Used Ford Fiesta, the left-field choice from RM12k. Cheap fun hatch or dumping money down the hatch?

Think B-segment in Malaysia and the options are split between the Honda City or Toyota Vios/Yaris. It’s a no-brainer and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Nobody argues against them, except the minority that shun Japanese cars because those that are still mentally colonised to believe that “continental” cars are more solid still walk among us and probably drive Ford Fiestas.

Well, given the reliability of “continental” B-segment models here, the buyers are definitely walking because the cars don’t really run most of the time.

Jokes aside (or are they), let’s take a look at the Fiesta sold here and can be had for pennies on the dollar in the used car market and as we’ll see further down this piece, makes for an affordable fun runabout.

In its defence, the Fiesta at the time represented an interesting alternative to its contemporary peers. It was without doubt the best-dressed against the prudish Honda Jazz or City/Vios duo and as reviews of the time will attest, possessed that famed (we apply that word lightly) Ford handling.

Plus, the fact that its spec sheet was generously populated with class-leading safety kit and features definitely gave it a little bump up in terms of appeal.

The Fiesta B299 variants offered in Malaysia

There were a number of variants between the pre-facelift and facelifted variants including some limited-edition trims that are detailed below the following table:

Between the hatchback and sedan, the former was definitely the favourite child. Nonetheless, it was the sedan that packed a marginally better safety kit between the two with 7 airbags while both hatches had to make do with just 2.

Apart from the glaringly lacking dual airbags, both 1.6-litre options packed ABS, EBD, Hill Launch Assist, stability control and traction control.

No kitchen sink but it'll swallow a decently-sized BBQ grill.

Infotainment was pretty commendable as well with a 6-speaker audio system that had Bluetooth/USB/iPod connectivity. A real double-edged sword however was the early version of Voice Control that on paper appeared to be a cool gimmick but in reality was a complete nightmare. Think annoying child that repeats everything you say but intentionally mispronounces or changes the meaning of a few words to induce rage.

It could also be the Asian accent, we'll never know.

That orange hue denotes a pre-facelift interior.

The pre-facelift run also included a couple of special edition variants; the Fiesta Beta and Fiesta XTR. Both included a nicer interior with scuff plates, different floor mats and a bodykit. If you can find one, the Beta also packed 3M-tined windows, chrome door linings and DRLs.

More importantly however was the fact that both came with 7 airbags.

In the pre-FL Fiestas, the notorious PowerShift dual-clutch 6-speed is the lack of a tiptronic function which was addressed in the facelift.

Unsurprisingly, the manual lacked Bluetooth connectivity and the Voice Control but was otherwise not too far behind.

Then came the facelifts in late 2013 and they're easily denoted by the faux Aston Martin grilles and multi-spoke wheels apart from the downsized 1.5-litre engine.

The equipment count increased quite generously but it came at the expense of safety as both bodystyles only had dual airbags. Only the EcoBoost that came later had the full 7 airbags.

Try as we may, the inclusion of an early version of Ford SYNC, an eco display, full keyless entry and push-button start as well as regenerative braking over more airbags is nigh-on difficult to justify; especially considering how the pre-FL sedan and special editions had 7 airbags.

Reasons to buy a Fiesta B299

We've vaguely hinted at the demographic of buyers for the Fiesta in Malaysia. Chief amongst them are those that still buy into the old fable of “continental” cars being more solid. To a certain extent, some variants that came with 7 airbags would weigh in favour of that against the Japanese but again, the trade-off was reliability.

Anyone that owned a Fiesta back then would argue that it drove a whole better than any contemporary Japanese equivalent and they're probably right. In fact, the version we got from Thailand had some suspension components firmed up so it does hold water but again… at what cost?

Most people that did end up buying one went down that route in the name of being different. Believe us, they exist… Japanese reliability be damned.

Don't be fooled, it may ask you to speak but it has no intention of recognising your commands.

Used market prices for the Fiesta B299

A quick search online will reveal that the majority of buyers unsurprisingly got the hatchback. Given the notoriety of that dual-clutch transmission (we'll get into the details below), pricing for the pre-facelift and facelift don't differ much.

In fact, the cheapest option we found online started below the RM 10k mark and was a pre-facelift hatchback. You might think the manual would naturally be the cheapest among the used options but seeing that three pedals meant you avoided the problematic PowerShift, the manuals hold their value reasonably well.

Pricing for the pre-facelift 1.6 Sport with the dual-clutch ranges from RM 13k-26k while the facelifted ones are in the vicinity of RM 19k-32k.

