Metro v Fiesta mk1 - COMPARISON AND REVIEW

[@jasonk7072]

I had a Metro back in the day, my sister had a Mk1 Fiesta. The Fiesta felt like it was made by a reasonably competent car manufacturer, the Metro felt like I made it in my kitchen.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I suspect there was a bit more variation in BL build quality than Ford

[@dj_efk]

😂😂😂

[@MrJumper68]

You have a big kitchen 😁

[@darrenquarterman2611]

I had to help buy my old boss buy his wife a small car years ago 1.4 metro gta it’s was mint my mates 1.1 popular no so nice 😂

[@sugerbear586]

Had both and the Metro was by an order of magnitude a the worse car i have ever owned.

[@timmorodgers4271]

I had a mk1 Fiesta 1100 and absolutely loved it. Really good to drive.

[@healduk]

I owned both and my vote goes to the Metro, always found it less tinny, more comfortable and a better drive.

[@sandersson2813]

Metro was a death trap. 0/5 Euro NCAP stars, though to be fair it was so slow you probably wouldn't get in an accident.

[@Richnineteenseventyone]

It was not a deathtrap. I had four mgs they were nippy enough and looked cool. My first I passed my test in and had it 5 years and also had a mk 2 xr2 as well at the time I had my MG.. No other car I've driven was more fun to drive than my mgs. In 1995 after I had my first MG for 5 yrs I had just finished a 12 hr night shift and was driving over a roundabout that had been freshly laid out a few months before and a woman in a large BMW did not look right crossing the roundabout and drove into the side of me doing approx 35 to 40 mph and my car took the impact very well. I was uninjured but car was not economically worth repairing. The xr2 was faster but my MG more fun to drive as it was like a big toy. The MG interior looked cool as well. Good cars IF. Looked after and not thrashed.

[@sandersson2813]

@@Richnineteenseventyone Yeah, not a deathtrap because you say they look cool. Laughable cars, of the era, but laughable nonetheless. It's amazing what we put up with back then.

[@russelldent3814]

​@sandersson2813 that was by the end of production when the ncap spec changed the fiesta would have failed also.

[@sandersson2813]

@@russelldent3814 Yes, not favouring one over the other, I'm passing comment that it's amazing how dreadful the cars were that we used to consider acceptable.

[@Zadster]

Both were the first step on the ladder for many people, and that meant freedom for millions of us! Objectively, the Metro was probably the better car for many people, but it was never the one you wanted, certainly not as a younger male. If you saw another lad in a Metro, it was always his mum's car, but if he was in a Fiesta, it was probably his. Engine noise must have been horrible over a long distance, but spanking it over the B roads and razzing around the estate it was awesome. I think this is why it gets more attention - sensible doesn't make memories.

[@nickspence5269]

Always wanted an MG Metro but never had the £1300 t buy one in 1991..

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yes! That’s a really astute point about the Metro being someone’s mum’s car and the Fiesta their own. Thinking back to school, this was definitely true in at least two cases!

[@PhilofBristol]

My parents decided to buy a Metro when it was first released, and tried both 1.0 and 1.3 versions. Dad felt the 1.0 was too pedestrian and chose a 1.3S. I learned to drive in it and drove it until it was knackered in 1990. I traded it in for a 1989 G-reg 1.3L. On build quality they were as different as chalk and cheese. The '89 car ran to 85,000 miles before I part-exchanged for a Fiat Tipo.

[@pauldicken6029]

Had both, mk1 fiesta was my second car. Had two metros because they were so cheap back then. I’d take the fiesta any day. Thank you for the nostalgia trip.

[@oldschoolpaul73]

My first car was a Fiesta 1.1 SPORT! Basically a normal 1.1 with a rev counter and some sporty decals and interior trim. Happy memories.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Hehe, the stripes made it go faster

[@DavidMorley]

I never drove a MK1 fiesta, but the MK2 was a Gem. I drove them when working for a car rental company. Even the entry level was quick and fun. My dad had an MG metro which was also fun but didn't handle like the Fiesta.

[@robinforrest7680]

My mum lent me her 1.0L Métro for my final year (1985) at Swansea university. I regularly drove home to Falmouth and on a long journey it was great. Comfortable and reliable. No slouch either, I used to hammer it along the M4/M5/A30. A mate had a Fiesta which I found a bit agricultural. Metro for me every time.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dj_efk]

Wow that Metro looks like it’s just rolled out of the showroom! Back in the day I’d have bought the Fiesta based on the strength of both companies’ reputations at the time. Nowadays I’d go for the Metro just for nostalgia value and because I’d probably have a subtle fiddle with the A+ series to improve power and get even better economy (econotune head, electronic ignition etc.)

