Car choices for my sister

Freefaller · 9 Apr 2006 at 11:40

We've been offered these 2 cars for my sis and I wanted your opinions on them and what I should look out for and what prices seem fair etc...

Car 1:

R reg Ford Fiesta 1.2. 90k miles, 2 lady owners. Full service history. Approx £1100

Car 2:

Proton Persona 1.3. 3 or 4 owners. 60k Miles. Full service history. Approx £1000

I'm edging for the fiesta as it's a lower insurance group, probably easier to fix/repair. But will it need any major services, like cam belts and so on? I'm going to go and test drive them this afternoon./

MuvverRussia · 9 Apr 2006 at 11:49

fiesta tbh. The 1.2 is actually a 1.25l and is a yamaha engine iirc.

iCraig · 9 Apr 2006 at 11:54

If its the 1.25 Zetec engine, I'd go for that. They are good little engines for their class.

Is 90k on a Fiesta dodgy or can they hold their age as well as Mondeos etc?

Freefaller · 9 Apr 2006 at 11:58

iCraig said:
If its the 1.25 Zetec engine, I'd go for that. They are good little engines for their class.

Is 90k on a Fiesta dodgy or can they hold their age as well as Mondeos etc?

Thought the fiesta would be more popular, I think I'd prefer it for her anyway. And yes it is the zetec engine (1.25). Anything in particular I should lookout for? It's been a while since I've done small hatch shopping! And I don't know much about those cars... I know the basic checks and so on, but more interested if there is anything specific to check.

Gilly · 9 Apr 2006 at 12:35

The 1.25 16v Fiestas rock for what they are. It was my first car and it was perfect for me.

Make sure the servicing intervals have been kept to strictly though because the Zetec engines do require looking after. If it has been though 90k won't be a problem to it.

Freefaller · 9 Apr 2006 at 12:44

Gilly said:
The 1.25 16v Fiestas rock for what they are. It was my first car and it was perfect for me.

Make sure the servicing intervals have been kept to strictly though because the Zetec engines do require looking after. If it has been though 90k won't be a problem to it.

Cost wise is around £1100 about right?

Gilly · 9 Apr 2006 at 12:47

Sounds a little much to me. Mine with 38k on a Y reg went for 3k 2 years ago. So it was 3 years old and still only went for £3k.

Duke · 9 Apr 2006 at 12:47

Another vote for the Fiesta - my first car too

Reliable, cheap to run, great handling.... :cool:

Adz · 9 Apr 2006 at 12:54

Definitely the Fiesta. Price looks fine to me but you could probably haggle it down to £1000 if you wave the cash in their faces

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fonzee · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:32

Fiesta defo... i got one... great cars... havnt heard anything against the mk4s...
Ford recommend cambelt change at 100k however most garages and mr haynes recommends lower (50-70k) of course.

Price is maybe a bit too high... depends on the spec (pwr steering? ew? etc etc)... maybe 1000 is a more reasonable price due to the mileage...

If its been regularly serviced then go for it, great engines in them with poke.

edit... rust under arches is key check... well known for the mk3 and mk4

read mk4 bit here: linky to fiesta models - read mk4 info

read this buying guide as well for checks etc: linky to buying guide

hope this helps

thebrasso · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:39

I'd go for the Fiesta out of the two. I guess Rapid Fit would service them as well? At least then she wouldn't get fleeced on price and the job would be done properly.

Freefaller · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:52

Thanks for the info guys. Pretty much what I was expecting and backing up my thoughts.