Fun Fast & FIESTY !!!. Review on Ford Fiesta

I was completely in love with my Zen. So much that in spite of it clocking many, many kms and completing many, many years, I just couldn’t think of parting with it! Things kept falling apart, if I had a penny for each time I spoke with my workshop guys I would’ve been Richie rich. Plus for some odd reason it kept getting dents after dents ~ mostly in the car park! My pals & colleagues would be sniggering at my haplessness. It seemed like world was conspiring against my poor Zen. But what would I do without it? Which car was worth replacing the nippy, sassy fun to drive Zen?

First I tried my utterly futile attempt at scanning the pre-owned cars segment. Knocked many doors with the query of an "up to Rs.3 lac; not more than 2 yr old; sedan". Knowing the only contenders would be an Accent or Ikon, was shocked to hear one sardar say, skoda chalega? Still LOL thinking of this!

The small car segmentwas insipid having only utility value and NO pizzazz whatsoever.

The SX4had an under steering issue because of which I was severely under confident driving around turns, plus the monkey in a cage effect worsened the situation (terrible A pillars= cage effect!). Why would I want to drive a car which has poor visibility?Plus the looks are anything but classy.

The Citywas smooth with nice luxurious back seats, but the drive, control & stability on high speeds was disappointing. The A –pillar obstruction was an issue here too. Plus having the old City in the family in the past I couldn’t digest such performance from a Honda!

Logan-very impressive engine, but c'mon, it would rather suit a 50 yr old dhoti clad govt employee upgrading from an age old ambassador.

Aveo-didn’t bother to rattle my brains over it looking at their piddly monthly sales & enormous discounts.

Verna-ab bas bhi karo, kitna daudaoge bacche ko !

With the fiesta- what you see is what you get. The understated, well proportionate looks are any day better that the hulk type SX4 or the flashy, rich daddy's spoilt brat car- Honda City. And the more important factor is the FEEL you get while driving,I can vouch for the fact that the Ford Fiesta is designed & engineered for sheer driving pleasure!

~  The exhilarating1.6 Duratecpetrol engine is the only car in its class to rocket you from 0 to 100 in less than 12 secs, hence the fastest 0-100 in its class

~ All Aluminium Duratec engine~ ensures no vibration, no noise, and no harshness inside the cabin

~ The Fiesta 1.6 steeringoffers more feedback at higher speeds, thereby increasing driver confidence and demands low effort at low speeds.

~ Drive by wire technology ~ ensures responsive acceleration

~ 20-80 kmph in 3rd gear in less than 12 seconds ~ ensuring nippy over-taking. While cornering, it holds the road well!

~ Programmable key-less entry ~ can be programmed into opening only the driver's side door/ passenger doors/ all 4 doors, as you wish. Also it's on the key itself cutting off the concept of having an extra remote control dangling along with the key

~ Intelligent de-fogger ~ switches off the de-fogger after 14 mins and protects the rear glass from cracking.

What Else?

Other than the obvious Drive Pleasurethere are some interesting features I would like to elaborate on:

~ Adjustable steering & driver seat height ~ ensures personalised seating position for drivers.

~ Very useful stowage spaces~ and plenty of bottle/cup holders

~ Depression in parcel tray ~ keeps things in place

~ Variable speed intermittent wiper ~ you name it speed!

~ Twin Multi reflector jewel effect headlamps & tail lamps~ aesthetically appealing

~ Air Vents ~ circular, could be moved 360 degrees, & can be closed completely. Hence 4 people with different comfort levels need not suffer in the same temperature

~ lluminated glove box ~ always handy

~2 years Warranty

~ Theatre dimming interior light with courtesy delay ~ doesn’t shut off soon as you slam the doors!

Took the bus a little early?

The New Fiesta, especially the Sport variant looks even better, with the striking crystal barrel type headlights angling into the fender, dark interiors (I've never been a fan of beige interiors!), rear wing spoiler, crome tipped exhaust, skirting & most importantly the new electric blue colour (Aquarius) that distinctly stands out in a crowd. What I would also miss out in the my fiesta (old) is the newly introduced PATS (passive anti theft system) which means even if the door is yanked open, the engine would not start without the key. I keep satisfying myself with the fact that I got a better car cuz of the better deal due to the run out phase!

What I missed out ~

I was blissful taking delivery of the ZXI variant. But after my trip around the 'developed' side of the planet Europe, I am now a tad resentful of not spending a few more bucks & not buying the SXI, considering anti-lock braking system & air bags are such essentials!

Overall I love every bit of driving. With the fuel prices going up, Bombay's infrastructure going no where & the traffic conditions going bizarre with no point of return, its nice to have some peace of mind!