Small Car

FANTASY · 22-11-2007, 10:17 PM

Most garages have a small car in them. I am looking at replacing my Racing Hundi Accent with a 2007 Fiesta Zetec to keep the T company at night. Don't know much about the Fiesta so guys and girls spill the beans. I have Googled them and read the journos opinions, they say there are some understeer issues. What are people getting to the tank (particularly in Canberra). Do they need to be run on 98 octane? road noise etc.

Thanks

photn · 22-11-2007, 10:22 PM

mkay.. Low down on the Fiesta.

Zetec is great, it has nice short gearing.
A very Zippy engine. 1.6ltr
Looks WICKED. if you can get one with the same kit as the one Ives Found at Peter Warren Smithfield your laughing.
the maximum fuel to a tank i got was just under 600.
they have a 45 ltr tank
The only understeer you get is from inexperienced driving and crappy tyres. if you drive her right, she will keep up with Cosworth Escorts and the like. Just ask Bluehoon, and the gang how good the car is. A few of the Classic boys have seen a particular red Fiesta Keep up.

You can run them on 91 but i would suggest at least 95. you get better fuel econ and you know its better for the engine.

Road noise is minimal i thought. Though sum weird ppl complain that the indicator noise is too loud.

Umm thats all i can think of for now. Have any more questions just ask, more than happy to help out.

kiwijohn42 · 22-11-2007, 10:49 PM

What understeer?
I get around 600km to a tank, sometimes more, sometimes less. My driving is pretty much half/half, city/country. The shorter ratios in the Zetec box make it pretty nippy. You can shift a bit sooner for economy if you want to & it pulls really well. I use 5th in 60km/hr zones if it's flat.
I've had no faults with mine since I got it & there is nothing I don't like. Well maybe a few more ponies wouldn't hurt. It's a real blast to throw around on the back roads down here, you won't get a better handling car for the money, or even a bit more.
Go for it. It's not an XR6T but still a lot of fun.

KJ

Ives · 23-11-2007, 01:33 AM

The Fiesta has got the best handling in its class... There's simply no match for Fiesta's corner speed. Understeer? I've driven the Fiesta hard on a lot of twisties and I still don't know how understeer feels like.

As what everyone said... Ford recommends 95RON PULP but it's able to run on 91RON ULP. However I find with 91RON, engine's NVH level increases & the car feels sluggish (even on 95RON). That's why I dont go below 98RON. The price difference per annum is pretty much nothing for anyone that's got a full-time job of some sort.

It's the best value for money in its class. Definitely a great lil car.

Steffo · 23-11-2007, 03:39 AM

I had a 2005 WP Zetec 5sp manual. Was a top car. In the year I owned it not a thing went wrong.

Usually avearged around 7.5L/100km city/hwy (about 70% city) in Sydney. And no, it doesn't require 98 RON. Plus I could have driven more economically... hehe (my normal driving = ahead of all traffic at the lights... completley unintentional... serious).

Understeer? Come again? Dunno about understeer, but I used to kick the tail out without issue and it could hold a nice slide when thrown into a corner right...

fordel · 23-11-2007, 12:14 PM

I have to agree with whats been said here, the missus has a Fiesta, and I now have a BF , great little car to drive, even when i had my ST170 it was still a blast to drive.

My only major complaint is that there is no centre console to rest my arm on when im driving !

FANTASY · 23-11-2007, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the responses. Can anyone provide some feedback for the 4 spd auto.

Thanks

Als_Zetec · 23-11-2007, 02:58 PM

Just to throw in my 2c worth... I went looking for a new car to replace my aging mid-80s Mazda 323 back in 2005. I test drove almost all the new small cars available at the time (Getz, Jazz, new Swift, Clio, Mazda 2) and various second hand cars (SR2, SP20 and others).

For me, the Fiesta Zetec (WP series) came out miles in front in terms of quality, finish, dynamics, feel, handling... you name it. On the WP, sure I compromised on gadget-y things like fancy trip computer and fuel consumption thingo but that was small stuff compared to what I was getting in the overall package. The WQ (current series) has (most of) these things now anyway, plus a few additional tricky bits - a WQ owner could probably fill this in better.

As for under/oversteer like Steffo, Ives and KJ said it all depends on your driving and tyre combo. The Fiesta has unbelievable handling for the size / price / market and will give you surprising surefootedness and predictable handling in all the but most extreme circumstances.

