Ford Fiesta question

[Danh]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
For $17k one can get into a base-level Focus or Cruze. A Cruze LS with a manual transmission will average about 28-30 mpg while still offering a quiet interior. The Cruze LS's 1.8 is port-injected, but does need a timing belt every 70k miles or so. The Focus is supposed to be a nice car with the manual transmission and not the junk DSG that's in most of them.


I looked at both the Cruze and the Focus and bought the Focus. It's a terrific car and worth consideration. Mine has the dual-clutch automatic and it's just fine, especially if you like to be more engaged in the driving process than the typical automatic driver.

Ford has had two issues with the DCT: 1) shift programming, which has been rectified with reflashes of the PCM and 2) a small percentage of leaky seals that deposited oil on the clutch plates. The good news about the DCT is that it's essentially maintenance-free, contributes to really good fuel economy and is mechanically much less-complex than a conventional automatic.

 

[Rtstrider]

Hey Smokescreen actually I'm looking at a corolla now. It's a 2007 Corolla automatic transmission with 95k on it. Do you happen to know how much oil the engine takes at oil changes, what the preferred weight is, what transmission fluid it takes (assuming Type TIV), and if it is easy to change the transmission fluid?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Better off with a de-contented FOCUS from one who has a "top rated" 1.5L "throw-away" car. Also, Better off NOT buying a FORD IMO with 65+ car "sample" i've owned

Then why the heck did you own 65+ of them??

reading his other posts, youll see he's not the slickest oil in the stash
No personal attacks there, corncob. At least I got out of Indiana in the 50's

I owned 65 + cars not 65 Focii or Mexican Fiestas.

 

[FirstNissan]

Get a used corolla/ chevy prizm. my wife's old one was an 2001 , I got it in 2009 used, worked great and nice and cheap and decent resale afterwards.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: Rtstrider
Voltmaster seriously call up Walmart or any quick lube and just ask how much it costs for them to change the oil on a 2003 300xi. You'll get $115 at the cheapest because you cannot use regular old oil...Has to have the bmw ll cert. Call Napa and ask for the Oil filter prices....Two choices $10 or $15, plus 7 qts of Mobil 1 0w40 oil. Not cheap


I was going to respond to that one too, but, I figured If someone doesn't know that 7 qts of Full Synthetic , filter and labor are normally >$80, oh well. Even a DIY would cost ~$55.00+

 

[johnachak]

65+ Cars? If you are not 150 years old, I would say you must've picked more than a few lemons.
I'm pushing 58 and I owned 14 cars since 1973. Three were beaters to replace the three that were stolen in the bad old days. If you count wifes cars, maybe 20, tops.

 

[javacontour]

I had a 1.25L variant for a week+ in Italy this summer. While not particularly zippy at low RPMs, it would cruise all day long at 130kph (80+ MPH)

It's a competent little car that does the job. I was impressed.

 

[Rtstrider]

That's $55 if you're lucky and EVERYTHING is on sale

 

[Dave Hess]

Corolla is the best car for the $$$.

 

[Spazdog]

I prefer the Mazda2 to it's Fiesta sibling. But then again I am biased.

Although down on horsepower vs the Fiesta, the Mazda generally makes it to 60 a tick quicker. I didn't G-TECH the Mazda2 but it was adequate. Not thrilling. Pretty far from that. But it won't leave you wondering if you will die or not trying to get on the freeway like a 1970s 1200cc Corolla

And the Mazda2 does the best front wheel drive impersonation of an MX-5.

But you can get a sedan version of the Fiesta if you dislike hatchbacks. The Fiesta also has mood lighting and Sync if that's important to you.

 

[Smokescreen]

Originally Posted By: Rtstrider
Hey Smokescreen actually I'm looking at a corolla now. It's a 2007 Corolla automatic transmission with 95k on it. Do you happen to know how much oil the engine takes at oil changes, what the preferred weight is, what transmission fluid it takes (assuming Type TIV), and if it is easy to change the transmission fluid?


Engine oil capacity ~4.4L, oil filter is super easy to reach, T-IV is correct I believe, transmission fluid is easier than changing the engine oil. One hex bolt facing down located at the bottom of the pan drivers side can't miss it. Takes ~3.5L and you refill via auto trans dipstick tube. I change mine once a year. Really it is the easiest car I have ever performed maintenance on.

 

[BearZDefect]

Give the Focus a couple of years before deciding if Ford did their GDI correctly.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Ford's had DI gas engine around before 2011 when the Fiesta hit the US.

 

[oilmaven]

Do you ever carry rear seat passengers?...if not, the Fiesta is probably OK...if yes, you better try to cram yourself back there to see what you're dealing with. The Focus is only marginally better in that respect. I'd also recommend a manual transmission (Fiesta or Focus) as the dry clutch "automatic" has been very problematic. Ford has some issues to address in these cars.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

What about a Sonic? Those seem to have a lot of rear leg room. And they're US Built!

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
What about a Sonic? Those seem to have a lot of rear leg room. And they're US Built!


Only Sonic worth considering is one with the 1.4T engine, and those engines need the oil changed religiously with at least a synthetic blend (full synthetic preferred) when the OLM hits 25%. The 1.8 Sonics make more noise than acceleration and really guzzle the gas for such a small car.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

Go with the Corolla; they are great cars. My '99 model has almost 140k miles and it has never failed me. The Corolla's are very reliable, durable, and attain great mpg. They may not be the prettiest car on the block, but they make up for it in how well they do what a car is supposed to do ... run for many trouble free miles.

 

[Voltmaster]

Originally Posted By: Rtstrider
Voltmaster seriously call up Walmart or any quick lube and just ask how much it costs for them to change the oil on a 2003 300xi. You'll get $115 at the cheapest because you cannot use regular old oil...Has to have the bmw ll cert. Call Napa and ask for the Oil filter prices....Two choices $10 or $15, plus 7 qts of Mobil 1 0w40 oil. Not cheap


WOW that really sucks
paying 35 bucks for first time at EZ lube [censored] me off... and made me start doing it myself.

 

[Voltmaster]

Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
Maybe consider a slightly used Corolla. Timing chain, bullet-proof automatic transmission...not a looker, but it never fails to impress me at the pump as I always get much better than EPA. Better than 38mpgUS lifetime for me

I agree!

I own an 06

with around 90k cots around 6-7.5k
will go another 100 before falling apart , i must say i have done some efed up jobs under hood to learn , never seen a check engine light on yet.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Rtstrider
I'm am retiring the old bimmer as I can no longer pay to play ($70 oil changes, falling apart, etc...) and am looking at Ford Fiesta's. I have not test driven one yet, but, I like the mpg ratings and the fact that it is NOT a hybrid. Does anyone have experience with the fiesta? How do they hold up? Is it a needy car outside of PM?


I can only relate my recent experience with a Focus, and it wasn't good.

They have some calibrations to refine with that fancy new trans. It really behaved poorly IMO. I would not even consider it unless it was stick shift, and even then I would want a LONG test drive.

Rent one for a week first!!!