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Considering buying a 2012 Ford Fiesta

Messages
9
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12
City
I-5 Corridor
State
OR
Country
United States
What I Drive
14' Fiesta Titanium
#1
I found a 2012 Ford Fiesta S with 154k miles selling for $4700. Would I be getting a good deal? I am currently focusing my energy on rally racing and have heard great things about these little cars. I am not mechanically savvy but I am determined on becoming my own mechanic. Are they easy to work on? Anything I should be worried about?
 

econoboxrocks

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Premium Account
Messages
755
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606
City
Elkhart
State
IN
Country
United States
What I Drive
'17 ST
#2
Ford recommends changing the cam belt @ 150,000. I'd do that just to make sure nothing bad happens down the road. The price seems a little high, but used cars are all really expensive right now.
I'm hoping the car in question has a manual transmission. There are few reported problems with those cars.
I'd take the car for a very long test drive, city and highway, and listen for any odd noises and drive it pretty hard. With a car that old, it's hard to tell how well it's been maintained. Plastic and rubber pieces are likely to be a little brittle or worn out, especially the coolant tank. Check that all the electrical stuff works like it should. Chasing down electrical bugs can be frustrating.
If it seems to drive OK, take it to a mechanic and have them put it on a lift and check the underside. Ball joints, driveshafts, and all that. Look for loose links, bearings, etc. That can be expensive to replace.
Compared to most modern cars, Fiestas are pretty simple and easy to work on yourself. You can do basic maintenance in your garage.
Team O'Neil uses Fiestas for their rally school. https://teamoneil.com/ They're good cars to learn on.

If it checks out, you're probably OK. Change the oil and tranny fluid, and drive it. Fiestas handle well, and they get great mileage. Good little cars, overall.
 
OP
fiestafever42
Messages
9
Likes
12
City
I-5 Corridor
State
OR
Country
United States
What I Drive
14' Fiesta Titanium
Thread Starter #3
Awesome! Thanks for the reply. It is a manual and I would be taking it to my mechanic to get it checked out for I make the purchase. I actually got the inspiration to go for the Fiesta from Team O'neil! They are great. I found another one in town that I am looking at with 93k on it. Its a little more expensive but I think it'll be a better route considering the used car dealership I was looking at before had reported all of the cars they were selling to people had about $2k-$8k worth of repairs after it was rolled off the lot. I am a first time car buyer so, glad I dodged that bullet. Thanks for all of your reccomendations! I will definitely be doing more research on Fiesta's. Sick ST BTW!!
 


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