This relatively young and modern car can be purchased for just over $1120. The car is functional and surprisingly reliable, although it looks inconspicuous. Meet the Ford Fiesta MK6, which was different from all other generations.
Ford Fiesta MK6 Characteristics and construction
Looking at all generations of Ford Fiesta, it is the MK6 (fifth generation) that stands out from them. It’s just that it stands out with its inconspicuous style, and not something that could catch the eye. The Fiesta MK6 introduced the model into the new millennium and then such shapes were in fashion.
The car also fit the entire Ford range from Focus to Mondeo, and the Fiesta was based on a strange creation called Fusion, which was compared to microvans on the one hand and crossovers on the other. The real car of this type, however, is the rare Fiesta Cross.
While the Fusion was offered in a 5-door version, the Fiesta MK6 also had a 3-door body and a sedan that is unique in our company. Relatively attractive, suitable for a fast hatchback or delivery van. Both the Fiesta and Fusion comfortably fit four people, but in a different way. In Fiesta you sit low and the spaciousness is at a good level.
Fusion provides a high seating position for passengers, which translates into a slightly different choice of space. Overall, the Fusion appears to be a more spacious model. It also has a larger, as much as 337-liter trunk, while the Fiesta offers a modest 284 liters (3d: 268 l).
The design of the dashboard is immediately reminiscent of the Ford Focus II – it has a similar style and layout. Everything is logically arranged and the cockpit is in order. Of course, the richer types of equipment look better. The Fusion dashboard looks similar, but not identical.
The design of the Fiesta is no revelation. The chassis with a wheelbase of 2,486 mm is suspended on MacPherson struts and a torsion beam with shock absorbers separated from the springs. Fusion’s ground clearance is 20mm higher, allowing for more free use of city curbs, but with a 70mm taller body, you have to be more careful when cornering.
The history of the Ford Fiesta MK6 in a nutshell:
- 2001 – model presentation
- 2002 – presentation of the Ford Fusion based on the Fiesta
- 2004 – 1.6 TDCi engine added to the range
- 2005 – facelifting
- 2006 – ABS as standard on all versions
- 2008 – end of production and presentation of the successor
Read Also: Which Ford S-Max MK1 (2006-2015) Engine To Avoid?
Ford Fiesta MK6 Engine
The range of gasoline engine was really extensive, and began with the well-known 1.25 engine with 75 HP. However, this was not the weakest one. The structurally more primitive 1.3 liter engine achieved either 60 or 70 hp.
These engines were not offered for the Fusion. Both models are equipped with 1.4 and 1.6 liter engines with 80 and 100 hp respectively. The latter hooks up to a powerful hatchback, but this was the function of the Fiesta ST with a 2-liter 150 HP engine.
Diesels are just two engine of the TDCi family, specifically the HDI of the PSA group. The smaller 1.4 liters produces 68 HP, while the larger 1.6 liters produces 90 HP. Yes, this is the engine I praised in other articles, without a dual mass wheel and a turbocharger with variable geometry.
Which Ford Fiesta MK6 engine to choose?
Almost all engines except the 1.3 liter 60hp can be recommended. Why not this one? Because it is weak, and if you have a stronger variety to choose from, it is better to choose a 70-horsepower. The main advantage of this engine is its extremely simple design.
A single shaft and 8 valve timing drives the chain. It is an engine to which you can successfully install a gas installation without worrying about some serious failures. And in principle, this is where the advantages of this engine end. The disadvantages include a high fuel appetite and low work culture.
The famous 1.25 Duratec offers a bit more. It is a engine that not only gives better dynamics – quite decent in Fiesta – but also has a smaller appetite for fuel. It can fit between 6.5–7 liters per 100 km on average. The biggest advantage of this bike is its incredible durability and high work culture.
The only thing that can go wrong is cheap accessories, such as small things such as a stepper engine, a water pump or one of the sensors. Unfortunately, this is not an engine that likes LPG. Of course, you can install an installation, but it must be of good quality and must be carefully monitored. All of this also applies to the larger 1.4 and 1.6 gasoline engines.
These are engine used not only in the Fusion model, but also in the Focus. While the 1.4 engine is completely uninteresting in terms of average performance, the 1.6 is a very good source of propulsion. It offers the right power for dynamic driving, and the engine design leaves little to be desired. It is difficult to ride this bike, but the only thing that can break down is the equipment.
In principle, the same can be said for the smaller 1.4. In its case, the power is 20 HP lower than the 1.6, and at the same time only 5 HP greater than 1.25, it actually makes it pointless, which does not mean that it is not worth buying a car with this engine if you get a good model.
Diesels are a different story. First of all, these are engines developed in cooperation with the PSA Group, i.e. HDI engine with modified accessories prepared by Ford. The weaker 1.4 was offered only in the 8-valve version with 68 HP. It was a structurally simpler version of this bike, which had neither a dual mass wheel nor expensive accessories.
