Brand new Festiva Owner...help

[redstiva]

I was just given this festiva from a friend of a friend. It's a 1989 L carb with a 4spd (or I just can't find 5th) I drove it from Houston home to San Antonio. No AC no Radio just wind. It has 12inch wheels and tires, didn't even know that was legal. The front are radial and the rear are trailer tires, which was all the previous owner could find. My questions are many but a couple of the most pressing are Where can I find new tires? Is it normal for a festiva to want to follow grooves in the road? (the slightest variation in the road surface and I am pulled a foot or so in that direction) Basically it feels like its hydroplaning but there is no water on the road.

I will post pics of it soon.

Lastly this car is great, I am proud to own it.

[Hodag'stiva]

Yep. You've only got a handful of inches on the pavement, so you do tend to migrate towards the grooves. There are some railroad tracks that run through a street in a nearby town that mine always wants to follow.

The wheels are legal, but I have to question the rear wheels. Seems to me that the previous owner got unnecessarily cheap there.

Fifth is *all* the way to the right and up.

Have fun, good luck and remember that most semi drivers can't see you if they're tailgating you.

B

[Biglay5150]

If its not an LX it doesnt have 5th gear. And You might want to check with a local tire shop for the rear tires you can usually find used ones.

[Mike McKown]

Is it normal for a festiva to want to follow grooves in the road? (the slightest variation in the road surface and I am pulled a foot or so in that direction) Basically it feels like its hydroplaning but there is no water on the road.

Check your toe-in. Your wheels are probably toed-out.

[sbreeze]

you can get tires are tirerack.com

[Smedley]

You said it was an L model. It only has 4 speeds.
Welcome to the site.

[sam.1956]

Tire Rack has one 12 inch diameter tire for Festiva's: The Yokohama Y372 $43 each

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Y372

[redstiva]

Thank you very much I will look into the tires at that site. never thought about buying tires over internet.
As far as toe in or out, I don't know what that means

[25Horseplay]

As far as toe in or out, I don't know what that means

It refers to your front end alignment.

[hotfordcat]

Thank you very much I will look into the tires at that site. never thought about buying tires over internet.
As far as toe in or out, I don't know what that means

It means you are either doing the HOKEY POKEY or the front-end needs an alignment. LOL

[Ogrekhan]

Alright,

Let me fill you in on the darker side of this... you my friend are skating the ragged edge of addiction. Sure it starts off harmless enough... a cheap or free first festiva.. then why not improve it a bit.. new tires.. a tune up.. then Bam! Your a festiva addict and your thoughts constantly turn towards things festiva. Rare parts...suspension upgrades..eventually you'll shoehorn a turbo engine into that tiny lil car and start calling it your "precious". Not saying this is a bad thing... just wanted you to get the warning I never got. Oh an welcome to the site. hehe

[MONSOON]

^^ LOL! If that werent so long Id sig it right now!^^

[TominMO]

Your a festiva addict and your thoughts constantly turn towards things festiva.

Sadly true.

[redstiva]

lol i see that happening already. I haven't even had time to switch the title yet and already I am looking into different ways to modify it. As far as I can tell any body mods are a little tricky (i.e. increasing the fender well size to accept a larger wheel tire combo) because its a unibody. I really would like a more stable ride, especially when cornering. Have also considered a fixed sunroof nearly the length of the roof, but not sure what that will do to the car structurally speaking.

thank you all for the welcome as well