.1.25 Style

Ok for the money

My Nissan Almera was becoming tired and I needed a reasonably cheap and reliable car for work, so the dealer offered me one of the last old shape Fiestas for £ 5700. ( My budget didn't run to the new model). What was tempting was the car had below average mileage and full Ford service history and the dealer was offering me a year's free warranty, full service and MOT for free. Also I had read this model of Ford was quite cheap to repair and quite reliable.
Well in two years of ownership the Fiesta has proved quite reliable and always starts first time, but at 40,000 miles a radiator hose split, resulting in the car needing a new hose. This is a noted fault on this generation of Fiestas, but otherwise the car has been fine, getting through two MOTs with only the wiper blades and a tyre on 2mm needing to be replaced.
In terms of driving ability the Fiesta handles well, is quiet even at motorway speeds and will cruise happily all day at 70 mph. However, economy is a bit off what the manual tells you, no way have I ever been able to achieve a maximum of 55 mpg and 42-48 mpg is more realistic. Also equipment levels are a bit mean considering most cars have aircon as standard, and driving aids such as a trip computer and an outside temperature gauge would be helpful. However, this is compensated for by a very good sound system and a meter which tells you how many miles of petrol are left until empty.
I am due to change the Fiesta soon, but do recommend these as simple, fairly reliable runabouts and good first cars. I would advise people to get the next model up as being without aircon in very hot weather isn't much fun.

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