Ford Fiesta 1.6 S 3d (1989/G) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
These are nearly free thanks to Gordon Brown! Get a 1.6 for 300 quid!
Costs
Insurance is MUCH cheaper than the 2i and it's almost as quick. Repairs are infrequent and cheap.
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On the road
Driving
Not as good as the previous XR2 whose parts it's built from! Not bad though. A little weighty but fitted with uprated suspension and roll bars.
Performance
It's about what you'd expect from an early 1.6. Pretty good really, a second slower than the injection model. Probably just about keep up with the modern (smaller engined) boy racer boxes.
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Living with it
Reliability
Solid as a rock. If it's broke it's because YOU didn't look after it properly.
Image
Not bad. Nice spoiler, naff everyting else. But bodystyling bits are easy to buy and fit.
Comfort
Comfortable. I did a 2000 mile tour of Ireland in mine without any back ache.
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Security and Service
Security
Its a fiesta! If you can't break into this you'll fail your theiving GCSE. Not as desirable as the 2i though, which makes it an unlikely target.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Smokey when started, valve seals are dead... very common Ford CVH bug and not a real problem.
Other
Clutch worn out (at 124,000 miles mind you!) and a couple of simple oil leaks (yes, 125,000 my son!)
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes