My Mk5 Ford Fiesta Zetec-S (sort of pic heavy)
Discussion
Hi, I've never posted any pictures of my car on here as it doesn't really stack up to some of the metal on here! lol
I chose the Mk5 as I've always had a soft spot for fords, and the fact that this is pretty much the cheapest hot hatch you can insure which to be honest isn't really a problem any more as I'm on a traders policy. They have always been criticised for there lack of power, around 105bhp but this does differ massively from engine to engine, I've heard of some making 90bhp and others reaching 115bhp standard. Although there is a lack of power from the 1.6 sigma/zetec se engine compared to the 106 gti/saxo vts (probably why they weren't as popular) the fantastic close range gearbox and handling makes the car a right giggle on b roads and can keep up with much faster machinery. I quite like the fact that it is a less known hot hatch (some argue that it is one) but because of this in my eyes looks slightly more like an enthusiasts car than a boy racer's.
Spec:
near standard
1.6 silver-top (which is the earlier engine)
Pipercross induction kit (adds more noise than performance lol)
Ap coilovers (transformed the car, best modifcation so far)
future plans:
tackle the minor rust as with any 10+ year old ford
frp gearbox
mongoose cat back (already have, just needs fitting)
protech manifold (same as above)
strip interior and fit my corbeau buckets
and here are some pictures:
I chose the Mk5 as I've always had a soft spot for fords, and the fact that this is pretty much the cheapest hot hatch you can insure which to be honest isn't really a problem any more as I'm on a traders policy. They have always been criticised for there lack of power, around 105bhp but this does differ massively from engine to engine, I've heard of some making 90bhp and others reaching 115bhp standard. Although there is a lack of power from the 1.6 sigma/zetec se engine compared to the 106 gti/saxo vts (probably why they weren't as popular) the fantastic close range gearbox and handling makes the car a right giggle on b roads and can keep up with much faster machinery. I quite like the fact that it is a less known hot hatch (some argue that it is one) but because of this in my eyes looks slightly more like an enthusiasts car than a boy racer's.
Spec:
near standard
1.6 silver-top (which is the earlier engine)
Pipercross induction kit (adds more noise than performance lol)
Ap coilovers (transformed the car, best modifcation so far)
future plans:
tackle the minor rust as with any 10+ year old ford
frp gearbox
mongoose cat back (already have, just needs fitting)
protech manifold (same as above)
strip interior and fit my corbeau buckets
and here are some pictures:
Edited by 5charlie46 on Saturday 5th March 21:56
Out of interest... is the insurance on a Puma much more? (with the mods on the fiesta declared). Gotta say the Puma grips and handles much better (as well as having a Yamaha-developed variable cam timing/lift engine) ... Just got to deal with the homo comments.. It's worth it though, trust me.
looks like a tidy example! I love mine 
Yeah I'm a big fan of the pumas and obviously the FRP. I always heard that pumas were a fair bit heavier though which was one of my reasons for going for the mk5. Insurance does rise a bit (from what I have heard from friends with pumas and puma converted fiestas) also although the 1.7 has more power out the box the 1.6 is an easier engine to tune due to not having VCT. I do plan on owning a Puma at some point soon (once I've finished building my capri) 
Yeah I'm a big fan of the pumas and obviously the FRP. I always heard that pumas were a fair bit heavier though which was one of my reasons for going for the mk5. Insurance does rise a bit (from what I have heard from friends with pumas and puma converted fiestas) also although the 1.7 has more power out the box the 1.6 is an easier engine to tune due to not having VCT. I do plan on owning a Puma at some point soon (once I've finished building my capri) 
I Know exactly how you feel with this car. I've owned mine (collarado red btw) for just over a week. And find the short ratio gearbox a hoot on twisty b roads. But as you say the engine could do with that extra kick. Picking up a piper cat back this afternoon and will be ordering some ap's soon aswell... How do you rate them? Lee.
ZS
Never have I heard someone mention their astra so much, it's a nice car but still. Cheers for the kind words chaps, they are very under rated for what they are
Yeah danny, the majority are Imperial blue which is a lovely colour. The rarest being Colorado or radiant red.
stabbed rat, yes it is good fun, I've had good fun with loads of much more powerful stuff, I took it to the le mans 24h bike race last year along with a focus st and although the zs struggled massively on the straights it kept up in the bends
Jonesy, I rate AP coilovers highly, they are a budget coilover so not in the same league as Gaz or Avo but a very good handling upgrade if set up correctly. Other good sets are -40 spax or gmax shocks and spring kits. I'm personally not a fan of the piper noise, I prefer the rasp of the miltek but it cost an arm and a leg, but my system should sound similar but I'm more after performance gains rather than noise.
Yeah danny, the majority are Imperial blue which is a lovely colour. The rarest being Colorado or radiant red.
stabbed rat, yes it is good fun, I've had good fun with loads of much more powerful stuff, I took it to the le mans 24h bike race last year along with a focus st and although the zs struggled massively on the straights it kept up in the bends
Jonesy, I rate AP coilovers highly, they are a budget coilover so not in the same league as Gaz or Avo but a very good handling upgrade if set up correctly. Other good sets are -40 spax or gmax shocks and spring kits. I'm personally not a fan of the piper noise, I prefer the rasp of the miltek but it cost an arm and a leg, but my system should sound similar but I'm more after performance gains rather than noise.
I used to have one of these in blue, unmodified. It was absolutely brilliant, and even with the boggo spec exhaust it sounded lovely. It was my first car, sorely missed. I'll never forget picking it up from the garage in Northumberland and driving it home on a sunny friday evening. What a hoot!
5charlie46 said:
Jonesy, I rate AP coilovers highly, they are a budget coilover so not in the same league as Gaz or Avo but a very good handling upgrade if set up correctly. Other good sets are -40 spax or gmax shocks and spring kits. I'm personally not a fan of the piper noise, I prefer the rasp of the miltek but it cost an arm and a leg, but my system should sound similar but I'm more after performance gains rather than noise.
Yeah, I fitted it yesterday and it's bloody loud. So much so that above 3k rpm is deafening. So i'll see if I can get the tip changed or baffles added. I've been looking at the g-max springs and dampers, as would prefer it to drive better rather then scrape every cats eye. jonesy000 said:
Yeah, I fitted it yesterday and it's bloody loud. So much so that above 3k rpm is deafening. So i'll see if I can get the tip changed or baffles added. I've been looking at the g-max springs and dampers, as would prefer it to drive better rather then scrape every cats eye.
I use G-Max shocks and springs on my Zetec-S. They are very stiff and bumpy over most roads, but responsive enough I find.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff