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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Cars / October 2003

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Ultra-sub-compact Ford?

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Cory Dunkle - 14 Oct 2003 23:20 GMT
The other day when I was going to look at a new car (looking for an
econo-box) I saw a Ford that was about the size of a Geo Metro (maybe
smaller). What kind of car is this and what kind of mileage does it get?
Looked like it would be pretty cool for what I was looking for, and I could
stay with Ford.

I suppose it's a moot point now, as I already got a new car. It's an '86
Honda Prelude 5 speed with dual carbs and I believe the 1.8 liter engine.
It's not exactly the super high mileage car I was hoping for, but it should
be relatively quick and will get roughly 30 MPG on the highway. Cost me
$300, so I couldn't resist as it seems to be in quite good condition. It'll
be a fun little daily driver and I'll still have my '68 for summer cruising.

Surely I can get at least $300 for my '67 so this will turn out well. I
guess I'll find out soon enough what people are willing to pay for it. I
figure I'll ask $750 obo and see what happens. I'll be happy to get $500. It
would make a good daily driver or first car for someone who already has some
skill with cars and wants to learn more or wants a project. It would also
make a good parts car, and that's probably what it will end up as sooner or
later. Some day I will get another '67 Galaxie, one in better condition that
is a solid foundation for the skills I have. For now I'll enjoy my last few
days driving my first car. It definitely was cool to have my favorite kind
of car for my first car. :)

   Cory
jriegle - 15 Oct 2003 02:39 GMT
Was it a new or used? The Focus ZX3/ZX5 looks small, but is taller and
longer than the Metro. It has twice the HP too. I had a 2000 ZX3 before I
got a Mustang. I got around 30mpg during normal driving and up to 36mpg on
highway trips.

Another older compact Ford is the Aspire. It is about the size of the Metro.
It should be able to make/exceed 40mpg on the highway. Older still is the
Fort Fiesta. It is another subcompact.

Your best bet for a low cost car with high reliability is the 1996 on up
Escorts.You should be able to get mpg similar to the Focus and they can be
picked up cheap.

John

> The other day when I was going to look at a new car (looking for an
> econo-box) I saw a Ford that was about the size of a Geo Metro (maybe
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
>     Cory
Cory Dunkle - 15 Oct 2003 06:12 GMT
I would guess it was a late '80s car, from the look of it. I _think_ it was
a Fiesta... That name sounds vaguely familiar. Were they reliable cars?

> Was it a new or used? The Focus ZX3/ZX5 looks small, but is taller and
> longer than the Metro. It has twice the HP too. I had a 2000 ZX3 before I
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
> >
> >     Cory
Reece Talley - 15 Oct 2003 13:38 GMT
It may also have been a Festiva rather than a Fiesta, Ford mad both. The
Festiva came later and ran from about 85 to 95. I had one. With the five
speed and a carbureted 1.5 engine it made about 65 hp and got 42 mpg on the
freeway and about 25 around town..with the A/C funning full tilt. The best
mileage I ever got was 48 mpg. I achieved this by running a steady 60 mph
without A/C on level ground.  The car had lots of interior room and generous
head room. The only draw back was that with long high speed runs (75mph)
with the A/C and outside temps in the high 90s the car would over heat on
hills. Kill the A/C and she calmed down a bit.  Tires were $28.00 each at
Sears. I drove mine (an 88)  200,000 miles and sold it to a friend. It's
still running.

Signature

R. J. Talley
Teacher/James Madison Fellow
NAR #69594
NRA #133073736

> I would guess it was a late '80s car, from the look of it. I _think_ it was
> a Fiesta... That name sounds vaguely familiar. Were they reliable cars?
[quoted text clipped - 53 lines]
> > >
> > >     Cory
jriegle - 15 Oct 2003 23:46 GMT
Yes, it was the Festiva I meant.
John

> It may also have been a Festiva rather than a Fiesta, Ford mad both. The
> Festiva came later and ran from about 85 to 95. I had one. With the five
[quoted text clipped - 84 lines]
> > > >
> > > >     Cory
Joseph Oberlander - 18 Oct 2003 00:17 GMT
> Yes, it was the Festiva I meant.
> John

Both it and the Aspire were made by KIA and are nearly bulletproof
compared to the Fords of simmilar vintage.(especially the Escort)

The advantage the Aspire has(with manual) is a few more HP, and
4 doors was available.  The new replacement for it it the KIA Rio,
or so they say, but the reliability of the Rio is half what the
Aspire or original Sephia was.  KIA's quality  seems to have gone
downhill fast the last few years.
Trainfan1 - 15 Oct 2003 13:35 GMT
> Another older compact Ford is the Aspire. It is about the size of the Metro.
> It should be able to make/exceed 40mpg on the highway. Older still is the
> Fort Fiesta. It is another subcompact.

And don't forget the Ford Festiva, which came before the Aspire... they were
good for almost 50 mpg...

Rob
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MasterBlaster - 15 Oct 2003 13:42 GMT
> And don't forget the Ford Festiva, which came before the Aspire... they were
> good for almost 50 mpg...

Yeah, if you left it stock.

A couple of "tweaks" here and there, and you get a much more "peppy" little
grocery-getter, with a .95g skidpad and 140+ MPH top speed.

Of course, the SHO engine did tend to bring the mileage down a bit.  :)
http://www.fordfestiva.com/performance/shogun.html
Trainfan1 - 15 Oct 2003 19:28 GMT
> Yeah, if you left it stock.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Of course, the SHO engine did tend to bring the mileage down a bit.  :)
> http://www.fordfestiva.com/performance/shogun.html

Jay Leno still has one of these, I think.

Rob
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donutbandit - 15 Oct 2003 11:53 GMT
> The other day when I was going to look at a new car (looking for an
> econo-box) I saw a Ford that was about the size of a Geo Metro (maybe
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
>     Cory

Learn better skills. You traded the gold ring for a hunk of feldspar.
 
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