[normally_crazy]

It's been 8 years and 90000 kms with Zulu.

I was looking to selling of the ikon but could not part with it. When I moved to the Octavia's the ikon did duty at office and for the better part of the last 2 years, the car has been with my aunt. It has been driver driven all the while.

It came back to me about a week ago - and I have been driving it since then.

The car has a few dents and nicks, everything else in perfect shape. A few vibrations have been observed specially when the ac is switched on, but it settles down after a while - I suspect a mounting to be the culprit.

The car is still running on it's OE clutch - that is simply awesome. Even now the clutch shows no sign of slipping or burning out. The engine has freed up considerably and now revs so sweetly. The handling remains as brilliant as usual...just a slight swaying from the rear can be felt.

The lights are also original - no bulbs have been changed yet, neither the fog lamps nor the headlight. But the throw and lighting have always been a weak point in the ikon.

The brakes sure feel a bit scary after driving more modern cars but I got used to them after about a days driving. Compared to today's cars the braking is positively inadequate - and it makes you think twice before letting the car gain some speeds - a pity because the car begs to be driven hard.

The suspension also has aged but so far no major noises from it - got it inspected and the verdict says it is fine. I plan to get it overhauled as a precaution though.

The interiors have aged well, a edge on the drivers seat has been torn a bit. But the switchgears and interiors are well put to gather - no rattles or squeaks.

The only part changed is a front left strut. The car has been serviced regularly...that's about it.

In short - I have begun to love driving again after spending a week with the car. I would put my neck out and say that the ikon still is a much more FTD car than any other new age car in the class.


+ves - Handling, revvy engine

-ves - Brakes and headlights

[benbsb29]

Ha! It took you so long to get out of that slumber, and update this thread?!

Agree with you about the brakes part. On the newer Ikons which i had TDed, the brakes felt better, but user reviews would be required before we conclude the brakes are much better.

Between, which are the current tyres on the car, and how many sets have you replaced so far?

[normally_crazy]

I had the Perelli's and then the Goodyear's.

Now I have the car running on stock 175/65 R14 tyres.

So that makes it 2 sets replaced.

[shazikon]

I changed my clutch at around 86,000 kms.. I guess it still had 5k left in it..
At 94,000 kms, Engine is still revvy and smooth..

[condor]

NC, is it possible to retrofit the current Ikon's H/L unit - not the external glass, but the inner part. I somehow am quite comfortable with the Ikon's stock lights, esp when combined with the fog's.

[Damu]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

It's been 8 years and 90000 kms with Zulu.

I was looking to selling of the ikon but could not part with it.
The interiors have aged well, a edge on the drivers seat has been torn a bit. But the switchgears and interiors are well put to gather - no rattles or squeaks.
In short - I have begun to love driving again after spending a week with the car. I would put my neck out and say that the ikon still is a much more FTD car than any other new age car in the class.

Brother Ikon-er! Great to read another long term review from a happy Ikon owner! Makes me feel happy too. My dear is 6 years old and has clocked 72 k kms.

I have same experience as you in the build quality and agree with your observations. No rattles or squeaks and upholstery is still in excellent shape.

And yes, it's very hard to part with her!
Cheers!

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Ha! It took you so long to get out of that slumber, and update this thread?!

Agree with you about the brakes part. On the newer Ikons which i had TDed, the brakes felt better, but user reviews would be required before we conclude the brakes are much better.

Between, which are the current tyres on the car, and how many sets have you replaced so far?

Ben, one member had written about replacing his Fiesta's front brakes at Pete's as part of a package. I wonder if this can be done for the Ikon?

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

I had the Perelli's and then the Goodyear's.

Now I have the car running on stock 175/65 R14 tyres.

So that makes it 2 sets replaced.

I'm on my 2nd set too. Still with the original spec Bridgestones. I find them noisy but safe, and no punctures - just 2 as I recall.

[Vivek Jayan]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

It's been 8 years and 90000 kms with Zulu.
============
+ves - Handling, revvy engine

-ves - Brakes and headlights

congrats from a fellow Ikon owner. A small suggestion relating to the vibration when the AC is switched on. I could be coming from a loose bearing of the cooling fan up front. The fan turns on immediately after the AC is switched on. It could still be vibrating bad cuz of the loose bearing but we won't notice it easily in the midst of busy driving.
Had the same problem with our car and it was pretty bad that we had to get the motor of the fan replaced. Now its all fine again Hope I helped.

[Tornado]

dear ikon fans,

i have a ford ikon 1.6 zxi 2004 model done just 18,000 + km ( odo is authentic).i got it nearly a month back. i replaced front tires as all 5 were OE.

i am getting a poor mileage of just 7-7.45 km / litre in the city with 70 % a/c.
i tried full tank to full tank method and filled it from shell @ bommanahalli- Bangalore.

i replaced the 4 wires,fuel filter,engine oil, filter and air filter.

spark plugs seems to be good.
After changing the fuel filter i could not check the mileage properly. the old fuel filter was full of dirt though.

I have added a bottle of abro injector cleaner + some system g in the latest full tank of shell petrol. yet to check the mileage.

what should be my next steps to fix this?
any pointers?

regards

Originally Posted by Damu

Brother Ikon-er! Great to read another long term review from a happy Ikon owner! Makes me feel happy too. My dear is 6 years old and has clocked 72 k kms.

