matts1

Which is better handling and more importantly which is quicker between the Fiesta Zetec S and the Saxo VTS 16 valve?

I am going to sell my S1 and daily runner escort and wondered which of the above is going to be nippier, build quality and stigma aside.

Cheers all

Matt

zvhturbo

Personally i'd say the VTS is the better car, but the Fiesta is a much nicer car to look at and is a Ford!!!

Get the Fiesta

TIFF

Get the Fiesta

The saxo is worthless

Rab

Saxos are really badly put together, I'd get the ford

Zetec Andy

fiesta holds its money better and is a better looking car, great on handling too.

Escy

Saxo VTS would piss all over a Zetec S fiesta in straight line performance.

zvhturbo

Zetec S is more comparable to the VTR performance wise.

Sunil_FiestaRS1800

iTrader: (1)

The VTS would proper woop a Zetec S in a staright line, but the Zetec S should out handle the VTS. Personally id go for the Zetec S as they look phat and are better built.

RichardPON

The Saxo is quicker and handles better.

I just couldn't bring myself to even sit in one. It has THE worst image tag associated with it - more so than any other car!

Saxo................. the word just makes me shudder

It's Czech Mate

I have a Lovely Z-S. Will out handle a saxo all day long. Good high speed stability for a little car. Will cane a VTR and get caned by a VTS

Much better build quality, although not without problems. ( Pull up the door seal if you are looking and check for rust...common problem...can get fixed under 6 year warranty )

Also holds it's price nicely

You can have mine if you want.

Imp Blue, Y plate, 24000 miles, 11 months MOT, FFSH,aircon, 6 cdplayer,heated screesn front and rear, leccy mirrors blah blah

Immaculate Ł5300ovno

It's Czech Mate

LUPO GTi is much quicker than both! LOL

zvhturbo

Totally agree the Saxo is the better car but has a bad burberry boy racer image.

People with Zetec S will say thats better people with VTS will say thats better.

I've had both and the VTS is the best performer and handler. Period.

gurnE

Where Alex D, he's a member of the Saxo owners club

VTS would piss all over a Zetec S

buffyturbo

mines for sale zetec s



i need to sell it so me and graham can get our new car x

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

Here She Is :





Right I have come on here a few times when people have been slating the Saxo and defended it to the end, because I think it is the better car than the Zetec S and most others in its class, However I must confess, I have never driven a Fiesta Zetec S but have driven most of the oppostion.
So on that note when I saw the post I went and stole my mates girlfriend’s Fiesta Zetec S and took it for a spin, It does have lowered suspension, Magnex Exhaust and a K & N Induction kit so does handle a bit better then the standard one.

Well I was quite impressed with the road holding and feel thru the steering and how well it handles, and we did get into a race with a TVR !!!

It is however much less willing than the VTS, I would say its more on a par with the VTR (which feels just like an XR3i to drive ! ) , I would say tho the Fiesta would be slightly quicker.

I am now convinced the Saxo is better, o.k the build quality is not as good and
You don’t get as many xtra’s, but who cares when you are av’in a race !!!

The Saxo revs higher to 7,250 revs and has better gearing and all the power in in the top end, the Zetec also has less power then the VTS as the engine is straight from a standard focus. The VTS engine was originally built for the Saxo but then used in the
Xsara.



The Fiesta Spec is :

Max Power 103 BHP

Max Torque 146 Nm @ 4000 rpm

Unladen Weight 1059 kgs


The Saxo Spec is :

Max Power 127 BHP

Max Torque 145 Nm @ 5,600 rpm

Unladen Weight 885 kgs

0-60 7.2 secs

Now after driving both the Saxo VTS is a better car, Quicker, Lighter and more powerfull and there is not a roundabout yet I have not managed to get across and a quick pace.

I have also had run in’s with many cars, inlucding a Subaru Impreza Turbo (UK Model) and he got a bit of a wake up call as we (me and GurnE) sailed pass with Lee waving at him lol....

I know I should say as a Ford Man the Fiesta is great, but in the end I bought the Saxo..

Al……[/img]

the madferrit

saxo is way quiker but you could always go for a 1.7 puma engine in the fiesta. Ive drove a vtr and vts and the vts i found a bit scary on bumpy turns. found myself almost leaping sideways when cornering fast on a not so smooth lane. personaly id have a fiesta n do an engine conversion
http://pbuild.zippy172.com/fiesta.html
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/prodser/engine-swap.htm

matts1

Some top views here and many proving what I had already thought, the Saxo is faster but isn't as well built and will loose it value alot quicker and there is the stigma attached.

I did want some quickish as I will be selling the S1 and use an escort 1.6 16v for my daily runner now and want something in between speed wise.

Up sides for the fiesta are that it looks much better, has less or no stigma attached, will hold it's value better and I can always upgrade to a bigger engine (is 2.0 zetec poss without to much hassle and cost?) and it's a ford so I would know my way around it.

I will spend about Ł4500 - Ł5000 on the car I choose

Just don't want to end up with a car that is as slow as the daily runner escort as my only car, need some fun on the way to work

COMEDY DAN

Fiesta Boss.........

You dont wanna be driving round in a Sack-So do you ??......

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I personnally think the Saxo looks Better, the Fiesta is a bit to Square on the front IMO. But iwould say that cos i own one


I agree the Saxo does have that certain image, but most on the road are of the 1.1 variety . And they Piss me off !!



