Looking to buy a festiva need advise

[Nickb1907]

I have wanted one for about 5 years now. I need a good daily driver high mpg car and i think this would do it, right now i have a jeep on 35s and it gets 10 mpg.

I have been looking through the forums for about 4 hours now trying to get info on everything but havent found much.

Im looking for the best years to get one, motor, trans, etc.

Im thinking of doing auto depending on if its a decent one, so gf can at least drive it.

Upgrades, I will probably do a few small ones mostly to increase power. What is out there as far as intake, exhaust, or other small hp tricks.

Thanks guys im searching craigslist throughout the state and looking at a couple btw 350-1500, depending on how much work i want to put into it. Im in Houston, TX so if you know of one nearby (500 miles away or closer) post it also.

*Edit and i drove one today and the shifter(manual) was horrible, barely found a gear, and it was everwhere...is this normal? Also is there easy motor swaps like direct bolt up? The link in the motor swap section is dead.

[pr0nst4r]

Use the search function (upper right) to answer your questions. They have been covered.. I remember reading them recently.

Make sure you put your location in your profile too! It'll help if someone's near you.

[freshtiva]

Id recommend a 90 or newer five speed. Sounds like the one you drove needs shifter bushings. Just teach the GF how to drive a manual.

[Nickb1907]

Id recommend a 90 or newer five speed. Sounds like the one you drove needs shifter bushings. Just teach the GF how to drive a manual.

the jeeps manual and she wont touch it, and im thinking since its a dd car a auto would be nicer to drive.

BTW im searching and getting nothing, please someone fill in my blanks.

[sam.1956]

Definitely recommend getting a Festiva with 5 speed trans & the fuel injected engine ('90 - '93). Mine is an '88 (carburetor engine) but I got lucky in that it runs nearly flawlessly. Still, EFI is the way to go IMHO.

[eurotiva]

Autos feel alot slower and don't get quite the mpgs of a manual. She might not feel bad driving the festy, because you won't have as much in it. As far as swaps there are a few that are pretty easy (drill a hole, and some minor exhaust work) Just look around. Lots of stuff(info) on this site. From pictures to write ups to videos. And Welcome to ffcom!!

[freshtiva]

I think youd regret the auto. They are pretty low geared for the hwy. Gas mileage isnt as good either.

[sam.1956]

I do like the radiator in the auto trans cars. Auto trans is HEAVY! But I can pick up my 4 speed manual trans w/1 hand easily.

[pr0nst4r]

Here's the differences between the cars:

88-90 http://67.15.110.164/options1.html

91-93 http://67.15.110.164/options2.html

BTW im searching and getting nothing, please someone fill in my blanks.

It's kind of weird to figure out, but once you get the hang of it, it works great.

[Nickb1907]

Here's the differences between the cars:

88-90 http://67.15.110.164/options1.html

91-93 http://67.15.110.164/options2.html



It's kind of weird to figure out, but once you get the hang of it, it works great.

now that needs to be a sticky somewhere, thanks guys. So the auto gets how many mpg? I know the 5 sp should see 40-50 right? Just really worried about the loose shifter, has i drive with a short throw hurst now and love it.

btw what do these cars top out at?

[Pu241]

btw what do these cars top out at?

Nearly Mach 1, with some coaxing!

[batstiva]

General consensus on MPGs for the autos is somewhere in the low to mid 30s, I think.
Mine is a carbed 4 speed, and I'm still getting around 43 mpg.

As far as top out at, you mean HP, MPH? Not sure what you mean.
Think the carbed ones hit about 56 hp, FI ones are a bit more. But not much.

[Pu241]

EFI = 63 HP
Good for Warp 1!

[festyxfi]

I think youd regret the auto. They are pretty low geared for the hwy. Gas mileage isnt as good either.

I second this. The carbed models aren't as bad as some people think, but the EFI's tend to be more popular.

Good luck, you can't find a better car!!!...

FX

[pr0nst4r]

now that needs to be a sticky somewhere, thanks guys.

It should be. I think the thread I found it in said something about it being on the old site still. I've been doing a lot of researching on all of the differences and am putting a bunch of it together.