51 Ford Fiesta Flight, worth it?

[seumasbeathan]

A mate of my dads just so happens to need the body of a Peugeot 306, I have a 306 that tbh is not in good nick, engine is shagged and break fluid is leaking, car's fked basically, can't go above 70 and takes about 40 seconds to get there. Anyway, this guy has offered to do a straight swap and give me a 51 plate Fiesta Flight 1.3 petrol, it's got no tax but 12 months MOT and looks in good condition, only problem is I just don't like it, whereas with the 306 I fking love it.

So I have 2 option, pump money into the 306 and get it working nice again, or swap it for a car i don't really like, but one that works.

So anyone had experiences with a Fiesta Flight? Any good?

[Gooly]

Had one as a first car, 51 flight just as described. Engine was taken straight out of a cement mixer but handled really nicely; the mk4/5 fiesta platform is the same as that on the Puma, was touched on by Richard Parry-Jones and features double wishbone front suspension. Steering feel is fantastic, pedals are well placed and well weighted, ergonomics are simple but pleasant. Basic motoring but nothing inherently flawed. The 1.3 gets crap MPG for what is is, but it is a simple, rock solid, pushrod, chain driven engine that descends from the Kent lump which first debuted in the 50s. Make sure the heater works, if it doesnt the heater control valve has seized up. Watch out for rust on the rear arches, and give the front wishbones & bushes a check over; other than that they are solid and just about fast enough to keep up with modern traffic.

Basically, it does the job and is fun for what it is.

[sparks_E39]

[Zoobeef]

You still try and get a car with leaking BRAKE fluid up to 70. Thanks for risking everyone else's lives.

[seumasbeathan]

Zoobeef said:

You still try and get a car with leaking BRAKE fluid up to 70. Thanks for risking everyone else's lives.

I know how that could sound bad, but this was on a road going in front of my house, no other cars anywhere, and It is a tiny leak, leave the car standing for a few days and you won't even notice fluid on the ground.

[Toaster Pilot]

Swap a fked banger for a working one with a full MOT? And you're asking if you should?



Sounds too good to be true, mind.

[Pingman]

Toaster Pilot said:

Swap a fked banger for a working one with a full MOT? And you're asking if you should?



Sounds too good to be true, mind.

What he said! Absolute no drainer!

[radiodanno]

1.3 is ye olde Kent engine in essence.

Pretty glacial and can sound like someone speed typing on a typewriter. BUT you've got something you can sell to anyone in the market for a cheap car. The same can't be said of the pug.