Test Drive Review : Ford Fiesta 1.4LX MT, Long Termer Y01M01

We have earlier mentioned of about a long term review of the Ford Fiesta 1.4LX, and explained why we believed that reviews in these format are a more reliable source of information for potential car buyers. A Fiesta 1.6 Sport will also be joining theautoindustrieblog's fleet so do check back again for updates. In the last update, owner FiestaBoy reported of issues with his car's window tint and the missing warranty documents. Below is his latest update.

In my last update, I mentioned about a strand of hair stuck between the tinting film and front right window. Soon after my story was posted, I noticed that the rear left passenger door takes considerably more strength to close than others. So an appointment was made with SimeDarby AutoConnexion PJ service center. While the car's fit and finish may not have been faultless, the service provided SDAC's PJ's branch however, more than made up for whatever little short falls in the car. The offending tint was replaced with minimal hassle, and the problematic door was realigned. The warranty documents which was not ready when I took delivery of my car, was also passed to me. Two weeks after I took my car, just as the service advisor promised. All in all, it was a pleasant experience. No complaints there.

I have since made two out of town trips in my Fiesta, the first was up to Genting Highlands. It was a night drive (so no shots, sorry about that), with 4 blokes (but no luggages). The twisty stretch from Karak Highway to Awana Genting Highlands was giving the Fiesta's chassis a thorough workout. With four blokes on board, the car was still surprisingly responsive. The manual transmission helps of course to keep the engine on boil.

Despite the added weight, handling is predictable and accurate. Exactly how I want a car to behave on a twisty stretch when its loaded. As if with four on board isn't enough, we stopped over at Awana to pick up another 2 more passengers. Now the tiny Fiesta really had to dig deep into the 1.4 Duratec powerplant to squeeze every last bit of power it had in its reserve. As expected the Fiesta struggled in the steepest climbs. On the way down however, the manual transmission made engine braking easy and the brakes performed properly with minimal fade. For this trip (and some KL urban traffic driving), fuel economy averaged at 9.4 liters per 100km. Again this is considering that the engine is still tight, having just done less than 2,000km at that point.


The next trip was to Ipoh. The 200km plus trip was done mostly at legal speeds, no more than 110km/h. NVH was better than I expected. Inside the cabin, engine, tire and wind noise was relatively muted. Of course, this is coming from my previous experience of a relatively racey Satria Neo. Vibration was kept in check, suspension did well to soak up whatever undulations thrown up at certain stretches and the seats provided good support - not too soft that it gives you backache (like a Myvi!) and not too hard to cause discomfort.


A major factor to the Fiesta's quiet ride had to be those Continental ContiPremiumContact 2 tires. While I may not have any data to back such claims, it seems that Continental tires are getting rave reviews for their supposedly low road noise that many manufacturers are ditching their usual tire suppliers in favour of Continental, because of the obvious benefits in reduced cabin noise level. Locally, I understand that most Proton models now come with Conti tires as standard. I reached my destination still feeling fresh. It's not quite an distance chomper like say a Mercedes E-class, but this baby sure handles much better than any limo. For this mostly highway trip, the Fiesta's fuel economy was 6.9 liters per 100km.




On the way back, I had to load a stand fan in the car. In dismantled form, the stand fan was easily loaded to the rear passenger floor.

Being a car exported to the US with big targets, you would expect the Fiesta's cup holders to work very well. I am not sure if the local Fiesta shares the same cabin features as American market models, but the Fiesta's cup holders are deep enough and are of just the right size for my A&W root beer cup.


Speaking of A&W, it's sad to see one of icon of Malaysia in such a sorry state. A&W was the pioneer fast food chain outlet in the country, first setup in 1963. Many of us will remember growing up with the A&W flagship outlet in PJ, opposite Amcorp Mall. Now, it's struggling to survive. Still love their root beers and connie dogs though.

There is this website, http://www.fuelly.com/, where you can track your fuel economy figures online. No more noting down on a little 555 notebook. Just login using your iPhone or whatever and update everytime after you've fueled up (outside the gas station of course!).

Follow my Fiesta's fuel consumption progress at fuelly.com


Current mileage : 2,200 km

Repairs to date:
1. Replaced front right window tint film (1,000km)
2. Realigned rear left passenger door for easier closing (1,000km)

Repair cost to date: None

Maintenance / servicing cost to date : None