[@procta2343]

They are getting rare like that, and a lot of good ones like that were destroyed for the engines for the mini.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

What a great comparison. This hits the nostalgia spot on so many levels. As a young boy, my nan had a W reg Fiesta Popular in bright red and brown vinyl interior. Lots of happy memories going for picnics, strawberry picking, and various other trips for fun days out in that car. Even going into town for shopping was an adventure. I also remember how in the summer those seats were like lava on hot days, and my nan covered them with homemade blue fury seat covers to make things a little more bearable. Then as a teenager, I passed my test in a mk3 Fiesta, and bought a blue Rover Metro Rio as my first car. As a 'grown up' and 'mature' 18 year old, I really wanted a Rover 800, but Direct Line had other ideas. Still, I loved my Metro, which proved to be a fun and engaging little car, perfect for my first foray into motoring. Both cars fill a very special place in my heart, and I honestly couldn't choose a favourite between the two of them. They're both fantastic.

[@davidanderson3425]

I would also plump for the Metro. I used to get a lift to work in one many years ago. As a new car it felt pretty impressive and comfortable to me.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

My first car was a Fiesta Mk1 poplar 1.1 and while it served me well(ish) for around 3 years, it was quite limited and uncomfortable on long journeys. I remember driving home after a day out at the coast and driving through a heavy rain storm and due to severe rusting around the rear hatch hinges and guttering, my rear passengers may as well not have had a roof at all! It was good as a first car, simple and functional, though mine did come with an aftermarket central console where a stereo could be mounted for anyone with a lolly stick to unlock the car and steal. That really happened! Lolly stick into the rear lock, turn and pop, the car was unlocked! Second car was indeed a 1981 miniMetro (its official name at the time), almost exactly the same as the one shown. Stepping from the fiesta to the metro felt like stepping into luxury, it was both quieter and more comfortable. I found a scrapped MG Metro in a local breakers, I swapped the dash pod out for the MG one and gained a rev counter, activating it by running a single wire from the terminal behind the dash to the ignition coil in the engine bay (who needs computers to do stuff). Suspension was slightly better, but compromised as it ran the hydrolocks across the car rather along with from t to rear, but felt better on the road. Later cars like the Rover 100 ran the suspension from from to rear, as did the MG F, giving a far better ride. Both cars were great for their time, though the metro for me was the better car of the two. Despite being slightly smaller, and as it came out later, fixed some of the flats the fiesta had. At least the gear-lever didn’t snap off while in third in my metro, it did in the fiesta as it often rusted away at the base.j

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you for taking the time to share! Love that you upgraded your Metro, things used to be so simple. Interesting to hear your Fiesta experiences too

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

@@MorselsAndMotors as I remember, the only things done to the Fiesta were front fog lights and having the footwells being rebuilt as they were almost rusted away at the front, we found this out after the carpets jumped up as I drove through a puddle at speed! 1970’s and rustproofing are an oxymoron as both cars really could attest to

[@seeyouintheeighties]

That metro's first gear pull away has a sound all of it's own, I always wondered why it makes that noise

[@mikeballcoalmerchant4199]

I had a fiesta mk2 as my first car, it was o.k for a first car 24 years ago, I now drive a 1981 metro. Both cars are great, the metro mark 1 is probably more rare now.

[@davidchandler8881]

My first time watching your channel and was very impressed. If I closed my eyes it was almost like listening to William Woolard doing Top Gear road test in the 80s when testing ordinary cars that normal people could afford wasn't below them. Well done I'm looking forward to watching more.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Wow, thank you! That’s a really nice comment 😊

[@MorristheMinor]

My Mum had a brand new A reg Mk2 Fiesta Popular in '83, then in the early 2000s I ran several F reg Mk2s as well. A Popular, a L and finally a Ghia. Looking back, and also looking at car brochures from the time, I have to say that the Fiesta wasn't a particularly cheap car. Also the 950 cc engine had lousy fuel consumption compared to the 1.1. The Populars were also VERY basic, rubber matting on the floor until the Mk2 came out and ditto for the vinyl seats. More concerning was the lack of rear demister and no parcel shelf. Which made you worried about leaving anything of value in the car and where you parked it. Overall the Fiesta was really the same car, albeit reskinned, running from 1976 to 1989 and five doors only became available with the Mk3. Whereas the Metro was face lifted in late 1984 and a five door became available. That said as I'm 6ft 2" so I would probably have to go for the Fiesta due to the larger body. My choice would be a Mk2. Popluar Plus with the 1.1 engine.

[@hugovanherck5437]

Without a doubt...the Fiesta for me. I had one once and we regularly chose it over our other car...a golf mk2...for a drive because it was such a pleasure to drive

[@simonk337]

My first car in the year 2000 was a fiesta of that vintage, in bright orange. What a car. Didn't appreciate it at the time. The folly of youth.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I know, we are all so guilty of it, especially when it comes to cars!

