Greetings! (new guy here)

[EscortSportage]

Going to introduce myself, in the process of finding/buying a 89 Festiva (carb/5speed) Really excited ha.

Ive owned a 94 Ford Escort GT, Currently own an 89 Mustang GT and a 93 Miata. The Festy will be the winter car.

What shoould i look for or look out for when purchasing a festy? The current owner states the car has 121k on it and everything works and runs fine. Im not worried about dings and dents i just need everything to work. I have some fun plans for the car and look forward to tooting around in it. Ive wanted a festy for a couple of years now. I absolutly loved my Escort so i know i will love the festy seeing its the little brother to the Escort.


Thanks and look forward to chatting with you guys.

[radi8u]

Welcome!!!
Look over the underside of the car to see how badly it's rusted, especially around the trailing arm mounts. They're fun little cars, not to mention how cheap they are to operate and modify!

[EscortSportage]

Thats what i hear! Going to put my Yakima roof rack from the Escort GT onto the Festy, i plan on lowering it (probaly just cut the springs and run new struts) dont kill me. This car is going to be super low budget, Free mods/cheap mods. Ill give it a nice full tune up, add a cone filter probably 2inch exhaust with a new muffler. Thinking of buying some 15x8 XXR wheels, which brings my next question will those fit ? +20 offset.

[TominMO]

Welcome. If it's going to be your winter car and you get road salt up there, yeah try to start with as rust-free as possible. While you have good weather, do everything you can to rustproof it so it will last longer. Definitely undercoat it, and deal with areas like the rear trailing arm and brakes that will also get rusty. I like to use Rustoleum Rust Reformer; sand a little, spray it on, dry for at least a day, then spray on Rustoleum enamel.

Another area to pre-treat is the front bottom of the rear wheel well. There I clean it up and spray on some rubber, or undercoating. Also be sure to look at the hard brake lines.

If you have the money, I'd do a bunch of maintenance before winter hits: rear brakes and bearings, new rear struts, sand and paint the rear springs. Make sure your steering pieces are not loose. Get a Haynes manual as a minimum; it will save you time asking a lot of questions, and the questions you still have will be more informed. There's load of info here. There cars are very well understood, and generally simple and cheap to repair.

[Eaglefreek]

Welcome. If it's going to be a winter car, I personally would be keep it stock ride height for snow clearance. Not to mention, I heard the potholes are bad in NYC.

[sketchman]

I do believe bustiva had 15x8 XXRs at one time. You'll have herrafrush for dayz, but you'll also need herrarolled and herrapulled wheel arches. Or cut them out and get some cheapo universal rubber truck flares.

EDIT: I has right.

15x8.25 195/45/15

And notice the ROLL and PULL. Actually more of a ROLL and FOLD. But you get the idea.

[EscortSportage]

Wow those poke a lot! Whats the offset?

[navdoc101]

Don't put on a cone filter.
I had one & took it off.
Take the stock filter box , drill a bunch of 1/2 in. holes in the bottom, remove the little snorkel from the finder side , & put in a K&N filter #33-2222 (direct fit).
Better air flow, & you still get the intake sound.

And welcome Aboard !

[festyxfi]

Welcome. If it's going to be a winter car, I personally would be keep it stock ride height for snow clearance. Not to mention, I heard the potholes are bad in NYC.

I second this recommend. Festys aren't tall to begin with, I'd keep it stock height, lowering just causes more concerns and problems.

Welcome to one of the best vehicle forums around

FX

[EscortSportage]

Actually its a carb motor, so i might remove all the plastic and the stock airbox, for a old style carb (k&N) air filter on top.
Im not going to slam the car to the ground, just lower it maybe 2 inches

[Dragonhealer]

Welcome to the Forum!
Better check Advancedynamix suspension threads before you cut springs! There are better ways to go, but if you want cut springs, I'll trade you mine and I'll pay the shipping!

[TominMO]

Advancedynamix knows nothing about suspension. Just cut off 2/3 of the springs and go for it! Yee-haw!!




Sorry, it's a slow day.....

[Fecomatter]

Just get EBAY coilover sleeves. Let me tell you the ride is excellent. :tm: stbu

[Dragonhealer]

Advancedynamix knows nothing about suspension. Just cut off 2/3 of the springs and go for it! Yee-haw!!

Go Tom! Lol!
The Festiva is a GREAT winter car with stock suspension and snow tyres. My vote is for long soft bumpstops in the rear.

[TominMO]

Go Tom! Lol!
The Festiva is a GREAT winter car with stock suspension and snow tyres. My vote is for long soft bumpstops in the rear.

+1.

Sorry about the "senior moment" above....