Buying a Ford Fiesta

OddballJamie

agrinnall wrote: »

I've done 51K miles in my 1.25 Zetec and it's absolutely fine above 60, no idea what your friend's issue is but I'd be surprised if it's a problem with the car. I travel most weeks between Perth and Aberdeen (180 mile round trip) and several times a year do 800 - 1000 mile round trips to go down south to visit family.

I had one several years ago as a courtesy car, didn't see a problem with it either.

My friend doesn't like the gearing in 5th on the 1.25, think he's after an Ecoboost next.

OddballJamie

forgotmyname wrote: »

I didnt spot the CAT C or look at the pictures. But there were loads under £3500.

There won't be many of the newer shape ones for around that price unless they have very high miles or accident damaged.
Usually with a CAT C/D the price is about 20-30% lower than an undamaged one.

When the newer shape was released in 08/09 the Mk 5 resale prices took a right whack.

The more recent facelift hasn't been as bad on the resale of the MK 6 as the changes were minimal.

StripeyMiata

OddballJamie wrote: »

I had one several years ago as a courtesy car, didn't see a problem with it either.

My friend doesn't like the gearing in 5th on the 1.25, think he's after an Ecoboost next.

EcoBoost is a 5 speed on the Fiesta, 6 speed on the Focus so possibly the same gearbox. Is the revs too high/engine too noisy at 70 for him? EcoBoost is very quiet at 70, not sure about the revs but will have a look tonight on the way home if you like.

arcon5

Ops 30 year old, so clearly not in the same category as a new 18yr old driver with no sense of danger and little common sense.

So nothing wrong in op wanting to take out finance on a car. She will know how to manage her finances by now (and if she doesn't, then she never will anyway)

arcon5

Also, the insurance quotes seem pretty reasonable to me. Yes, your age went well and truly in your favour - a younger driver may be looking at 2-3 times that.

shabbagaz

I'm a 'he' by the way!

I'm certainly not looking at finance - I have £3400 ready with the rest being from a bank loan.

Anyway, the 11 reg is now sold along with about 3 other Fiestas I was interested in! I'm looking at the 09 Fiesta (one with 53,000 miles) tomorrow.
Also, Evans Halshaw informed me that another Fiesta came in yesterday. An 09 reg Fiesta Titanium 1.4. Its done 25,464 miles and costs £6491.

Now, I can pay £1500 extra and get the one with the low mileage or I can go with the cheaper one which has done 53,000 miles but will mean the bank loan will be smaller (i.e taking out a smaller amount which means it would be paid off quicker).

square_bear

I was car shopping over the weekend and the dealer pointed out a couple of things regarding the Fiesta Ecoboost 1.1. He says that this car would have the same power as a standard 1.6 engine, thanks to the Ecoboost system and also that it would be low on car tax and insurance. I'm not sure if it was just sales talk, is he right?

mad_rich

square_bear wrote: »

I was car shopping over the weekend and the dealer pointed out a couple of things regarding the Fiesta Ecoboost 1.1. He says that this car would have the same power as a standard 1.6 engine, thanks to the Ecoboost system and also that it would be low on car tax and insurance. I'm not sure if it was just sales talk, is he right?

Insurance - different for everyone. The only way to check is to get hold of some reg numbers (Autotrader is good for this) and do some dummy quotes.

Tax - Autotrader should also give you the tax band, and maybe the annual cost. If you know the tax band, you can check the cost here

No idea about engine power. I'd test drive them both if its important.

StripeyMiata

square_bear wrote: »

I was car shopping over the weekend and the dealer pointed out a couple of things regarding the Fiesta Ecoboost 1.1. He says that this car would have the same power as a standard 1.6 engine, thanks to the Ecoboost system and also that it would be low on car tax and insurance. I'm not sure if it was just sales talk, is he right?

I have a November 2014 Fiesta EcoBoost so be happy to answer any specific questions you might have.


He is correct, the EcoBoost is quite a engineering marvel, it's a three cylinder 1.0 engine with a turbo (the important bit). It fits on a A4 bit of paper. They come in two models, a 100BHP and a 125BHP, I have the 125BHP one. The 1.6 Fiesta engine was the Sigma engine (aka Zetec or Duratec) which produced about the same.


Car Tax is Free and it's cheap to insure (paying £220 a year fully comp), but I am 46 with full NCB and no points. But this is in Northern Ireland which is pricey.


And it's a cracking wee engine and the car itself is well built and great to drive.


The only bad thing? The dealer probably told you it does 65MPG. I'm getting half that.

shabbagaz

Just another question, someone suggested £6491 for a 6yr old car is quite expensive, even though its got low mileage. Anyone agree?

Obviously I'm a new driver but wouldn't the original one I had in mind (09 reg, 53000 miles) be adequate? Or does anyone else think £4995 for a 6yr old car that's done around the average mileage is a bit too much? Could I 'haggle' the price down?