Some thoughts on a new car...

owains · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:27

I have just put a deposit on a Ford Fiesta Zetec 2002 1.4L... but I'm now having second thoughts.

Here's the details

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201025361630969/sort/

I took the car for a quick drive and it felt fine, though I wouldn't be able to tell if there was anything wrong unless it was very obvious!

The car will need taxing, but it'll be put through an MOT when bought. It'll come with a 3 month warranty covering "major parts".

The dealer said he would remove the towbar for me, but there'll be a small cutout left at the bottom of the bumper. I couldn't tell how it had been attached; is there a chance that this may have structurally damaged the car? It was not obvious how the wiring had been done, but it was visible in the boot. Might this cause a problem?

I'm used to driving smaller cars, so I'm a little wary of the mileage. Is 69,000 miles significant?

The engine said "Duratec" (1388cc) on the cover; is this the same as the Zetec engine? Any common problems to be aware of?

Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

phil675 · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:33

You'd be better off going for a 1.6, also, a 1.4 towing something regularly will be shagged.

DM · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:35

Just leave the tow bar on it, you know it hasnt done any serious towing because that must be the worst tow car possible.

So in this case i wouldnt say there will be any towing related problems.

Mr^B · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:35

Zetec isn't an engine, it's a trim level (afaik)

No service history? 69k miles on a small engine with no service history is a little worrying.

DM · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:36

phil675 said:
You'd be better off going for a 1.6, also, a 1.4 towing something regularly will be shagged.

That thing just wouldnt be up to towing anything serious, probably just a box trailor for trips to the tip.

[TW]Fox · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:39

Mr^B said:
Zetec isn't an engine, it's a trim level (afaik)

Zetec is also an engine and there are no Duratecs in the Mk1 Focus except the 'Duratec RS' in the RS. Somebody has put a Duratec cam cover on the Zetec.

This car is screaming no for all sorts of reasons, 1.4 is very bad, towbar on a 1.4 is even more bad, and whats it doing with a Duratec cam cover? Engine been apart?

Disco Boy · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:41

[TW]Fox;16816577 said:
Zetec is also an engine and there are no Duratecs in the Mk1 Focus except the 'Duratec RS' in the RS. Somebody has put a Duratec cam cover on the Zetec.

This car is screaming no for all sorts of reasons, 1.4 is very bad, towbar on a 1.4 is even more bad, and whats it doing with a Duratec cam cover? Engine been apart?

It's a fiesta...

iaind · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:42

Erm, it's a Fiesta, not a Focus...

Relentless81 · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:42

I think you've been sold this car rather than you wanting to buy it. As others have said a 1.4 petrol towing things isnt a good sign caravan or trailor. If there is any shred of doubt it will only bug you when you own it so get your deposit back and buy something that you are 100% happy with

Getting depsoit back might not be easy and they may drag it out but its better than ending up with a car that you wont be happy with

[TW]Fox · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:44

iaind said:
Erm, it's a Fiesta, not a Focus...

Doh

iaind · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:49

It's obviously not going to have been towing anything heavy, probably just the odd trailer for tip runs and the like

Janesy B · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:53

The 1.4 is the same Zetec in my 1998 Fiesta, just branded Duratec. I wouldn't have one that's been towing.

Howard · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:53

[TW]Fox;16816577 said:
Zetec is also an engine and there are no Duratecs in the Mk1 Focus except the 'Duratec RS' in the RS

And the ST170

DM · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:55

The point being missed here is that had anyone ever tried to tow anything heavy with that, they would have only done it the once.

Its not like buying a 2 litre mondeo with a tow bar.

Relentless81 · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:58

DiamondMark said:
The point being missed here is that had anyone ever tried to tow anything heavy with that, they would have only done it the once.

Its not like buying a 2 litre mondeo with a tow bar.

The tow bar doesnt have a counter on it, you cant tell how many times its been used through the internets.

Its obviously been pulling a trailer, which to me (I am the paranoid type) means it could have potentially been used as a working car, towing crap day in and day out, short journys etc, now that i'm typing this im not actually sure if thats such a bad thing, but personally i'd still leave it

Bradmax57 · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:59

DiamondMark said:
The point being missed here is that had anyone ever tried to tow anything heavy with that, they would have only done it the once.

Its not like buying a 2 litre mondeo with a tow bar.

It could have just towed a Jetski or similar

owains · 24 Jun 2010 at 13:00

Relentless81 said:
I think you've been sold this car rather than you wanting to buy it. As others have said a 1.4 petrol towing things isnt a good sign caravan or trailor. If there is any shred of doubt it will only bug you when you own it so get your deposit back and buy something that you are 100% happy with

Getting depsoit back might not be easy and they may drag it out but its better than ending up with a car that you wont be happy with

Yup I think that's pretty much exactly my line of thought. I only really went for it because I fed up of trawling the internet for deals!

Last night I have been thinking about the towing issue, but thought I was just being paranoid!

I hope I'll be able to get the deposit back, but I think it's unlikely, as I was told it was non-refundable.

On another note... anyone know of a low milage Peugeot 106 for sale?!

DM · 24 Jun 2010 at 13:05

Relentless81 said:
The tow bar doesnt have a counter on it, you cant tell how many times its been used through the internets.

Its obviously been pulling a trailer, which to me (I am the paranoid type) means it could have potentially been used as a working car, towing crap day in and day out, short journys etc, now that i'm typing this im not actually sure if thats such a bad thing, but personally i'd still leave it

Maybe, but i would still bet its not done any heavy towing.

People try to make life easy rather than hard as a general rule, and if someone wanted any sort of work horse, that has got to be last on the list with 4k or whatever it cost the last owner to spend.

Relentless81 · 24 Jun 2010 at 13:06

owains said:
Yup I think that's pretty much exactly my line of thought. I only really went for it because I fed up of trawling the internet for deals!

Last night I have been thinking about the towing issue, but thought I was just being paranoid!

I hope I'll be able to get the deposit back, but I think it's unlikely, as I was told it was non-refundable.

On another note... anyone know of a low milage Peugeot 106 for sale?!

Legally you can get it back as long as you didnt sign anything saying otherwise (I think)

My mate had a similiar situation and eventually he got his back, eventually.

DM · 24 Jun 2010 at 13:08

How much is the deposit you left?