Advice on buying a festiva

[goblazers_6]

I'm currently looking at getting a festiva. what advice can you guys give me. years to look for, options, drivetrain, ect. what would be the perfect starter festiva that i can begin to modify.

[TheresGabe]

I'd say GL or LX, other than that they are kinda the same.....

[SimonTuffGuy]

Go for a 90+, you'll get fuel injection and it makes it a little easier to work with (do engine swaps on, etc).

Besides that, everything is pretty much the same... If you get a base model, you can always add on options like power mirrors, gauge cluster with tach, intermittent wipers, etc really easily. Most everything on the Festiva is plug and play. The cars are pretty much all pre-wired for anything to swap in (aside from the base 88)... The only downside to the 90+ is they have automatic seatbelts... It gives me a break on insurance rates for having them, but I've swapped back to a regular set of old fashion belts instead.

Both the automatic and manuals are pretty decent transmissions... I've driven both, but I prefer the manual just because of personal preference. If treated right, you'll be set to go with either (My dads 89LX (5-speed) got him 270K miles on it... the only thing he ever had to do was replace the clutch, and that was because I drove it too rough). You can easily see 200K+ miles on the original engines if taken care of (see above)... And if not, then swap in something (see the engine swap sections of the forums here for info... you can go minor with a little 1.6 upgrade that bolts right in, to a 1.6 DOHC turbo, 1.8 from an Escort GT, etc)...

Good luck on the search! Check out FS section too... I know there were a few cars listed for sale... Maybe if you posted your location in your profile, someone else can help locate some for you.

[Sleeper]

If you are going to plan on a future fuel injected engine swap....try to find a FI car...some have done it on carb models....however you will find the later years are in better shape.....My only and real big suggestion is FIND ONE THAT HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST!!!!!

If it's rusty on the hood or hatch...no biggy...they all are. and you can replace with a fiberglass hood or hatch------ festivamotorsport.com

Stay away from the rust buckets.... it's worth the wait....however a rusty festy can be a great parts car.

[dahodges]

1st solid body on big dents
2nd fuel injection
3rd manual trans
4th the only one you can find for sale

David

[goblazers_6]

I got one!!! a 94 straight body 105,000 on the clock new tires 5sp super clean interior. $200!! needs new exhaust gasket wouldnt pass portland emissions, but i live in cowlitz county, where there is no emission to go through. i'll get some pics up soon.

[stefan]

ither your mistaken on the year, or you have an aspire. they only made the festiva up to 93

[packrat427]

I don't think he is from the U.S.

So it could be a 94 or newer Festiva