CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 11 - 20 results (out of a total of 87) found for "Fiesta" in Ask Us Anything

Can I tax a small van privately?

Hi,

Can I insure a small van (Ford Fiesta) commercially and tax it privately?

Thanks.

Trevor Byrne (Portlaoise)

May 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Trevor,

No, not really. If you’re insuring your car (or van) one way and driving it another, then technically you’re not being honest with your insurers and if you do need to make a claim, and they investigate the circumstances, you could be caught rotten and find yourself unable to get a payout. Just be honest, it’s always the best policy.


Which small car for infrequent use?

Can you recommend the best car for infrequent use? I currently own a 2010 1.6 SEAT Leon, but as I now bus it to work I don't need a diesel engine and it's gathering dust in the driveway weekdays. I just need something for pottering around at the weekend and any holidays. I'm thinking Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10/i20, Ford Fiesta. Don't need a huge car as there's only two of us. Not looking for something massively pricey, but with trade-in perhaps a 151 or 161 model.

Stephen Ridgeway (Dublin)

Oct 2018 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

The best car for this job sounds to me like a Toyota Yaris. No, it’s not exciting, nor is it thrilling to drive, but it’s among the most reliable cars you can buy. Being as regular use is what keeps a car reliable (along with proper servicing) you’ll want to maximise reliability considering that the car will be left sitting for long periods. 


Timing belt change in 2011 Ford Fiesta?

When does the timing belt on a 2011 Ford Fiesta Zetec diesel need replacing please?

Samie Husseini (Brisbane)

Jun 2018 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Samie,

It depends which engine exactly you have in your Fiesta and when it was manufactured. For both the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre TDCi engines, there was a changeover in schedule that occurred for cars made later in 2010. Before that, the timing belts in the diesel engines were scheduled to be changed every 200,000 kilometres or every 10 years, but after that, for a brief period of manufacture, it changed to 140,000km (still 10 years) and later again back up to 180,000 kilometres.

We always encourage readers to err on the side of caution with timing belts, so would advise you to consider the 140,000km interval as applicable to your car.


Why do delivery charges vary so much?

Hi,

I am interested in buying a new Ford Fiesta; the model I am interested in is priced online at €20,150. One dealer in the Cork area quoted me €22,000 for the exact same thing, another quoted €21,395, making delivery charges €1,850 and €1,245 respectively. Audi quotes €650 delivery for the A1. Would you ask Ford Ireland for a comment and if it intends to do anything about it?

Thanks

Pat

Pat Mc Sweeney (Brisbane)

Jun 2018 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

The problem is that Ford Ireland, legally, cannot impose delivery charges on its dealers. It can suggest recommended delivery charges, but according to Irish law (and companies have, in the past, had their offices raided for this sort of thing), dealers are allowed to charge what they want for delivery and related. A spokesperson for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission told us that: "Consumer law requires traders to provide the total cost, including extras, of a product to a consumer before they buy. In the specific instance of when a manufacturer is advertising a car for sale, the manufacturer can only advertise the recommended retail price and state that delivery and related charges will be extra. If a consumer then decides to buy that car, they should be provided with the total price by the dealer before they buy. Auxiliary costs such as motor insurance, tax etc. are not dealt with specifically under consumer protection law. However, through our information campaigns, we would encourage consumers to do their homework about such costs before making a purchase."

We did contact Ford about the issue too, and it said: "It is an anomaly of the Irish market that has come down to us from our forebears. It is just the way the market is set up and all brands operate the system. Pretty much since the first Model Ts were hitting dealerships across the country, car brands always quoted an 'ex-works price' [in other words, the price of the car as it leaves the factory gates, not when it rolls off the dealer forecourt] for a car on top of which an extra charge was added. What is covered by that cost will vary from dealer to dealer, but for all of them, it covers the cost of delivery of the vehicle to their dealership. Many dealers will also include such items as the cost of the pre-delivery inspection (PDI), new plates for the car, perhaps a full tank of fuel. Each dealer will have their own range of items that are covered. So, ‘headquarters’ does not get involved in the setting of that cost or what is covered, it is all at the discretion of the dealer. In today's very competitive new car market, everything is up for negotiation and I am sure that many customers push the dealer on all aspects of the 'deal' including the delivery and related costs. Customers are savvy enough to do their homework, shop around and compare what is on offer across dealerships and indeed, across brands. More than ever, real value is what will win out in the marketplace.”


