Worth the upgrade?

GlasgowTitan · 19 Aug 2006 at 12:17

Hey folks, right now I have a 51 plate Fiesta 1.3 Flight. Now this 1.3 engine is doing my head in, its stone-age slow, and I do about 100 miles on the motorway everyweekend and when there is some sort of incline I lose about 20mph no matter how much throttle I give, so basically its way too slow, and also the mpg out of it compared to its speed is useless, something like 38mpg (going by various online reviews).

Now I have seen a 1.6 Zetec S for sale for £3995 also on a 51 plate, and I reckon I could get about £2k or more in a P/X for my current 1.3 lump. So with some bartering and the like do you think its worth the upgrade for about £1500 to go from this measly 1.3 to the sporty-ish 1.6?

Also about insurance, I'm with Admiral and my policy is due up on the 13th of September, when I will earn my 1st year's no claim bonus, how does that affect if I buy this car today, and get it insured this week? Will I pay for the rest of August using 0NCB, then come 13th of September get them to calculate the policy including the 1 yr NCB?

Thanks!

I was looking at This Car

willd58 · 19 Aug 2006 at 13:03

The 1.6 has plenty of power for motorway journeys, one can, if they should so choose, sit at 90mph with no problem, however, if your doing 100 miles on the motorway every weekend, might i suggest you get somthing that is more comfortable and less of a warm nippy little hatch. Im thinking somthing like a 2.5 mondeo or a nissant primera.

The Zetec S is a great fun little car, if your aiming for a little fast hatchback its great, but if your doing mainly motorway miles, i can think of other cars id rather have. Iv done a few long journeys in the ZS and whilst it is far from unpleasent, there are nicer cars around for it. Then again, i much prefer the ZS to anything bigger available with the same budget for everyday fun driving.

GlasgowTitan · 19 Aug 2006 at 16:03

Thanks, I wouldn't mind staying with the Fiesta model as I actually enjoy driving about in it, its just a bit slow for me. Also the Zetec S has leccy windows (mine doesn't), remote locking (mine doesn't), ABS (mine doesn't), rev counter (mine doesn't), nicer body styling, and probably a few other extras to boot. Granted its not a motorway cruiser, but I don't really fancy a barge at the moment either.

Bunka · 19 Aug 2006 at 16:16

Summed it up for yourself then really. If you can afford the insurance and like the car, then go for it.

Conanius · 19 Aug 2006 at 18:59

iirc the 1.3 is a rather old design lump, and generally not great,

the 1.6 should be a lovely upgrade for you

gamesaregood · 19 Aug 2006 at 21:30

How many miles has the 1.6 done compared to your 1.3?

Edit/

How old are you? The 1.6Zetecs a Group 8 which is a big jump from the 4 of the 1.3, have you considered a Focus? The 1.6 Zetec which i have is only a group 6....

I recomend getting a quote before going further

Edit 2/

How about this?

Click Here

GlasgowTitan · 20 Aug 2006 at 14:18

My 1.3 Flight is group 6 insurance, I'm 20 with my 1st years no claims due to come next month. I did a quote online and its only about £200 more than I currently pay for my 59bhp brick. I did consider a focus, but at the time couldn't find any decent ones in my budget/close by.

triggerthat · 20 Aug 2006 at 14:40

0-60 in that car is around 15-16 seconds.

A 1.6 would be a nice upgrade, 10 seconds to 60.

I'd wait until you get your year's no claims first then start shopping around.

As for part-exchanging, why not sell it privately? You can get abit more for your car.

A 1.6 focus is insurance group 6 which should nicely match your requirements.

The diesel route, a 1.8 TDci are pretty good too

Not sure how much you can get one though.

GlasgowTitan · 20 Aug 2006 at 16:13

Thanks, I'd rather part exchange it because then I get things both done at the same time, I can't really do without a car in the time between selling my own, and getting a new one, likewise I can't afford to buy the new one without selling the old on, so part exchanging is really the best option for me.

