The Festiva is a "walking fish" ?!?!?!

[CharlieZ]

FTA "They're the old-fashioned bearings that you have to pack with grease, not the modern sealed variety."

This line tells me he hasn't repacked (or seen) the front wheel bearings of millions of RWD cars. The article is a disgrace to Auto Week

[FB71]

actually, most RWD vehicles now use sealed bearing cartridges on the front wheels.

[hotfordcat]

I couldn't resist, I just had to reply also.

[freshtiva]

On my first Festiva, I put on over 150,000 miles on it before I replaced the rear bearings. And they weren't even that bad yet. I just did it because I had it apart to do the brakes.

Same here. We should slam this guy, what a jerk !!!! How did he get that job. Just shows you how you shouldnt believe what you read in that magazine.

[MJD]

you got that right !!

People just don't understand the fun the Festiva is. They do not know how roomy it is. They do not know how good on gas it is. They do not CARE. They feel superior in the new safety-laden high-tech cars we have available today. If gas goes back to four or five bucks a gallon maybe they will think small again. Thosw who do are getting Honda Fits that do not get as good a mileage because of all the great new safety features, options they must have, which are now standard...power windows and locks, cruise etc. All that adds weight and requires a stronger engine. I doubt anyone would ever settle for the Festiva if it was brought back with new safety features and had the same level of equipment they had new. The twelve inch tires would never have a chance nowadays. The new Fiesta is coming in soon but is already loaded with goodies and a weighty sedan model. The hatch should be available here too. I wish the Festiva in it's original form would come back.

I'm with ya 100 %. Most do not care about the little cars, and do feel superior in their Cads, suvs, etc, etc. For basic transport, you can't beat the Festys, or Geos, etc. People need to get to basics, but ......alas, we Americans think big is better ! :p
The Toyota iQ looks interesting to me too ........

mjd

[Gforcefd]

Ford Rangers still have the bearings you have to pack, and they are suppose to be repacked every like 25,000 miles.....if you don't it sucks because the shims are pressed into the brake rotor.

Logan

[mechanicaldj]

Wow, you guys sure get opinionated about things on the basis of very little information. My eldest son is not a "kid" but 26, a well-trained driver with lots of crash-free miles under his belt and safe-driver awards from employers and insurer. He's old enough to make his own choices and said he wanted it. I'd not put a new driver in this car, no.
As for my "ignorance" the bearings that came out of the car are just as I described, as are the replacement ones that came up on the part number. And I've been to the forum...the same one recommended by both a polite person and a rude one.----- last quote from Kevin A Wilson

who was the rude one????

if you all want some recognition as a Festiva community.............

STOP JUMPING DOWN OTHER PEOPLES THROATS EVERY TIME SOMEONE HAS A PROBLEM OR MIGHT BE MISINFORMED

[Gforcefd]

The rude one by the looks of the comments is HOTFORDCAT. I think his sarcasim could have came off wrong to the guy.

MechanicalDJ your right we really shouldn't jump down every authors opinion on our cars, or we may end up as the next Honda group :-P

[Safety Guy]

I'd respond there too, but it requires a sign-in and I'm too web-lazy.

I'd probably go on a rant about luxo lovers with their Platinum Power Butt Scratcher Preferred Equipment Packages, Electronic Anti-Lock Glove Compartments and Organic Air Bags.

Hmmm, all the cars I've owned are these: '76 Chevette, '81 Civic, '85 Civic, '86 Aries, '89 Aries and '89 & '93 & '92 Festivas.

No air bags, antilock brakes, electronic stability controls, and the heaviest car was no more than 2600 pounds.

So far I'm still alive, with nary a scratch on my cheap derriere to demonstrate the dangers of little cheap cars!

If I had a family I'd get a Focus sized car or larger, but I'm a single expendable future dead white male and I know what I like and want. And I really, really, REALLY hate the stupid safety Nazis in our Socialist Pseudo Republic who think they need to legislate my safety!

Karl

[gdawgs]

Ooops, I put in a negative comment. Here though, not on his site. I'll modify it. Sorry.

[roycehof]

Hey Guys - Look at the bright side - this poor mis-informed guy is helping to make Festivas less popular, which means more of them for us - LOL.

[lasvegascop]

All of ya have a great point. I read the article and the first thing that jumped at me is "I just rescued a 1991 Ford Festiva...the owner didn't understand how it was sold with a "major design flaw": The rear wheel bearings blow out every 10,000 miles."
Basically he is using someone's opinion about the car and makes it sound that he has owned the car, replaced the bearings and than 10K miles later, the bearings went out on him again.
Geez, the Festi is a CLASSIC (20 year) car believe it or not, the technology is advancing and if you chose to drive an older car than be prepared to keep up with it. If you take care of the car, the car will take care of you! Yes, my rear bearing went out and I even lost my rear wheel while in motion! (if you remember the thread I wrote), but that was my fault...I didnt take care of the car (shoot, I only owned it for couple months when that happened). When dealing with classic (older) cars or any cars, you have to know in your head what needs to be looked at. People that have NO freakin skills own only new cars...have you ever think of that? Yes, I own newer cars now and yes, I even had a brand spankin new car in my life, but it wasnt fun... When you work on your car, you bond with it.

Jim was absolutely right about saying "Many of our member shed a tear when one is permanently removed from circulation.", and thats because of the bond we have.

So all I gotta say is, I wish I had Mr. Wilson's job. Why? Cause I could write a story about jet airplanes or how the space shuttle performs in space without even having first hand knowledge and still get a paycheck...period.

I have no problem owning a Festiva...girl will be in the family for a very long time, picking up the slack for the Ferrari and the 745i.

[FB71]

I had to reply to Mr. Wilson's post, AND apologize for hotfordcat.

[FB71]

FB71 wrote:
Mr. Wilson,

Please allow me to apologize for the less than civil comment made by one of our members. He does not represent the vast majority of us.

As for you rebuttle "Wow, you guys sure get opinionated about things on the basis of very little information", to what do you refer? The polite posts or the rude one? We have collected quite a database on common faults and failures with these vehicles. I do not suspect misrepresentation of facts with your statements about your son's wheel bearings. However, I do dispute the required service interval. If packed and torqued properly, the bearings will perform admirably, without additional maintenance, for the life of the rear brakes, typically 50k-60k miles. If cleaned and repacked at that time, they will last another 50k-60k miles. However, the rear wheel bearings one these are very sensative to preload. If not torqued/preloaded properly, they will and do fail very quickly. It is my suspicion that your son's vehicle was the victim of an incompetent technician, not a design flaw.

You say you have stopped by the forum? Great! I would love to discuss anything Festiva (or other Ford/L/M) with you. Please feel free to contact me specifically if there are any questions or concerns that I may be able to address for you. Thank you for the time you took to pen a response, it is appreciated.

Jim

[anomoly40]

I think we need an ambassador. One who can not take offense to what people write about our cars.