[Pr_007]

@Gilead, it is really Good to see the car back in all its beauty.

Guys at Ford have done a really good job.

Happy and Safe Driving mate..

[sanjayc]

Originally Posted by Gilead

Cool. I wonder how sanjayc has a 2003 1.3 Nxt then. That must have been the last batch of 1.3 Nxt I guess.

I remember Flair being launched just after a month or so of my Ikon booking.

Here is what wildon decoded VIN says: April 2003 mfgd, delivered to me in Jul 2003 http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post1623383

The unlimited-limited edition of my Ikon (Finesse edition) has the following extras:
1. 6-speakers
2. Dual-Tone upholstery (leather+fabric synchro)
3. Alloys
4. Rear Spoiler
5. Power Sports Steering
6. Front Fog lamps
7. "Finesse" badging under both ORVM
8. All 4 Power Windows
9. High-mounted stop lamps
10. Electric boot release
11. Some special floor carpeting (pile carpets or something like that)

It was limited to sale only during Mar/Apr 2003

The Hindu Business Line : Ford sees good demand for Ikon `Finesse' model &#151 Exports top total Ikon sales

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by sanjayc

I remember Flair being launched just after a month or so of my Ikon booking.

Looks like you got a very good deal with that limited edition Nxt. The Flair may have been 40K lesser but it did not have the following.

1. 6-speakers
2. Dual-Tone upholstery (leather+fabric synchro)
3. Alloys
4. Rear Spoiler
5. Power Sports Steering
7. "Finesse" badging under both ORVM
10. Electric boot release
11. Some special floor carpeting (pile carpets or something like that)

Did your car come with a HU, or just 6 speakers?

[capt_rocker]

Hey Gilead, congrats man for getting ur Blu Monster back in shape. Im sure u might hv missed it like hell.

Well my Fiesta 1.6S was delivered on 3rd June and i have been totally immersed in it since then. Driving like a dream, It feels like im sitting on a powerhouse getting ready to be catapulted anytime I put a little strain on my right foot!

I started a thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...delivered.html for the review but was closed by the mods.. i have however requested to start it again..

till then im busy photo shooting this sea grey beauty.. but delhi's dusty weather is playing spoil sport these days.. so the car may seem a bit dut laden but what the heck, great horses gather dust while prancing to victory, dont they?

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by capt_rocker

Hey Gilead, congrats man for getting ur Blu Monster back in shape. Im sure u might hv missed it like hell.

capt, I saw your shark thread but I could not comment as it was closed. Your car looks lean and mean and ready to rock. Be careful with your right foot. Mid range power delivery can be a little disconcerting initially. After driving the Ikon for a day, my 1.6S felt like a fighter jet.

Originally Posted by capt_rocker

great horses gather dust while prancing to victory, dont they?

Wow, very well put. Let's have more pics of your dusty steed.

EDIT: In one of the pics, I see that the car is switched off with the blower in position 2. Always switch off the blower before switching off the car so that you don't start the car with the blower on.

[sanjayc]

Originally Posted by Gilead

Did your car come with a HU, or just 6 speakers?

It did..with a casette + FM player..promptly upgraded it with a Sony Xplod CD player & added 2 tweeters.

[capt_rocker]

Originally Posted by Gilead

capt, I saw your shark thread but I could not comment as it was closed. Your car looks lean and mean and ready to rock. Be careful with your right foot. Mid range power delivery can be a little disconcerting initially. After driving the Ikon for a day, my 1.6S felt like a fighter jet.


Wow, very well put. Let's have more pics of your dusty steed.

EDIT: In one of the pics, I see that the car is switched off with the blower in position 2. Always switch off the blower before switching off the car so that you don't start the car with the blower on.

hey gilead thanks for your advice on the blower. Well noted and will take care now on.
About the power delivery, i feel the same. But after 3 days of driving, I noticed that the initial pick up, or the urge is lacking. When the car picks up on 1st gear from dead stop, i am feeling a loss of power for a couple of secs before picking up again. Is this normal, or my driving style is causing that.

I have pics ready but the thread is still closed. I have requested the mod to open it for a complete initial ownership review and pics.

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by capt_rocker

When the car picks up on 1st gear from dead stop, i am feeling a loss of power for a couple of secs before picking up again. Is this normal, or my driving style is causing that.

Welcome to the world of drive by wire. There is absolutely nothing wrong in the car. Even I felt that initial hesitation after years of driving an 800. Your right foot will get used to it in no time and even that fraction of a second's hesitation will disappear. The lag should not be as long as a couple of seconds. If it persists, you may want to get it checked out, but I am pretty sure there is no issue.

[Damu]

Gilead, is there any way of getting the rear seat (of the 1.6S) fitted with head/neck rests of the ZXI/SXI?

The lack of adjustable neck rest bothers me, I really need that. Might settle for the ZXI in the end (when Vitamin M permits an upgrade).

Regards
Damu

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by Damu

Gilead, is there any way of getting the rear seat (of the 1.6S) fitted with head/neck rests of the ZXI/SXI?

The lack of adjustable neck rest bothers me, I really need that. Might settle for the ZXI in the end (when Vitamin M permits an upgrade).

Regards
Damu

The entire rear seat may have to be changed and not worth the money IMO. You may want to check with car seat dealers whether they can fabricate an adjustable headrest for the back seat. Are you planning to buy an 1.6S and sit mostly in the back seat? The ride is hard in the back as you know.