[@aslandama]

Love them both really, even on looks. If I really had to choose one to keep, it would be the Metro.

[@TheCounty90]

The Metro always had spades of charecter. More so then the Fiesta. Also, thanks for explaining what that little screw was for on the parcel shelf. I have been pondering that since 1990.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Always glad to solve 33 year old conundrums 🤣😝

[@marshalllucky]

My Uncle has a brand new Fiesta Festival from 1981 in his barn, it still has the plastic on the seats

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Oh wow! That would be worth quite some money these days I suspect

[@rob5944]

I've owned both, albeit the Metro was an auto. My late mother-in-law had a newish one in '88 when I met my future wife, it felt reasonably well made an auto too. I remember the fiesta having very heavy steering though, and as the video days both had their advantages and disadvantages. Considering the Fiesta was an older design I feel that Ford did a better job overall, perhaps a sign of the troubles at Leyland and it should of been better. It was disappointing to hear the hydragas not doing what it was specifically meant to do! Both rusted, especially the B.L. offering, although they were old by then.

[@marksinclair383]

When they launched the Rover Metro in 1990 they hugely improved the car. The ride was brilliant for such a small car because the Hydragas units were connected up, as they should always have been.

[@procta2343]

the designer of the metro wanted the setup to be linked but they decided against in the mk1 and mk2. But was sorted in the mk3.

[@davidhealy4534]

My first and second cars were Rover Metro GTA. The first one ok, second nothing but trouble. Brake master cylinder,then the engine management control unit went haywire.

[@IThinkYouLookLarvely]

Agreed, post '90, apart from the familiar but slicker shape, it like was a different car!

[@stevenclarke5606]

I can’t believe that Ford is no longer producing the Fiesta! One of the best selling cars of modern times

[@procta2343]

yeah that bites me too, the fiesta that has practically seen models come and go, as finally gone west.

[@stevenclarke5606]

@jeremybrown9179 No Sorry the Ford Fiesta was discontinued in June 2023 , there are probably some stocks of Fiesta’s that are still available, but no more are being manufactured.

[@procta2343]

@jeremybrown9179 ford stopped production on the fiesta a few months ago

[@robsn3024]

@jeremybrown9179 Nope

[@a1white]

@jeremybrown9179apparently people only want SUV’s now. They stopped making it.

[@kec6438]

I never owned a Metro but did get to drive one occasionally, I did have a Mk1 Fiesta which always felt a step up from the Metro. Best advice for driving a Mk1 Fiesta is to drive it like you stole it 😂 The Metro always gave the impression that you had to be gentle with it or it would take revenge if you pushed it to hard. I'd have either one now though as a classic.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

You know, I think I’m starting to agree with you: the Fiesta is much more fun and feels happier when you absolutely thrash it!

[@Doc1855]

I’ve owned 2 Metro’s. My first one was a 94, (I bought it in November of 93). In 2 years I put 210K miles on it. The only time is saw 55mph was when I was pushing it to 85mph. It burned 1/2 a quart of oil between changes when I bought it new and used 1/2 quart 210K miles later. I had relocated to Salem, Oregon but I still had business in LA, California, so I’d drive to CA and back in 3 days. It would take 12 hours to drive the 900 mile 1 way trip. I drove that Metro like I was mad at it. The seat was so unsupportive that in 2 hours your butt went numb. At 51K miles the Cat plugged on it, so I removed it and replaced it with a straight pipe. It got better mpg with the cat out. One time I had a STRONG tail wind. I filled up in Salem and drove to Bakersfield, CA (800 miles) on 10 gallons of gas. The Metro died on the off ramp so I costed into the gas station. In 96 I traded it in for a new Metro. I no longer had to go to LA and I drove it for 13 years and it had only 95K miles on it. Both of them Never let me down. They were super reliable. Suzuki built the Metro.

[@russelldent3814]

My 1979 mk1 fiesta 1.1 needed a new set of points almost every month. Boot floor was rotten arches bubbled etc etc with only 28k on the clock.

[@Doc1855]

@@russelldent3814 😳

[@wadeslea]

I had the 1.1L Mk1 Fiesta in white back in 1996. Appalling to drive; horrendous steering, woeful acceleration, and broke down every month when the notorious auto-choke would 'flood'... Having said all that, I watching this I do now appreciate how BRILLIANT the visibility was - only car better that I drove for 360 visibility was a Polo breadvan. I once drove my Fiesta down the A3 whilst sat in the passenger seat, with a leg slung over to the accelerator. I had made a bet with a friend (following behind in his car) it was possible to get to Box Hill 'in left-hand drive' in my RHD car (the foolishness of youth!)

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Aww I’m glad to bring back some memories!! And that is a very naughty thing to try and do!!!!!

