New Ford Fiesta

Kemik

Kemik

Kemik

Soldato
Joined
7 Nov 2005
Posts
4,961
Location
Widnes
Hey,

I currently have a 2005 Clio 1.5 dCi Dynamique (65bhp) but it's starting to need more and more money spending on it so I decided I should use this opportunity to upgrade.

I'm looking at a new Ford Fiesta on options (yeah, I know some of you don't like finance!).

Choices:

1.25 Zetec - £163
Alloy wheels (16" x 6.5" - 7 Spoke)
Auto wipers & headlights
Privacy glass
Rear centre head rest
Spare Wheel
Bluetooth, VC & USB

1.4 Zetec - £175
Alloy wheels (16" x 6.5" - 7 Spoke)
Auto wipers & headlights
Privacy glass
Rear centre head rest
Spare Wheel
Bluetooth, VC & USB

1.6 Zetec S - £203
Alloy wheels
Auto wipers & headlights
Rear centre head rest
Spare Wheel
Bluetooth, VC & USB

I get employee discount as my granddad worked for Fords but that's not been factored in to the price.

My question; is the 1.4L worth the extra £10 a month? From what I can see on the specs the only difference is a second quicker 0 to 60.
 
I'd get the 1.6 Zetec S, but that's a personal preference. Have you tried test driving all of them, that might be a start? A 1.25 might be adequate for some, but not to others etc.
 
Mucky_Pup said:
I'd get the 1.6 Zetec S, but that's a personal preference. Have you tried test driving all of them, that might be a start? A 1.25 might be adequate for some, but not to others etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the obvious choice is the 1.6 Zetec S but I wanted to see what the difference is between the 1.25 and 1.4 so I can weigh up if the extra cash is worth it for the 1.6 (aka if I can justify scraping by in funds each month :p )

My brother has a 1.25 so I might take that for a spin, otherwise I'll be hoping to get a test drive of a 1.4 soon.
 
Zetec S all the way. Not worth looking at the others to be honest.

Zetec S looks better and has all the trimmings. I'm saying this coming from a Zetec 1.4. They're too slow.

If you are set on the base zetecs just go for the 1.25, they're isn't anything in them really and you'd save money in petrol and finance. Only reason to get the 1.4 is so you're not laughed at for having the bottom spec engine.
 
I've had the 1.4 as a courtesy car before, for town and a bit of motorway use, it was a pretty good small car. The interior felt reasonably well put together, the seats were comfortable, and for the weekend I had it, it proved reasonably economical.

Be aware that the current 1.25 is a LOT slower than the previous 1.25s. If now takes 16.9 seconds to 60 and flat out it'll do 94mph. Even the 1.4 I had needed to be pushed a bit to accelerate up to motorway speeds. Once there however, it was OK, with little road noise. The steering had some feedback and the pedals were nice and light too, which made actually driving the thing a doddle. Visibility was pretty good forwards, but backwards I found the rear pillars a bit wide. The handling was nice and sharp.

Oh, and on a bizarre note, there was no temperature guage on the one I had. I know this isn't essential, but I did find it a bit unnerving!
 
I appreciate the Fiesta isn't designed to be an autobahn stormer, or some sort of B-road rocketship but I think it'd soon get tiresome having to wring the car's neck every time you accelerated down the slip road onto a motorway, or away from a roundabout, or... anywhere.

I've not driven the current 1.25, but I'd say from experience the performance of the 1.4 is OK, although the 1.6 would, presumably, be the one to go for.

The figures Ford quote for 0-60 times are:

1.25 - 16.9
1.4 - 12.2
1.6 - 9.9
 
Last edited:
new Fiesta weighs over a ton and has 59bhp in lowest trim.

59hp / tonne :(

the 1.25 Zetec the OP is proposing however has 80hp and will do 0-60 12.9 seconds


Captain_Slick said:
Chances are though that the smaller engines have been given tighter gearings and more torque and thus feel faster than their 0-60 suggests.
Click to expand...


Fast ? with over a tonne kerbweight and 59 bhp ? fat chance.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom