I've just bought a Fiesta

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:42 pm

Thought it was getting near the time to chop in the MG ZS180 daily driver. Also thought that we didn't need as much space as an Astra/Focus/Megane.

So, we've spent much of the last few days looking at 'small' cars. The wife was set on a Mini Cooper... and to be honest, I wouldn't have minded one either but the interior was really cramped despite the new model having grown in size. With me in a driving comfortable driving position, there was zero room behind for the kids feet.

So, we looked at the Corsa VXR and the Clio 197... I was trying to sway her towards getting a year old Clio 182 Trophy but it wasn't happening. VXR is a bit in yer face up close... so the Clio was looking favourite.

Anyway.. somehow, I've ended up putting a deposit down on a Performance Blue Fiesta ST with Leather and the stripes down the side on over the top. Was swithering between white body and blue stripes, but thought it may have been a bit too much on a daily basis. Their demo model was really quite quick off the line. Did seem to run out of puff higher up mind you. Evo don't rate it too highly, but it ticked the boxes for us. Should pick it up in 2-3 weeks.

The one thing that did stand out was how big these 'small' cars have got. The Fiesta seemed to have the most interior space from the list we tested. Inside, it couldn't have been far off an old MkII Golf I had years ago.

So there... I've said it... it's out.. I own a Fiesta...

Andy

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:33 pm

I had a Fusion as a hire car for a week or so once, what a horrible shed that was. I hope your Fester is better than that heap!

hiscot · Post by **hiscot** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:46 pm

ahh zs 180 quite a underrated car
problem with the little cars getting bigger is folk are downgrading ie from a astra to a corsa ,carton to astra ect
i recon the manufactors have shot themselves in the foot and will have to bring out a new small car range whilst price hike the present "small cars "

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:00 pm

yes the so called small cars

A guy in the street had a corsa courtesy car and it was parked next to his neighbours 306 and i swear the corsa looked bigger. But don't forget the current polo is bigger then a Mk1 golf

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:42 pm

hiscot wrote:ahh zs 180 quite a underrated car"

Certainly is... so was my old ZT... great cars, but after 6yrs in 6 different MG/Rover products it's time to move on I think. I reckon they are just gonna send it to auction

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Fri May 18, 2007 8:22 am

Nice work. I too liked the look of the Fiestie ST, and Focus. I like the driving position on the feistie, and they do handle nicely. 172/182s are great cars, but from my experience, anything french is built like sh1t, especially the 172 I had. Glad you avoided the mini route... the all look so naff... unless it was a classic mini... IMHO

bobnitro · Post by **bobnitro** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:17 am

My wife has a Clio Trophy,

We have not seen it in the past 130 days. It has been sat at the dealer all this time waiting on a wiring loom. All because of a starting problem. It is a long and painful story............

Great wee cars when they are working, but hell mend you if something needs fixed.

Hope you enjoy the Fiesta.... I am sure it will be a hoot! (since it is not built by those French A Holes)

Bob.

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:14 pm

Had a fiesta on hire recently. Perfectly acceptable wee runaround and roomy enough.

Yeah, what is going on with 'small' cars? The new Yaris/Corsa etc have all been at the pies

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:29 pm

I've heard similar Renault woes from friends... pity.

The extras you needed to pay for on the Mini to make it 'acceptable trim' put me off a bit too if I'm honest. For a standard Cooper, you really are looking at £2K extra to bring it up to similar spec to rivals.

At least the ST comes with 6-disc in dash CD changer, aircon, quick-clear windscreen, 17" alloys etc as standard... and then I'm getting the stripes and heated leather seats as extras... sweet. Nice warm ass.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:42 pm

bobnitro wrote:My wife has a Clio Trophy,

We have not seen it in the past 130 days. It has been sat at the dealer all this time waiting on a wiring loom. All because of a starting problem. It is a long and painful story............

Great wee cars when they are working, but hell mend you if something needs fixed.

Hope you enjoy the Fiesta.... I am sure it will be a hoot! (since it is not built by those French A Holes)

Bob.

Sounds very familiar. I was told by a dealer that the manifold had roasted my wiring loom, and it would never get resolved

... ended up trading it in, as after 4 months of daily breakdowns, and weekly visits to the dealer, i gave up

.... when it worked it was great thou

Andy D · Post by **Andy D** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:59 pm

Well done on the Fiesta, I've always thought they looked the part but never got to drive one. As a Renault employee(up to yesterday!) for the last 11 years I totally agree with the problems you guys are having/have heard about the cars. Ive been lucky to Run Megane 225,Clio 172/182 and now 197 for the last few years and can honestly say I have never had anything major go wrong. The problem seems to be that after 10k they fall to bits and the dealer network don't want to know about us enthusiasts. I'm on my 3rd Clio 197 now and nothing rattles or has gone wrong so maybe things are getting better!!

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:16 pm

Andy D wrote:As a Renault employee(up to yesterday!)

Does that mean you are no longer? BTW.. I saw you yesterday. I was in at your place looking at the Clio (197 F1 looks

), and saw your yellow beastie heading up to Calder Road.

AG.

Andy D · Post by **Andy D** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:40 pm

Am moving down to Newcastle,to work for VW. Yesterday was my last day

. I would have taken you out in the 197 if I'd known you were coming in.

The 135 wasn't out yesterday,am just about to use it for the 1st time since de-catting it on monday.... so wasn't me although we get a lot of Loti around there due to MMC being so close

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:48 pm

Andy - good luck in the new job

On another note - any news on Ian Mill's wife? Please pass on my regards whether baby's in or oot!

Back on topic (sorry Gorrie - I'm a poet & I don't know it

) - congrats on the new steed - I had reason to drive my father in law's 02 fiesta recently (the last of the old shape) and was amazed how dinky it felt compared to modern "superminis"

Steered well tho, felt really nimble, shame about the wheezy 1.3 mill up front though

Stevoraith · Post by **Stevoraith** » Fri May 18, 2007 4:00 pm

gorrie wrote:
The extras you needed to pay for on the Mini to make it 'acceptable trim' put me off a bit too if I'm honest. For a standard Cooper, you really are looking at £2K extra to bring it up to similar spec to rivals.

The missus fancied a Cooper too until we priced up one with a decent spec. She ended up getting a Fabia vRS- to get a Mini with similar spec would have cost about £15k IIRC- and it still would have been far slower.

Good choice in the Fiesta

My mate has just bought a Zetec-S- very nice for a warm super mini.