[@nickyjames8550]

I've had both in the past my vote will always be for the Metro 😊 it's so much more fun to drive, great video

[@jamesdavis8425]

The Fiesta engines were fantastic. Bombproof reliability. Rust killed nearly all of them in the end.

[@markf4720]

I'd go for the Metro, purely because that was my first car back in 1996. It was a mk2 City, D-reg but not registered and first used until 1990 - mega base spec for then with no headrests, no rear wiper, although it did have a passenger door mirror! Also had rusty front valance and rear wheel arches despite only being on the road 6 years when i bought it 😏

[@garywbrooks]

I first owned a 1977 Fiesta 1300 SupaSport and then, a few years later, a 1981 MG Metro and I thought both cars were great. I loved them both. Both were reliable and they were both cheap to look after. Unfortunately both suffered really badly with rust. I remember spending many a weekend with emery cloth, filler and rattle cans.

[@benc8386]

Great video! Having owned both back in the day I agree it is a tough call but I would go for the Metro as I felt it was the more rewarding car for the press-on driver due to its superior chassis dynamics.

[@adams7405]

You pressed on in a Metro....?

[@chrism2964]

The fiesta has a very unique sound, even today you cant miss it when you do come across one, even if thats not often. I had a mk1 1.1L it was a good car and far more reliable than my mates Metro. Much easier and cheaper to work on as well. I remember getting a full exhaust for £14.

[@dungareesareforfools]

Great review! One minor thing, the Fiesta’s engine wasn’t a 30-year-old design, in that form (Crossflow) it was about 9 years old at debut. They continued to make that engine well into the 2000s with the mk1 Ka.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yes, you’re right, thank you

[@hughwaddell5772]

Thankyou morsel! Thankyou, for the choosing the metro!😁

[@sophiesharp1709]

A really great in-depth review, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like how Top Gear used to be ! More of this type of thing please, it was excellent.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Awww thank you! I shall see what I can do

[@mrdainase]

A small thing to note is the base metro didn't have the 60:40 split rear seat, which was a genuinely useful feature. I liked both cars at the time, but the one thing that put me off the small-engined Fiestas was the brakes, a lot of travel and they never inspired much confidence either. The XR2 had far better brakes on them. On the other hand the driving position in the metro always irritated me, no matter what you tried you always ended up in a bit of a dangling chimp position!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yeah the driving position on the Metro is very strange and you never hugely get used to it

[@johnmiller4973]

The steering wheel angle is a leftover from the use of the A Series engine with the transmission in the sump

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Hardly a showdown. The Metro was crap full stop, although the fast one was fun if you survived. The Metro was a death trap. I was around at the time! The Fiesta 1 and 2 were great cars. That's the last time I drove any Fiesta. I grew up.

[@jimg492]

Great vid! I'm very much on the fence with these two. I think I'd come down on the Metro side, just because they sound so much better. I've driven both and Fiestas get tiring at speed.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

That's interesting that it's not just me that finds the Fiestas tiring at speed, thank you

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

The 1.6D was a plugger on the motorway but bugger on the bends.

[@grahammitchell9415]

I had a white, T plate 1.1L for 9 years. Fantastic car . The only issue I had was the paint work that was semi mat and wouldn't polish.

[@TommyRogic18]

Outstanding 80s style early Clarkson style shirt. Thankfully you’ve omitted the incredibly long pauses and …’in the world’. Best of both worlds, sartorial elegance combined with a Chris Goffey-esque love of the everyday!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Well I will take that kind compliment, thank you!

[@discogareth]

Love this video! ALL my friends had metros in the 90s/early00s. It was everyone’s cheap first car. I’d take a metro any day of the week

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you!

[@michaelkeen5010]

😊I never owned a Metro or a Fiesta, but rather ran a succession of Mark 1 VW Polo’s with the 895cc engine that were in my opinion a very well made and refined small car for that era. Of these two cars being compared I would opt for the Metro.🎂

[@acroydon]

Mum used to have an Austin maestro I used to break into it with a pen knife and was able to start it up with it 😂

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Wow! I’m curious how?!

[@simonc858]

I chose the Fiesta! I had two in the late 80's early 90's, I loved them and did many a long journey with no complaints. My sister had a Metro and sadly that had no end of mechanical failures, so I lucked out more with my Fords. Both nice cars but Fiesta for me,

[@stevenclarke5606]

I had a Mk 2 Fiesta 1.1L and me and my family traveled 80,000 miles it never let me down, one of my favourite cars

[@robertholden12]

I know how she felt i had one nothing but trouble i don't know where he got that metro from in the video scrap yards were full of metros along with the old datsuns.

