Can somebody explain Ford Fiesta prices to me?
Can somebody explain Ford Fiesta prices to me?
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davek_964

Original Poster:

11,205 posts

204 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
I know somebody who's daughter is looking for their first car - apparently, a Fiesta. They told me yesterday that she is browsing cars at ~£8k, which was cars around 2014. I said I didn't believe a 2014 Fiesta could cost £8k (ignoring RS obviously).

Today, I browsed the classifieds for Fiesta between £7.5k and £8.5k and the variation seems huge. That seems to include cars between 2013 and 2017 and I can't really see why. The 2013 don't seem particularly high spec or low mileage - and the 2017 don't seem particularly low spec or high mileage. Even the engine size doesn't seem to differentiate.

I assume I'm missing something - is it something to do with sub-models (e.g. Zetec)? It seems odd to me that you can buy several 3 year old cars for the same price as 6 year old cars - especially given how many there are for sale.

Chris32345

2,141 posts

91 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Used car prices are based on how desirable they are
Just look up the price of used fiat 500s another car the holds values very well

davek_964

Original Poster:

11,205 posts

204 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Chris32345 said:
Used car prices are based on how desirable they are
Just look up the price of used fiat 500s another car the holds values very well
It's not really the absolute price I'm asking about - even though I am surprised at how high it is.

It's more that I can't see why plenty of 2013 cars cost the same as plenty of 2017 cars - so I assume there is some difference I'm not seeing. It's not like they're rare cars after all.

jonindorset

1,082 posts

273 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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They are very popular cars but one often bought locally and on impulse by people who don't travel far, shop around or look at the prices of others.
Therefore, many can be very optimistically priced with sellers happy to wait for non-car people local sales.

Motivated sellers will price them competitively and if you are willing to travel, you will get much more car for your money. You will also find more competitively priced cars outside major conurbations, where there is less demand, trying to encourage buyers to travel.

Zetec-S

6,850 posts

122 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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The sportier Zetec-S / STLine versions, or the top spec Titanium versions tend to keep their value a bit more.

AJB88

15,703 posts

200 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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Missus has got a 1.4 Fiesta, 2012 model its got "leather" seats, A/C, cruise etc... Paid about 8k 2 years ago for it. I was shocked.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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davek_964 said:
It's not really the absolute price I'm asking about - even though I am surprised at how high it is.

It's more that I can't see why plenty of 2013 cars cost the same as plenty of 2017 cars - so I assume there is some difference I'm not seeing. It's not like they're rare cars after all.
The "cost" is just what the seller is trying to get for it.

davek_964

Original Poster:

11,205 posts

204 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Zetec-S said:
The sportier Zetec-S / STLine versions, or the top spec Titanium versions tend to keep their value a bit more.
An, thanks. I think some of the older cars did say Titanium so that might explain it. I'm surprised how much difference spec makes to the price.

And if I ever want a cheap runaround, I don't think it will be a Fiesta!

Mark300zx

1,447 posts

281 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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I have been looking for a hot hatch and to be frank I am staggered at how they have held their prices, I could have kept hold of my old LCR and made money on it!!!

ZX10R NIN

30,515 posts

154 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
davek_964 said:
An, thanks. I think some of the older cars did say Titanium so that might explain it. I'm surprised how much difference spec makes to the price.

And if I ever want a cheap runaround, I don't think it will be a Fiesta!
What would it be?

Fiesta's are well made good little cars & they also have the bonus of being a good steer even in basic form something that can't be said for a lot of their rivals.

Are you really surprised spec dictates pricing.

davek_964

Original Poster:

11,205 posts

204 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
No, I'm not surprised spec dictates pricing. I am surprised at how much difference it makes to these cars though.

Dolf Stoppard

1,391 posts

151 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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davek_964 said:
No, I'm not surprised spec dictates pricing. I am surprised at how much difference it makes to these cars though.
Why don't you post links to a few cars where you're surprised about the difference in price? It could be you're comparing cheap cars with motors advertised by dreamers!

SteBrown91

3,116 posts

158 months

Friday 5th June 2020
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The mrs bought a 13/62 fiesta ecoboost titanium for 7k in June 2017 and was the best condition one we could find for the money without travelling a fair distance.

Looking now (3 years later) and cars only 6 months newer are still selling for around 6 grand mark.

1.0 Ecoboosts sell for much more than the 1.25s as they are a significantly better engine than the lifeless donkey 1.25.

Dicky Knee

1,100 posts

160 months

Saturday 6th June 2020
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I've been through this buying a couple of Fiestas for my kids.

