Just thought I would do an update on the fiesta.
Anyone with experience of these cars knows that they are a good steer, even Jeremy Clarkson reckons you could spend ten times as much and not get a better drive. Enough of the love, so how has it been?
Right from the outset I decided that I would do all my own servicing so for 50000k all its cost is four oil filters, four changes of oil and some brake fluid. The original tyres still have at least 5k to go and the brakes still look like new so yeh its been driven more in economy mode than sports.
We recently did a 5000k trip with a lot of hwy at 110 and some city driving and touring in the high country all with the air con on and averaged 5.3 l/100klm.
So what about that powershift you ask? Yes its well known that ford have had lots of trouble with it. Apparently a lot of the bother was because the earth strap had paint under it and if the gear box brain doesnt get full power it does really stupid stuff. Easy fix but caused a lot of grief for some. Then the big one where faulty seals in the front of the gearbox caused oil to leak over the clutches. This really caused much drama especialy as ford were denying anything was wrong and owners were continuing to drive which ended up destroying many boxs. As a result of these things I was keeping an eagle eye on the underneath of the clutch housing for any signs of oil leak. Sure enough recently the area just below the clutches started to weep. What to do? As ford had sent us a letter extending the warranty on the gearbox and clutches to five years we decided to talk to the local dealer about it. A very nice customer liason person fully understood  the problem and agreed to replace the seals with updated ones and adjust the software too. Result is a fiesta that is driving beautififully without leaks. Happy me.
Now that were retired the fes doesnt clock up many ks so we could have this for some time yet.