FORD Fiesta test drive ...

[Hershey]

of the 5 speed manual and very impessed . The clutch action is smooth and shifting is very precise . The car has a feature called HILL START ASSIST that automatically applies the brakes if you start to roll back ( 3 degree grade or more ) . Neat :smoking: . Found the YARIS clutch to be a bit twitchy on grades or even for level ground . The Blue Flame Metallic FIESTA had price of $14,490 , very close to the BLAZING BLUE . A base model , but loaded just the same . The rear head room was little less than the YARIS sedan . Anyone over 5'9" will likely hit the roof . Plenty of legroom for rear passenger . The trunk is very deep . Oil filter is on front of the block horizontally and no obstruction when doing an oil change . Picked up product information booklet and it's amazing how many options it has over the 2010 YARIS . Will do some reading and report back . The FIESTA sedan / hatchback and MAZDA 2 hatchback are going to give the YARIS a run for the money . Plan on test driving the sedan and hatchback in a 5 speed manual and 6 speed automatic as more arrive . :thumbup:

[Hershey]

forgot it takes 5w-20 at 10,000 mile intervals .

[JBougie]

Nice :) Since I will be car shopping soon, I was kinda thinking about looking into the Fiesta if I didn't find a Yaris with the options I want. I will wait until I can find one used (I'll never again buy a brand new car) but I really like this feedback - thank you for posting this!!

[Hershey]

welcome . 5 speed base model you get 7 airbags ( includes driver knee bag ) , E.S.C. , and Traction Control ( on/off ) . Tachometer , tilt / telescopic steering wheel , and integrated side spotter mirrors to help you be aware of other vehicles entering the " blind zone " . I think you also get outdoor temp and average mileage .

[mr9865]

The fiesta will probally be next car after i get a yaris, since i always get a used car.

[Hershey]

the FIESTA we drove has the same tire size as the YARIS of 185/60-15 .

[brg88tx]

hershey, i have to disagree with you about the rear legroom of the fiesta. i saw some youtube videos showing almost no room for feet so i checked the specs on edmunds vs the yaris sedan. the yaris sedan has about 4 inches more legroom compared to the fiesta sedan.

[ChilliwackGuy]

You r lucky to have test-driven a Fiesta! I considered buying one - but the Ford dealerships in BC decided to treat it like a limited edition world's most coveted car - so I went back to the Yaris.

[big lo]

Wow all those mods, but I wouldnt cross over to Ford. Toyota vehicles, are more reliable, even though theirs been recals of late, but I have allways driven toyota cars cant complain with them at all.

[swidd]

Even now, 3 years after buying the Yaris, I'm extremely satisfied with the rushed decision I made to buy the car, it hasn't caused me any financial harm, and I still think its as good to drive and practical and beautiful as the day I bought it. Best decision of my young life! Hope it lasts...

[mr9865]

You r lucky to have test-driven a Fiesta! I considered buying one - but the Ford dealerships in BC decided to treat it like a limited edition world's most coveted car - so I went back to the Yaris.

I just went to a ford dealer today to pick up a brochure and they acted the same way, telling me it was a limited edition car.

[fnkngrv]

You better believe that they dealers will act just like the Yarii dealers did in 07...It had been overseas for years and once it came to our shores it was the must have vehicle for the price point. The day that I buy another ford (yes no cap on the F) I invite anyone to expeditiously kick or knee me a few inches below the belt for being too stupid to live...



Just sayin...




On that note....damn it Toyota needs to release a mustang killer! I am talkin a beast right off the factory floor, no mods...

[yarrr]

Nice :) Since I will be car shopping soon, I was kinda thinking about looking into the Fiesta if I didn't find a Yaris with the options I want.

out of curiosity what specific options were you looking for? I can't think of anything I want that YW hasn't provided a cheap and easy DIY for.. lol

[RedHatch08]

On that note....damn it Toyota needs to release a mustang killer! I am talkin a beast right off the factory floor, no mods...

Yes.

With Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro on the market, now more than ever we need the SUPRA back.

Do it Toyota. Do it.

[Hershey]

Wow all those mods, but I wouldnt cross over to Ford. Toyota vehicles, are more reliable, even though theirs been recals of late, but I have allways driven toyota cars cant complain with them at all. we have 2 YARIS with engine oil leaks . So , we're not to happy witth TOYOTA as of now .

