Jettison's Comment

Written on: 22/04/2011

I owned this car from new in a different spec (Zetec Blue) with the same engine, under 30 mph in 2nd gear without judder suggests a problem even on (one heck of) a hill.
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<br/>The interior of the Zetec Blue is nice, although this is rare, even early Zetec S cars look very ugly inside.
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<br/>I would not recommend it, but I have tackled a steep hill in 4th at 40 just to test this wee car and mine pulled easily without a judder! I live on top of a very steep hill and I have no need be in second gear so I would have gotten it checked out. On a straight I could easily be in 5th at 30 if I really wanted, and without a judder.
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<br/>With the hills If it did turn out the car was fine then I'm sorry I'm going to have to say it could be the driver. I have seen people in powerful cars really struggle with hills. In our work we have a little run round corsa, nasty basic thing. I have seen colleagues go into first on a hill that should cause 3rd no problem at all, and I know that car is fine.
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<br/>I have had a few problems with this car, one was a high pressure line fault, and had power drops from a loose turbo pipe. I have head of a specific rpm judder in these cars. I have had problems with various cars. No doubt this car should be more reliable than it is.
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<br/>I'm no expert but between family and friends I am the first point of call for all things cars, I tend to notice the smallest of abnormalities in idle, steering feel, engine noise or whatever. I only mention this because there are 3 insured in that car, and the other two rarely notice a thing! Short of it is I am quit fussy about feel and handling, and in this car it's one big thing is the handling is fantastic. I would say this one is underpowered but it drives very very well for such an incredibly small diesel. When you get used to how it performs you get a feel of how to drive this car in a smooth and fun way.