Ws Or Wt???

[MitchG]

The Mrs is looking at a newish Zetec Fiesta (manual) & both the WS & WT are in the price range she is wanting to spend & i'm just wondering if either model has any clear advantages, i know the WS is german manufactured so i assume bulid quality may be abit nicer..? but is the anything else we should consider?

cheers.

[Franco Cozzo]

WS is built better, has the better soft touch dash, but the aircon sucks big-time, its horrible, its like a lung cancer patient blowing at you with a straw.

[robjh80]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

WS is built better, has the better soft touch dash, but the aircon sucks big-time, its horrible, its like a lung cancer patient blowing at you with a straw.

Doesn't the Thai built WT have a lot better air-con performance? .. if so, that would definately be the one to go for I reckon ... the OP's wife won't be too happy with him come the first hot Melbourne day if he bought her a WS ...

I've got a German built WQ and the air-con is not very good (to say the least!), I can only presume the WS which was built in the same plant would have similar performance air-con wise?

[fiestaz]

My WT has great Air Con.

In regards to WS and WT well the WT has more Kit, and in my opinion looks a bit better.

Negative to the WT is i have found the build quality isnt as good. But its the trade off for better air con, and cruise control etc.

[Franco Cozzo]

Yes the aircon is hopeless in the WS, when I was driving it daily, at work I'd start it an hour early, let it idle with the A/C on with the fan on full and recirculating air, it'd be slightly cool, not cold.

My Focus is a bit better, but still total ***, it was struggling on a 38 degree day with high humidity, I drove it over 100km with the aircon on and fan on max, was struggling keeping it cool.

[trumpy73]

I live in Perth and it has been close to 37+ for weeks. My WS seems to cope well. Not the best air-con I've seen but more than acceptable.

[Fiesta_Man69]

A/C useless on my WS: I believe that it is different in the WT. That said, the interior, soft plastics etc are better on the WS. I don't use the ac so it's not a big deal for me, but the standard of ac on the WS range seems to be, with a few fortunate exceptions, unsatisfactory.

[vhcbm]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

and cruise control etc.

WS has it except the CL model.

The WS is definitely the go except for the aircon but it isn't that bad that you will still be hot, if given time the cabin does cool..

[brydie76]

All the people who complain about the air con need to spend a week with none! . No, it's not great, but it's usable- just takes longer and a higher setting to get your desired temp. Mind you I think the WT Zetecs have climate control so that may be an incentive. Both of the series in Zetec have cruise control so that shouldn't be an issue. But I agree re build quality- my WS just feels "nicer". When I sat in a WT, it didn't feel like a20k+ car.

[GoesLikeAZetec]

Ours was crap for the first 18months. This summer for some reason (maybe it was over filled and its leaked out slowly and its at the right level now) it's been awesome and we havent changed anything on the car.
Even on the 40deg days its been great... Stuffed if I know why... But huge difference when its working well.

[dannyhilton]

I had the same problem as other WS owners here. However, using a window visor, and driving with the windows down to cool the cabin for five or so minutes, the air-con comes alive. My guess is the huge glass area lets in so much heat into the dash components; the air-con struggles to get all that plastic cool again. My Soho dash just absorbs the heat, but with a proper sun visor, one big enough to cover the entire window, the air-con is really good. It’s not the best, but for a small car it’s pretty darn good.

The WS did get a soft touch dash, chrome in filled projector front headlights, telescopic steering wheel adjustment, and a few other things like slightly bigger brakes (IIRC) and different front fascia and wheels. The WT got side curtain airbags, some nifty under seat storage areas, plus the option of a 1.6L automatic engine as opposed to the 1.4L engine, along with the option of a 1.6L diesel across the range. The Zetec model also got different, much more comfortable sports-like seats. Nothing major really. I have driven a few WT models now, and my first impression was the quality was near spot on, but the demo model I had the other day was definitely a few rungs below my WS build wise. Mind you this was an LX and not a Zetec, the silver finishes in the Zetec seem to make the place a lot more inviting, combined with nicer seats it feels worlds apart IMHO.

[MitchG]

Thanks for all your input fellas, lots of valuable information thanks heaps!

i do reckon the WS looks better, shame about the AC tho :(

[vhcbm]

Originally Posted by GoesLikeAZetec

Ours was crap for the first 18months. This summer for some reason (maybe it was over filled and its leaked out slowly and its at the right level now) it's been awesome and we havent changed anything on the car.
Even on the 40deg days its been great... Stuffed if I know why... But huge difference when its working well.

It would probably be better to overfill it with more refrigerant however you can kill the compressor. If it was a leak it would be still leaking. Maybe they topped it up when it was serviced but I doubt it.

[trumpy73]

strangely mine was the same. When I fist got it, the air-con used to cut in an out constantly on hot days (annoying rev changes) and it wasn't that good but this year it has mysteriously fixed itself. (no servicing)

Then again the air-con my POS 1990 pulsar hadn't worked for 3 years and all of a sudden this year it hasn't missed a beat.

May be the air-con fairies are in the air.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by trumpy73

May be the air-con fairies are in the air.

Or you've just used up all your luck for 2012, expect the worst.

[4.0i OHC]

The WT is probably the better choice, due to the much more effective aircon and the availability of a diesel, as well as the sports seats (although the standard seats are excellent) and suspension. The WS had larger tyres (not brakes) and reach adjustment for the steering wheel, though.