I have same experience as you in the build quality and agree with your observations. No rattles or squeaks and upholstery is still in excellent shape.

And yes, it's very hard to part with her!
Cheers!



Ben, one member had written about replacing his Fiesta's front brakes at Pete's as part of a package. I wonder if this can be done for the Ikon?



I'm on my 2nd set too. Still with the original spec Bridgestones. I find them noisy but safe, and no punctures - just 2 as I recall.

[Damu]

Originally Posted by Tornado

dear ikon fans,

i have a ford ikon 1.6 zxi 2004 model done just 18,000 + km ( odo is authentic).i got it nearly a month back. i replaced front tires as all 5 were OE.

Congratulations! Only 18,000 kms is amazing, you're very lucky to get hold of this! Good that you replaced all 5 tyres.

Originally Posted by Tornado

i am getting a poor mileage of just 7-7.45 km / litre in the city with 70 % a/c.
..

That is low compared to my Ikon which was averaged above 9km/litre in town with 100% AC use. Since you've changed all other things, maybe the plugs need to be replaced too.

Originally Posted by Tornado

i replaced the 4 wires,fuel filter,engine oil, filter and air filter.spark plugs seems to be good. ...
I have added a bottle of abro injector cleaner + some system g in the latest full tank of shell petrol.

Use of System G is recommended by Ford so continue using that regularly. My experience with System G is that it definitely helps in better engine running. Over a few tank fills, the FE could improve.

Originally Posted by Tornado

what should be my next steps to fix this?
any pointers?

I suggest get the Ikon checked at least once by a Ford ASC. My own experiences with Metro Ford Lingarajpuram with both my Ikon and Fiesta were very good.

[Tornado]

Hi Damu,

Thanks for your input.
Yes fuel efficiency improved but I sold the ikon as my average daily drive was more. I took a Palio Multijet.

Regards

[Dhruv Shetty]

This is my first ownership review in teambhp. This is my Ownership review of my Ford Ikon 1.6 ZXI . The ikon has been there from the past 14 years in the family and the starting of my education.

Booking of the car
My parents had shortlisted the Ikon and the Accent. The accent was off the list , then came the booking of the Ikon , my parents had gone to Shakti Ford to book the car, a paprika red ikon was booked ( now color changed to oyster) . it took a week for the car to come, 7.56 lakhs was paid for the car, this is what I remember so far .

Usage
The car is used for short trips, like for going to the mall, dropping my MOM to her tuition class, picking up my DAD form the Metro station , sometimes my dad takes the car somewhere. We use to go to my relatives place in Andheri East.

Build Quality
The overall build quality of the car good , looks strong enough, it has taken some beatings , once a tempo guy hit the car from behind, nothing much happened to it, only the tailgate had a dent. The quality of the paint is good, can see my reflection on the car , in the night the car beautiful. the fit&finish of the panels of the interiors are put together nicely. panels gaps on the exterior are decent enough.

Wheels & tyres
The car runs on 175/70r13 Bridgestone tyres, in the past 14 years, we have changed 4 tyres, one tyre a year back due to a tyre brust when i had taken it out for a round. the car has factory fitted steel rims. one rims has rusted.

Interiors
The interior design of the car in the today`s time is quite outdated . the quality of plastics used are of ok quality .The comfort level is decent while driving on a plain road you dont feel any jerks , but while driving on a bad patch , you do move around . the headroom in the car less , me being 5:10 my head has some gap , even in back back seat its the same, in my family all are tall people.

Driving position & Ergonomics
The driving position is comfortable if it is set up properly, the ergonomics of the car is decent, the A/c controls and other controls on the center console are reachable.

visibility
The visibility from the car is good , i can see how much gap is there while turning or by taking a u-turn . except while reversing it needs care. the visibility from the mirrors are not that good because of the size , i have adjust my head while looking .

A/C
The air conditioner of the car is good, it takes time for cooling , but once it starts cooling it becomes chilly, and the speed has to be reduced. But now the A/C koncked off after all these years.

Performance
The performance of 1.6l rocam engine is awesome , the moment you leave the clutch and press the accelerator the car shoots ahead , its feels driving a budget sports car. the gear ratio is matched with the engine perfectly . the gear shits are smooth and slots effortlessly, the drivability of the car in the city in nice it feels good to drive the car in the city with its powerful engine , driving it on the highway, you dont know when you passed 120 kmph. Driving the car in the city it gives 4-8 kmpl & in the highway it gives 10 kmpl.

Handling
The Ikon has quite a good chassis to match the powerful engine, the steering response is quick and smooth , even though being smooth there is feedback from the steering wheel. driving the car through corners at speeds of 80 kmph it still stays planted on the road with some body roll. the brakes of the car are quite weak for for cars power, the brakes need to pressed in advanced when stopping.

NVH levels
The NVH levels of the car is good enough, when the windows are down , there some wind noise , and a bit of tyre noise . When the windows are up , only thing which can be heard is the engine. The vibration from the engine does creep in a bit .

Attached the engine bay pic.
Driving the car in the city is quite a pleasure. while driving in bumper to bumper traffic, need to be careful not to leave the clutch to soon or it rocket's head and hit the car ahead. The car maintains it stability while taking turns at 70kmph. I don't use the music system while driving, I prefer listening to 1.6 rocam engine roar.