Al...

gurnE

Yea, that was fookin funny

matts1

Anyone know the insurance groups of the VTS and the Fiesta.

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I think the Fiesta is Ins Group 8 or 9, and I know the Saxo is 14

Al...

mattbibs

had a little tear up with a VTS on the way back from getting mine chipped. surprised me a lot on a slippy track it went round corners really well.

not saying much tho - mk3 fiesta are generally poo with handling!!

also - why not just get a puma? my sister has 1 and cant really fault it as a runabout!

NathR

lol @ the Ford blinkers coming out!!

I was faced with the same choice 5 years ago + went for the VTS. The Z-S is comparitable to a VTR, and.....

0-100 VTR = 33secs
0-100 VTS = 22secs

HUGE difference, and they both have a fantastic chassis. I had my VTS for 3 yrs + loved every minute of driving it!

It's Czech Mate

Z-S is group 8 insurance. VTS is much quicker in a straight line and this is reflected in it's group 14 rating!

As for the handling...personally I find the saxo to be more nervous at high speed, probably has less understeer but feels a lot more likely to swap ends if you lift of at speed IMO. Fiesta feels very well planted.

Plus the gearbox on the Z-S is very sweet. 2.0 zetec transplant sounds good, damn, i might even decide to keep mine!

swerv

Fiesta for me, ive driven both a while ago and although the saxo was fun to drive its so embarrassing to be seen in, so on this note the fiesta wins hands down as its also fun to drive!!

If you want speed why bother with either they are both slow, get a proper car

mattbibs

quality quote there!!

It's Czech Mate

He's not wrong

Daveyraveygravy

I'll give you Ł20 for it Buffy!

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I am sorry why is the SAXO Embarrasing

Most people i know like the Saxo and after i take them out in it they can see exaclty why i bought it.

And yes it is a skitish at high speeds, but i have had it up to 135 MPH a few times and yes you have to hold on a bit, its like driving a powerful roller skate !!..........lol........

Al......

3doorPete

Deffo blinkers coming out here I reckon - I needed a run around and looked at Zetec S Pug 206 GTI, MG ZR160, Saxo VTS and Saxo VTR new in 2001.

Pug was crap, MGZR over priced.

Went with the VTR as VTS was loads more to insure (ins. grp 14 vs 7), and in the real world there is not much in the performance, unless absolutely caning. VTS was also Ł2.5K more, and Ł800 in tuning would have given the VTR the same performance....

Zetec-S is just too slow. It's heavy and under powered and the chassis is not as good as the Saxo. Only 2 other FWD cars I have driven have a chassis as entertaining as the Saxo VTR/VTS - Corrado VR6, and mini (original).

I never had any problems with build quality, once a couple of niggles were sorted under warranty. Friends have had more problems with Merc's and VW's.

Loved it for 18 months until I rolled it getting just too sideways with my left foot braking.... All of the above IMO by the way, but I set out with no badge snobbery.

3doorPete

BTW the high speed skittishness is because the front is so pointable - they just won't understeer unless you are a complete muppet - exactly what you want in a FWD - I had 130mph out of my VTR, and did 800 miles from Calais to St Tropez in it, in 7.5 hours including fuel stops and got 36mpg out of it.

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I agree mate, mine ownt understeer unless you really push it, then lift off and you get major oversteer ! .

I have raced other VTR and VTS's and a the VTR's do well against the VTS, but if you can keep the VTS between 5 - 7k they get left behind.

I raced a Mazda MX3 V6 the other day ! , It was comical ! He thought he was the kiddy in his V6 ...............

We both lauched it off the lights and where was he next time i looked ............. about 300 yrds behind

Al...

zvhturbo

Agreed the balance between understeer and oversteer is so well set up that it really is difficult to get it wrong.

I currently have the VTR and have hit the rev limiter in 5th with the cars clocks ready about 136 (about 128 on the road angel)

I can prove i get an avarage of 42 MPG as well.

Oranoco

IMHO the Saxo is the better overall car. The Zetec S is more comparable to a VTR.

However the Saxo does suffer with a chav image and every little twat has one and thinks they can take you on with it.

Mate has a VTS with a zorst and filter and apart from being buzzy and feeling flimsy the car is very capable. I was concerned at how it folded in a very low speed accident though



The taxi that hit us was barely marked

gurnE

It's like the bloody Saxo owners club in here

They all coming out the woodwork!!

I can't comment on this arguement as I can't drive Al's Paxo, with my size 12's I can't operate one foot pedal at a time

Bloody French

zvhturbo

On that note i ran up the back of a Ford Scorpio on a motorway and ripped his back bumper off without even a scratch to the paint on my saxo.

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

Yes in an accident i think i would rather be in the Fiesta, but the Saxo has four air bags so in roll i am sure it weould be o.k !! ......lol..................

I am planning to do a few mods to it, Exhaust (DE-CAT) , Induction Kit and lower it 35mm just to make it look a bit more sportier

AND I WILL BE STAYING WELL AWAY FROM HALFORDS AND ANYONE WHO SUPPLIES WANKY BODY KITS !!

Al...

Oranoco

I've got the same problem mate. 106's are the same as well

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

Not even in yer bufty Alpine Star Driving Boots !!

Al....