Ford Fiesta mk3 review and drive

Let me tell you all about my 1989 mk3 Fiesta Popular, show you the outside, the interior, then go for a drive
Twitter: @sionhudson / sionhudson
Instagram: @morselsandmotors / morselsandmotors

[@labellamaffia]

The sound of a Mk3 fiesta starting on a cold morning is 🔥🔥🔥

[@adamjow8405]

Great video. Sometimes it's easy to forget how old tge mk3 fiesta is jow. Oldest being 35 years and youngest 27 years. Remember seeing these everywhere in the early 2000s.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

My late Grandfather owned a Mark 3 on a M Plate so this brings back a lot of memories, i always wanted to own his Fiesta growing up and turn it into a XR2i replica. His Fiesta was used as his work car as a self employed Plumber we named the car Tubs, Sinks and Grates as the registration ended in TSG. A great review on a wonderful little car.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh that’s a lovely little story. I love hearing how cars like this were properly used back in the day 😊

[@kevinburns5762]

Beautiful wee car. Absolutely love the bread and butter poverty spec cars. My dad had a brand new M reg pop plus in the 90's, brilliant memories

[@RandomnessTube.]

This car was my childhood im 38 now.

[@doktoruzo]

Nice review Sion, well done. Still can't get over the fact that it didn't have a parcel shelf!! lol

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Got to be some features to make you pay more for!

[@markonmotoring]

That bonnet release under the steering column reminds me of the 2004 Ford Ka that my wife bought brand new.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yes, I think a lot of the Ka would have been based on this car, and I'm sure a lot of parts were common

[@tomg7951]

Another great video review Sion thanks, a great car, had one in the same colour and model but on a G plate when I was at Uni many many years ago, the review definitely took me back down memory lane.

[@markonmotoring]

I really like the MK3. That base spec car is somewhat confused and of two time periods. On the one hand a manual choke, no intermitent wiper and a radio not being standard is very 80s (aside from the Germans who charged extra for a radio well into the 90s). On the other hand covered door tops internally adjustable door mirrors, four face level vents, rear wash wipe and a temperature gauge are all very much part of that increase in small car refinement that came in the 90s from cars like the mk1 Clio which arrived a few years later. I like the dash on these cars too. Great little tea shelf area

[@MorselsAndMotors]

You're absolutely right, and I think it's the 'poverty' features of the 80s that still gives it some charm for me, yet it's the more 90s comfort which means it's still a capable car today

[@mattylamb9194]

I like how the dash is laid out. Fords of this time had a reputation for clear instrumentation I believe, as well as decent gearchanges. Just a shame the steering isn't great. Would be good to combine the Fiesta's gearchange with the Metro's steering, (which was definitely a big plus point of that car).

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

Lovely video and some great work you've done too. Keep it up!

[@samgreen7077]

Great review! Brings back lots of memories of travelling in my Nan's 1989 Fiesta Popular Plus

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Glad to bring back memories like that - it's why I love ordinary old cars so much

[@kieranwhite6647]

So glad this video came up in my recommended, it's great to see such an early Mk3 Fiesta looking so well

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you very much 😊

[@edwinreid8355]

Earliest memory of the mk3 Fiesta was one of my mum's friend's had one early on & actually, as a kid it was the kind of car I imagined having as my first when I grew up. And the XR2 for this model looked cool 'N' all. Also if my memory serves me right, think it was in production till 1996.

[@pauljakeman]

This was a great video. Would love one of these. Nice work

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thanks for watching!

[@dandandan389]

That takes me back! My brother had a 95 or 96 5 door, great cars

[@simonc858]

Another good video, seems a good little car

[@hermitageboy]

Really enjoyed seeing your car review ❤. The mark 3 is my favourite fiesta in terms of the looks of the sculpted tailgate. I was able to drive my mum's one in the early nineties when I passed my test.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Aww thank you!

[@FreedommotoringCoUk]

Brillant. Passed my test in one of these back in 1996. Went on to own 2. A H plate 1.1 LX back in 1999 and a J plate 1.1 pop plus since 2017

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh that's cool. How do you get along with your pop plus? What colour is it?

[@steviewassell9752]

I love the mk3 fiestas, I’ve had dozens and dozens of them over the years, I still own 2 of them now 💙

[@danielrussell446]

Well done Sion a brilliant review of the mk3 my friends mom had a popular plus on a F plate brand new one of the first made in radiant red as well probably similar in age to yours remember the seat facings well in there! I always thought how much better a car the mk3 was over the mk2 the gulf was incredible and my uncle had a red mk2 popular plus and was so tinny in comparison I learnt to drive and passed my test in a mk3 a later 1.8 diesel LX 3 door in tourmaline green an equally nice car and I would agree with many points you say about it I always remember they were easy to drive and drove well that one of yours is a survivor and is a good solid car and is improving every time I see it definitely a keeper You could do with some Ford speakers to match the key code radio and if you can find one a Ford extra cover sticker for the windscreen!

