2011 Ford Fiesta SFE (29 city / 40 hwy MPG US)

[Real_Ale_Act]

Thanks for this!

My KIA Soul has really let me down in a safety-threatening manner (traction ctrl), and I'm now looking for a(nother) new vehicle. This one is on my list, along with the Mazda 2 and the Fit.

Any other Fiesta owners out there with a longer drive or a lighter foot? My daily drive is 77 miles one-way, and I sure would love to post better FE numbers than Nels' wife if possible, but since my commute is so much longer (and because I consciously try to keep my foot out of it for the most part) I'm not sure her numbers are that comparable to mine.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Imagine how good it could be with a 1.6 Common Rail Diesel, maybe with stop/start ? The UK one gets 76 MPG (imp) on government tests

Hmm the US sites all say it gets 64mpg US for some reason.

Interesting maybe I could buy a Ford Fiesta Diesel
How to Import a Ford Fiesta Diesel | eHow.com

How much does it cost on top I wonder?

[cleanspeed1]

It sounds like it could get expensive, but at the same time if it's a car worth keeping, then the investment is worthwhile. I saw a guy that imported a Saab 9-3 diesel here and asked him how hard it was. You should have seen the look he gave me.

[Quazar]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Hmm the US sites all say it gets 64mpg US for some reason.

Interesting maybe I could buy a Ford Fiesta Diesel
How to Import a Ford Fiesta Diesel | eHow.com[/url]

How much does it cost on top I wonder?

In general, most people import cars from the US because they are cheaper. You are looking at paying about 28 - 30K to import say the hatchback with the 1.6 diesel from say England. With diesel being more expensive in the USA by up to 10% over gas. You would have to keep the car for over 12 years before you started to see payback on your investment. Factor in the FV of money, something most people don't and its closer to 20 years.

You better off buying a Ford Fiesta here, or a Cruze. At 65 mph with some minor hypermiling I can get 52 mpg freeway and 38 - 45 city in my Cruze.

Or if you are willing to invest that much get a Leaf or a Volt.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by cleanspeed1

It sounds like it could get expensive, but at the same time if it's a car worth keeping, then the investment is worthwhile. I saw a guy that imported a Saab 9-3 diesel here and asked him how hard it was. You should have seen the look he gave me.

I still wonder how much it cost him (burocracy + freight + car cost)

Hard I can handle, $1.8 million I cannot

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Quazar

In general, most people import cars from the US because they are cheaper. You are looking at paying about 28 - 30K to import say the hatchback with the 1.6 diesel from say England.

On top of the price of the car?

Originally Posted by Quazar

You better off buying a Ford Fiesta here, or a Cruze. At 65 mph with some minor hypermiling I can get 52 mpg freeway and 38 - 45 city in my Cruze.

Or if you are willing to invest that much get a Leaf or a Volt.

My cobalt can get 48-50mpg with hypermiling but certainly not at 65mph. I might have to consider upgrading at some point. (preferably after the Cruize price point falls)

[Quazar]

Oh and I am referring to the Eco Cruze. My last 180 (one way) all I did was draft a truck about 80-120 feet back and got 51 mpg @ an average speed of 64 mph, and it rained for 60 of those miles.

The Fiesta itself is about 23-25K USD depending on options. You are looking at 2.5% in import tax, between 1500 - 4000 to ship and another 750 - 1500 in broker fees. (this is all approximate).

Then you have to factor in repair costs, because it will most likely not be under warranty, and even if they cover the labor you would have to pay to import replacement parts, which could take weeks.

There is just no way the car will ever be worth it.

[Fat Charlie]

Just how different is the car? Getting parts might just be a hassle for your dealership's parts guy, not you. If a platform is available in the US, then the parts catalog should be good. Foreign market parts (exhaust resonators, diesel bits, Euro spec lamps and the like) will be listed but restricted. It involves a phone call or two, but I've been able to get "export only" parts (with the VIN) through the regular system, no importing required. And yeah, the warranty probably wouldn't apply outside its original market.

Still, for a daily driver as an efficiency choice it doesn't look like a good move.

[Hubert Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by Hauln

I bought a Fiesta about two weeks ago and I am impressed that one of the Big Three is finally listening to what people want. I took it for a short (20 mile) trip and kept my foot out of it and averaged 42.3 MPG. I'm hoping it will improve as I drive it more. The automatic transmission feels and sounds like I'm driving a stick.

That is because the dual clutch transmission is an automated manual gearbox. the computer controls the clutch

[Nels]

Originally Posted by Real_Ale_Act

Any other Fiesta owners out there with a longer drive or a lighter foot? My daily drive is 77 miles one-way, and I sure would love to post better FE numbers than Nels' wife if possible, but since my commute is so much longer (and because I consciously try to keep my foot out of it for the most part) I'm not sure her numbers are that comparable to mine.

The numbers are improving with the warmer weather, and she is getting better at driving it.

1996 Saturn SL Gas Mileage (Peanut) - EcoModder.com

For instance, there seems to be a 'sweet spot' at about 57-58 mph where the car requires a lower throttle position to maintain speed. On the car's internal mileage computer (don't have a scanguage), the reading jumps to the low 50's mpg range if it is held there. I think now that the weather is warmer she will be able to maintain above 40 mpg with reasonable attention. She's not a hypermiler by a long shot, but any car she can achieve 40+ mpg in is a good buy for us.