Dear Ford. Can you just let me buy a car please?

[Thorburn]

Looking to buy a new Fiesta Zetec S Red for the OH, test drove that and the ST at the weekend, got a quote from the local dealer we're happy with and emailed them yesterday to confirm price and specification.

First pain in the arse is we have the cash to pay for it, but Ford are doing big finance contributions so we have to borrow a tiny amount of money to get that discount. Now this morning I've been told I CAN'T order the car because as of today they've stopped taking orders for the Zetec S Red Edition and have replaced it with the ST Line Red Edition.

Okay, what's the difference between the two models? We don't know, we don't have any details on it - apparently there are some differences between the models but Ford haven't told them what they are yet. Tried another dealership and had the same response.

If its just a name change then fine, how hard can it be to communicate that to your dealer network? We're specifically going for the Zetec S over the ST as found the ST too stiff for the rural roads around here, so don't want to order the ST Line and find its a Zetec S with ST suspension bolted on to it.

So now not only do we have to take out a finance package we don't want or need, they can't even tell us if the car we want to buy is still going to be made or what has been changed on the new model. The Ford website just shows the Zetec S but you can't buy one now apparently. Piss-up in a brewery springs to mind!

[lostkiwi]

Buy something else from another brand.

[Thorburn]

lostkiwi said:

Buy something else from another brand.

Nothing else that really appeals/ticks the boxes.

[Blanchimont]

Call a couple of dealers, would it be worth calling some to see if they have one similar to what you want in stock?

[Thorburn]

Blanchimont said:

Call a couple of dealers, would it be worth calling some to see if they have one similar to what you want in stock?

Tried most the local dealers, unfortunately we want a couple uncommon options so we'd have to compromise on those which is rather missing the point on a brand new car. None of them can give me any useful information on what the difference between the Zetec S and the ST Line.

[Blanchimont]

Thorburn said:

Tried most the local dealers, unfortunately we want a couple uncommon options so we'd have to compromise on those which is rather missing the point on a brand new car. None of them can give me any useful information on what the difference between the Zetec S and the ST Line.

Try further afield. It will be a ballache amount of legwork, but it may work and you can get what you want, quicker.

[Thorburn]

Blanchimont said:

Try further afield. It will be a ballache amount of legwork, but it may work and you can get what you want, quicker.

Tried a 100 mile radius - no new Red Editions with cruise, nav, rear sensors and heated seats available, and nearly new ones are more expensive as don't get the finance contribution and have additional extras we don't want.

[Blanchimont]

Ah,balls.

I'd look at calling Ford UK then, and ask what the difference between the 2 is, and whether you can place an order for one, as you were looking before the cut off for orders were.

I don't know, but it may be worth a shot.

[Backtobasics]

Buy a second hand one for less cash?

[Vitorio]

Thorburn said:

Nothing else that really appeals/ticks the boxes.

Clio with the TCe 120 lump? Ive done a few months in a DCI and had a few test runs in the TCe 90, and in the B-seg i'd have a Clio out of the usual suspects.

Only downside is the TCe 120 only comes in auto AFAIK..

Oddly enough im having a lot of trouble thinking of competitors to the Fiesta, The Punto is whittled down to very few versions. Perhaps a swift sport?

[loskie]

try carwow or autoebid.

[Thorburn]

Backtobasics said:

Buy a second hand one for less cash?

Can't find any with the right options on them. Also with the Ford finance deals at the moment the second hand ones really aren't much cheaper.

Vitorio said:

Clio with the TCe 120 lump? Ive done a few months in a DCI and had a few test runs in the TCe 90, and in the B-seg i'd have a Clio out of the usual suspects.

Only downside is the TCe 120 only comes in auto AFAIK..

Oddly enough im having a lot of trouble thinking of competitors to the Fiesta, The Punto is whittled down to very few versions. Perhaps a swift sport?

OH won't have a Renault - hates them. Also manual is a requirement.

loskie said:

try carwow or autoebid.

We were originally going through Carwow, but now been told the model is no longer available to order.

[kylos27]

Buy a used xr2 ?

[Thorburn]

kylos27 said:

Buy a used xr2 ?

No cruise control.

[RYH64E]

Unless things have changed since last year when I bought a Fiesta for my daughter, you don't have to take the finance but there's a discount if you do. You can also pay off the finance before you take delivery of the car and still keep the discount, which is what I did, the finance deal was live for all of five minutes. If that's too much hassle then forego the extra discount, the choice is yours.

[zeDuffMan]

RYH64E said:

Unless things have changed since last year when I bought a Fiesta for my daughter, you doing have to take the finance but there's a discount if you do. You can also pay off the finance before you take delivery of the car and still keep the discount, which is what I did, the finance deal was live for all of five minutes. If that's too much hassle then forego the extra discount, the choice is yours.

That's not the issue here...

[CrouchingWayne]

Would the ST Line Red Edition be based on a Fiesta ST? I can't see it being a ZS car so probably irrelevant for you.

[The Mad Monk]

Thorburn said:

Nothing else that really appeals/ticks the boxes.

30 new ones on Autotrader - if I understand it right.

http://tinyurl.com/ho9wtz2

[Antony Moxey]

SEAT Ibiza SC? FR and Cupra versions look alright.

[gweaver]

Thorburn said:

Tried most the local dealers, unfortunately we want a couple uncommon options so we'd have to compromise on those which is rather missing the point on a brand new car. None of them can give me any useful information on what the difference between the Zetec S and the ST Line.

I just looked on the DrivetheDeal configurator. Standard specifications aren't online yet, but it looks like the Zetec S has been replaced with the ST-Line, which will be available in 3dr/5dr, 100/125/140ps, Red/Black edition (140ps only) or the usual colours. It'll be a run out model designed to broaden the appeal of the current range (5dr & 140ps should go down well).
They'll probably have added a little more standard kit to compete with the likes of Vauxhall and Suzuki.
They probably won't have upgraded the gearbox with a stronger item with shorter ratios, which is what the car needs to take full advantage of the 125/140ps engines. There probably won't be any other mechanical changes either.

Whilst you wait for Ford to publish the ST-Line specifications, I'd strongly suggest trying a Swift Sport (if you haven't already). The fuel consumption and boot space aren't as good as the Ford, but the Swift is more responsive and IMHO the more exciting and involving drivers car. The engine is simpler (in a good way) and the standard kit is good, especially the HID headlights. Sat Nav and Cruise Control are standard, but parking sensors are dealer fit (the only factory options are colour and 3/5dr) and heated seats probably aren't available. The Sat Nav head unit has a socket for a reversing camera, and I have seen mention of people fitting them on the current model.