Ford 1.0 ecoboost equivalent?

[Prohibiting]

My girlfriend has just bought a 2013 Ford Fiesta Titanium with the 1.0 ecoboost engine (123bhp), combined MPG of 65, and 0-60 in 9.4 seconds.

I am really pleasantly surprised by this little engine! I never thought I'd be saying that! The car itself for a daily runaround is also great and it's comfortable to be cruising on a motorway too.

What equivalent Volkwagen Polo or Golf could I get for around the £6-7k price range? What engines to look at and which ones to avoid? I also want a nice spec as well (leather seats, cruise control etc) but know nothing about this market of cars! I want something a little upmarket so I'm thinking a Golf will be better spec'd than a polo?

Or if there are any other makes I should consider then I'm open- hatchback though please.

Many thanks!

[Sc0tchland]

Make sure the remedial work has been completed - https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-e...

[stevemcs]

I'd be looking at a Hyundai/Kia, not as nice inside as the Golf but a better car.

The Fiesta, not sure if you are aware but the cambelt is due next year and its a stupidly expensive job

[MrGTI6]

Impressive little engine once the early issues were ironed out.

I don't mean to sound all doom and gloom, but I would advise being wary of the cambelt situation. According to Ford, it will last the lifetime of the car, which is true in the sense that the car will be uneconomical to repair when the belt snaps! 10 years or 150k seems to be recognised as a sensible interval. If you want to Google how much it costs to replace, make sure you're sitting down!

[trevalvole]

I'm not an expert on Polos and Golfs, but my recollection is that before around 2013 the 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI engines had all sorts of problems like timing chains not stamped properly and oil consumption/coking up. At around this time, the 1.4TSI changed to long life cambelts and mixed direct/port injection which I think sorted most of the issues.

[Canon_Fodder]

You won't get leather seats in a car of this class. They'll be a synthetic vinyl 'leather-look' type material which is best avoided

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a nicely spec'd car with a decent amount of go then I'd say take a good look at the Astra GTC in SRI 140/180 form, they come with half leather C/Control Bluetooth etc:

140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205235...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204275...

[georgeyboy12345]

As mentioned above, it might not seem so great once she's forked out a grand for the cambelt that's due next year! (unless it's already been done, in which case she has seriously lucked out)

Also, make sure the safety recall has been carried out, you don't want the car bursting into flames! You can check on the government MOT history page. If it hasn't, get in contact with your nearest Ford garage asap.

They don't really get 65 mpg in everyday driving, more like 45 mpg, which is still not too bad. As the engine gets older and cokes up due to being direct injection only, this will drop further.

Here are some equivalent style small petrol turbo engines with decent power, economy, low tax and less suspect reliability

Mini Cooper
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...


VW Polo Blue GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205276...


Seat Ibiza FR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...


Seat Leon FR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205205...


The VW and the two Seats have the same 1.4 TSI EA211 engine - the Polo and the Ibiza are also equipped with ACT, which deactivates two of the cylinders under certain driving conditions to boost fuel economy even further. When buying anything from VW group with the 1.4 TSI engine, avoid anything made before 2013 as they might have the EA111 engine, which had realibility issues.

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 28th May 22:43

[Prohibiting]

Thanks for the replies, all. Had no idea about the timing belt, ouch! Will need to check her service history but doubt it’ll have been done as not reached 10 years and is low mileage.

The above suggestions are super useful. Gives me lots to look at now as I’d hadn’t a clue where to start otherwise!

The 1.4 Polo BlueGT looks very nice although definitely pushing out the budget here! (and potentially the Mini). Not too sure about the Vauxhalls and Seat’s in terms of future residual values.

Edited by Prohibiting on Sunday 29th May 07:28

[georgeyboy12345]

I wouldn’t worry about residuals on the Seats, they are both under £30 a year to tax, so someone will want them!

[ChrisH72]

I don't think the cambelt is that big a deal. £1k after 10 years or 150k miles. I remember my old Golf diesel being around £400 for a belt change every 4 years or 40k, and that was 15 years ago.

[stevemcs]

If anything they need doing sooner, they belt breaks up, contaminates the oil and blocks the pick up, newer ACT vag cars need specific piece of equipment to set them up for belt changes.

[ZX10R NIN]

Prohibiting said:

Thanks for the replies, all. Had no idea about the timing belt, ouch! Will need to check her service history but doubt it’ll have been done as not reached 10 years and is low mileage.

The above suggestions are super useful. Gives me lots to look at now as I’d hadn’t a clue where to start otherwise!

The 1.4 Polo BlueGT looks very nice although definitely pushing out the budget here! (and potentially the Mini). Not too sure about the Vauxhalls and Seat’s in terms of future residual values.

Edited by Prohibiting on Sunday 29th May 07:28

The resale value on both the Vauxhall/Seat will be no better or worse than the Polo above but you'll have a newer lower mileage car in years to come, so don't be fooled by the whole VW residuals thing.

[stevemcs]

ZX10R NIN said:

The resale value on both the Vauxhall/Seat will be no better or worse than the Polo above but you'll have a newer lower mileage car in years to come, so don't be fooled by the whole VW residuals thing.

Or the reliability thing