What's the Fiesta's 1.1-litre engine like?

Please let me know is the Ford Fiesta 1.1-litre engine an EcoBoost unit, or how does it compare with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine?

EAMON Mcevoy (Dublin)

Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Eamon,

It’s related to, but not quite the same as, the EcoBoost. There’s no turbo version, for a start, and it has been engineered to be a little easier and cheaper to build (and therefore to buy). It’s actually a lovely little engine, with decent power and torque (especially the 85hp version) and a sweet, warbling exhaust note. Obviously, the EcoBoost engine is more powerful if you get the turbo version, but the 1.1 is a perfectly good buy.


New Mazda2, Fiesta, Dacia or Hyundai i20?

I'm buying a new car... it's between a Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, Dacia Sandero Stepway or Hyundai i20. Which one should I choose or have you a better option?

Thanks

Darragh Limerick

Darragh Madden (Limerick )

Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Darragh,

I think it comes down to a straight choice between the Fiesta and the Mazda, with the Mazda edging it slightly on the basis of it being better-built and more reliable. The Sandero is fine if all you want is something cheap, but then the Stepway version makes no sense because it’s just a more expensive Sandero with stick-on plastic bits. The i20 is a good outside choice though — very spacious, roomy, and well-made, but you need to upgrade to the 1.0-litre turbo engine for it to be a good choice. Here are a few reviews of those cars for further reading:

Mazda2 review

Ford Fiesta review

Dacia Sandero Stepway review

Hyundai i20 review


How is the 2014 Ford Fiesta auto?

How is the 2014 Ford Fiesta Zetec automatic and what's it worth?

Kate Mackey (Tralee)

Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Kate,

Well, the Fiesta has always been a good car, and 2014 models were post-facelift versions, so they look a little sharper on the outside and the interior got a boost in quality. Plus there was the option of the EcoBoost engine. Values run from around €8,000 to around €12,000,  but, just at the moment, we can’t find a single automatic version for sale…


We're looking for a good seven-seater.

Hi, we're looking for a seven-seater where we could potentially fit three car seats across the back seat. We currently have a Nissan Qashqai, which we love. A friend recommended a Volkswagen Touran, but says it feels a bit boxy to drive - but that might be the case with all seven-seaters? Our budget is €30k net of trade in (04 Ford Fiesta).

Happy to buy new or consider up to two years' old.

Thanks

Rosalind O'Brien (Dublin)

Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Rosalind,

If you go for the current Touran (which launched two years ago) then no, it's not boxy to drive at all. Rather good in fact. The new Renault Scenic is also quite nice to drive, and if you go up a size, the Ford S-Max is actually slightly nicer to drive than the Mondeo that it's based on. Here are a few reviews for your interest:

Volkswagen Touran review

Renault Scenic review

Ford S-Max review


Looking for something fun and petrol...

Hey guys, looking to upgrade from a 2008 Honda Civic Type S for something a little more comfortable for long journeys but still quite fun and cool. Any advice?

I abhor diesel engines and any help is appreciated!

Peter White (Mayo)

Jun 2017 Filed under: performance

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

If you want a mix of fun, comfort and not diesel, it’s kind of hard to beat a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Superb performance, practical and comfy cabin and 45mpg if you drive it gently.

Other good options are a MINI Cooper (a touch noisy on longer journeys, but with very good seats), a Ford Fiesta ST (hands down the best hot hatch currently on sale, but perhaps lacking a little in comfort), or a Peugeot 308 in GT spec with the 130hp 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine.


Ford Fiesta 1.2 or Peugeot 208?

142 Ford Fiesta 1.2 or 151 Peugeot 208 1.2? Both have high mileage. Asking the same money. Which is best, in your opinion?

Tom Nelson (Maynooth)

Jan 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

Both are good cars, but we’d say the Fiesta has a slight edge in terms of quality and of driving experience.

Read our Ford Fiesta review

Read our Peugeot 208 review


-->