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Ford Fiesta Mk1 (1976 - 1983)

3
reviewed by PortJac on 21 September 2015
3
reviewed by ClassicFordsRule2904 on 8 September 2015
4

1.1 L

reviewed by chairman56 on 1 May 2011
4
Overall rating
2
How it drives
4
Fuel economy
5
Running costs
5
Cost of maintenance and repairs
5
How practical it is
5
How you rate the manufacturer
5
Overall reliability

Versatile, practical, economical but so dull.

Actually owned this from 1992 to 2005 but the website won't let me show such an old date.

In terms of accomodation, quite a bit of room in the front but bit of a squeeze in the rear. Luggage wise though, quite extraordinary and amazing amount of luggage and junk could be accomodated, especially after spending 2 minutes to remove the front passenger seat.

At the wheel, good visibility and controls well laid out. Mine also had an exceptional engine - my garage reckoned it was accidentally 'blueprinted' as it drove more like a 1600. Gearbox was a refreshingly simple 4 speed with a high top gear. For a bread and butter care I think this is far better than a 5 speed. Steering light and precise and ride pretty fair. Performance was good when pushed though a bit short in the leg for the motorway and 60 mph was about the limit of relaxed cruising. Pushed through the bends, she did handle quite well albeit with a bit of squeal.

Problems encountered were: rust (sills / rear suspension); carb failure (replaced with a Weber set up which made it even nippier); plus an insatiable appetite for anything associated with the front wheels and drive chain: shocks, CV joints, track rod ends, calipers, disks and diff.

Good points: economy, practicality, simplicity, bulletproof engine and gearbox.

Bad points: not much torque for hills, deathly dull to drive.

Kept her for 12 years but wish I'd bought a Peugeot 205 or Renault 5 instead.

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5
reviewed by fox hat on 22 January 2011
5
reviewed by rosy on 25 November 2010

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