1990-1993 Ford Festiva: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1993 Ford Festiva and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Visibility
- Fuel economy
- Maneuverability
Cons
- Acceleration
- Passenger and cargo room
- Handling/roadholding
- Noise
- Manual steering effort
Vehicle Highlights
Introduced for 1988, this diminutive Korean-built front-drive hatchback weighs just over 1700 pounds. Three trim levels were offered: L, L Plus, and LX.The Festiva's 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine switched from carburetion to fuel injection in 1989-90. For '90, a 5-speed manual transmission was standard and a 3-speed automatic optional. Festivas got a fresh grille and taillamps for 1990, and motorized front shoulder belts replaced manual belts. Rear shoulder belts became standard.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Ford Festiva Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 1 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 30 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1993 Ford Festiva. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1993 Ford Festiva.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Ford Festiva:
A streamlined lineup retained the Festiva L but deleted the L Plus and LX models, combining them into a new GL trim level.
1992 Ford Festiva:
Power steering disappeared as an option after '91, so all subsequent Festivas have manual steering. The fancier GL gained aluminum wheels and an available Sport Option package.
1993 Ford Festiva:
Unchanged for their final season, Festivas left the Ford lineup after 1993, replaced by a Ford Aspire.
Our road test for the 1990-1993 Ford Festiva includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1993 Ford Festiva and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1993 Ford Festiva is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Acceleration is no more than passable with the 1.3-liter engine and manual transmission. With automatic, or with more than one occupant aboard, a Festiva feels even more timid. The engine produces little power at low speeds, and gets noisy above about 4000 rpm, thrashing rather raucously. Gas mileage is exceptional, with 30-plus mpg on average. Don't be surprised if the Festiva's body tilts precariously, as it skitters around corners on its 12-inch tires. Expect quite a bit of body roll through turns as well as irritating understeer. Few cars are easier to parallel-park than a Festiva. Surprisingly supple, the Festiva's ride is actually rather comfortable, but the short wheelbase keeps it from ever becoming exceptional. Noise levels tend to be high, and road and engine sounds combine to produce a loud din at freeway speeds. Passenger and cargo room are limited, though the upright cabin provides surprisingly good head space. Even leg room ranks as adequate. Thin roof pillars, plenty of glass, and a short nose translate to great outward visibility. Interior furnishings are sparse. Even with the rear seatback folded, in fact, storage space is mediocre. Radio and climate controls are within arm's reach.
Value for the Money
Considering its modest price, this unrefined minicar isn't a bad buy. However, we would recommend that you spend a few more dollars and get a more substantial automobile, such as a Ford Escort or Chevrolet Cavalier.
Considering its modest price, this unrefined minicar isn't a bad buy. However, we would recommend that you spend a few more dollars and get a more substantial automobile, such as a Ford Escort or Chevrolet Cavalier.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Ford Festiva Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 1 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 30 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Ford Festiva includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Ford Festiva .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Engine stalling:
The 25-amp main fuse may repeatedly blow because it cannot handle the higher charging rate. Ford approves installing a 35-amp fuse in its place. (1990-92)
Exhaust system:
Loose heat shields over the muffler and catalytic converter cause a rattling or buzzing noise. (1990-93)
Seatbelts/safety:
The key buzzer and dome light may stay on because the wiring for the passive restraints gets chaffed under the back seat and shorts out. (1992-93)
Spark plugs:
The spark plugs tend to break during removal. (1990-93)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $1,375 |
| Alternator | $955 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $695 |
| Brakes | $225 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $460 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $360 |
| Exhaust System | $275 |
| Radiator | $385 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $425 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $155 |
Our price chart for this generation Ford Festiva details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1993 | |||
| Festiva | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1992 | |||
| Festiva | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1991 | |||
| Festiva | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1990 | |||
| Festiva | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Ford Festiva include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 90.2 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 140.5 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 63.2 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.3 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 1797 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 26.5 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 10.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.6 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.6 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.4 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.7 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Festivas had only a single engine through their entire lifespan: a 1.3-liter, overhead-cam 4-cylinder, producing 63 horsepower. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard; 3-speed automatic transmission optional.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.3 / 81 | 63 | 73 | 5-speed manual: 35/42 3-speed automatic: 31/33 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Ford Festiva include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1992 Festiva |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | -- |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1993 Ford Festiva directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Fasten seatbelts and other warning lights on some cars may not work.
1990-91:
Front seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside, causing improper operation.
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