For comparisons sake, the manuals start from around RM 14k and go up to RM 19k.

Lastly comes the punchiest of the lot; the EcoBoost. No surprise that it commands the most with pricing ranging from RM 25k-40k.

That grille and the DRLs in the front lip indicates the flagship EcoBoost.

Common problems with the Fiesta

Now we open that can of worms. In the USA, Ford was on the receiving end of a class action lawsuit due to the dual-clutch PowerShift transmission. That should tell you pretty much all you need to know when considering a used Fiesta.

Over here, it didn't fair so well either; sans the legal repercussions of course. At the time of its launch, the Fiesta was the most affordable car in Malaysia with a twin-clutch transmission. That novelty certainly didn't age well.

Simply put, that PowerShift box accounts for almost all the common problems with the Fiesta and any one of its components could be the reason for poor performance or even outright failure.

Some of the common complaints were:

• hesitation with sudden acceleration
• jerking
• juddering
• delayed engagement when shifting
• holds gears when decelerating
• complete failure, no power sent to the wheels

The gloss black trim in the middle points to a facelifted model.

PowerShift failures weren't exactly something that came with extensive mileage as well. It had its fair share of failures before it even breached 6-figures on the odometre.

Part of the mess in dealing with the transmission is that there wasn't a single identifiable cause. Some said replacing the solenoids worked, others had to rebuild it while there were those that just opted to replace the entire box itself. Even software upgrades occasionally worked.

Can we even talk about dual-clutch transmissions and leave out the clutch pack? That would be sacrilegious. So, of course the PowerShift had clutch pack issues as well.

Of course, a combination of all those fixes was just what the beleaguered owner ordered sometimes.

However, it's worth noting that even with all those fixes, it didn't necessarily mean the problem went away for good. A high number of owners reported that symptoms reppeared down the road.

It didn't help as well that the transmission was a dry clutch setup that Ford ambitiously claimed was a sealed unit and required no maintenance. We can all ascertain that was a lie.

As to the cost of solving the transmission issues, it can vary by quite some coin given the almost unlimited possibilities in terms of failure points. To be safe, let's just say it starts at 4-figures and works its way up into the mid-range of that mark.

A blue-themed cluster means a facelift as well.

Compounding the Fiestas horrific transmission was a rear door latch failure.

There was a recall issued for it here so if you're set on buying one, make sure it had the defective door latch replaced by Sime Darby Auto Connexion; the Ford distributor here.

Lastly, the EcoBoost does have some weak points. Being a direct injection mill, it lacks fuel acting as a natural cleaner for the intake valve stems which may lead to carbon build deposits.

Furthermore, the high-pressure fuel system could lose pressure over time and the lack of sufficient fuel will hinder performance.

Cosmetically speaking, the EcoBoost engine bay was hardly a looker.

Which Fiesta variant should I buy?

If you've reached this point and we've somehow still failed to dissuade you from making the life-changing decision to purchase a used Fiesta, congratulations because you fear nothing.

Seeing how the PowerShift transmission can be a ticking time bomb, logic would conclude that the manual would be the one to get and we're tempted to agree.

It migh lack some of the bells and whistles but think of it as a potentially fun daily driver that can be had for cheap. The clutch pedal is easy on the foot so traffic shouldn't be an issue.

However, if you insist on living life on the edge with the PowerShift and possibly transforming your life into a fiesta, we'd suggest the facelifted ones with the Duratec engines over the EcoBoost. We're going with the facelift purely based on the fact that it's newer and therefore qualifies for a loan.

High torque, low fuel consumption and an Engine of the Year award might be tempting but the EcoBoost has its drawbacks as well; which we've mentioned above.

Pre-facelift wheels on the left and the multi-spoke facelift rollers on the right.

Conclusion

Admittedly, the bargain pricing for the Fiesta can be enticing, especially with the performance of the EcoBoost. As those that desire to be different will argue, you can't put a price on individuality.

Well, you can and it's quite affordable in regards to the Fiesta; which is pretty much what it has going for it.

Easiest way to differentiate the pre-facelift and facelift Fiesta is the Aston Martin inspired grille on the latter.

Keep an eye out for a complete service history and try to get a reputable Ford specialist such as Bug Auto give it a once over before putting pen to paper.

Meanwhile, here are a couple of examples from Carsome; a 1.6-litre Sport and an EcoBoost.

Orange is the pre-facelift and blue is the facelift.

*photo credits to The Motor Muse

Keyword: Used Ford Fiesta, the left-field choice from RM12k. Cheap fun hatch or dumping money down the hatch?