Buying a 2005 Ford Fiesta - Quick Advice

[Eth2312]

Hey all,

Quick one and sorry if this makes no sense but I am looking at a ford fiesta for my sister, to learn in. We have found a great example at a local(ish) garage which is as follows

2005 (55)
65,000 miles
full Ford (Stamped etc etc)
3 owners from new (last one for 7 years)

Overall its in really good condition too and its automatic which my sister needs

So far so good, Turned up today for a quick test drive and if this went well we were pretty sure we would have bought it and driven away, however after starting the engine (1.4 petrol) when we arrived i noticed a distinct tapping noise, it reduced somewhat after it got warm so thought nothing of it. Taking it out for a spin it drives fine and the auto box changes smooth the only concern i have under strain it makes a tappet noise which is only whilst accelerating, ease of the accelerator it goes away, accelerate again and it's there. (and its quite noticeable)

Garage us a reputable one and they took it to be checked and the guys came back saying its just the noise and seems fine, nothing they can see which is a huge concern.


We have given as reservation fee to give us 24 hours to think about it but we are having second thoughts due to this tappet noise, reading online some people say its normal some say its not and due to poor oil use or something a long those lines.

Wanted to quickly ask you on here if this is a big red flag and can cause issues further down the line which we should walk away from or is this standard for these cars *(never owned a ford)

the noise is obvious but the garage has offered us extended warranty for 6 months (its only 2.5k value anyway as its her first car) so shall we just go for it or continue looking, its hard to find a suitable small car which is auto and something of a fiesta size.


We are due to go back tomorrow garage have said they are more than happy to return our deposit if we are not happy so not worried there just wanted to ask some possibly more experienced minds on this engine noise.

Thanks

[Stuart Fordyce]

From experience of the many my parents have had, Ford auto boxes are a certain and expensive failure. If it's making funny noises under acceleration I'd flee.

They've now moved onto Vauxhalls, where the boxes seem sound but the 1.8 blows head gaskets. Try a Corsa, not in 1.8 petrol maybe!

Should add I own a manual 2006 Fiesta which is a cracking car but I wouldn't go near an auto

[Eth2312]

Stuart Fordyce said:

From experience of the many my parents have had, Ford auto boxes are a certain and expensive failure. If it's making funny noises under acceleration I'd flee.

They've now moved onto Vauxhalls, where the boxes seem sound but the 1.8 blows head gaskets. Try a Corsa, not in 1.8 petrol maybe!

Should add I own a manual 2006 Fiesta which is a cracking car but I wouldn't go near an auto

Thanks buddy, must admit never seen an auto box like this, its like a manual shifter but auto elements to it. They class it as semi automatic as it has the up/down functions.

The fact you say thats prone to issues we'll probably walk away then, adding the fact we both got a funny feeling about this noise.

Thanks again

[imck]

My Mrs has a 1.3 53 Plate Yaris Auto.
Proper Auto Gearbox. From 2005 they changed to the Multimode Auto which is best avoided.
It has had a few age related issues. Exhaust, Brake Pipes and Shocks but nothing too expensive.
I like driving it.
She had a Manual 1.0 Yaris Manual previously and that was a bit feeble.

Not an expert on small Autos but from what I read on here and elsewhere the Clio, Swift, Note and Jazz are good alternatives.
Note and Jazz may be a bit OAP/Mumsy.