[@CreRay]

A review more surprising than I had anticipated. I was surprised to see a 4-speed box and a manual choke. I looked it up but here in the Netherlands these came with a 5-speed and a "1.1i" fuel injected engine as standard, also on the base "C" model, except for the automatics which did get a carburetted engine. Another huge surprise is the engine sound. In fact I didn't believe at first that this one has the pushrod engine and was convinced it was the CVH engine, until I saw the under bonnet view. The one my mate has as his first car had the typical tappety sound which they all seemed to make. He never had any troubles with it except for the rust, mainly on the tailgate. In the end the rear wiper nearly fell out because of the rust. Not fast but perfect for a first car, quite comfortable and very reliable.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I've been very lucky with how quiet this engine is: the previous owner was a mechanic and adjusted the tappets to perfection. Though I understand they will eventually lose adjustment and start getting noisy again, so I will enjoy the quietness for now!

[@CreRay]

@@MorselsAndMotors Luckily the valve play only develops in the loose direction. The engine becomes mechanically louder and might loose some power but that’s it. Would the valve play become too tight (and that does happen on some engines) it would have been another story!

[@shepshepherd]

If I recall correctly, the Peugeot 205 was Ford's benchmark when they designed the mark 3 Fiesta, much like the Fiat 127 was the company's benchmark during the development of the mark 1 Fiesta, so both models share certain styling cues of the cars that inspired them. For added fun, compare the mark 3's dashboard with that of the early Rover SD1. There are (to me, at least) some notable similarities between the two, especially on the passenger side :)

[@percythepig5207]

Lovely example Sion and addition to your fleet...

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Many thanks!

[@Manualchoke]

My mum had one of these in white. I remember it was a big upgrade and modern design at the time. Took my mum to get used to the choke being on the left after it being on the right on the mk2. I would love drive one again.

[@chinnyvision]

White was great as you could touch up the paint easily. Which was handy given how mine used to rust.

[@adrianfrankowski138]

Very nice review of very honest car. Thank you :)

[@32Benjy32]

Absolutely loved the review! I own a 1987 Ford Fiesta Mk2 1.1L spec!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Glad you enjoyed it! That sounds lovely, what colour? Any photos of it online?

[@32Benjy32]

@@MorselsAndMotors - bit of a shameless plug 🤣 but if you follow my Instagram @mk2benjamin586 there's a few pics on there of it 😀😀

[@frothe42]

I must say that this Fiesta reminds me of the Mazda 323 of the same period (going by US spec). Cannot believe that a glove box was unavailable! Even on economy cars in the US, they all had them (I believe it was a federal government mandate, most likely due to safety reasons). The work you put into this classic only has improved it for summer daily driving! And this is a modern classic, almost like your Austin Metro, from what others have stated. Thank you for the update Siăn!

[@frothe42]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnq0dap7o9ypiLc

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh I love this video - it's absolutely dreadful in every way 😂

[@frothe42]

@@MorselsAndMotors This was the channel I was talking about! I will have to look for the other Fiesta video and give you the link!

[@frothe42]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIXCiqptmq6jbtk

[@emergencylime]

@@frothe42 ah might as well….leap! Go ahead and…bounce

[@Kiinell]

I remember really wanting one from when I was 16 in 1989 and got one in 1992, but after 2 months ownership I was so bored I traded it for a Sierra Sapphire. You've done a lovely job with this one, though. Lovely to see it.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you! I can understand that a Sierra Sapphire was a much more capable and exciting car, so that makes a lot of sense

[@thetruthk5138]

A brilliant little motor to run a round practically bomb prof realiable economical and well built . We are on our 7/8 Fiesta just love them

[@MarkieC1990]

Good little review mate! You should do some on your other cars for sure if you get time. Some good jobs done as well on the fiesta, surprising how many people overlook things like window seals. One of the first jobs I did on my 360 was the door handle rubber seals, annoyed me every time I went to get in the car!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you, yeah I'll get a few more done soon

[@georgegeorgakopoulos5956]

Still have a1989 YOM,1.0 HCS,4 speed,5d,manufactured in Valencia.My spare wheel still has the original 135/80-13 Firestone F-560 tyre.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Brilliant. How long have you had it? What colour is it? 😁

[@TK42138]

Saw an identical Fiesta to yours at the 'A Classic Affair' car show in Hemingford back in September. Not many base spec, good condition Fiestas about now.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh wow, that's cool!

