Question about festivas

[Cheapo]

Hello. I'm new to festivas and alpines. Don't own one currently, but looking to buy one. What problems do these cars have? I was looking at geo metros for an economy car, but gave up because of the rust issues. I have no clue what issues festivas or alpines have, but doubt there as bad as a metro.

[Larry Hampton]

Alpine or Aspire?

Also, you might want to put your location down, we might be able to help you find one.

[eurotiva]

Ball joints......cheap and easy fix.

Oh and welcome to the site, add your location so we can help more.

[Safety Guy]

Welcome!

I believe Metros are known for rusting out around their control arm mounts.

Festivas aren't as bad in that area. I think the worst areas to look on a Festiva would be the underbody around the rear axle brackets, the rocker panels, and the floorboards. As long as you can fix, patch or live with the rust, the only place I'm aware of that may be "too structural" to deal with should it be rotted out would be the rear axle mount area. Also check brake and fuel lines for corrosion as well. Ball joints, of course.

If a Festiva engine has been taken care of, it should give you well over 200K miles. It is not rare to get over 300K or even 400K out of them. I think the record so far was between 500 and 600K. I may be wrong on that.

Generally, Festivas are considered more robust than Metros, and they seem to be cheaper to fix and take care of too.

Karl

[Cheapo]

Alpine or Aspire?

Also, you might want to put your location down, we might be able to help you find one.

Opps. Sorry. I meant Aspire. I'll edit my profile and add my location

[Bert]

Only thing wrong with Festys is the 'freshest' ones are 18 years old and 12 inch tires are going to be getting rare or discontinued soon. Try to rig up a 2-for-one sale if you can; one Festy and one beat or bent Aspire so that you have a spare engine and can plan for an upgrade suspension, common wheels (13" and up) and modern brakes. Aspire is merely a car whereas a Festiva is a highway gokart with a radio and a roof.

[Damkid]

The thing i love most about festiva's is how interchangable the different engines/tranny's are, not to mention any of the b series engines are very very hard to kill (same with KL's though lol), including the stock engine..... festiva's go forever!!!

[georgeb]

Festivas are the greatest car you can have during these crappy times. There are no mechanical red flags with the design. Anything can be fixed except maybe structural issues (becomes parts car for your next one). Minor annoyances are: 12 inch tire availability, internal front rotor, muffler longevity, crash survivability.

[TominMO]

Festivas are the greatest car you can have during these crappy times. There are no mechanical red flags with the design. Anything can be fixed except maybe structural issues (becomes parts car for your next one). Minor annoyances are: 12 inch tire availability, internal front rotor, muffler longevity, crash survivability.

And the fixes are:
1. switch to 13s--JY Metro rims being the cheapest way to go.
2. Alpine brake swap (sorry, couldn't resist)
3. new mufflers are $28 at Advance Auto, BFD
4. don't crash

[GenevaDirt]

Festivas are the greatest car you can have during these crappy times.

what do "these times" have to do with the fact that Festy's are hands down the best car you can own....anytime...period!!! LOL

[neanderpaul]

Festy's are hands down the best car you can own....anytime...period!!! LOL

Perfect