[trumpy73]

neither... buy a kia rio

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by trumpy73

neither... buy a kia rio

Hmm, why?
The Fiesta handles like a go-kart. Why buy some Kia with poorly sorted handling and marshmallow steering?

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by trumpy73

neither... buy a kia rio

I think his mrs would like something that they both like. not just 4 wheels a bit of metal.

[trumpy73]

LOL, I know this a fez forum and I own one but have you seen the new rio and the specs?

[MitchG]

lol no kia rio...But she ended up with a 2010 WS Zetec manual in dark mica stone & couldn't be happier!

thanks again guys.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by trumpy73

LOL, I know this a fez forum and I own one but have you seen the new rio and the specs?

Its like 103KW or something, same size as the Fiesta.

[Fiesta_Man69]

Kia Rio: 1.6 103kW 0-100 in 8.8 secs v Fez 1.6 89kW 0-100 in 10.2 secs (motor mag test measured figures, not manufacturers claim), Kia Rio Carsguide of the Year 2011, rated with the Fez for handling. Only thing it loses out to is badge snobs.

[GoesLikeAZetec]

Most women who want the fez arent going to give a stuff what the 0-100 time is... They like how the fez looks on the inside and out... easy to park, easy to drive etc..

[brydie76]

Originally Posted by GoesLikeAZetec

Most women who want the fez arent going to give a stuff what the 0-100 time is... They like how the fez looks on the inside and out... easy to park, easy to drive etc..

This. And the current marketing campaign hasn't got the Rio in the good books with some of my female friends- "the guy in that ad is a complete tool!!!". Bad experiences with previous gen Rios have turned some people I know in the car buying market off them too.

Many of my friends and family, make or female, think that the power my Fezza has is more than adequate (including when it had 5 adults in it!). I personally would like more power, but I think a Fiesta ST is the only way I will be happy!

[Fiesta_Man69]

Oh, plus:

Ford 3yr/100,000kms warranty.

Kia 5yr/unlimited kms warranty.

One company stands by their product, one doesn't.

[brydie76]

I would argue with you on that latter point based on experience, but I don't gpfeel like bashing my head against a brick wall today. And we are way off topic.

Congrats on the Fezza MitchG!!! : )

[razredge]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

Kia Rio: 1.6 103kW 0-100 in 8.8 secs v Fez 1.6 89kW 0-100 in 10.2 secs (motor mag test measured figures, not manufacturers claim), Kia Rio Carsguide of the Year 2011, rated with the Fez for handling. Only thing it loses out to is badge snobs.

Umm, I think not. Certainly Wheels didn't think so in its COTY writeup and even the carsguide review of the Rio has the Fiesta as The segment's chassis benchmark, a well-featured and capable machine.

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...kia_rio_review

Same with Drive's comparison of the two
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...909-1k0db.html

The best car to drive in the city-car class, edging VW’s Polo. Progressive steering matches terrific handling and the Fiesta’s suspension remains impressively compliant in everyday driving.

VS

Competent road manners but not in Fiesta’s league for driving fun. Bump absorption ability, while decent, isn’t at the same level. Steering a weak point despite local tuning work — numb, inconsistently weighted and with an annoying sticky sensation just off centre.

Then you can look overseas comparisons like this Autoexpress one:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi..._14_zetec.html

While i'm sure the Rio is nice enough and has the better engine, it's a bit of a stretch to claim Kia has better suspension engineering chops than Ford of Europe.

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by razredge

Umm, I think not. Certainly Wheels didn't think so in its COTY writeup and even the carsguide review of the Rio has the Fiesta as The segment's chassis benchmark, a well-featured and capable machine.

Um, I actually think so.

The issue I was referring to was Wheels Nov 2011.

The Rio write up is on page 127.
It gets rated 8 out of 10.
The Fez also gets rated 8 out of 10 (The Fabia/Polo twins won the comparison).

Wheels says: 'its an accolade in itself to say that the Kia kept up when chasing the Fiesta.' So there ain't much in it, though the Fez does win for steering feel.

Then you have 103 (Rio) v 89kW (Fez).

0-100 of 8.8 for the Rio, it was 9.8 for the Fez and the Rio was quicker through all gears for the rolling start.

Oh, and regarding Carsguide? The Rio WON Carsguide's Car of the Year.

Then don't mention the warranty difference, or % of satisfied customers, cos it only gets worse for Ford.

I also won't mention the excellent British magazine EVO (puts Wheels/Motor/Top Gear Aus to shame with its quality). I won't mention the latest (in Aus) issue, number 167, where there is a small car test. The Fez tested in this semi hot hatch test is the Fiesta 'Metal', effectively a Zetec with a warmed over 100kW engine. Out of 7 cars, it finishes second last (last place was a Seat, btw). The test is won by the new Suzuki Swift Sport, second place is the Renaultsport Twingo, then Abarth, Mini and A1.

Main criticism of the Fez? The engine. To quote: 'too slow, too expensive and just not special.' The Fiesta was the second most expensive car in the test.

Yes, in 2009 the Fez was the best car in the class. Its now 2012.

[dannyhilton]

I think my WS Fiesta Zetec is AWESOME