool feature.

Err.. no. The first and only owner was a 40+ yr old woman with no inclination to do such things

Plus i've seen quite a few 02 Focus 5 DR models when i was searching about for one and they all were the same, Zetec on the back in the place where later models have '1.6' and LX on the side of the passenger and driver doors. Maybe they stuck on big ol 'Zetec' Decals on my engine too?

This is an Automatic, not sure if that makes a difference. Having seen 4 examples, 2 Private and 2 different dealer plus mine i dunno, either that or i saw 5 chavved up cars in 5 different places? the luck!

Tom|Nbk said:
Oh dear.

Oh dear what?