[@chinnyvision]

Had a G Reg 1.0 as a first car in 1995. Cheap to run. However it just wanted to rust. I seemed to spend my life treating rust on the wheel arches, sills and front valance. Also anyone with a Ford key of the era could open both my driver and passenger door but not the boot. However, I'll say it again, it was cheap to run (well apart from the welding needed to get it through one MOT). Chopped it in for a Golf after 4 years.

[@BobsterCars]

Nice mk3 you have there! I learned in an N-reg one. I had a G-reg which never let me down, only issue was the tailgate rotted at the window seam allowing water into the boot which ran into the back seat because the boot had a flat floor (spare wheel underneath the car). Had to get another tailgate from the scrappy.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Was that the tailgate rubber which had rotted? It was leaking into the boot floor on this one too, which is why I swapped out the seal

[@BobsterCars]

@@MorselsAndMotors It was rotted really badly under the seal at one of the corners. It was back in 2000, so I got a choice of colours of tailgates at the scrappy, the easiest option at the time!

[@5183adam]

I had a G reg one of these. 1.1 popular plus. Same colour as this

[@thegearknob7161]

Ah, I remember them well. My parents had a Mk3 Ghia for 10 years. Nothing ever really went wrong until the CVT box crapped out in 2013. They're still using the Mk4 they replaced it with. Apart from the cloth quality, the Mk4 LX has far more equipment than the Mk3 Ghia did! By the Mk4, electric windows, cd player, 12v socket, rev counter, central locking were all standard. The Mk4 has also got a 1.25 Zetec SE which is way quicker than the old 1.3 HCS was. But the biggest difference is power steering and the suspension. Mk4s are sharp and much lighter at low speed. Considering the two cars are only 3 years apart in age, they feel completely different even though they share a lot as well.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yes I agree. My grandmother had a 97 mk4 with the lovely 1.25 zetec engine. I last drove it about 4 years ago shortly before it was sadly scrapped, and it still felt really sharp and composed

[@mindrivencarclub9403]

Don't suppose you've got a link to them hub caps have you? Looking for some for my Fiesta Classic Cabaret. From the factory it would've had hubcaps but 2 are missing and can't find replacements. Keep up the great work with the fiesta, nice to see someone videoing and documenting fiesta's as there isn't many mk3 videos on KZbin. William

[@MorselsAndMotors]

They are these ones, which were used for several different models. You might find more on eBay if you search different terms www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324508896960

[@mindrivencarclub9403]

@@MorselsAndMotors that's brilliant! Thanks ever so much!

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

My first car was a Fiesta. 95 1.3 that I bought for 300 quid in 2001. It was nippy as hell.

[@deans6571]

My first car was a red MK 2 Fiesta but then later upgraded to the red MK3 Fiesta (J reg). It was a great car but unfortunately suffered from rust on the rear wheel arches.

[@chad_garlicmouse]

The Popular only had a drivers side wing mirror. The passenger side one was either added as an accessory or retrofitted! :)

[@MorselsAndMotors]

You are right...and I've since found and fitted a passenger mirror blank to return it to standard

[@chad_garlicmouse]

@@MorselsAndMotors It also didn't have a rear wiper! (or a radio... or a roof aerial..) Radiant Red was the colour though. I bought a Popular brand new in January 1990 as my first car :)

[@MorselsAndMotors]

@@chad_garlicmouse That's awesome! Yes, the rear wiper on mine was fitted as an option when it was new. An aerial had been added by a previous owner, together with a horrible aftermarket radio, so I found a correct Ford aerial and radio to give it a much more standard look. I do still have the blanking 'cubby' for the radio!

[@jcarvalho1500]

Interestingly, that Popular model has side indicators which where only available from the CLX spec and so on, in other European markets. I guess the base model in other euro countries was the CL which had a black plastic cover with the FIESTA logo instead the square indicators. Another interesting thing is the fact that those body creases following the tail light lines are not present in the boot door panel near the license plate, on models released right before the MK3.5, which is a shame really.

[@metinahmed2065]

Very strong car

[@kavluxx]

Nice review. I spotted a tiny square over the center top dashboard which you didn't mention what it was for. I assume it's for "special edition" badges since my 1995 Windsor has one placed right there.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh now I didn't know that! As far as I knew, it was just a cover for a screw in order to take off the dashboard. But sounds like they repurposed it for stickers too, how fun 🙂

[@kavluxx]

@@MorselsAndMotors I guess so, it's actually a stiff plate rather than a sticker. Just like the tailgate badge under the Fiesta logo.