As for the head rest, my head never touches it. I think it's there only to prevent whiplash injury.

[nairrk]

Originally Posted by Damu

Gilead, is there any way of getting the rear seat (of the 1.6S) fitted with head/neck rests of the ZXI/SXI?

The lack of adjustable neck rest bothers me, I really need that. Might settle for the ZXI in the end (when Vitamin M permits an upgrade).

Regards
Damu

So, are you going to sit all the time in the backseat with your driver enjoying the FIESTA driving pleasure?. If not then no need to worry about the backseat and neck rest etc.
If I am correct, most of the Fiesta's are driven by the Owner's itself and enjoying the drive all the time, because Fiesta has a name I.E ' DRIVERS' CAR'

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by nairrk

If I am correct, most of the Fiesta's are driven by the Owner's itself and enjoying the drive all the time, because Fiesta has a name I.E ' DRIVERS' CAR'

Well, I guess some people interpret that term to mean 'a car that needs to be driven by a driver' . English is understood in different ways by different people.

BTW @shaju---nice to see your car is ship-shape again.

[Damu]

Originally Posted by Gilead

The entire rear seat may have to be changed and not worth the money IMO.

One of the Fiesta threads had a post where a member suggested the possibility of Ford doing (giving a ZXI seat) it as a special order. Cannot locate that post now, hence my query to you.

Originally Posted by Gilead

Are you planning to buy an 1.6S and sit mostly in the back seat?

Nyet. This is for my wife. As I have written in my Ikon thread, we drive to most of our holiday destinations. My wife likes to snooze when she's tired and prefers the rear seat for her siesta.

She's being a real sport by agreeing to driving around everywhere. (She's just agreed to drive with me to Goa next week while our friends fly down. And this is in monsoon time through the ghats, real sport ain't she?) We aren't young anymore (both of us have crossed 50) and I have to show her some consideration!

Originally Posted by Gilead

The ride is hard in the back as you know.

Hmmm... that's a point of interest, thanks.

Originally Posted by Gilead

As for the head rest...I think it's there only to prevent whiplash injury.

Yep, agreed it's to prevent whiplash injuries. All the more reason why Ford shouldn't have omitted this in the 'S' model. Perhaps Ford thinks that no other vehicle can ever come near enough the 'S' to rear end it!

But, with a cushion or neck pillow, it also doubles up as a headrest.

Originally Posted by nairrk

So, are you going to sit all the time in the backseat with your driver enjoying the FIESTA driving pleasure?.

Nair saab, please see my reply above to Gilead. Siesta in Fiesta is for my wife.

Originally Posted by nairrk

If I am correct, most of the Fiesta's are driven by the Owner's itself and enjoying the drive all the time, because Fiesta has a name I.E ' DRIVERS' CAR'

Yeah, I kind of figured that. As a very proud and deliriously happy owner of an Ikon 1.6 Nxt ZXI for 6 years and counting, I know what is a drivers car. Trust me!

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Well, I guess some people interpret that term to mean 'a car that needs to be driven by a driver' .

Good one, vnabhi!

Cheers guys, got more stuff coming up on my Ikon thread soon.

Regards,
Damu

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by Damu

One of the Fiesta threads had a post where a member suggested the possibility of Ford doing (giving a ZXI seat) it as a special order. Cannot locate that post now, hence my query to you.

Hi Damu. Ford will not fit a ZXi back seat on an S as a special order. No chance. But the A.S.S may do it for you. Not sure what you will do with the old seat though.

Originally Posted by Damu

Hmmm... that's a point to note, thanks.

The hard ride is noticeable only on bad roads. Your wife will not feel anything if she snoozes on the back seat on a highway run. In fact, the highway ride quality of an S will be even better because it has near zero body roll even under hard cornering.

Since you said you are both over 50, I am guessing ride quality may be a priority for you. Check if the ride quality on the front seat of an S is good enough for you on city roads. It's stiff at low speeds.

[Damu]

Originally Posted by Gilead

Hi Damu. Ford will not fit a ZXi back seat on an S as a special order. No chance. But the A.S.S may do it for you.

Nope, won't mess with all that. Just that there was this one post on this I saw and I wanted some further info.

Originally Posted by Gilead

The hard ride is noticeable only on bad roads..... it has near zero body roll even under hard cornering

"Body roll" - that's the key word, Gilead. Both of us don't like body roll at all. With the Ikon, we've learned to our delight that a stiff ride at low speed makes for a great ride at cruising speeds. And we've gotten used to that quality of ride over the last 6 years. So the 'S' should be okay with us.

Originally Posted by Gilead

Since you said you are both over 50, I am guessing ride quality may be a priority for you. Check if the ride quality on the front seat of an S is good enough for you on city roads. It's stiff at low speeds.

Ride quality for us means (1) body roll is a "no no" (2) should be able to ride the rough patches without bottoming. We are perfectly happy with the Ikon's set up, in fact, we like it (Ikon's ride) better than any car we've ridden in. Moreover, we like Ford's seats, they do compensate for some harshness. Yes, will check the 'S' ride with TDs at the right time.

(BTW, my Company is providing me with a vehicle and I chose the Innova. I can have a soft ride in that if needed! Should be getting the Innova in a couple of months or so. And, yep, a driver for that gaadi )

The Ford, whether I keep the Ikon or get a 'S' Fiesta, will be my personal set of wheels for me to enjoy. And, yeah, it will be ONLY A FORD!