Fida over the (Diesel) Fiesta. Review on Ford Fiesta

I am Fida over the...the Diesel Fiesta!!

Having driven my Ford Ikon for close to 3 years, I was happy and content with its performance and handling. However, towards the close of 2005, like each year end, I was attending launches of many new cars in the NCR region; and the sheer number of new vehicle models entering the market began looking too tempting to resist. Anyways, I took a firm grip on my melting heart and decided to look the other way. I had to fight really hard with Ms. Temptation this time round. The conversation went this way :

Me : I will not give in to my weakness for these 4 wheeled irresistable creatures this time, for sure

Ms. Temptation : Really ??!!?? (sneering)

Me : There is a shortage of funds

Ms. Temptation : Aw….c’mon….that can be managed (scoffing)

Me : Might was well save for something good…like an apartment of my own

Ms. Temptation : You’re aging it seems (sarcastic)

Me : The older cars are running just fine

Ms. Temptation : But..a new car is a new car….is a new car (realistic)

Me : I know…a new car is a new car

Ms. Temptation : Then what are you waiting for….scout for one (victorious)

That was it. The whirr of a new engine, the smell of a new car (read my Ford Ikon review)…..Ms. Temptation had won (as usual). Then the test drives began. I zeroed in on Honda City ZX VTEC. Though I have an inborn weakness for all Ford vehicles, be it the Ikon, Fusion, Endeavour, or the new Fiesta, for their stability, driving pleasure and road presence, this time round I wanted to give the Japanese car makers a chance. I avidly started reading all reviews on the Honda City at MS, finalised and gave the booking advance to the Honda Dealer at Mathura Road.

But fate had something else in store for me. Around this time, my organisation decided to move to a location exactly two times in distance from my home compared to the previous one; from the heart of city to a more ‘R&D technology park type’ area, in tune with our high-tech work. On calculation, I realised I would be driving approx. 65 kms. per day (both ways). I needed a more sturdy and stable vehicle with better fuel efficiency. 2 sleepless nights later, I took back my booking advance from Honda.

The decided one was the Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi ZXi, the Diesel (ugh!!) version of the Fiesta. Platinum Colour. The car was delivered on a busy working day in April. I signed off the delivery note hurriedly between 2 important meetings and decided to check out the actual thing on the drive home, later that night. However, too tired to drive back, I was driven home that night.

Since this car was more of a compromise, for the sole purpose of cutting on my fuel bill, I was not too enthusiastic about the entire process this time round. Just how wrong I was. In the rear seat, I felt no noise or "stiffness" of a Diesel engine. Surprising. Interiors were good and comfortable. Something had to be saleable to score a few points over the Indicas & Indigos I thought. Just how wrong I was. My driver commented on it being a good vehicle to drive.

The next morning, the day started as any normal day would…till I noticed the new car keys on my table. And I remembered…….the new Fiesta parked beneath my window.

I share an immense emotional rapport with all things I own…right from the stuffed toys and dolls from my childhood days…..to an old pen stand….an old Santro and Ford Ikon…and I like to describe in detail how they came into my life. But the new Fiesta...well, it took some time for me to make a place in my heart for it.

In this part of my review, I shared how the Fiesta came into my life The next part of this review would deal in detail with the actual review on the Fiesta (and also how it became a part of my life), which I hope to pen down in the next few days….How I went Fida over the (Diesel) Fiesta.

However, some noteworthy highlights of the Fiesta TDCI are :

1. Absolutely mind boggling fuel efficiency (18.5 / 21) and excellent pick-up

   
   




2. Low noise powerful turbo charged diesel engine

   
   




3. Good looks and styling

   
   




4. Spacious interiors

   
   




5. Unique distance to empty feature

   
   




6. Good quality upholstery (plush beige)

   
   




7. Well placed clear front lights

   
   




8. Small nooks for little knick-knacks

   
   




9. Flat shelf in the rear with a slot for books etc.

   
   




10. Well placed mobile/laptop charger

    
    




11. High seating with divider in the rear seat containing glass holders

    
    




12. Adjustable power steering

    
    




13. Very, very effective airconditioning

    
    

I feel Air Bags and rear wiper should have been present. Another irritantant is the condensation on the outside of windows on cool days.

After considerable practice on a petrol vehicle, it takes a day or so to adjust to the diesel vehicle drive. But once you adapt to the Fiesta TDCI; you would not want to drive another vehicle. For people who have been driving diesel vehicles, this one is low noise. So you may end up missing the gkharrrrrrr.....gkharrrrrr of the traditional diesel engine. But you will soon learn. The noise soon vanishes at higher speeds and flyovers come and go like any normal road.

Signing out…SM

Fida over the (Diesel) Fiesta