1994-1997 Ford Aspire: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1994-1997 Ford Aspire and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Maneuverability
- Optional antilock brakes
- Instruments/controls
- Visibility
Cons
- Acceleration
- Manual shift linkage
- Engine noise
Vehicle Highlights
Korean-built, Mazda-designed minicompact went on sale early in 1994, replacing the Festiva as Ford's entry-level automobile. Dual airbags were standard and antilock braking optional. The front-drive Aspire used a 63-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, with 5-speed manual shift or optional 3-speed automatic transmission. Automatic was optional only on base-model Aspires, and available power steering could be installed only on base-model 4-doors. Both 2- and 4-door hatchbacks were sold, the latter on a longer wheelbase. Both came in base-level trim, and the 2-door could be ordered in upscale SE guise, adding fog lamps, a rear spoiler, and different seats and interior trim.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Ford Aspire 4-door Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 34 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1994-1997 Ford Aspire. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1994-1997 Ford Aspire.
Year to Year Changes
1995 Ford Aspire:
Few changes were evident on the '95 Aspires.
1996 Ford Aspire:
Aspires lost their front spoilers in 1996. Window moldings and center roof pillars now were body-colored. The SE 2-door hatchback was dropped, leaving only base versions of both body styles.
1997 Ford Aspire:
Minor appearance changes marked the '97 models, including new front and rear bumpers, headlamps, turn signals, taillamps, and wheel covers. Aspire did not return for '98.
Our road test for the 1994-1997 Ford Aspire includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1994-1997 Ford Aspire and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1994-1997 Ford Aspire is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Performance is adequate around town, but on the highway there's not enough torque for safe passing. Acceleration is feeble with automatic--worse yet with the air conditioner running. With 5-speed manual is a bit better. Often, though, when you floor the throttle the Aspire just seems to be making noise, instead of accelerating significantly. The engine is loud and annoying during hard acceleration, turning raucous when worked hard. In addition, Aspire's automatic transmission shifts with a jerk at times, especially when pushing the gas pedal hard. Fuel mileage with manual shift is impressive. You can expect more than 30 mpg in urban driving, and over 40 mpg on the highway. But the automatic transmission is not nearly as frugal. An Aspire grips the road fairly well, is reasonably stable, and responds quickly to the steering wheel. Turning that wheel can be a battle, however, unless the car is equipped with power steering. Around town the Aspire feels nimble, but on the highway and expressway on-ramps it lacks composure. Even in mild cornering, the small tires squeal in protest. Visibility is excellent to all directions, and the dashboard has a modern, convenient design. The Aspire's tall roof gives everyone adequate head room, but rear-seat passengers are more cramped. Front seats are quite supportive in general, but lack upper body support. Cargo space is tight with the 2-door but better with the 4-door.
Value for the Money
Aspire is an adequate basic car, but something like a Dodge/Plymouth Neon or a Chevrolet Cavalier won't cost much more, and these are better and more substantial automobiles.
Aspire is an adequate basic car, but something like a Dodge/Plymouth Neon or a Chevrolet Cavalier won't cost much more, and these are better and more substantial automobiles.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Ford Aspire 4-door Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 34 |
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 Aspire includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Ford Aspire .
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.
Air conditioner:
A problem with the air conditioner compressor causes loud noises from under the hood when the A/C is running. A revised compressor corrects the problem. (1994-95)
Automatic transmission:
Slow transmission upshifts in cold weather are caused by ice in the vacuum modulator line. (1994-95)
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission does not engage after the vehicle has been sitting for awhile, a check ball kit is available to prevent torque converter drain down. (1994-97)
Doors:
Door locks tend to freeze unless they have been replaced with new lock cylinders. (1994-96) If the doors are hard to lock or unlock, the door lock bezel could be causing interference. (1994-95)
Hard starting:
It may be impossible to start the engine in temperatures above 80 degrees (F) because the ignition switch expands and jams. (1995)
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 | $865 |
| Alternator | $725 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $800 |
| Brakes | $215 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $370 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $475 |
| Exhaust System | $200 |
| Radiator | $330 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $730 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $140 |
Our price chart for this generation Ford Aspire details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| Aspire | $1,200-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1996 | |||
| Aspire | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1995 | |||
| Aspire | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1994 | |||
| Aspire | $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 Aspire include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | 4-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase, in. | 90.7 | 93.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 152.8 | 155.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 65.7 | 65.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.6 | 55.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2004 | 2053 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 37.7 | 41.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 | 38.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.6 | 41.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.5 | 36.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 33.6 | 34.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Only one engine was available in Aspires: a 63-horsepower, 1.3-liter 4-cylinder, driving either 5-speed manual shift or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Nothing changed in the model's 4-year lifespan.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.3 / 81 | 63 | 74 | 5-speed manual: 34/42 3-speed automatic: 29/34 |
5-speed manual: 33.6 3-speed automatic: 27.9 |
|
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 Aspire include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 Aspire |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
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 1994-1997 Ford Aspire directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1994:
Fuel and vapor hoses/lines may contact or have inadequate clearance, causing wear that can result in fuel leakage.
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