Photn can attest to how safe the thing is even after rolling it / flipping it / double half pike with a somersault twist-ing it and being able to walk away.

At the time of release, it was classified as the best auto in its class.

After almost 90K km I am still loving the way I never worry about whether it will stop in time, get me out of that corner, its reliability or anything else for that matter. Even on a standard wheel / suspension set up I can throw it into almost any sort of bend or corner without thinking about it twice or breaking a sweat. Puts a grin on my face daily, and the day I have to buy a larger car (which is looming) I know I will be hard pressed to find something with this sort of handling satisfaction.

Economy, regardless how enthusiastically you drive is excellent, and I have regularly used the E10 fuel (95 RON at 2c cheaper than regular unleaded) without drama, though 98RON really makes it sing.

A tip though... I replaced my space saver spare with a full sized alloy (15") which has decent rubber and good tread, just in case I ever need it. Drove on the space saver once and decided I never wanted to do it again! The alloy will just fit into the cavity but the bolt to hold it in place will not, not that you will need it anway.

I'm sure that most will agree that servicing the car is reasonably priced, but watch out for things like a $170 throttle body cleaning service.

hth and good luck!

kiwijohn42 · 23-11-2007, 03:27 PM

I had a loaner WQ auto while I was waiting for mine to come in. It was fine as far as small autos go, actually quite responsive, even if I preferred to shift it myself . The manual makes things a lot for interesting though.

Ives · 23-11-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordel

the missus has a Fiesta, and I now have a BF

Oh I didnt know you swing both ways?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Als_Zetec

Photn can attest to how safe the thing is even after rolling it / flipping it / double half pike with a somersault twist-ing it and being able to walk away.

.... and take some pictures a few seconds after he crawled out of the wreckage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FANTASY

Thanks for the responses. Can anyone provide some feedback for the 4 spd auto.

Sure... what do you want to know about the 4-speed auto?

MISTA FIESTA · 23-11-2007, 07:34 PM

Ill just comment on the 4 speed auto as everythig said so far is spot on.

I have a WP Zetec in auto. Absolutley no issues keeping up with the manuals, its pretty much a very smooth ride. Acceleration is pretty good for 1st/2nd, cruising at 100ks is about 2750 - 2800rpm. Overdrive button is fun at times. Its said to be one of the best 4 speeds in a small car. But with any auto its less involving so that might be a put off. Another thing is fuel econ. I have always put in 98RON which has given me at best 7.4/100kms, but that was occasionally. 400-450 is my average.

It is currently for sale too if you interested.....

photn · 23-11-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Ill just comment on the 4 speed auto as everythig said so far is spot on.

I have a WP Zetec in auto. Absolutley no issues keeping up with the manuals, its pretty much a very smooth ride. Acceleration is pretty good for 1st/2nd, cruising at 100ks is about 2750 - 2800rpm. Overdrive button is fun at times. Its said to be one of the best 4 speeds in a small car. But with any auto its less involving so that might be a put off. Another thing is fuel econ. I have always put in 98RON which has given me at best 7.4/100kms, but that was occasionally. 400-450 is my average.

It is currently for sale too if you interested.....

You might want to rewatch that Bathurst Vid buddy!!!!

MR ihad MASSIVE trouble climing the mountain while i was so far ahead...

Ivan... DAMN STraight... Rolled the bugger, crawled out with 3 small cuts on my elbow, grazes really, and some very minor whiplash.

Crawled out and 2 min later took a photo on my phone and yer... sent it..

In Fact... *rumages through Photobucket*

Germany Quality = Tops.

zetec jim · 24-11-2007, 02:43 PM

I know everything that has been said about the fez has already been said....... but..... My old man and step-mum have just bought the new Golf Gti and GTsport diesel (147kw, & 125kw respectively) and although they both go like the clappers, especially the Gti, i still believe my little 04' Man Fiesta Zetec has more capable handling, (the bum on the golf tends to like to slip out a little) And this is twisty hill driving. Sure it doesn't have as much power, but with a body that light and suspension setup that good, thats its biggest safety feature. sorry, had to rant and rave.

FANTASY · 24-11-2007, 03:42 PM

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. Pity the dollar couldnt stretch that little bit further, the man wasnt moving on his price for the Zetec however, the T now has a new garage buddy, an 03/2007 Fiesta LX (4 spd auto) in Tango. (118 km's on the clock).
The girl luvs it (thats the most important thing) and I dont mind it either.
Again, thanks.