Hi Do any MINI drivers out there, in Europe, have any experience comparing with the Ford Fiesta? the Fiesta is not here yet in the states but will be out shortly but I think will be pretty much the same as the Fiesta currently popular in the European markets

 

A Ford ? Come on Man !!!!!!!!!!

Mini Coopers Rock

 

yeah, well, it is supposedly the #2 selling car in Europe so some people may like it......Ok, truth is, my very first car was a 1978 Fiesta and I was sad that they stopped importing them here in '81 so am curious what a modern day Fiesta has grown uo into

 

I raced one on Forza III as my very first car, and honestly it was pretty kick a$$. The styling is pretty cool to IMO.

 

My first car was a 1989 Festiva, her name was "Fastiva". She came pre-modded; non-functional hood scoop, 13 inch chrome wheels, and dual exhaust with chrome tips that extended from the bumper 4 inches. I shouldn't have sold her, that was a fun car to drive.

 

That version was imported from south Korea. The euro version till now has only been similar to the US sold one in name only. Now in an attempt to cut costs and reduce the number platforms, ford is bringing the euro festiva to the us insted of a contract built car like last time. By all reports ford did get alot right with the new desgin.........good for ford!
That beaing said, MINI has nothing to worry about.

 

Zippy....the soon to be availlable Ford is the Fiesta from europe( will be built in mexico) not the Festiva which I think was a totally diff vehicle

 

Ford has a list of changes they made to meet US consumer demand and safety standards....but it is be and largely, the same design as the euro version. By all accounts it is a pretty good ecno box. Ford seems to be THE only us auto maker making some pretty impressive cars these days....even if it is assembled in Mexico!!

Aww....I see.....but I think I remember reading some stuff...LOL....I guess it was the same in my mind...i missed the spelling diff!!

 

Fords euro designs tend to kick some major a**. Just look at the euro escort's. Hopefully they apply the same thinking when they bring this car over.

 

Top Gear gave it a great review!

 

Its a Ford = Found on road Dead !

 

I drove the Ford Fiesta at the Orlando International Car Show just after Thanksgiving. Ford got permission to bring I think it was 8 to the US no emissions or safety on them. It was the regular 1.6l 4 banger. It was a little quicker then a regulare Cooper. It was very roomy and was set up pretty well. I guess that happens when its built in Europe. It handle okay not bad but, not MINI great either. From what the Ford rep told me that it could possibly be offerer in AWD, FWD, twin turbo diesel, turbo diesel, diesel, gas, gas turbo, or a variation of driveline and aspiration type. If it is released here in the States as a twin turbo diesel awd, I would be very hard pressed not to buy one. But it probably won't be. It will be a slow econobox that the Europeans will always brag that there car is better.

 

The new Fiesta is, by virtually all accounts, going to be a very good car.

Honestly, if it was out at the time I bought my MINI, I very well may own one. That being said, we couldn't be happier with the MINI.

The Fiesta will be competitive with the MINI in many ways... gas mileage, size, etc... and it's not just another crappy American small car. On paper, I think the Fiesta will be a strong competitor in the Fit/MINI/Fiesa/etc segment, but I think the MINI will continue to have a loyal customer base because of the intangibles of character, driving fun, etc.

If anything, I think that an increase in quality small car options will help to grow the number of people who consider the segment when they are looking for a new car. If the Fiesta turns out to be as good as it is supposed to be, I think it will be a win for the mini-car segment as a whole.

I certainly could be wrong, but I think cars like the MINI, Fiesta, etc make people think, "Hey, maybe I don't need a huge car... one of those would be practical and fun." At least, that's essentially what happened with me.

 

from what I've read, the diesel is available overseas but will not be available stateside...like the MINI diesel which is not offered here...yet

 

Hey Folks.!!!

I live in cologne since Feb 09(I*m a german), where the new Fiesta is been build.
And the Fiesta is one of the most sold small cars in Germany last year 2009.

So i can see lots of Fiesta's on the streets here...

But...please .... dont compare it with MINI...!!!
It's absolutly a diffrent car!
i don't see any comparsion....at all !!!

It doesnt...seem very luxury, and the plastic interieur looks cheap too..

A girlfriend of mine got a 60hp 1.25 Litre white Fiesta......
I dont really like the Design and the basic features...

Maybe it's the right way for the USA too get more small cars on the market...but it will take time, till some people in the USA switch their thinking: of car sizes(Monster SUVs) and energy wasting, and saving the nature for the future.

The Fiesta is a good car...but i think MINI is LIFESTYLE and it is love..and kinda cult&unique too drive one.

