[focalBlur]

I went to one of the fiesta movement test drives in Baltimore over the weekend.

The car is AWESOME and the the people running the test drives (they were not agents) were great too. They knew about the cars (including the TOP GEAR review) and were really nice. There was however one BIG negative about the whole thing. Ford kept changing the locations in Baltimore. They changed on the website at least 5 times. Then the day of the test drive I was going to they changed it again. It took us over an hour to find them and there were nowhere near where they said they would be. We got lucky and checked one of the other spots to find them there.

Now for the good:
There were 3, 5door fiestas to drive and a 4th just for show. One was red with a 5speed and cloth interior, one was blue with an auto tranny and cloth interior and the one i drove was green with a 5 speed and leather interior. The guy who rode along for the test drive was awesome. He knew everything about the car, including that it was a German market car with a UK gauge cluster and audio/bluetooth/voice control system. We took the car out for about 30min and he allowed us to drive anywhere we wanted.
The car drove great! It had plenty of power with 3 people in the car and the A/C running. I did not really get to test out the handling but the car is very light on its feet. The car, with its euro sport suspension, did not feel stiff at all. I really want one after the test drive.

few random notes:
The guy who went out with us said that FORD told them they plan to change as little as possible but is doing these test drives to see what people think of the car and what premium features they should offer in the US market. Also they want to know how people will handle the "euroness" of the car such as the power lock switch being mounted on the center console. He also said he loves the rear fog light and is pushing for FORD to keep it. The car I drove was loaded. It had auto wipers/headlights/climate control, power locks/windows, heated leather seats, voice controls (he said US versions will have SYNC), bluetooth, front foglights, keyless entry and start. The car also automatically turns on its hazard lights if you slam on the brakes and cause the ABS to kick in.

Now for photos, if you want to know anything else please ask
Oh yeah, we got free music downloads too but I have not yet downloaded it

 

[GhiaFan]

Thanks for your post. Were there many people taking interest in the Fiesta? And when your test drive was over did the Ford reps ask for your impressions or have you fill out a questionnaire.

 

[golf strom]

Thanks for the great write up focalBlur!


I'm glad to hear you liked the car. I'm hoping that the Ford Rep you spoke to can help to convince them to retain the excellent euro seating, euro suspension, and rear fog lamp and single side parking lamp facility (you can see the small 5 watt bulb integrated into the high beam reflector unit)

The SSPL function is used when you part on the side of a street. It activates two low wattage bulbs 5w one located in the tail lamp cluster left or right side and one in a headlamp cluster on either the left or right side. To activate it on the Fiesta you simple turn the car off turn and move the turn signal stalk to the left of right "on " position. You don't have to worry about the battery because there is so little voltage or watts used that you can easily leave it on for over 24 hours and it will not affect the cars ability to start.

 

[Mark Kleis]

Is not having a REAR fog lamp that big of a deal? I just don't see what the big outrage is about.

 

[azulejost]

My current car, a 1995 MB E300D, has the rear fog light and the SSPL feature. I do find the rear fog light to be of some use in heavy fog, rain, or other situation where visibility is dramatically reduced. In the two plus years I've owned the car, I've probably used it less than a dozen times, but it is nice to have an extra bright light when the weather calls for it. Back when I had a New Beetle, plenty of folks bought the rear fog light (which replaced one of the back-up lights) so their car would be more Euro-look which also meant buying a new headlight switch. I think it would be a nice feature for Ford to include, but I would almost bet money it's not going to happen for the US. At least there would be the option of getting the necessary equipment from Europe--at least for the hatch as I'm sure the taillight assembly housing will not be altered.

As for the SSPL feature--I used it once when I was running into a friends house and parked on the curb. If I park on the curb longer than just a minute, I don't use it and really don't find it to be something I would miss having at all. Sure, it was cool when I discovered it, but the practical application hasn't arisen for me. Maybe I just don't get it, plus I never want to drain the battery if it's not really useful. That's just my take on it.

