’Am into Automotive field for last 35 years working for Car companies. FIAT, Mahindras & Tatas. Drove Premier Padmini since 1986, Armada 1993, Indica last 6 months. Still wanted a car & test drove all cars/uv/suvs under 10 lac on road
for nearly last 3 months. I go to Pune /Nasik doing about 3000km pm in cluding Mumbai.
Though there were negative impressions on Ford cars in India for some reason or other, the Fiesta appealed to me the car I should go for, inspite of its price being Rs:7.93 on road Mumbai for 1.4 Turbo Diesel. The fuel average figures of 18 km-20 km city & highway with a/c, I learnt , attracted me first, but after using it for 2500 km in last one month, that alone was not the best part, besides the ride quality , Pickup,
gear change, & a/c & the car is good. Even the ride quality( below 140 kmph I did on
expressway) is better than New Honda City, I drove both at different times.
Negative feedback I read in this column like, bonnet release & light levers on left,
too close acc/break pedals are not very cretical compared to the advantages. When I was bargaining for some freebees, the Wasan Motors told me, sir what more you want, when a car worth 10 lacs is coming to you for 2 lacs less. Yes, what was told to me is not just sales talk, I find with the mileage I did so far. And I hope the car will
not change my impressions over more mileage.
Engine stops in case of wrong gear change, could be due to optimising the car for better fuel average. Once one get used to the car that should not be a problem.