[@owensteele1274]

You've worked very hard on this car, it's looking really nice now. If you have a spare half-hour, check out the ROVR channel. A video was posted there a week ago which starts off with Tony Bastable standing by a brand new Fiesta Popular identical to yours, then it shows the sales team talking through each different version going up the range. I think the video was called Fiesta - UK Models Product Guide 1989. The 1.0 Popular was the first model covered.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you. I absolutely loved that video and so happy to see a car identical to mine 🥰

[@pb5x5]

Radio cassette would have been an added option.

[@darrenwilson8042]

Those rear suspension turrets in the boot are so unmarked indicate that has only ever had a plastic shopping bag of marshmallows in there

[@MorselsAndMotors]

😝

[@thomasj5083]

We had the 1.1 L. It had single point injection, so a revised version on this. It was ok at low speeds, but not something that felt reassuring on country roads. It was very unsettled over bumps and dips and it felt a little like you needed to fight to keep it on the road. Poor acceleration also, even for a 1.1. It wasn't fun when merging.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Im so surprised that my 1.0 is really quite nippy

[@thomasj5083]

@@MorselsAndMotors it's funny, I had a friend with a mk 2 with similar 1.0 litre engine and that always felt nippier too. I doubt there was much weight difference.

[@willowgrouse3834]

Hello, I bought yesterday myself a ford fiesta 1.0 1989 C 3d. I was wondering that can I get cigarette lighter assembled into the car electrics? Obviously mine has a plastic cover in the lighter socket place. and its not meant to be be taken out. my brother suggested that a cigarette lighter didn't belong in my ford fiestas armament in first place. O would use it for connecting a FM transmitter, LED string ligths etc. Any idea?

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yes I am sure you can easily do it. My car didn’t have a cigarette lighter when it was new, but a previous owner has installed one.

[@samucas01]

4:39 In the wipers control stick, what happens when you pull it down from the standard position? I also have a Fiesta mk3 '93, and in my car, nothing happens when I pull the stick down. The car is bought second hand and I would like to know what activates when you pull it down. Also, great review of the car

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you 😊. My wiper control does not go down at all. It only goes upwards

[@losch78]

My first car was a Mk.3 Fiesta "CL", which would have been equal to the L in the UK; There, that activated the intermittent wiper.

[@samucas01]

@@losch78 Thanks for the info

[@MaksVladimirov]

Thanks for your video! How do I know the release date of my Fiesta mk3?

[@MorselsAndMotors]

In the UK, there is a date on the car'r registration document which tells you when it was first registered. I also have the original sales invoice

[@marekmareczek6676]

I think original radio in Popular were without cassette player. Or maybe it was Popular Plus.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

You are right, there was no radio at all in the Popular, and the Popular Plus got a radio with no tape player. I decided since this car had no radio as standard, a compatible period Ford unit would be an acceptable choice 😊

[@marekmareczek6676]

Can You in another video with Fiesta zoom your camera to BL sticker? (There's information about spark plugs etc.) And also zoom to label Warning contains asbestos.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I shall try to remember for you!

[@mk3marcus795]

Hi where did you purchase the windscreen rubbers from

[@MorselsAndMotors]

There’s a seller called alexcop on eBay that sells front and rear ones. They are about £35 each. I was very happy with the quality

[@jamieotoole6828]

My mk3 is a g reg 89 popular plus :)

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh awesome!

[@jamieotoole6828]

@@MorselsAndMotors you say that but I've done a full xr2i rep....

[@rob_lightbody]

Learned to drive in one (1.1 LX) and hated it. The terribly slow geared steering was horrific

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I totally agree about the steering. It ruins the driving experience which is otherwise pretty decent.

[@JamesSmith-uv9og]

Is there asbestos in the brake pads?

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I honestly don’t know. I would guess not, as it’s probably had new pads in the last 20 years!

[@JerCough5668]

I have a 95 lx 😈

[@694069406940]

as mush as i love this shape all of them was rust buckets

[@Derpderpson123]

Had the MK3 - loved it until it rusted away

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I'm VERY lucky with this one! Just passed its MOT this week with no advisories

[@deanisaac8383]

Would you be interested in selling?

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Haha not at the moment. Planning on enjoying it for a year or so, will review next spring probably.

[@philquarmby4408]

Why cant cars be this simple now, all this ad blue, Faulty Injectors etc.