[@darrensmith6999]

Great video (: These 2 cars are so familiar to me as i started work in the motor trade in 1982 for a local Austin Rover dealer so i came across the Metro all the time and the Fiesta would often be traded in for the Metro so i saw them all the time. Witch one do i prefer ?? well it has to be the Metro. (:

[@Allan_Madsen]

i totally go with the fiesta the sound and feeling drivin it is like goin back in time , also much easier and cheaper to work on easier to get parts to even today. the metro is fun for a short time to borrow from a friend for a weekend or so , but my mk 1 1.1 L still in my heart even that i drive audi today , great video and merry christmas

[@rhys180606]

Early mk1 fiestas had the washer pump that was worked by the left foot as it lived by the clutch pedal.

[@Doc1855]

I owned 2 Metro’s . My 94, I put 210K miles on it in 2 years. The only speed limit it knew was 85mph. I had to drive from Salem Oregon to LA California once a week and back on my 3 day weekends. I got it down to 12 hours to do the 900 mile trip. After 2 hours, your butt goes numb because of no support in the seat. On 1 tank of gas I drove 800 miles. I had a STRONG tail wind. It died as I was on the off ramp and costed into the gas station. I drove that car like crazy. In 96 I no longer had business in LA, but I traded my 94 in on a 96 and drove it for 13 years. It had only 95K miles on it when I sold it. They were Extremely Reliable. I’d Love to find a low mileage Metro convertible now.

[@bobblewebb01]

Wow, when you started that Fiesta it brought back loads of memories!!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

It’s so distinctive isn’t it!

[@brianwillis9673]

I had a 1981 Fiesta 1.3 GL. I regularly used to do long journeys around the M25 and A1M and never noticed an issue with noise or ventilation. It was reasonably comfy, reasonably quick and reasonably economical. I never owned a Metro, but drove a few albeit never on a long journey. I agree that the steering wheel was bus like, but it was easy to drive and quite likeable.

[@timothysimpkins6229]

I took driving lessons and driving test in an A reg Austin Mini Metro in the the 1980's. I pass first time of the driving test!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Great!

[@nickdoughty518]

I now remember having to change the clutch cable very early on on my new 1977 Fiesta as the movement was so awful. Difficult to drive smoothly.

[@adamlee3772]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@rsqyoung]

My MG Metro was probably my favourite car of all time. MG had a smaller steering wheel. I drove regularly a 1.6 Diesel Fiesta van what an amazing beast Drove it from Leicester to Falkirk one night I dont think I hardly braked or stopped once had all traffic lights go for me.

[@nickdoughty518]

You have also reminded us how noisy and fatiguing cars were of that era, with engines revving excessively at 70 mph. We used to make regular journeys fom the Midlands to the North West up the M6 in a Fiesta and it was an awful experience. I've got used to modern JLR products fitted with the ZF 8-speed gearbox, revving at about 1300 RPM at 70 mph, and wafting in near silence. Wouldn't want to go back to those days!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I know: it’s always a surprise to me watching old programs how people used to just do motorway journeys in these noisy cars without flinching!

[@alantsneddon]

My first car was an Austin Mini Mayfair which I loved despite being slower than my gran’s zimmer. My mate had an MG Metro (red) which, despite the Metro’s ‘uncool’ image, really not only looked amazing but was a flying machine compared to most small cars of the 1980’s. One of my dad’s friends was into rally racing and always preferred the Metro for its handling.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yes the MG definitely had a better image than the Austin version

[@livc444111]

What an insightful review! I started watching believing the Fiesta was the better product but by the end I realised both cars were kind of on par. Not good for the Metro which was released four years later and no wonder it was trounced by the competition soon after (205, Micra, Uno)

[@Adam.Piper62]

The Fiesta gets all of the attention and all of the love - which is exactly why Id be buying the little Metro. I love to drive cars people have forgoten or underdogs. I currently own a 1970 Rover P6. The 2ltr model of course, because everyone wants the V8...

[@stevieboyNI]

Fantastic video, i loved it. My head says the Fiesta but i'd just have to take the Metro :-) Great memories of my Dad having them

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GavinByrneLand]

This is my favourite of your videos so far. Top quality. ❤

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Yay, thank you!

[@gs425]

I managed to fit a yamaha 100cc motorbike in the back of my fiesta and drove 20 miles home. Yes my chest was against the steering wheel, but although 30 years ago, I'm pretty sure I was able to shut the boot as well !!! Changing gear was a one finger thing with ford's usual easy to live with gearbox

[@chilternman]

Great review, just one point. The hydragas system on the car in test does not appear to have been recharged meaning that it may have been depleted with hydraulic lock losing its springing. Recharge the nitrogen side and ride in it again and believe me the suspension would be streets ahead of the fiesta

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I’ve definitely had the units properly regassed, so I’ll have to keep an eye on it

[@chilternman]

@@MorselsAndMotors the fluid side or nitrogen side?

[@martinwoodworth3715]

Great video, thanks. I had a later metro 1989 Gta & loved it. Oh & the Fiesta started in 1976 not 1977.

