Black Betty Arrives!

[Perko]

Recent change in car priorities has meant that the Hilux that I bought has been sold. Made some good coin so that I could look around for a car for my son and also secure the deposit for the XR8. After looking around I decided that there was no rush. However this little gem popped up.

2008 Fiesta base model. In good condition with a few scratches but apart from that really well looked after. Only 81,000 km's and serviced every 10,000 km's. Got two brand new spare wheels with the car and XR4 fog lamps. So will have to get the holders for the front bar in the future.




Drove it back from the Gold Coast to home so I thought I would give some first impressions. Firstly I love the looks. Classy and yet sort of cute the Fiesta is a great looking car. Even though it doesn't come with alloys it certainly doesn't look cheap in any way.

The interior is basic without feeling cheap. Leather steering wheel with some nice brushed alloy touches lifts the interior from levels of boredom. Seats are fine for driving yet lack support. The only downside for me is that I would have liked Bluetooth for the radio. Not a big downer but still would have been nice for a 2008 model.

Driving the car 3 main things stand out. First the engine is torquey and nice for around town. Not one to rev it is well suited to the size of the car and 2 passengers. A few more and the little fella might struggle a little. Handling is beautiful. Around town it was very good. The motor with the handling made it a joy to travel. Manual gearbox is a little notchy but I have used better and also far worse. On the downside, and it is a major one, is the road noise. On the highway it was loud. Cabin noise was intrusive. It may have been something to do with the Yoki's that were fitted but on certain parts of the highway the radio was certainly a welcomed distraction. Around town not so bad.

Overall I am very happy with this purchase. Great little Ford that does the job of getting from A to B very well, especially for the coin. For around the city it would be a weapon of choice but on the highway give me my XR8.

[Burnout]

I know a bloke who makes molded ear-plugs - while you wait, Bloke...........

[FTe217]

They are a good kit for the little run around - I helped our warehouse guy purchase same model in a Zetec - he just loves it.

[Franco Cozzo]

Mine is a WS which is the next year up from yours and its pretty good on fuel, it consistently does 6.3L/100km and had no problems with it aside from junk A/C.

[dash gt]

Good little cars, we used to supply them as company cars at one of the businesses i worked at. Pretty reliable, we always had problems with tyres and wheels though, buckled a fair few rims and lost a few tyres!

See the side protection strips? Try cleaning them up with a chux eraser, seems to work pretty well!

[Perko]

Mine is a WS which is the next year up from yours and its pretty good on fuel, it consistently does 6.3L/100km and had no problems with it aside from junk A/C.

Yeh the a/c is pretty average. As long as you keep it on 2 then all is good. Any more than that and it is a waste.

[Perko]

Good little cars, we used to supply them as company cars at one of the businesses i worked at. Pretty reliable, we always had problems with tyres and wheels though, buckled a fair few rims and lost a few tyres!

See the side protection strips? Try cleaning them up with a chux eraser, seems to work pretty well!

Found a really good product that works a treat. Used it on the Hilux and Jeep. Think that Turtle make it.

[Perko]

Been a while since anything has been done on Black Betty. One service last year and just done the second one. Now that my son has almost got his license the km's will slowly build up. Lately the Fiesta has had the speedometer fail and then losing power. After a bit of searching the problem seems to be related to the speed sensor. Going by a number of forums it is a common issue with the Focus/Fiesta. Also reading it can be a pain of a job so I thought I would still give it a go.

Well the sensor is in the depths of the engine bay just near the bell housing. Best access is from above and below depending on what you are trying to do. Having a hoist is a definite advantage.



The locking pin was an absolute pain to get out. Stillsons and some gentle persuasion was the only way it came out. Unfortunately the pin is now screwed.



The sensor was no easier. Trying everything but no budge. Had time to think about it last night over dinner and came up with a plan. This arvo with a small pair of stillsons and some twine attached to a mallet handle we had a go. POP! Came out easy.



New part is back in. Will order a new locking pin tomorrow and job is done. Hopefully this will sort the problem. Back to happy motoring.

[HSE2]

Good stuff mate.

[KamFege]

hey Tim i seem to remember a silver and black short stick u spun last year..... that reel would pair up well, and look sharp in ur arsenal bro.....