[techmotor]

A well deserved tribute for Ford/Ford India for making some of the greatest driver's cars. I have driven the Ikon extensively and the figo/fiesta twins as well and can vouch for the sheer pleasure it offers on drivability. In fact, these cars were well-rounded package. I was really looking forward to the mid-size SUV offering from Ford since the time that segment became the most sought after. And once the news came about Ford's India exit, as a car enthusiast, I was deeply disappointed . Now hoping for it's return in all electric avatar with the same driving DNA.

[swiftnfurious]

Been madly in love with this machine ! The only grouse is, I can't buy a brand new one today.

[Johnnny]

Hats off to you in composing such a thread with full of love towards this astounding machine. Nothing can match its driving dynamics and the confidence it gives during any curves is exceptional. We still own Fiesta'09 model and have no heart to sell it which has crossed nearly 150,000 kms. New fiesta and the facelift didn't have its DNA i suppose and personally i didnt feel connected. They made a huge blunder by not promoting it.
P.S: I remember the new fiesta was tested some 100+ hrs in a tunnel just to enhance the dynamics.

Few pictures of our Fiesta.





Fleet of Ford's & family

[sswaroop]

Such a beautifully written article on a wonderful car. I was just nodding my head and reminiscing when I read so many of the points they you've mentioned here. My Dad bought the 1.4 Duratec ZXi in Nov 2007. And it served us well for about 11.5 years and about 88,000 Kms. I drove about 50K of those on highways and there was never a time when this gem of a vehicle made me feel that I wasn't in control. Good roads, bad roads, high speed runs were all accomplished with aplomb for all occupants. Finally had to sell after age caught on and it became too unreliable.

Here's one in the Wayanad Ghats circa 2008.

[SN88]

The older Fiesta was to Ford what the Esteem was to Maruti Suzuki and pre 2002 city was to Honda!!

Timeless design, fantastic performance and build!!

They dont make such cars anymore!!

[svmvale]

What a wonderful thread. So much of memories. Between 2008 to 2014 we were Ford Loyalists.

2008 - 2012 : Fiesta TDCi SXi - sold after 5 yrs and 90000 kms - Used by dad
2009 - 2016 : Figo TDCi Zxi - sold after 7 yrs and 110000 kms - chauffeur driven and me
2012 - 2015 : Global Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Titanium - sold after 3.5 years and 70000 kms - used by me

Fords were fantastic to drive. Awesome dynamics and could chuck it confidently into corners.

ENGINES
1.4 TDCi had lovely traction. Mileage was awesome when driven at 100-120 kmph. When driven with a hard left foot, mileage dropped a lot.

1.5 TDCi was much powerful than the 1.4 while retaining the amazing power delivery. Again mileage was very good. We averaged 17 kmpl. But when driven hard, mileage did drop a lot.

AFTER SALES SERVICE
We had a trouble ownership of all three cars.
Fiesta & Figo used to cost us about Rs. 5000 per 10000 kms.
Global Fiesta costed about Rs. 7500 per 10000 kms.
I will definitely have to rave about the Karthikeyan, service advisor at Akshaya Ford, Madurai. He was very good. Took perfect care of our cars and was aware of the history of the vehicles. He was the reason, why we changed the Fiesta for the Global Fiesta.

Ford used to send us a vehicle health card along with the bill. An overall check list of some 50 points. It was very useful. Since then have owned Fiat, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Skoda. None of these guys, gave me a good feel about ASC and feedback on vehicle health.

Lastly, my worst decision in my car ownership was to give away the Global Fiesta after 3.5 years and only 70000 kms on the odo. It was by far the most engaging driver's car i have come across. Front seats and ergonomics were the best i have experienced. All my experience is based on cars lower than 25L. Haven't owned/driven the luxury german cars.

I do get that Ford were expensive in the initial days of Ford Escort. Wouldn't say the same about Ikon, Fiesta, Figo, Ecosport & Global Fiesta.

Sad Ford has left the country. Their cars were very focussed on the driver. And a big shout out to Evo India Sirish's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERpwP9p-fY4

I enjoyed that episode a lot.

