Bitten By Fiesta Bug... Again

[MISTA FIESTA]

Well it looks like a new addition is being added to the family. My XR4 has told me its been feeling a bit lonley (yes it does talk to me...shhhhh) so it will now have a WS LX Auto 5 Door in Colorado Red to snuggle upto. Its not for me but as a daily driver for my parents whom previously had a Toyota Starlet for the past 10 years from new.

I must say that originally I wasnt a true fan of the WS, but over time my views has changed. I think it looks pretty sexy, great range of techno features and everyone in media is giving it positve reviews. I would have loved my parents to know how to drive manual, but they dont usually do time trials or 1/4 mile runs on a daily basis, so the 1.4 will be more than adequate.

Over the past few days ive read as much as i can through posts, reviews, etc... I have a few questions though:

1. Does the base of the rear seat fold up so the top will fold flush down?

2. Does the rear seatign area come with a seperate interior light?

3. Does the head unit play MP3 Cds?

I plan in using full synthetic oil and covering the back of the rear seats with carpet as this obviously hasnt been fixed from the WP/WQ days. Tsk tsk. Is there any other issues/problems that I may encounter??

Does anyone else have the auto box?? Whats your thoughts on it??

I cant wait till Sunday...

I can say with confidence that I have owned/driven every Fiesta model available in Australia WP, WQ, WS (it was on my to do list for lifes adventures).

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

1. Does the base of the rear seat fold up so the top will fold flush down?

No. One of Jeremy Clarksons gripe about the car, the back seats do not fold flat. You can however fit a zebra head in the boot without too much trouble! It doesn't even double fold which is a pity, so you can't get the seat to fold up against the front seat like the older Fiesta models.

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Does the rear seatign area come with a seperate interior light?

No. Despite one member insisting their model did come with it, no Aussie Fiesta models do, we don't get a glovebox light either. The boot comes with one side light just like the WP/WQ so at least you get a light there, and you get the usual front seat lights.

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Does the head unit play MP3 Cds?

Yes, it certainly does. Sounds pretty decent for a standard unit too!

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Plan in using full synthetic oil and covering the back of the rear seats with carpet as this obviously hasnt been fixed from the WP/WQ days. Tsk tsk. Is there any other issues/problems that I may encounter??

Headlights on low beam are pretty poor, air con isn't the best, stereo can have freezing issues and the auto isn't fast. No rattles in mine yet though.

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

anyone else have the auto box?? Whats your thoughts on it??

Driven it, and while not fast it's relatively smooth, it's much quicker than a Toyota Starlet!

[trento]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

Headlights on low beam are pretty poor,

I agree, although a set of Phillips Bluevisions are a quick and cheap fix ($120 for H1+ H7 bulbs)

[JClarke]

Manual version beats it all. :evil3:

[MISTA FIESTA]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Bit disappointed with the rear seat thing more so for my parents, but I think they will manage. I recall the aircon and headlight brightness being not exactly upto scratch, same as the WP/WQ. The XR4 aircon isnt that bad but there has been word that Ford Aus have been putting in the wrong gas level, which is the cause of crappy aircon.

[sailaway]

Originally Posted by JClarke

Manual version beats it all. :evil3:

I was considering a manual one last year and took one for a test drive.

Nice car BUT the long throw between gears put me off.

Much shorter and better in the Focus so settled for one of those over the Fiesta.

Pity the auto only has the smaller motor. :

[Fiesta God]

Originally Posted by sailaway

I was considering a manual one last year and took one for a test drive.

Nice car BUT the long throw between gears put me off.

Much shorter and better in the Focus so settled for one of those over the Fiesta.

Pity the auto only has the smaller motor. :

Short throw shifter from Euro Parts, three hundred bucks delivered and beautiful short throws in the Fiesta ...