Ford Zetec S - good buy?
Discussion
I hasten to add this is not a what car thread, but a gleaming blue mk4 (bubble shaped) Fiesta Zetec S drove past me this morning and it made me wonder if good examples were poised to go the way of other fast(ish) Fords?
I know they're pretty luke warm, but I think they're quite entertaining little cars in a mildly chavvy way and I can see them gaining a bit of a cult following.
Thereagain, maybe it's just those years in Essex rubbing off on me...
I'm not suggesting they're going to be out-pricing mk1 Escorts any time soon, but might not be a bad bet if you want a depreciation proof warm hatch?
I know they're pretty luke warm, but I think they're quite entertaining little cars in a mildly chavvy way and I can see them gaining a bit of a cult following.
Thereagain, maybe it's just those years in Essex rubbing off on me...
I'm not suggesting they're going to be out-pricing mk1 Escorts any time soon, but might not be a bad bet if you want a depreciation proof warm hatch?
<pedant>It's a MK5</pedant>
I can't see them going up in value anytime soon although I wish they would as I've got one that I've owned for 4 years.
I think there are too many around and they aren't quite special enough. Plus there has been a cult following for some time now with zsoc and zetecs forums, and prices have continued to drop. Seeing as you can pick them up for a grand I can't see the prices dropping too much further though.
I can't see them going up in value anytime soon although I wish they would as I've got one that I've owned for 4 years.
I think there are too many around and they aren't quite special enough. Plus there has been a cult following for some time now with zsoc and zetecs forums, and prices have continued to drop. Seeing as you can pick them up for a grand I can't see the prices dropping too much further though.
Edited by ali4390 on Monday 19th March 10:56
ali4390 said:
<pedant>It's a MK5</pedant>
No, it's not, good my man 
MkIII is the relatively old-school job, replaced in '95 by the MkIV "bubble car". It and its 2000MY facelift are MkIV all through until the MkV, the first Fiesta ST's shape, in 2002. Now, since 2008 we're on the MkVI.
McSam said:
No, it's not, good my man
MkIII is the relatively old-school job, replaced in '95 by the MkIV "bubble car". It and its 2000MY facelift are MkIV all through until the MkV, the first Fiesta ST's shape, in 2002. Now, since 2008 we're on the MkVI.
Sorry but you are not correct.MkIII is the relatively old-school job, replaced in '95 by the MkIV "bubble car". It and its 2000MY facelift are MkIV all through until the MkV, the first Fiesta ST's shape, in 2002. Now, since 2008 we're on the MkVI.
The MKV was the 2000-2002 car, the MK6 ran from 2002-2007 with a facelift in 2006 (I think), and we are actually on the MK7.
Edited by ali4390 on Monday 19th March 14:03
ali4390 said:
Sorry but you are not correct.
The MKV was the 2000-2002 car, the MK6 ran from 2002-2007 with a facelift in 2006 (I think), and we are actually on the MK7.
Correct with the Mk7 Facelift due in late 2012-2013 with the launch of the new Fiesta STThe MKV was the 2000-2002 car, the MK6 ran from 2002-2007 with a facelift in 2006 (I think), and we are actually on the MK7.
Edited by ali4390 on Monday 19th March 14:03
RobCrezz said:
ali4390 said:
And different suspension, different gearbox and different engine. Apart from that though...
Really?Suspension is just different springs to a normal Zetec isnt it? I thought the engine is the same as a 1.6 Ghia? Different gearbox, really?
The styling tweaks may be a little superficial, but I can see them adding to the cult following even if it is just a parts bin special.
Coincidentally, I may be wrong, but my understanding was that it shared some 'go faster' parts with the Puma that didn't appear on other Fiestas?
Chris71 said:
RobCrezz said:
ali4390 said:
And different suspension, different gearbox and different engine. Apart from that though...
Really?Suspension is just different springs to a normal Zetec isnt it? I thought the engine is the same as a 1.6 Ghia? Different gearbox, really?
The styling tweaks may be a little superficial, but I can see them adding to the cult following even if it is just a parts bin special.
Coincidentally, I may be wrong, but my understanding was that it shared some 'go faster' parts with the Puma that didn't appear on other Fiestas?
I had a 1.7 Puma years ago and it was superb, if that helps.
RobCrezz said:
I dont know, does it?
Not remotely, I wouldn't say.If a car is fun to drive I don't see the fact it shares its underpinnings with lesser models is really a problem.
The body kit and so on would differentiate it enough for the Zetec S to become a cult model, I think, even if all the oily bits did turn out to be shared with other high-spec Fiestas. You see very few of them around and even fewer in good nick, which must single them out eventually (a bit like the last of the Rover Mini Coopers, which IIRC shared their mechanical layout with the standard car?)
ETA According to Google it is a mk4 and it is different to the standard Fiesta:
Zetec SThe Zetec S was the highest Fiesta trim, and although its 1.6 L 16v Sigma engine was available in other Fiestas (such as the Freestyle) the Zetec S pushed out 101 bhp (75 kW; 102 PS),[11] and had major alterations to the suspension, with stiffer anti-roll bars and uprated brakes shared with the Puma.
Edited by Chris71 on Monday 19th March 14:58
Chris71 said:
ETA According to Google it is a mk4 and it is different to the standard Fiesta:
As you have already pointed out it is hardly relevant, but it is definitely a MK5.Edited by Chris71 on Monday 19th March 14:58
I stand to be corrected but I've got a feeling it shared the gearbox with the Puma, the IB5 one I think? But like I say I might be talking rubbish.
ETA: Looks like I am wrong about the gearbox, the Puma one was essentially the same but could handle more power and had different ratios. Most of the Sigma engines used the IB5 gearbox apparently. You learn something everyday!
Edited by ali4390 on Monday 19th March 15:09
Edited by ali4390 on Monday 19th March 15:09
Chris71 said:
RobCrezz said:
I dont know, does it?
Not remotely, I wouldn't say.If a car is fun to drive I don't see the fact it shares its underpinnings with lesser models is really a problem.
The body kit and so on would differentiate it enough for the Zetec S to become a cult model, I think, even if all the oily bits did turn out to be shared with other high-spec Fiestas. You see very few of them around and even fewer in good nick, which must single them out eventually (a bit like the last of the Rover Mini Coopers, which IIRC shared their mechanical layout with the standard car?)
ETA According to Google it is a mk4 and it is different to the standard Fiesta:
Zetec SThe Zetec S was the highest Fiesta trim, and although its 1.6 L 16v Sigma engine was available in other Fiestas (such as the Freestyle) the Zetec S pushed out 101 bhp (75 kW; 102 PS),[11] and had major alterations to the suspension, with stiffer anti-roll bars and uprated brakes shared with the Puma.
Edited by Chris71 on Monday 19th March 14:58
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