Anyway I went to look at that car today, and the mileage was a bit high for my liking, so didn't bother, plenty more fish in the sea....

dsb · 20 Aug 2006 at 17:40

both cars do the job okay, however, the 1.6 is a newer and better engine, and the car looks nicer as well.

xcessive · 21 Aug 2006 at 00:08

GlasgowTitan said:
Thanks, I'd rather part exchange it because then I get things both done at the same time, I can't really do without a car in the time between selling my own, and getting a new one, likewise I can't afford to buy the new one without selling the old on, so part exchanging is really the best option for me.

Anyway I went to look at that car today, and the mileage was a bit high for my liking, so didn't bother, plenty more fish in the sea....

I pimped the Zetec S's (got one myself) in another thread a few days ago.

Here's what i babbles on about:

Since you're looking at Saxo VTR's why not have a look at Ford Fiesta Zetec S's. I was in a similar situation to you whereby i wanted a Saxo VTR but the high insurance put me off. Instead i went for a Zetec S. I definitely made the better choice.
I've got a Ford Fiesta Zetec S.

Power-wise the Zetec S and VTR are near enough the same. Some people on ZSOC say that the Zetec S is quicker but to be honest it doesnt really matter. The Zetec S has a 1.6 16v engine that produces 103 bhp. However, most standard Zetec S's produce more than that at standard. Some have even produced 109 bhp as standard.

The Zetec S handles very well indeed. I'm not sure whether the VTR is better.

The interior of the Zetec S is a lot better looking and better specified than the VTR. Zetec S's come with power steering, electric windows, Cat2 alarm, ABS and a 'sort of' traction control as standard (the traction control isnt a proper traction control. It uses the ABS to brake the wheel that is slipping). Around 90% come with Air con. Some (it is quire hard to fine one though) come with electric mirrors and heated front screen.
The colour of the interior is only available in 2 colours. Red and Blue.
Red comes with the Black and Red Zetec S's whilst Blue comes with Silver and Blue. The seats are 'sports seats' and have better lumbar support than normal seats.

As standard the exterior of the Zetec S looks good. Definitely stands out from a normal Fiesta with it's more aggressive front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper. They all come with 15" multi spoke alloys.

The Zetec S came in 2 flavours, Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The phase 1 ran from 2000 to the middle of 2001 (W reg to Y (not all Y regs are phase 1).
The Phase 2 ran from middle of 2001 to the middle of 2002 (some Y regs to 52 plate).

The difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 are:

Phase 1
Larger centre Caps on Wheels
Lighter interior
Metal Rocker Cover
Metal Grill

Phase 2
Plastic rocker Cover
Smaller Centre Caps
Boot Release Rutton
Darker Interior (Black)
Additional Lambda sensor in the exhaust
Has more pics on the heater settings

Basically the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 is just cosmetics, they are only minimal changes though.

Fuel consumption isnt too bad. Expect about 260 - 300 miles per tank.
The engine is reliable and the build quality isnt too bad at all.

The Zetec S can be modified quite easily as well. My one has been lowered 40mm on GMAX springs and shocks, Pipercross induction kit, smoothed boot, ST 170 centre caps, de-tangoed front lights (de-tangoing the front lights makes a definite improvement to the front of the car).
The engine can be modded to produce more power. Just by simply adding a Pipercross induction kit gives the engine a fantasic loud growl. I love it!

You can pick up an early Zetec S with about 60k on the clock for about 3k. Less if you dont mind high mileage. Ideally you need about £3500 to get a great example.

If you are interested in buying a Zetec s or simply want to have a look at the competition head over the ZSOC.com. The forums are a great place to learn more aboout the Zetec S and there are many threads on ' VTR Vs Zetec S'.

If you want pics of my Zetec S email or MSN me. Address in sig.

EDIT: Don't confuse a Zetec S as being just a Fiesta with different bumpers and a bigger engine. It's had upgraded suspension, steering, brakes etc.

Note that in the above quote i was comparing a Zetec S to a VTR so some bits might be irrelevent.