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Fact Jeke Motoring
This week has been filled with adventure. I am so blessed to have made it into the year 2014, a year that we see new doors open and experience a whole new offering in the motor industry.
A few weeks ago I got to drive a vehicle which I have nicknamed the queen of spunk over the years since its introduction, simply because when you drive past, both women and men look.
The women envy you and the men want to see who is behind the wheel.
To make matters worse for me, Miss Spunk, the Ford Fiesta 1,4 petrol — is a little out of my budget which means I will just drool for now and not afford to own one.
Anyway, I always get to drive them during test drives no matter the price tag . . . I guess those are the joys of my job.
Now to the fun stuff, that which makes me tingly like I am on a first date with a guy I like.
I enjoyed and seeing that it’s a nippy run around which is light on maintenance and fuel, I would recommend it to any first time buyer looking at buying a new car.
I got to test drive it for a whole week .
This is the perfect girly car or a first car for a young executive who understands fashion since its the perfect fashion accessory. Personally its a car with Botho, which is Hunhu in Shona.
She is grounded on the road, at whatever speed, you don’t have to worry about being swayed off the road when cruising at 160km, I did that along Mutare road, it was a breeze.
But looking at the deteriorating state of our roads, stick to 100km per hour, that’s a safer speed. Wouldn’t want anyone being a statistic.
This past festive season, the death toll on our roads rose and the causes were not primarily bad driving but the bad roads contributed as well. The relevant ministry has to do something fast.
Well enough of that, back to the Fiesta. Imagine 0–100km in just 13,9 seconds. Of course its not a Bugatti Veyron so the 4,9 sec is out but for a car that size that’s so impressive.
It’s business as usual for the latest Fiesta — like the previous one there’s still the same generous amount of space in the front, reasonable rear passenger room and a decent boot.
All-round visibility is excellent and the Fiesta’s compact size makes it simple to park. Solid build quality and clear instruments and controls are also part of the mix, and the exterior still looks fresh as it approaches its second year in the showroom.
The rest of the Fiesta might be up to the model’s usual standards, but unfortunately the automatic gearbox undoes all of Ford’s good work in an instant.
The 1,4-litre petrol engine does a fine job.
It’s refined, it revs sweetly and the 95bhp available makes it zesty at all speeds. With a 5-speed gearbox I enjoyed packing the km per hours.
It’s no Porsche but it does the speed jobs really well.
Like every other model in the range, the Fiesta’s balance of comfort and control is superb. It glides over broken roads and there’s little that upsets it.
There’s just the right amount of grip to make it safe and secure during normal driving.
Press on and the tyres give up traction in a progressive fashion that allows keener drivers exploit every last degree of grip. The electrically-assisted power steering is full of all the right signals and sensations and there’s little in the way of wind or road noise. Priced under US$30 000, it’s a complete package.
Financing is available and you can get assistance from the sales team at Duly’s & Croco Motors. Oh and yes, you get air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric front windows, a good stereo and twin front and side air bags.
With a 42-litre tank, which I think they should have made bigger, the fuel consumption complements that by doing 5,9 litres per 100km, which is a bonus. With fuel on the high this will be a great investment.
So in this new year if you are looking at putting the funk into dysfunctional, and buying a statement run around, this will be the perfect edition to your fleet.
Easy to park, a bit pricey to purchase but who cares when you have the money, cheaper to maintain and cute too.
So till next week buckle up and enjoy.
Ciao, and God bless you in the year 2014.
Fact D. Jeke is a motoring enthusiast who has attended auto shows, rallies and has written for various publications in the region for the last decade. She can be contacted via email on [email protected] and torque with Fact Jeke on facebook and YOOKOS.
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