Changing Corsa 1.2 (2002) for a Fiesta 1.4 (2004)?

JustAnotherSaver

Corsa is a Comfort trim level, Fiesta is a Zetec, both 3 door.

The wife's Corsa is in need of replacement. It has the 'ghost needles' (google Corsa ghost needles, or Corsa dying speedometer etc), it rattles like made even though the cam chain has been replaced (common issue) and it leaks water in for fun on the drivers footwell (again common problem).


I don't actually know anything about the Fiesta though other than they're 'supposed' to be ok.

It's done 68k miles & is up at £1600 with 12 months MOT (but it's a garage selling it so could be the old tick-box trick).

Are they better than the Corsa?
Common issues with the Fiesta?
Generally speaking, are they quite reliable?

Strider590

Fiesta is just another cheaply made small car, no different to the Corsa.
It'll have it's own set of problems.

Strikes me you want to get rid of a car because of a few silly problems.

If you want something reliable, stop buying small cars.


I've got one car that's 11 years old (a Vauxhall) and another that's 22 years old (and never failed an MOT).

jimjames

I'd fix the problems with the existing car, likely to be far cheaper than buying another with different issues

JustAnotherSaver

1. Every car has it's "own set of problems". That's what i'm looking for - anyone with knowledge on the Fiesta.

2. Tell you what, you do your own bit of googling & see if you can (for example) find a solution to the dying speedometer which cuts out as you drive & can do it 10-15 times on a 4 mile journey so you don't know what speed you're doing & if it does it before you start the car then you wont be able to start the car.

Because if you can find an answer (which you wont) then you're doing better than Vauxhall, trust me.

And don't bother coming back to me saying cleaning out the contacts, padding out the contacts etc etc.

And the sopping footwell. I know what causes it & i know what's involved in solving it & how much it's going to cost.

And buy a big car for what? When it isn't needed in this case.

Plus, for example, if she was to buy my exact car at the time i bought it she would've had 7 years problem free motoring, short of general wear & tear items (tyres, rusty exhaust, break pads etc). So it isn't always a new car with a new stack of issues.

Anyone willing to help?

Strider590

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

1. Every car has it's "own set of problems". That's what i'm looking for - anyone with knowledge on the Fiesta.

2. Tell you what, you do your own bit of googling & see if you can (for example) find a solution to the dying speedometer which cuts out as you drive & can do it 10-15 times on a 4 mile journey so you don't know what speed you're doing & if it does it before you start the car then you wont be able to start the car.

Because if you can find an answer (which you wont) then you're doing better than Vauxhall, trust me.

And don't bother coming back to me saying cleaning out the contacts, padding out the contacts etc etc.

And the sopping footwell. I know what causes it & i know what's involved in solving it & how much it's going to cost.

And buy a big car for what? When it isn't needed in this case.

Plus, for example, if she was to buy my exact car at the time i bought it she would've had 7 years problem free motoring, short of general wear & tear items (tyres, rusty exhaust, break pads etc). So it isn't always a new car with a new stack of issues.

Anyone willing to help?

There is logic to the madness......

Because small cars are made for a "particular market", whilst big cars are made for the fleet market. The fleet market is extremely important to car manufacturers and as such these cars a better built.
Small cars on the other hand, cheaply built, designed to keep the customer coming back to dealerships for repairs/servicing.

When was the battery last changed? The dashboard on most cars these days will start to play up if the battery is on it's way out.

That fact is though, if you go buying another small car, you could well run into even more issues.

Why do people get rid of cars?

Same reason as you.

xHannahx

That shape Fiesta suffer with front springs snapping a lot.
They also suffer from the wet floor well problem as you mention in the corsa- about £50 for a new pollen filter should stop it though.
There was an issue with fuel pipes used between July 2004 and feb 2005 where the fuel pipes were made with sub standard materials and degrade and leak,
Pre April 2004 cars suffer with air bag faults.
The fiesta overall is a nicer car to drive than the corsa of the same age.

(Xhannahx husband, mechanic)

skivenov

Those fiestas weren't a bad car. However, I never touch a ford that's over ten years old because it's only a matter of time before the rust starts.

The 1.4 petrol is pretty bad on fuel. I'd be more inclined to the 1.25.