Fiesta Questions

area51_for_psx · 29 Jan 2011 at 00:25

Hi guys

Have been offered a 1.3 1999 Fiesta by one of my mates. Has 78k on the clock. Now the problems with it are

Driver door opens but doesnt lock (So you have to lock it from the inside)
Needs new front tyres
No Mot

Now I have been offered it at £400. Now I was wondering about the locks. Would the locks off a 1989 fiesta work with it as I have access to one as a donor car if I need to.

And last thing. Do you think its worth the money for a wee run about. As will be doing my test within the next few months so wont be on the road until I pass

Thanks

Biohazard · 29 Jan 2011 at 00:26

I wouldn't pay that for that, no.

Peerzy · 29 Jan 2011 at 00:29

Seems like it could be a bit of trouble and the 1.3 is apparently a terrible engine.

Surely there is better out there for sub £500.

Spamalot · 29 Jan 2011 at 00:33

As my cars broken AGAIN I had the pleasure of driving one of the lads at works £400 W reg 1.3 today. It cost him £350 last week, it's his first car.

It's an awful little lump of ****, nothing good about it. It's slow, noisy (sounds like a diesel) and has 118k on the clock. I actually quite liked it though. I kept on thinking the fuel gage had broken the amount of petrol the thing wasn't using.

It's £400, buy it then bin it!

bledd · 29 Jan 2011 at 08:34

Look for a 1.25 Fiesta. The 1.3 has a really old engine, it's slower, and less efficient than the 1.25

Better off paying £700-800 for a 1.25 with tyres and ~12 months MOT

area51_for_psx · 29 Jan 2011 at 10:10

Cheers for the input guys.

Dogbreath · 29 Jan 2011 at 12:08

1.3 is a fairly crap engine in most respects, but on the plus side it is very simple and reliable. No timing belts to break, just change the oil and filter occasionally.

Janesy B · 29 Jan 2011 at 12:34

Any reason why it hasn't been MOT'd? I think £300 would be a good price as long as the car isn't a wreck and only needs a pair of front tyres (£100) for the MOT. As dogbreath says its a crap engine but pretty low maint and its okay for bumbling around town in.

nshire · 31 Jan 2011 at 21:54

I got 1.25 1996 1.25 for £695 MOT (no tax) almost about 8months ago with 98000 on the clock. I read many things on Ford Fiesta with 1.25 is the newer Zetec engine. Better economy I believe. Hitting 37MPG with mostly A roads and town (and a habit of once a week zooming on motorway)

mattyfez · 31 Jan 2011 at 22:14

I had a 2001 fiesta and it was a rot-box... sills, arches and boot. Fords, it seems can't go more than 8 years with out dropping to bits, I've owned 4 of them. But yes the 1.25 is a much better engine.

coopersim · 31 Jan 2011 at 22:16

I'd say that's very overpriced!

Janesy B · 31 Jan 2011 at 22:21

mattyfez said:
I had a 2001 fiesta and it was a rot-box... sills, arches and boot. Fords, it seems can't go more than 8 years with out dropping to bits, I've owned 4 of them. But yes the 1.25 is a much better engine.

Look after them? Mines in its teens and the bodywork is solid.

[TW]Fox · 31 Jan 2011 at 22:29

Janesy B said:
Look after them? Mines in its teens and the bodywork is solid.

I remember at one of the first OcUK RR's somebody had a 3 year old Zetec-S which rust heavily rusting more or less all over the body.

mattyfez · 31 Jan 2011 at 22:32

Janesy B said:
Look after them? Mines in its teens and the bodywork is solid.

I looked after it very well, lol! once the 1300 gave up the ghost due to motorway miles, I dropped a 1700 into it. In the end I cut my losses as the bodywork was litteraly disolving.

I dont do fords any more.

Heres a pic of it in its prime:

Janesy B · 31 Jan 2011 at 22:51

I see the problem, you crashed into Halfords. Those silly skirts will hold water against the sills for a start...

mattyfez · 31 Jan 2011 at 23:01

Janesy B said:
I see the problem, you crashed into Halfords. Those silly skirts will hold water against the sills for a start...

Yeh yeh, keep telling yourself that

To be honest it still is the best car i've ever driven, in terms of pure fun, but lets not get side tracked, its a ford and fords are rubbish. Belive me, I know.