Talk me out of buying a Fiesta

[DJFish]

I’ve started a new job with a 50 mile round trip on busy A roads where I rarely get over 70mph.
I need a commuting car that will cost bobbins to run for the next couple of years while I’m earning sod all.
At the end of that time it’ll probably be pressed into use as the family wagon so it’ll need 4 doors & to be reasonably practical, but not so big that it takes up the entire driveway.
I also want some toys to play with while I’m stuck in traffic, Budget is £5-6k.

I’m currently looking at low mileage mk7 Fiesta Titaniums, the 1.6d does around 55/60mpg and is reputedly pretty reliable, should I be looking at anything else?

I know it’s a sad & boring What Car Thread but in a couple of years I’ll hopefully be in a position to buy something fun again.....

[996Keef]

It will get nicked

[Tannedbaldhead]

DJFish said:

I know it’s a sad & boring What Car Thread but in a couple of years I’ll hopefully be in a position to buy something fun again.....

Nothing sad or boring about a well specced Fiesta. My previous employer ran three as pool car and they were an excellent drive. Refined, rode and handled well, reasonably quick, comfortable and well equipped.
Perfect car for the job you describe. Get urself one, Titanium spec with heated seats and quick clear screen and you have a near perfect all year round commuter.

[Frimley111R]

Tannedbaldhead said:

DJFish said:

I know it’s a sad & boring What Car Thread but in a couple of years I’ll hopefully be in a position to buy something fun again.....

Nothing sad or boring about a well specced Fiesta. My previous employer ran three as pool car and they were an excellent drive. Refined, rode and handled well, reasonably quick, comfortable and well equipped.
Perfect car for the job you describe. Get urself one, Titanium spec with heated seats and quick clear screen and you have a near perfect all year round commuter.

This.

They drive brilliantly, are well equipped and do everything anyone could ever reasonably need. It's not the UK's most popular car without good reason

[anonymous-user]

As others have said, nothing wrong with a fiesta.

My OH works at ford and has a lease car so therefore has a lot of choice, the fiesta is frequently selected as it just does the job.

Just don't get an ecosport.

[DJFish]

996Keef said:

It will get nicked

Really?
A Fester?
This one is near me, just lacks parking sensors and is the colour of cat sick, not sure who would want to nick it:


Thanks for the input, looks like I’m car shopping at the weekend!

[Vimes]

I’ve never had a ford that didn’t have some pretty fundamental faults. Isn’t there a Japanese/German alternative that would be equally soul destroying but more reliable?

How about a Honda Jazz or VW Polo?

[stevemiller]

We have a 1.0 125 Titanium 2013 now just tripped over 100k, great little car. Will do 50mpg for the driving described. Do not be tempted to map it plenty good enough as is. We will be holding onto this for a few more years I would say.

[ZX10R NIN]

Don't go for the 1.6d that engine is a bad one (it's a Peugeot unit & unlike most Pug diesels this one is a dud) go for a petrol in Fiesta form the 1.0 ecoboost that's had the recall work carried out would be my pick:

1.0T Fiesta Titanium 125

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want a diesel (from the sounds of your commute you'll easily average 65+mpg as well as £0 road tax) then the Clio in Dynamique S Medianav spec is the one to go for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Dynamique Medianav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another good option is the Alfa Giulietta 1.6d Veloce:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

1.6d Ibiza FR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

To be honest the Clio would be my pick I think it's the best overall package.

[300bhp/ton]

DJFish said:

I’ve started a new job with a 50 mile round trip on busy A roads where I rarely get over 70mph.
I need a commuting car that will cost bobbins to run for the next couple of years while I’m earning sod all.
At the end of that time it’ll probably be pressed into use as the family wagon so it’ll need 4 doors & to be reasonably practical, but not so big that it takes up the entire driveway.
I also want some toys to play with while I’m stuck in traffic, Budget is £5-6k.

I’m currently looking at low mileage mk7 Fiesta Titaniums, the 1.6d does around 55/60mpg and is reputedly pretty reliable, should I be looking at anything else?

I know it’s a sad & boring What Car Thread but in a couple of years I’ll hopefully be in a position to buy something fun again.....

Nothing wrong with a Fiesta. But tbh most of the cars in this segment are going to be much of muchness overall.

If you want to take up less space. Maybe look at a Smart Fortwo. It won’t do the family thing, but you can sell it on in a few years time. The diesel ones will do near to 80mpg.

I’d also be looking Mini’s.

[white_goodman]

R56 MINI Cooper owner here and sorry but I think you're right on the money with the Fiesta. For me it's the standout choice in that class and I would go with a 1.0 Ecoboost too, as I found the diesel very rough and agricultural with a marginal benefit in fuel economy if any. As 300 said, the MINI is also a very fun and economical little car but it does ride very firmly. It's brilliant in the corners but I might find the ride a bit wearing on a 50 mile daily commute and the boot is tiny. When I come to change it, a mk7/8 Fiesta ST or 140 Ecoboost would definitely be top of my list as a daily commuter.

I was in a similar scenario myself a few years back and went with a VW Polo 1.4 TDI. It was reliable, very economical, practical (moved house in it twice) and fairly comfortable but such a dull drive. If you're looking for some decent, reliable alternatives to a Fiesta that are economical and not completely soul-destroying to drive, then I might also suggest a petrol Suzuki Swift or Mazda 2.

Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 15th November 22:10

[E36Ross]

Yeah Fiesta is ideal for your needs.... Don't be scared off by the horror stories of the 1.6TDCI.

Get one that has been serviced properly and it's as reliable as any other diesel, My 1.6TDCI 2008 Mk6 is knocking out about 50mpg mixed driving and iv had 58mpg out of it. (Measured tank to tank not relying on the computer)

[DJFish]

I thought the ecoboost had more horror stories associated with it, or did they just catch fire?

What’s wrong with the 1.6 other than being boring?
I need a boring car.
I spent most of my journey home last night in 2nd gear (& not in a good way).

[skyrover]

A bit small for a 25 mile commute. I would look for something with a longer wheelbase like a focus.

[MC Bodge]

Vimes said:

I’ve never had a ford that didn’t have some pretty fundamental faults. Isn’t there a Japanese/German alternative that would be equally soul destroying but more reliable?

How about a Honda Jazz or VW Polo?

There's always one who express the opposite opinion to everybody else.

[Ahbefive]

Vimes said:

I’ve never had a ford that didn’t have some pretty fundamental faults. Isn’t there a Japanese/German alternative that would be equally soul destroying but more reliable?

How about a Honda Jazz or VW Polo?

I've had 7 Fords and other than the an XR2i that turned out to have been in an accident prior to me buying it they have all been very reliable with less than a handful of very minor issues between the lot of them. I'd certainly trust a fiesta over a polo and they are much better to drive too.

[MC Bodge]

skyrover said:

A bit small for a 25 mile commute. I would look for something with a longer wheelbase like a focus.

Only if you are a delicate flower

[skyrover]

MC Bodge said:

Only if you are a delicate flower

I drive a clapped out land rover... I know the meaning of suffering

[The Mad Monk]

DJFish said:

I thought the ecoboost had more horror stories associated with it, or did they just catch fire?

What’s wrong with the 1.6 other than being boring?
I need a boring car.
I spent most of my journey home last night in 2nd gear (& not in a good way).

If you haven't got two ha'pennies to rub together, why not stick with the Skoda Yeti?

Buying and selling cars is rarely a good move if you're boracic!

Edited by The Mad Monk on Friday 16th November 07:37

[DJFish]

We need a 2nd car so the wife can go & buy handbags while I’m out grafting at the coal face.