[@davidmckendry4491]

I learned to drive in a Y reg MK1 fiesta gl so have fond memories of fiestas ❤❤❤❤ I also used to own a S reg early model and a W reg.Wish I still owned them they are worth a lot more these days.I drive a ford ka+ nowadays but it hasn't got the charm or nostalgia of the MK1 fiesta's even with all its modern features I still miss my fiesta's.

[@darrengraves5230]

Passed my test in a cream 1986 Metro I think they have aged well and that MK1 takes me back It’s cool as anything

[@danwright9664]

My first car was the Mk1 Fiesta and second was Metro. Loved them both.

[@CreRay]

Really excellent, interesting and entertaining comparison! I'm impressed how visually much more modern the Metro is both inside and out. But then, that driving position seems such a strange compromise, too much so for an entirely new car. Also, 2 separate keys, in 1981, really?? It seems like Ford designed the best car they could for 1977, BL wanted to design something cutting-edge for 1981, went all-out in some areas, but hampered in others by having to reuse too many parts from previous products.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Those are some really good points. It’s funny how BL have with one hand and took away with the other

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Ford were on their transition from inline rear wheel drive to transverse front wheel drive and probably put more resources into their first of breed Fiesta than BL did for their Nth of breed Mini replacement. And Ford got to see the Metro before committing to all the Fiesta details. Dog legging the rear window heating rails to sit under the wash wipe blade so it wouldn't freeze to the glass I thought was typical of the Ford. Do something cost free to show the customer base you are better. A very workable prototype for the FWD Escorts that came next.

[@ianhamilton5201]

I had both, same engines as your two. An 83 Fiesta and an 84 Metro, although owned the Metro before the Fiesta. Hands down the Fiesta was a much better car back then, just thrashed it everywhere and it never complained. The Metro, although I think it handled a bit better with less understeer, was incredibly fragile and just not as easy to live with. If I were to choose today, it would still be the Fiesta. Great video, brought back a load of memories.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Glad to bring back memories!

[@stuartjones8238]

Having had both in the early 90's (Metro 1.0L, Turbo and a Mk2 1.1S and 1.4GTa. Fiesta MK 1 957 popular, 1.1L, mK 2 1.3 Ghia)...the Metro had go-kart like handling, the Turbo would go like stink but would rev out at 95mph...with go-kart like handling, the 1.1S was also went like stink and loved a damn good thrashing with go-kart like handling and finally the 1.4GTa was similar to the 1.1S but quicker!! The Fiesta felt like it was suspended on blancmange and the 957 was automotive misery, the 1.1 Valancia was no more or less refined than the A-Series and performed well when pushed, driving dynamics were on a par with the Metro, albeit no where near as fun!! And that was my experience!!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you for sharing! The 1.1 in the Fiesta is definitely a strong engine with decent poke

[@procta2343]

I have owned 3 mk3 metros in the past, and i love them. i went down the country with two of them, and had camping gear in the boot and also a rear passenger too. No troubles at all. They were great very 1st cars and fantastic second little cars too, Metro saved the day many times in our house. In fact i have a peugeot 306 HDI, and owned metros at the same time. The metro was very close to the 306 practical wise and i would say just as hardcore, always started 1st time etc. Only pain in the arse is that suspension, not many garages i found where i live can pump the suspensions up sadly, very easy to work on though, but spare parts are getting a bit of a pain to get hold of, hence why i had to call time with metro. The GTA 16vs are a scream, and the 1.1s are a laugh! A vvc powered one raises hell! Just a shame parts were getting thin other wise id probably still have kept my little metro, and maybe moved the 306 on. But it went in favour for a defender and the Peugeot 306 is still with me now, But if i had the space, and a few quid, id look at another metro again, but no way would i go through doing a vvc conversion again, info and parts are not easy to get, took me ages to find bits when i built one. Fiesta though brings me back to my child hood, as i do remember these mk1s knocking about in the early 90s, also the mk2 been the boyracer cars right up till the late 90s. The lads at school dreamed of the XR2 mk2s! but going back to metro, it might be worth looking at the mk3 k series metro, and compare it to the fiesta mk3, I know the mk1 and mk 2 fiestas were practically the same, as the mk1 and mk2 metro was, ( those were a change of trims, grill and turbo engine)

[@shauncarter628]

Nice review. Very interesting. Both great starter cars as second hand choices. Had a 1L Metro which was reliable and easy to drive. Would have liked to try a Fiesta as they were popular for a reason.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thanks! 👍

[@bruceseaman6592]

Loved both my mk1s and my mk2,drove them hard every day and they never let me down,just a small hole in the mk2 exhaust....heinze spaghetti tin and 2 jubilee clips and some gum gum....job done

[@nicks4934]

Nice edited video. Had a Fiests Pop Plus 950cc mk2. Great little car

[@Poppy323F]

Lovely to see a comparison of these legends

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Merci!

