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By
EWAN KENNEDY
12 September 2005
Ford
Australia is missing its little Festiva more than it cares
to admit. Though not the most exciting vehicle in the Ford
range by any stretch of the imagination, Festiva was a huge
seller in its day. And that ‘day’ was a very long one,
stretching through the entire 1990s.
Built by Kia in Korea, the little Festiva is generally
trouble free and long lasting, many owners describing them
as tough little cars that seldom suffer from any real
problems.
The small Ford is easy to drive and park and offers good
front seat space and headroom, even for very tall adults.
You wouldn’t call it a family car, but for those with
pre-teen children and not a lot of cash it makes a most
sensible buy.
The original Ford Festiva, launched here in October 1991,
was virtually identical in appearance to a late 1980’s
Mazda 121, except that the Ford was sold as a five-door
hatchback and the Mazda as a three-door. Festivas from April
1994 are based on mechanical components from the popular
1991 Mazda 121 ‘bubble car’ but with a completely
different body and a much less exciting look than that of
the trendy little Mazda.
From January 1993 the Festiva was either a three-door hatch
(called Trio and popular from day one) or a five-door hatch.
Three-door models are noticeably shorter than the five-doors
so are a bit cramped in the back seat. However, boot space
is similar in both cars.
There were minor facelifts in January 1997 and January 1998
but neither made any real difference to the appearance or
character of the car.
Ford Festiva seats aren’t particularly good for long
trips, being on the flat and shapeless side. If you plan to
use one for long holiday runs try to have a decent test
drive before deciding to buy it. Ride comfort is not too bad
but refinement in the pre-1994 cars isn’t as good as in
the later series.
Handling is not a strong point as Festiva's suspension and
steering are both on the soft side. Keen drivers will be
frustrated with too much understeer and a tendency for the
car to be knocked off line if it hits bumps mid corner. Ford
Australia specified good tyres as part of the import deal
but many subsequent owners seem to have opted for cheaper
rubber when the originals wore out.
Spare parts are well priced and, of course, sold through one
of the largest dealer networks in the country. A good home
mechanic can do most of their own repairs on these small
Fords, but underbonnet space is at a premium so be prepared
for a few skinned knuckles. As always, make sure you have a
workshop manual standing by before tackling anything more
than minor work.
Insurance premiums are generally towards the bottom end of
the scale, reflecting the basic nature of the cars and the
fact that few are driven with any sense of bravado.
Festiva was withdrawn from the Australian market late in
2000, though a few won't have been registered for the first
time until early 2001. Make sure you buy the car for a 2000
price as the build date is accepted as defining a car’s
age, not the date of first registration.
Though Ford Australia lost the right to import the car, Kia
continues to retail a later model of it, known as the Rio.
That car recently moved up to its next generation and is
rapidly becoming an important player in the small-car market
in Australia. These days Ford Australia sells the European
Fiesta as the Festiva replacement, but it’s a more
expensive – and more refined – machine.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Rust may get into the lower areas of the doors,
tailgate, door sills and mudguards. Check also around the
fuel filler cap.
Festiva bodies are generally well built, however interior
quality can be variable. Look for things that aren't fitted
securely and listen for rattles and squeaks on bumpy roads
during your test drive.
Check for wear in the interior, especially if the car has
the appearance of having been used by kids in the back seat.
The carpets could have been damaged and the trim torn.
Check inside the boot in case it has been knocked around by
luggage that hasn’t been properly stowed.
Smoking exhausts are not unusual in high mileage Festivas,
it’s normally at its worst when the car is accelerated
under load after it has been idling for more than about a
minute.
Look for oily stains on the bodywork around the tailpipe and
around the oil filler cap.
Gearboxes may crunch on fast third-to-second-gear
downchanges. The problem may simply be clutch adjustment,
but get a proper diagnosis before buying a car as the ‘box
is relatively expensive to repair.
Be sure the car pulls up squarely under hard braking, with
no one wheel locking up before the others.
CAR BUYING TIP
Small cars often don’t age as well as large ones,
especially if they have spent most of their lives parked on
the street while the number one car shelters in the
garage.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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