Unfortunately, the low power and torque at the level of a gasoline engine do not offer very good performance. The only advantage is low fuel consumption, which does not exceed 5 l / 100 km on the road, and 7 l / 100 km in the city. The only question that remains is the sense of buying a car with such an engine. Potentially more expensive to repair than petrol versions, in contrast to them, it can fail at any time.
It is not a bad engine, but against the background of 1.6 TDCi it is completely not worth attention due to poor dynamics. So we have a similar situation to the petrol 1.4. However, if you want to buy a diesel Fiesta by 2004, you have no other choice.
A much better engine is a 90 HP, larger diesel that generates 205 Nm of torque, powerful for such a small car. This is the fastest Fiesta outside the ST version and at the same time one of the most economical. In terms of fuel consumption, you can count on really record results. While in the city a larger engine always consumes more fuel than the 1.4 TDCi, the Fiesta 1.6 TDCi is ideal on the road – a fast and very economical car that burns less than 5 l / 100 km.
In addition, this engine, despite many minor failures, is durable and cheap to repair. The Internet is full of the number of described faults occurring in 1.6 TDCi / HDI, but the reason is simple – it was used in dozens of different models from various manufacturers. Most problems are with the 109 hp version. In fact, the 90 horse variety only requires regular service and minor repairs from time to time.
As I wrote at the beginning of this chapter, each Fiesta engine is good, with its pros and cons. The best ones are in my opinion: 1.25, 1.6 and 1.6 TDCi. The first as the basic, cheapest source of propulsion for typical urban use. Larger 1.6 for people who care about dynamics.
I recommend diesel to people who intend to drive a lot and care about fuel consumption and dynamics. An alternative is a smaller diesel in older years or a 1.3 gasoline engine for gas installation. Version 1.4 is average in all respects, worth your attention when you find a nice model.
What’s Problems on Ford Fiesta MK6?
The car wears out slowly, it won’t rust, and the interior doesn’t wipe down too quickly. This problem only affects the basic versions with slightly different materials used on the dashboard. As long as the body does not corrode, you should carefully inspect the underside of the car when buying.
They can corrode the mounting points of individual components, and the rust on the muffler should not come as a surprise. Fusion fares worse in this respect. In this model, rust also appears on the body, specifically on the doors and the tailgate.
Staying underneath, it’s worth mentioning a few words about the suspension, which is absolutely no problem, but you have to keep an eye on it in Fusion. Worn shock absorbers and already too soft springs make it unstable. High speed cornering with poor running gear is not recommended.
Fortunately, the parts aren’t shockingly expensive. However, a set of good brand of shock absorbers and springs is an expense of $150 for the front axle and $170 for the rear axle. However, it is worth investing in such a set if you intend to ride faster. Fortunately, the front wishbone is fully disassembleable and regenerable, and as a whole it costs only less than $45.
It’s hard to fault anything in Fiesta. It’s also hard to find any repetitive faults apart from the engine accessories. In the reliability rankings, the Fiesta MK6 has significantly raised Ford’s position and is still considered an exceptionally hassle-free car to this day.
Ford Fiesta MK6 Operating costs, prices and availability of spare parts
The operating costs of the reliable Fiesta MK6 can be considered very low. Not only because of the low failure rate, but also cheap and readily available replacements. Any mechanic can handle this car, and in many areas you can carry out some servicing yourself. The car is distinguished by its simplicity of construction.
The only thing that costs above average a lot are the rear brake drums, but their replacement is needed very rarely.
It will be a bit worse in versions with diesel engines. In a car that has 150,000 km can be refused by the injectors or the turbocharger, but these are not extremely expensive elements. The maintenance costs are reduced by a simple turbocharger and the lack of a dual mass flywheel.
Ford Fiesta MK6 Market situation
The market is dominated by cars with gasoline engines, mainly from younger years. Of course, most of them were imported, because in several countries this model was not very popular. You can easily find both weaker and stronger versions, as well as 3 and 5 door bodies. There is no problem with finding a diesel or a Fiesta 1.6 or ST. The choice is wide and the cars have a large price range.
The cheapest model can be bought for about $1350 to $1570, although there are also cars that cost less. You have to pay about $2000 to $2200 for a restyled model. Even well-kept first years reach such prices. Here more depends on the technical condition and equipment than the age of the car. The limit amount that can be paid for the Fiesta MK6 is about $3300.
Is it worth to Buying Ford Fiesta MK6?
By reading the above article, you probably already know the answer yourself. The Ford Fiesta MK6 is a decent car for a reasonable price, although when looking for such a car you will find out that the prices are relatively high. No wonder, because cheap and reliable cars are reluctantly sold.