[@craigsouthwell]

My sister had a W reg orange Metro as her second car. Her first car was a V reg Toyota Corolla Liftback but it was stolen.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Ooh orange Metro!

[@clnre]

Great comparison video. I was in the market for a small hatchback in the early 80's and owned 4 Austin Metros. I was was a Metro man rather than a Fiesta man, maybe because of the patriotic advertising around the Metro when it was launched. If I was buying a classic today, I would of course still choose the Metro.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

4 of them!

[@clnre]

Not all at the same time!

[@petercrosland5502]

Used to sell Metros, they had to be reassembled at the dealership, driven loads of Fiestas. Both have mercifully rusted away. I drove a Citroen Dyane 6 and, providing you were deaf, it would run rings round both of them, despite dating back to the 1950's.

[@jgh548]

Great review, I love the focus on them as cars, not as classics.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Thank you ☺️

I remember both coming out. The Fiesta felt like breath of fresh air. The Metro felt like a Mini with more glass. Which is what it is. Lots of friends had the Fiesta as their first car, or shared it, typically with their mother. Lots of those 950cc Populars, which were pretty nippy. I knew a lot of people with Metros, too. Very familiar with two models in particular, the base 1 litre, and the 1.3 Van den Plas. Both were awful to drive for more than a short distance. I knew the VdP very well, as my mother had one. It was horrible and crippled by an auto box, which hit top gear by 28 mph and placed a lot of weight over the front wheels making steering very heavy.

[@LeeFradley]

Fiesta all day long.

[@Chalky.]

Seeing old Fiestas and Escorts on the road now, even when it's only the base models still brings to mind the old fast Fords from rally and road, and i think most people waving and smiling at the Fiesta think the same way, but with the Metro it just doesn't have that image.

[@johngelson2948]

I owned two Metros in the mid to late 1980s - a 1981 W-reg 1.0HLE 3 door (so an early model) and a later 1986 D-reg 1.0HL 5 door. The earlier one was actually the better of the two, in that the original interior was a more pleasant place to be, the velour seats were comfortable and it felt reasonably well built. The later car suffered badly with rust, especially below the front bumper and around the wheel arches - also the attempt to squeeze four side doors into a compact car made access via all four doors cramped. The Metro's A+ engine was really showing its age by the late 80s - I was given a Vauxhall Nova as a company car and the difference was marked. At the time when I bought my first Metro I considered the Fiesta Mk1, but it felt dated compared with the Metro. When I changed jobs and left the Nova behind I mostly drove Fords from then on - an Escort, various Focus cars (again the original design was best in my view) and later model Fiestas: the two exceptions were a Nissan Primera (good to drive) and an unhappy dalliance with a new Citroën AX (a good design badly executed with flimsy build quality, eg the tailgate literally fell off the car six months from new! Today I own a Mk5 Mondeo, which I've driven for over six years, and an excellent car in every respect.

[@elelegidosf9707]

Back in the day, a friend had a basic 1981 Metro and I had a 1982 Nissan Sunny. While the Metro felt like it had been slapped together quickly on a Friday afternoon, the Sunny felt like a high-quality car. The Metro was loud, raucous and unrefined on the road and generally unpleasant to be in, while the Sunny was a pleasure to spend 5 hours going up the motorway in. It's no wonder Britain no longer has a car industry - other countries simply designed and built cars much better than we were capable of.

[@FreeTheRocks]

Had an American Fiesta......LOVED it. It broke down ONCE.....a fuel filter. Sold it with 113k miles....ORIGINAL CLUTCH. It was my dad's car actually. His biggest regret was not buying two of them. :):):)

[@firstmotorhome8024]

Extremely professional and informative video . This was very nostalgic for me. New subscriber. Thank you .

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Those are some nice comments, and thanks for the sub!

[@MrRetro-]

Fiesta for me everyday, ive owned 2 metros and hated them both, they rattled like a tea tray full of crockery, hated the driving position, didnt like the suspension, and its styling is not my cuppa, its very dumpy and clumsy looking, if you went for a slightly later Mk1 Fiesta, the seats are vastly different than the early ones, and much more harder wearing and comfortable, and supportive, for me the fiesta is a great car, and love the exhaust note, and would listen to it all day rather than a dash and interior that rattles and squeaks would do my nut in, great video Sion, now you chose the Metro ill take the fiesta on ❤😂

[@MorselsAndMotors]

Hehe. It’s funny what effect personal tastes have. I would take dash rattles every day over the loud exhaust note!

[@jamestravels24]

My Mum and both my Grandads had Metro’s at one point so watching this video is pure nostalgia. Personally, I briefly owned a Mk2 Fiesta with a 950 engine, it was so slow and breathless that I felt like I could walk up a steep hill quicker than that car could drive!