Since I'm new to the Ford Euro scene I don't know how much importing of European parts occurs although I'm sure it happens pretty regularly? The Fiesta and new Focus should liven that up a bit again.

 

[golf strom]

My current car, a 1995 MB E300D, has the rear fog light and the SSPL feature. I do find the rear fog light to be of some use in heavy fog, rain, or other situation where visibility is dramatically reduced. In the two plus years I've owned the car, I've probably used it less than a dozen times, but it is nice to have an extra bright light when the weather calls for it.

Although you can live without the rr fog lamp, it does become very useful when the weather calls for it. I have a MKIII VW Golf and I retrofitted the car to have the rear lamp housing so that it would function exactly as the euro version Golf (I saved the money on the euro switch by using a universal switch 1$ LOL) . I can promise you that in the right weather conditions its use could save your life.

I think the frustrating thing is that when you consider the logic the car ALREADY has the hardware in place (lamp assy, wiring, bulb) all Ford has to do is activate the control via software in the convience feature module.

Most important a rear fog lamp is 1000% US DOT LEGAL in all states. So is the SSPL feature.

As for the SSPL feature--I used it once when I was running into a friends house and parked on the curb. If I park on the curb longer than just a minute, I don't use it and really don't find it to be something I would miss having at all. Sure, it was cool when I discovered it, but the practical application hasn't arisen for me. Maybe I just don't get it, plus I never want to drain the battery if it's not really useful. That's just my take on it.

I modded my MKIII Golf to have this function as well and I have used it on a number of occasions when parking in towns with streets with poor lighting .

Since I'm new to the Ford Euro scene I don't know how much importing of European parts occurs although I'm sure it happens pretty regularly? The Fiesta and new Focus should liven that up a bit again.

If it is anything like the VW scene it should be a very active market. I wonder if worldimpex.com supports Fiesta ?

 

[focalBlur]

Although you can live without the rr fog lamp, it does become very useful when the weather calls for it. I have a MKIII VW Golf and I retrofitted the car to have the rear lamp housing so that it would function exactly as the euro version Golf (I saved the money on the euro switch by using a universal switch 1$ LOL) . I can promise you that in the right weather conditions its use could save your life.

I think the frustrating thing is that when you consider the logic the car ALREADY has the hardware in place (lamp assy, wiring, bulb) all Ford has to do is activate the control via software in the convience feature module.

Most important a rear fog lamp is 1000% US DOT LEGAL in all states. So is the SSPL feature.


I modded my MKIII Golf to have this function as well and I have used it on a number of occasions when parking in towns with streets with poor lighting .


If it is anything like the VW scene it should be a very active market. I wonder if worldimpex.com supports Fiesta ?

My current car is a 2005.5 VW Jetta with SSPL but no rear fog as of yet, however I did install e-code tail lamps on my old focus so i had one there.

I do actually get a lot of use out of the SSPL and I have run it for 8hrs without draining the battery

I really miss the rear fog but euro tail lamps for my jetta are not cheap and i don't have a VAG-COM



If worldimpex supported the fiesta that would be awesome! I live just a few miles away from them

There is always European-Parts.net, I got my euro tail lamps for my focus from them

 

[golf strom]

My current car is a 2005.5 VW Jetta with SSPL but no rear fog as of yet, however I did install e-code tail lamps on my old focus so i had one there.

I do actually get a lot of use out of the SSPL and I have run it for 8hrs without draining the battery

I really miss the rear fog but euro tail lamps for my jetta are not cheap and i don't have a VAG-COM



If worldimpex supported the fiesta that would be awesome! I live just a few miles away from them

There is always European-Parts.net, I got my euro tail lamps for my focus from them

Glad to see another Veedubber on this site. Do you visit vwvortex.com forums often?

They didn't like my honest views, and I was banned for just that reason, hope the same doesn't happen here in the fiestafaction. My sn is " Golf Strom" just like it is here.

How do you like your MK5 Jetta with the 5 cyl engine?

I really had wished that VWoA had brought the Polo here years ago, while I like the latest and MK6 Golf they are too big for what I need and not fuel efficient enough, putting them out of the running for my dollar.

