aspire vs. festiva?

[pwgus]

It seems to me that basically, an aspire is just a somewhat fancier version of the festiva. Mechanically...or electronically, does the festiva have any advantages over the aspire. All I can figure is that the aspire is better, with better brakes, tighter suspension, heated oxygen sensor, better support beams, air bags (may or may not be a plus depending on your opinion), and factory speakers in doors. Is this correct, or does festiva still have some sort of uperhand on the second gen festivas (besides the obvious better looks)?

[Sparky]

For one, they are lighter....and a body design that makes no pretense about what the Festiva was meant to be: A small, utilitarian car that is fun to drive and easy to park.
Festys are also roomier in terms of useable front seat space for bigger folks, of which I am one.

[TominMO]

It seems to me that basically, an aspire is just a somewhat fancier version of the festiva. Mechanically...or electronically, does the festiva have any advantages over the aspire. All I can figure is that the aspire is better, with better brakes, tighter suspension, heated oxygen sensor, better support beams, air bags (may or may not be a plus depending on your opinion), and factory speakers in doors. Is this correct, or does festiva still have some sort of uperhand on the second gen festivas (besides the obvious better looks)?

Light weight + higher final drive in the 5-speed + less restrictive exhaust manifold = better mileage and acceleration for the Festiva. Light weight also makes it more responsive handling-wise.

The better brakes are needed for the heavier car, and we can retrofit those brakes to the Festiva. Factory speakers in doors is a personal call; I am happy with good 4 1/2" speakers front and rear. The other stuff I don't care about either; It's safer, more convenient and useful than a motorcycle, and that's enough for me. When I want "the luxury experience", I have the Outback.

[neanderpaul]

festivas are lighter, faster, get better mpg, easier to make really fast. Way better looking. A man car and not a girl car. easier to work on.

[thered56]

The main reason I got into these Festy's in the first place in because of how light they are. Better acceleration, mileage, braking, and handling are all immediate benefits of lighter weight. For instance, I'd imagine a Festiva will handle better than an Aspire with the Aspire swap, based on weight alone. I also agree that Festiva's look much better...better and better every time I look at one...heheh

[thered56]

Way better looking. A man car and not a girl car.

hahaha lmao!!
Agreed!!

btw...wow...beat to it by two others while I was typing that post!

[batstiva]

Festivas are lighter, more maneuverable, in my experience are better in the snow than Aspires. Just seems to me, when they went from Festiva to Aspire, they really should have thought about going with the B6, to compensate for the extra weight. They already gave up some fuel economy anyway. Granted, I've only driven clutch Festivas, and automatic Aspires, but the Aspire seems to lack the get up and go the Festivas had. Not sure how much difference the tranny would make here.

Aspires have their pluses, airbags if you are worried about safety. Personally, I hate airbags, but that's just me. They are more aerodynamic, which should, but it doesn't, translate into better fuel economy. Can't deny that a well cared for Aspire is a nice looking car (think Festymick here). They can be as reliable as Festivas. I've worked off and on with a guy who has had the same Aspire since new (1997). It takes a licking, and keeps on ticking. 180K miles on that one, and as far as I know, the only real problem he has had with his is during a hurricane in 2003, stuff under the hood got too wet, and the car would not start til the next day, after it got a chance to dry out.

Personally, I prefer Festivas, but that's just me. And I'll bet if you went over to fordaspire.com, you'd get a totally different set of opinions.

[neanderpaul]

An aspire can't do this

[neanderpaul]

I have heard of some aspires getting mid 40's on mpg.

[JPT]

Aspires were put on the Earth so you can upgrade your Festiva.

They're not bad cars, just heavier and slower. As for looks, the FIRST thing that needs to be done to an Aspire is a good lowering job (especially in the rear).

[neanderpaul]

Festymicks car is gorgeous. The best looking by far and one of the 2 or 3 that looks good.

[batstiva]

^^ Yeah, I think you kind of have to pull Festymick's, and a couple of others out of any discussion about Aspires. Might even need to reclassify his as something else. Or, since he's down under, is his still technically a Festiva?

[neanderpaul]

Yep technically it is a festiva. MAYBE THAT'S why it's so cool!? Nah it's Mick's skills, eye, attention to detail, and creativity.

[pwgus]

So how much does an aspire weigh compared to a festiva? I guess if I'm gonna ever do a BPT swap i'll want a stiva. Can u put in the tranny that goes with the bpt, or do you have to find another? Also, is it posssible to put in custom gears in either a stock or bpt tranny to change drive ratios. In my 'dream festiva' I take a bpt tranny and swap in all custom gears to compensate for the fact that it's a way lighter car than the original and give it a really high final drive ratio.

[JPT]

2 door Aspire - 2050 lbs
4 door Aspire - 2100 lbs

These are base model, no option weights.

A Festiva weighs about 1800 lbs