[@dj_efk]

That’s odd, I’ve owned several 950 fiestas and always thought it was willing enough - granted not at all fast but not slow in traffic (mind you this was traffic in the late 90s / early 2000s)

[@garetteasdale7064]

I owned an mg metro, revvy, and thirsty, expencive to insure with a 1275 motor, I rented numerous fiestas, cheap cheerful and economic. both topped out about 80mph

[@geoffcrabbe4323]

The metro for price at the time a super little car. But at that time bl with all the crap that was going on in house and in the uk.we lost the race..Big think you to all the the guys That tryed to keep us on track....Yes we can knock it but it gave A lot jobs to the uk ..SAD...

[@garethifan1034]

The Metro was the granny-shopping car of the day..

[@jfd1008]

The engine note in the Metro is pure A series, reminds me of my Morris Minor

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I know. That’s why I love it so

[@MattMcKimmie]

I loved my first car a H reg rover metro 1.1s it was great around town and would sit at 90mph with no issues on the motorway

[@dungareesareforfools]

I watched this with particular interest, as in the early 90s a friend had a Fiesta exactly like this and her brother a Metro. They tried a car swap once, she had a hard time getting the Fiesta back from him 😀.

[@nigelh4617]

I remember that the Metro got a mild upgrade, early in 1984 (I think it coincided with the Moritz special edition launch). Improved front seats (with "bottle opener" head restraints on all but base versions), TD metric wheels/tyres and a Mini 25 / MG Metro style 3-spoke padded steering wheel. But, the Base/City got that dated thin rimmed steering wheel, which looked like a step down from the original 4--spoke padded one. Next up for replacement was the creaky dashboard, about a year later (when the 5-door model arrived).

[@mrdainase]

From memory the updates were 83. My girlfriend at the time got a new 1.0L on an A plate in August 83 which had those bigger seats and rock hard head restraints along with the newer column stalks. I also remember those headlamps were a bit useless!

[@maxeluy]

I have a Mk1 Fiesta, sadly Metro's are not available where i live, I don't know why because we had a lot of British cars and BMC products, there are a couple at best and the ones I saw are in poor condition, but besides that I was always intrigued by the suspension system and the ride quality, but probably I would choose the Fiesta anyway because I prefer the styling. Thanks for making a great and honest review. The better part is that you don't have to choose, you have both. Cheers!

[@MorselsAndMotors]

I’m a lucky boy! Where are you based?

[@maxeluy]

@@MorselsAndMotors I'm in Uruguay

[@andrewnorth4857]

The Metro should also be compared to the 1983 mark two Fiesta to make a valid comparison with a car of the same vintage, and in that context it is hard to assert a case for favouring the Metro. As a potential buyer of either car as a secondhand purchase in the early 90s, the Fiesta would have commanded a premium over the Metro as the Metro's propensity for rust ensured sensible people avoided them like the plague. Personally, I think the Fiesta also has much better styling, managing to looking neat - even purposeful - with its tidily-finished, sharply-raked front and rear, in contrast to the Metro's gloomy front end, dumpy, awkward stance, oddly angled steering wheel and insanely low window sills that make it look like its trousers need pulling up.

[@MorselsAndMotors]

You’re quite right: as they grew older, the Metros gained quite a bad reputation for rust and being very unfashionable granny cars

[@chilternman]

The metro came out in 1980 so it is a fair comparison imo.

[@andrewnorth4857]

The mk 1 Fiesta came out in 1976, the mk 2 in 1983 and stayed in production more or less until the Metro finally appeared in a more modern form in 1990. The original Metro can be fairly compared to either the mk 1 or mk 2 Fiesta but is inferior to both. imo. @@chilternman

[@chilternman]

Each to their own I guess both cars had merits and disadvantages over the other and I like both equally. The Fiesta didn't cosmetically rust like the metro did around front wings, however underneath I recall never ending welding battles on Fiestas trying to keep them on the road, however they always drove superbly and entertaining. Front wings and valances were almost service items in Metro's, shocking really but they were cheap to fix I suppose. The biggest error on the Metro was Leyland being skinflints and not listening to engineers. Had they linked the hydragas front to rear it would have had excellent handling and comfort. When the Mk3 Metro came out it reviewers criticised Leyland for not doing it earlier.

[@andrewnorth4857]

I think the Metro handbook even listed oil change, filter, two front wings and a valance at 5000 mile intervals :D@@chilternman

[@bespincustompropsbombarta8300]

Metro is just like a grown up Mini, it was way better with its 1275 cc engine, drive it like a mini, thrash it and throw them around and they feel great.

[@camptube7621]

I think the metro has the mini A series, or was that the MiniMetro? These cars got me freedom in the 90s.