There has been a conformation that the next gen Polo will come but it WILL NOT be the euro spec model, but instead a larger one (in the vein of the VW Touran-basically an extended size Golf) I am absolutely NOT interested in this type of bloated Polo.

 

[thelner]

@golf strom I am a Veedubber as well. I have a well worn, but well liked MK3 GTI. A good friend of mine has a MK6 GTI that I have driven several times. It's very nice but too big and over weight for what I want.....seriously? 3200lbs???? Anyways, I *totally* agree w/ you on the Polo, if VW offered the Euro-Spec Polo GTI here thats what I would be driving right now.

I did get a close look and a very short stop-and-go drive (way too much pedestrian and vehicular traffic) at a Fiesta Ride and Drive event today. I am impressed. I wanted a car that was about the same size as my MK3 GTI and the fiesta totally fits the bill. I am still hoping for a 3 door w/ the EcoBoost engine though! If we get that, VW may have lost me forever.

 

[BRGT350]

Tom,
That is great news about you getting a test drive in the Fiesta! I know the 3-door isn't going to happen here, but I would not rule out the Ecoboost powerplant.

 

[LMTech]

I went to a ride and drive event last month and was able to take both the auto and manual trans cars out for a test drive. I am wanting to get an automatic car because I mainly am tired of stop and go traffic with a manual trans after 20 years of city driving with one. All I can say after taking both versions out that unless the 6 speed dual clutch auto trans is miles better in performance there is no way in hell that I will buy the automatic version. I was truly amazed at how gutless it was.
I did tell this to the ride and drive rep (not Ford rep as some people have called them) and he said that the automatic car that I drove had a 1.4 in it and the manual had the 1.6. I didn't check the VECI decal to verify this but I can see now why the Fiestamovement cars all had manual trans in them.
I know that if any of the agents had gotten the automatic cars like the one I drove they wouldn't of had anything nice to say about it. I was just shocked that they would let the general public that they are introducing these cars to drive them and form an opion about buying them drive this car without they better trans and bigger motor in them.
I also hope that the turbo option mentioned on the fiestamovement web site actually make it to production because this would make the car even more fun to own.

 

[LMTech]

What I did like on ride and drive

I sorry I sounded like I was down on the Fiesta in my last post,which I wasn't, I was just down on the auto version that I drove.
Now,what I liked about the car.
The car actually feels bigger inside than it looks outside. Once you get in the car it has as much room or more than a Focus. The dash layout and controls were excellent and felt completly natural. The handling and ride were great. The power and peppy feel in the manual trans car was perfect and I hope the new auto trans can match this. I liked all the bells and whistle that were in the car that you only see on higher luxury car models,i.e. auto headlamps and wipers, leather seats,etc. all of which I want on mine next year. The driving position and seating were great. The materials used on the dash and panels all were like a more luxury car feel and are certainly much better than the current Focus that I bought my wife last year.
I like the build your Fiesta tool on Fiestamovement.com except I don't think that you should limit the choices to 3 because I want them all except the wheels and that is only because that is one of the first things I will put on mine from the aftermarket just to make it me.

 

[lupinechaos]

hey there! Thats looks awesome I cannot wait for the test drive for these! I first the fiesta from the TOP GEAR review as well since then i've been following. Well I'm glad for you that you enjoyed the test drive I hope the fiesta will be a hit for Ford.

 

[PowerShift]

The automatic test cars they are taking around this summer have a 1.4 engine that will NOT be used in the US. US cars will have the 1.6 with the manual AND the auto (dual-clutch). So really, the automatic Fiesta you drove can not be representative of the US models performance.

 

[Mark Kleis]

We didn't get an autos because the US will be exclusively be getting a much better transmission with the 6-speed dual clutch dry transmission over the Euro auto. PLUS, in the Euro model like you mentioned it only comes with a 1.4 which is WAY less powerful than the 1.6.

If you drove the manual than you should understand what the power will really be like.