[aamishdhingra]

The Fiesta has always been a car which has been very close to my heart. I owned this car from 2012-2019 and it was simply amazing experience. The service network and the service stations usually used to mess up every single time I used to give the car to them, but I used this car in my College days, and it clocked over 1.15L on the odo before finally I thought to let it go. Its always been very emotional selling of this car, i've felt as a part of the care-free life also went away with it.

But, overall just loved the way it handled, cruised over 110kmph like a boss and was simply amazing!

[Mustang111]

I am a proud owner of a 2011 Global Ford Fiesta Titanium Petrol. I still recollect the test drive in October 2011; the smile on my face lasted for quite some time even after the test drive was over. There was no second thought or test drive of any other car required. I booked one straight away and got the vehicle in November 2011. It's been a pleasure to drive ever since and became the benchmark. There were a lot of cars in my family, A4, A3, Vento, Creta, City etc, but the Fiesta always felt the most special just because of the way if felt when behind the wheel. It has been driven just about everywhere, from the sand dune covered non existant tracks of Rajasthan to the Himalayan roads of J&K and Bhutan, Expressways across the country to the choking roads of almost all major metro cities to the crater ridden Highways; it has always been a pleasure and inspired great confidence. After about 10 years plus, I am looking for a worthy replacement, but am yet to find one. I I am in no hurry at all because even now when I am behind the wheel, it brings a smile on my face. It truly was a car way ahead of it's times in our country.

[RGK]

Excellent Thread.

I had a 1st Gen Ford Figo for ten years and loved every minute of it. I've always adored Fiestas and had the opportunity to drive one for about 200 kilometres. With the exception of the cramped back seat, it was a fantastic beast on the highway.

I was fortunate enough to drive a 1.6 Petrol as well. I thought it was rather strong for a petrol vehicle at the time.

[Aniket6]

Wow, what a brilliant thread!
I have loved the Fiesta so much. It was the car in which I've learnt driving 15 years ago.
We had the Zxi 1.6 from 2007 to 2013.
I loved it so much so that I bought it again in Feb/2020 and absolutely loved driving it over the last 2 years.

However, sadly, I need to let it go due to space constraints as we need a diesel hatchback for the significantly increased family running.
Wish, I was in a Tier 2/3 city, where I'd easily afford the space to keep this diamond forever

For anybody interested in picking up my immaculately maintained 1.6S in Thunder color, please refer to this classified on Tbhp - https://classifieds.team-bhp.com/buy...d/Fiesta.html/

[ts1506]

Such a lovely tribute to one of my all time favorite cars.

This is the only picture I could find on my phone, we’ve owned two Fiestas. The first one was a 1.4 Duratorq SXI from 2008. The second one was a 1.6S in Aquarius Blue from 2010 ish.

[Vibhanshu]

Indeed an Icon. I've driven the first generation extensively and have owned the newer generation (facelift) since 2014.

At the time, this felt like the only car which was a reasonable replacement to my previous Mitsubishi Cedia.

Couple of pics.

On the day of PDI in 2014! Still looks the same!

2 generations. 2 Epic cars. (The Classic belonged to a friend).

[Nithesh_M]

Still cannot believe somebody at Ford decided to bring that Fiesta with a boot when they had the chance to get the hatchback as an i20 rival. Even for a premium it would find more buyers than the sedan ever did.

[nitkel]

Brilliant research and write-up! A memorable car indeed and it's sad that they couldn't build on the 1st gen's success. Remember doing some crazy drives in it which I wouldn't dare to do in most other sedans!

[Timeline 1967]

I am the proud owner of 2015 model Global Fiesta 1.5 tdci titanium. Have driven over a lakh kilometers till date,current odometer reading is 102371km,still on original clutch ,original battery replaced with Amaron,replaced the horns,running on Michelin primacy 3st tires,after getting rid of the Good Year tires.After sales service from Ford is excellent and economical too.Joy to drive on Ghats and on twisty roads,fuel efficiency is around 20kmpl .Haven't added anything extra apart from seat covers.Will try to keep for another eight years.