Author Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta SE 1.0L EcoBoost (Read 14516 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** June 30, 2014, 06:28:20 am »

The Fiesta's new turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is awesome, but it's only available with a manual transmission and there's a premium to pay.

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WRX_Pilot · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2014, 11:42:52 am »

Oh good, purple lighted cup holders, but no block heater. Sometimes I wonder about the automakers' priorities.

Sounds like a good engine, too bad Ford has neutered so many options. For example, Why can't you pay extra for alloys even if you wanted to? Looks like this is the first car where this downsizing/turbocharging actually improves fuel economy...

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2014, 11:51:30 am »

seems an odd way to package it...it is an option to add to a mid trim car, only comes with a 5 speed manual transmission and you get steel wheels?...most people who would actually WANT this would be someone who likes a little more "sporty" in their ride, so packaging it with steel wheels is stupid...$18k for this is a waste of money...for about the same money, you could get a Fit, Rio5 or Versa Note, all of which are larger in size (although still nice and small) and still fuel efficient.

Fobroader · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2014, 11:55:38 am »

I like this car, it sounds a perfect city run around. Saying that....why so cheap with the options Ford, why steel wheels, what is this, the 1970s?? This sounds like a sporty, fun to drive little hatchback, why make it look like a stripped out, fleet car??

tpl · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2014, 12:36:25 pm »

Probably because there are still some people at Ford NA who firmly believe that the public a) doesn't really want hatchbacks b) small cars have to look cheap c) a small car is not a REAL car d) all the other old D3 reasons

dkaz · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2014, 12:39:38 pm »

Factory alloy wheels are often ugly anyway, especially Ford's. I would use the stock wheels for winter tires and get a nice set of wheels to suit my style.

Fobroader · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2014, 12:41:20 pm »

Quote from: DKaz on June 30, 2014, 12:39:38 pm

Factory alloy wheels are often ugly anyway, especially Ford's. I would use the stock wheels for winter tires and get a nice set of wheels to suit my style.

And you might as well get a big brake kit, do a bit of suspension work, give the engine a tune and some free flowing exhaust..........

EV Dan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2014, 01:01:01 pm »

Apart from the advertised Elantra for 12 grand, admittedly w/o AC, there are soooo many better options out there. I feel like Ford is trying to improve their average fleet FE numbers, ... at the drivers' expense.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2014, 02:07:12 pm »

Quote from: DKaz on June 30, 2014, 12:39:38 pm

Factory alloy wheels are often ugly anyway, especially Ford's. I would use the stock wheels for winter tires and get a nice set of wheels to suit my style.

so add another $1000-$1500 to the price of this car, putting at about $20k...yet another reason why this doesn't make sense to the "budget conscious".

Rupert · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2014, 02:38:36 pm »

If they are well made and have a decent coat of paint...a bit of style... steel wheels can be ok by me. Might even be lighter. As Dkaz says they can be used for winter tires if aluminum ones are preferred. I like the 15" size. Lots of choice In this size and a bit more cushion. With no automatic, they possibly don't want to sell too many. Manual only will be a decent work out for a new engine design.

Fobroader · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2014, 02:40:15 pm »

Quote from: dirtyjeffer on June 30, 2014, 02:07:12 pm

Quote from: DKaz on June 30, 2014, 12:39:38 pm
Factory alloy wheels are often ugly anyway, especially Ford's. I would use the stock wheels for winter tires and get a nice set of wheels to suit my style.
so add another $1000-$1500 to the price of this car, putting at about $20k...yet another reason why this doesn't make sense to the "budget conscious".

Well you still need a second set of rims for winters dont you....well, why not buy a decent set of wheels and tires at the same time as your winter tires....would that make you feel better?? A few grand for some decent winter tires is normal is it not??

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2014, 07:08:42 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on June 30, 2014, 02:40:15 pm

Quote from: dirtyjeffer on June 30, 2014, 02:07:12 pm
Quote from: DKaz on June 30, 2014, 12:39:38 pm
Factory alloy wheels are often ugly anyway, especially Ford's. I would use the stock wheels for winter tires and get a nice set of wheels to suit my style.
so add another $1000-$1500 to the price of this car, putting at about $20k...yet another reason why this doesn't make sense to the "budget conscious".

Well you still need a second set of rims for winters dont you....well, why not buy a decent set of wheels and tires at the same time as your winter tires....would that make you feel better??

steel wheels are cheap though...alloy rims are quite a bit more money.

Quote

A few grand for some decent winter tires is normal is it not??

a few grand??...heck no...i don't drive a BMW with 20" wheels...i got my steelies and 16" WS70s at Costco..it was about $525 all in.

jamesautos · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2014, 09:43:37 pm »

to the reviewer...would you recommend this over the manual Mazda2??
do they share the same 5spd transmission???

mnztr · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2014, 11:14:37 pm »

Lifetime timing belt in an oil bath? Call me a skeptic....

Bubba · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2014, 11:40:15 pm »

Quote from: WRX_Pilot on June 30, 2014, 11:42:52 am

Oh good, purple lighted cup holders, but no block heater. Sometimes I wonder about the automakers' priorities.

Not sure I'd want an engine without a block heater here in Manitoba.

Bubba · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2014, 12:13:52 am »

Quote from: Blunderwriter on July 01, 2014, 12:11:38 am

Just get a stick on oil pan heater like the Sonic. Hit the nearest tractor/farm parts supply and it'd probably be cheaper than a factory installed unit too.

There's an idea. My Beetle had an oil pan heater as well. How soon I forget!

gwilson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2014, 02:57:03 am »

Quote from: jamesautos on June 30, 2014, 09:43:37 pm

to the reviewer...would you recommend this over the manual Mazda2??
do they share the same 5spd transmission???

Personally, I'd rather have the Mazda2 because it has a sportier driving feel. I don't think it has the same manual transmission, but I don't know for sure. I will check with Ford and post the answer before the end of the week.

hemusbull · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2014, 08:56:56 am »

I'm sick and tired from these EPA and NRC fuel consumption numbers...And more and more I add to them so called "average fuel consumption display"...These displays are the same manufacturer's supportive showing less than real consumption. Time for government authorized institutions like NRC and CSA to take the business in their hands. Otherwise the big looser is the consumer!

Rupert · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2014, 09:23:03 am »

The only way to check fuel consumption is over a long period of time. Writing down liters added and speedo mileage. It will be a true overall average. I don't know if the instrument average is accurate or not...if it is then fine. If you want the average for a single run, then you have to fill up at the same pump, pointing the same way. A sloping concrete pad in front of the pump can change the fill up volume by several liters easily. This aspect will all even out over many km. and many fill-ups at different pumps. For a single fill, wind strength and direction can also make a huge difference. For a single fill, it could be windy on the way out and calm coming back. Making the numbers incorrect even if other aspects are equal.
I think that we have entered a new era of short higher cars Spark, Micra, Trax and Buick equiv; that may make sporty low (if you will) seem old. They are not SUVs, just small convenient vehicles for many.

Threader · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2014, 08:17:58 am »

First you say "According to the EPA, the Fiesta with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine offers 7.6 L/100 km city and 5.5 L/100 km highway "

but then you say "The fuel economy display showed 5.5 L/100 km, not far off the EPA’s highway estimate of 5.2 L/100 km.

So which EPA is right? 5.2 or 5.5?