The Fiesta is for me - just a small car...like Vauxhall/Opel Corsa,VW Polo (will be available in the US),Mazda 2.

Good Cars, they seem very grown up, not like small cars in the 90's - but they are not very emotional...

So i need the MINI - cause it's FUN !!!

grreetz
Basti

 

Its a Ford = Fix or Repair Daily!!

 

Ford Fiesta > Base Cooper
Cooper S > Ford Fiesta

I have heard nothing but great remarks on the new Ford Fiesta. I used to be Anti-Ford, but I do give them a lot of credit. They have really stepped there quality and design.

Maybe this will change some of the extremely bias feelings most of you have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krrWeyJFsoY

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrQPqVvUMCQ

 

That's a bit of an overgeneralization... and I doubt there's anyone on this site MORE pro-Ford than me.

For one, the only major difference between the Cooper and Cooper S is the power difference. So, therefore, if the Cooper simply had a few more horsepower, then it would be better than the Fiesta, too... even though the Fiesta and Cooper have the same amount of horsepower.

Also, that inevitably means that if the Cooper S had a few less horsepower, that the Fiesta would be better than the S as well.

I'm glad some people are seeing that the Fiesta is going to be a good car, and you're welcome to your opinion, but given that the only major differences between the Cooper and Cooper S are horsepower and the costs associated with it, I don't see the logic of your claim.

 

I have to agree with these sentiments. I was born and raised in the UK, and grew up with a number of Euro Ford products in our household including two Fiestas (1988 and 1994). Both cars were fun to drive and reliable as were their larger Ford brethren manufactured in Cologne/Essex.

I do have to agree though that he Fiesta has always been economical automotive appliance in England and elsewhere in Europe. They were frugal, cheap to acquire/repair/replace, but were hip enough, especially in their XR2i and RS 1800 guises to hold their own against hot hatches of the day (GTI/Peugeot 205).


I don't refute the fact that this generation of Fiesta will be just as good as those in years past, however I don't think that they can be compared with the MINI Cooper. Our beloved cars have a special heritage and subsequently maintain a distinct subculture and sense of "community" by owners and enthusiasts alike.

Just my 2c for what it is worth

Asif

 

Let's face it the MINI is something of a cult car. We can justify ownership based on the fact that it's handling is superb, that it gets good mileage, driverwise it's practical, and it's "cute". If Ford has a winner with the
fiesta, so what? It doesnt really affect most of us, those who want to dump their MINI to get one are welcome to it.

 

Wow! Comparing the Mini Cooper to the Mini Cooper S is like comparing the 328i to the 335i. Major difference in engine. One is a N/A engine and the other is a Force induced engine. Suspension is different too. I've owned both and I can tell you the difference between them is sizable. I based my opinion on more then just style. To me the Mini wins the exterior style battle. The interior of the Fiesta and its engine looks very appealing. If I had a choice between a Base cooper and a Fiesta. Im pretty certain id take the Fiesta. Not to mention it has 4-doors, which is very appealing to those with a family. Another thing the Fiesta is set to start around 15k. Less then the Cooper. A fully optioned Fiesta will get close to the base cost of an "S". In that case I'd take the "S", because the engine and styling is worth it. So please don't try and tell me there is no logic to my claim.

 

I live in spain and i can say after seeing the Fiesta in person many many times, it is veeeery sharp. Dont flame me though i love my mini!! But the fiesta in 2 door with black paint looks down right great!! I havent ridden in though. But they do indeed look nice. I want to remind people, Ford Europe is not the same Ford we know here in the states. Well, not yet. Here comes the Ford Kuga and Mondeo platforms. Both cars are great just like the Fiesta.

 

The only SIGNIFICANT difference between the Cooper and Cooper S is the power and price. Virtually everything else is either negligibly different (suspension), or can be added to the Cooper (standard fogs, sport seats, etc, on the S).

So, if the S is better than the Fiesta and the Cooper is NOT, then it stands to reason that the game-changing feature is power.

You're welcome to your opinion (Cooper<Fiesta<S), but there's no other way to slice the logic.

 

Ok is the Fiesta going to be a good car? We can hope. Something that many American auto companies do is sell a great car to the European market and the American counterpart is garbage. I blame a lot of that on the U.S.'s safety standards being a little high cause be people are mentally deffiecent and can't drive. But, if Ford can sell 2 or 3 versions of this car one being an econobox to sell to the hippies and one to sell to all the go fasters and obvious one in the middle I think it would do great but, I don't think is going to happen. I would hope they would do it.