The 1.0 Ecoboost is a good engine but higher output than the 1.25. They command a premium over the 1.25 but for a first timer check the insurance as it is, in my experience, much higher.

The 1.25 comes in 3 trims. Studio, Style and Zetec. Studio and Style have a detuned engine and miss out on things like alloy wheels. There is a 3 door and 5 door. The 5 door is much rarer (and better looking IMO) and have a premium of £500 to £1 000. The 1.25 Zetec 3 door seems to be the sweet spot for a first car and there are lots around.

Prices vary hugely and a lot of dealer cars are priced £1000 to £3000 above similar looking cars. I didn't bother trying to negotiate with a dealer so I don't know how much they would come down. I also noticed that cars in the Midlands and North are slightly cheaper than the South-East.

The last one I bought was a 16 plate with 52 000 miles on it for £5 400 in November. The lady that owned it was doing a 100 mile round trip commute mainly on motorways and it was immaculate and with a full Ford service history (this comes with free breakdown cover so maybe worthwhile). But it took a couple of months for the right car to come up so luck or patience helps.

Edited to add: There was a facelift around 2012 which you can easily see from the new front grill, an alloy wheel change around late 2014/early 2015 and the screen for the radio/Bluetooth etc is slightly upgraded in the 16 plate car over the 15 plate car that I own.



Edited by Dicky Knee on Saturday 6th June 10:11

davek_964

Original Poster:

11,205 posts

204 months

Saturday 6th June 2020
quotequote all
Dicky Knee said:
I've been through this buying a couple of Fiestas for my kids.

The 1.0 Ecoboost is a good engine but higher output than the 1.25. They command a premium over the 1.25 but for a first timer check the insurance as it is, in my experience, much higher.

The 1.25 comes in 3 trims. Studio, Style and Zetec. Studio and Style have a detuned engine and miss out on things like alloy wheels. There is a 3 door and 5 door. The 5 door is much rarer (and better looking IMO) and have a premium of £500 to £1 000. The 1.25 Zetec 3 door seems to be the sweet spot for a first car and there are lots around.

Prices vary hugely and a lot of dealer cars are priced £1000 to £3000 above similar looking cars. I didn't bother trying to negotiate with a dealer so I don't know how much they would come down. I also noticed that cars in the Midlands and North are slightly cheaper than the South-East.

The last one I bought was a 16 plate with 52 000 miles on it for £5 400 in November. The lady that owned it was doing a 100 mile round trip commute mainly on motorways and it was immaculate and with a full Ford service history (this comes with free breakdown cover so maybe worthwhile). But it took a couple of months for the right car to come up so luck or patience helps.

Edited to add: There was a facelift around 2012 which you can easily see from the new front grill, an alloy wheel change around late 2014/early 2015 and the screen for the radio/Bluetooth etc is slightly upgraded in the 16 plate car over the 15 plate car that I own.



Edited by Dicky Knee on Saturday 6th June 10:11
Thanks - very helpful

treeroy

564 posts

114 months

Saturday 6th June 2020
quotequote all
You should be able to get a 2014 Fiesta a lot less than £8k. You can get 2014 Fiesta STs for £7k.

Quick look on autotrader, narrowing Fiestas by 2013-2013, and by 1.0 litre engine (the one you want) and they are all around £5k - £6k. Not sure where you are seeing £8k ones.

Edited by treeroy on Saturday 6th June 18:34

davek_964

Original Poster:

11,205 posts

204 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
treeroy said:
You should be able to get a 2014 Fiesta a lot less than £8k. You can get 2014 Fiesta STs for £7k.

Quick look on autotrader, narrowing Fiestas by 2013-2013, and by 1.0 litre engine (the one you want) and they are all around £5k - £6k. Not sure where you are seeing £8k ones.

Edited by treeroy on Saturday 6th June 18:34
When I initially looked, I assumed bigger engine = better / more expensive car. I was not aware of the difference with the eco boost engines - hence the reason I started the thread in the first place.
One of the earlier replies suggests that the 1.0 engine may not be the suitable choice - it's the first car for a 20 year old and if the insurance is significantly more due to the difference in engine, then it won't be an option. But I have suggested she compare quotes on 1.0 eco boost and 1.25 Zetec.

Although I included 2013 in my initial post, I've since discovered that the criteria is a max of 5 years old, so will be 2015 onwards I guess.

And incidentally, I said quite clearly how I found those cars. I searched for Fiesta between £7.5k and £8.5k and found many cars between the years I initially stated.

Edited by davek_964 on Sunday 7th June 08:29