[Hershey]

hershey, i have to disagree with you about the rear legroom of the fiesta. i saw some youtube videos showing almost no room for feet so i checked the specs on edmunds vs the yaris sedan. the yaris sedan has about 4 inches more legroom compared to the fiesta sedan. I actually sat in the rear seat behind the drivers seat and had plenty of legroom . It's the headroom that's the problem . Anyone 5'9" tall and over will be touching the roof . Not good for us with male pattern baldness . :frown:

[Hershey]

the tires are better than the BRIDGSTONE Potenza RE 92 and GOODYEAR Eagle LS of the YARIS . They are the KUMHO Solus KH 25s' and are 185/60-15 . Same as the YARIS . May get those to replace the Potenzas' which are getting worn with only 21,600+ miles .

[Hershey]

may go back and test drive it again . If we do we'll get some pics of it to post . May be sold already . They only had 1 . They hope to have more in a few weeks .

[cdavidhess]

Thanks for posting this review!

Ford has come a long way. I traded my Yaris in on a 2010 Focus Sedan SE 5-speed in February. I still loved my Yaris--just wanted something different. I swore 15 years ago that I would never buy another Ford. Even though their slogan at the time was "Quality is job one," the 1995 Contour I had proved different.

My Focus has been problem free except for a squeak in the seat which was repaired under warranty. J. D. Powers just named it as the best compact car in terms of initial quality. Since the current model is coming to the end of its life cycle, Ford has loaded it with high content and offered huge rebates. You can purchase a Focus for much less than a Fiesta. Obviously, the fuel economy of the Focus is not as good, but still decent.

See my car at http://www.theparson.net/focus.htm

I may very well purchase a Fiesta (or even another Yaris) some day.

[RedRide]

By most reports, Ford probably has a winner with the new Fiesta.

I have always been partial to Fords. The only reason I got 2 Toyotas is because when I got a new car in '02, Ford had nothing I wanted.
So, I got a Celica and then, a Yaris in '09. Toyotas have seved me very well.

I'm glad Ford is doing well as I just applied for my Ford retirement benefits.
I worked for them from '67-'79. It's not much but, at least it wiil pay for gas, insurance, etc for my Toyotas. :smile:

[ChilliwackGuy]

Nice to hear everyone's take on the Ford vs. Toyota battle!

Me - I know if I go to a dealership and request a brochure or car information (and in some cases a test drive) I better get what I want - anonymously for print information (why should I give my name and # for a brochure?)

I find that Ford dealerships in BC are so DAMN protective of "walk-ins" - you'd think post-recession the sales reps would be happy there are people thinking of the Fiesta at all anyway

[RedRide]

There's not any battle, just a healthy competition between two great auto manufactures. :smile:

[CtrlAltDefeat]

hmmm I'll consider what ever is available when i get rid of my Yaris... (wonder what the 2020 fiesta will be like? lol)

[mr9865]

if its like the US focus, it will be the same thing!

[wooverstone8]

The Ford Fiesta looks like a winner IMO, but I would never trade in my Toyota Yaris for one. I like the simplicity of my Yaris.

[alby_yaris]

The Ford Fiesta looks like a winner IMO, but I would never trade in my Toyota Yaris for one. I like the simplicity of my Yaris.

me too
My dad has a Focus but I still prefer my toyota:smile:

[Hershey]

we just got 44.56 m.p.g. with our '08 automatic sedan earlier ( 2 bars , 161.5 miles , and 3.62 gallons of gas ) . Decided to remove the ECO-METER from the 2010 automatic 3 door and install it in the '08 . What a difference . The E.M. showed 44.2 , is a little low than the fill , but got tired of fiddling with the setting for it . Would be hard to get rid of either one of the YARIS for a FIESTA , FOCUS , or MAZDA 2 . Now if the '08 and '10 would stop leaking oil to give more reason not to ditch 'em .

[auxmike]

Never buy the first year of any car....
I'd hold off on a US Fiesta till after the "Honeymoon/hype" period.
Let's see what problems crop up after a year on US streets first.
I'm VERY pleased with my Yaris and don't really want most of the overly complex junk that Fords been loading into its cars lately.
Also, is the Fiesta built in Mexico? If so, RUN!!!:thumbdown:

[Hershey]

yes , built in MEXICO . The FORD Festiva ( rebadged MAZDA 121 , 1.3 ltr. engine ) of old was built there as well . That was a good dependable car . Time will tell for the FIESTA .

[wooverstone8]

There is a Ford Fiesta (USA) forum now. Here's a new owner review on the Fiesta: http://www.fordfiestaforum.com/index.php?/topic/302-just-purchased-metallic-red-ses/

[Hershey]

welcome . 5 speed base model you get 7 airbags ( includes driver knee bag ) , E.S.C. , and Traction Control ( on/off ) . Tachometer , tilt / telescopic steering wheel , and integrated side spotter mirrors to help you be aware of other vehicles entering the " blind zone " . I think you also get outdoor temp and average mileage . no outdoor temp or avg. / current mileage with the base model .

[firemachine69]

I'm surprised no one's noticed the 2012 Focus. Looks like a slightly more bloated Fiesta hatch.

[Cosmonaut]

I'm surprised no one's noticed the 2012 Focus. Looks like a slightly more bloated Fiesta hatch.

it looks the same because Ford is doing the "kinetic" styling. The fiesta is taking the place of the OLD focus and the new focus is being bumped up a market class.
Also
FIestaFLy (http://www.fiestafly.com/) from the people who run focusfanatics...i think.

[Lucas13]

we have 2 YARIS with engine oil leaks . So , we're not to happy witth TOYOTA as of now .

I like the Yaris for the good design, versatility and off course for the gas economy BUT I really don’t like the fact that with only 58k the car needed this problems corrected

Suspension Clunk: still can’t find it, probably is coming from the struts, it’s been since two weeks old, dealer can’t find.

Seats loud squeaky noise: I’m not a heavy guy and my wife either. The repair took an air bag installed facing the middle console and 7 months to correct all the stuff that they messed up in the car like panels, covers etc, I demanded Toyota to replace the entire seats and they weren’t able, at least 80% of the seats got replaced. Six months later the problem came back, I decided to remove the seat covers and placed a more resistant felt, making sure the things where properly installed by the service manual. Now it’s ok.

Axle seal leaking gear oil: The warranty took care of it at 47k.

Strong Sulfur smell: Annoying when I needed the power on the car and the nasty smell stayed in.
I found the TSB and they replaced the catalytic mid section.

A/C drain got clogged due to lack of cabin air filter from factory or a type of screen from the outside intake, it allows debris to go in into the air box, Toyota is probably saving 5 bucks in there and maybe that’s is too much. I noticed the problem when water came out on the passenger’s side. I cleaned it with peroxide, made my filter, and that was the solution…it also helped for the mildew smell. They worst part is that they are aware of this problem.

Water pump Starts Leaking at 56k (Almost at the end of the power train warranty, I’m lucky!) The dealer made a bunch of scratches in the engine bay while doing this repair.


Sub frame got loose and started making a nasty clunk on the bottom when breaking hard, the dealer re-torque the nuts and it’s been fine.


Gearbox Leaking from main axle or Input shaft, the entire transmission will be replaced this week.


I hate that this happened to my Yaris; I never thought this would occur I started doing some mods and felt worst.

Installed a really nice little the tachometer (white led Illumination, custom painted gunmetal the Gage pod and the two side thin panels By the radio A/C section for closer interior match), Installed CtScott cruise control (works Great), replaced the entire bulbs for SMD VLED’s (they look fantastic), made the fogs DRL LED, Installed Bi-xenon Hid’s, changed for Vitz emblems.

Knowing the mechanical flaws makes me wonder if the car will hold for a while. I went for arbitration but Toyota won the case, NCDS changed the story and never mentioned the airbag problem. I’m still looking for other alternatives. Will see…:iono:

[Hershey]

wow , not good . Hope you have better luck in the future . As for the FIESTA . My other 1/2 noticed the engine and tranny are made in BRAZIL , while the car is assembled in MEXICO . We'll wait and see how things go for the FIESTA . Mean while we'll keep our fingers crossed with the oil leaks .

[Lucas13]

Let's hope they oil leaks stop for good... I think is good to wait at least 3 years to check the reviews on the fiesta, I really like it but who knows how the USDM version will behave, probably will be better than the Yaris.