Ford Aspire

Price Paid:  $2000.00

Summary:
Excellent car for the buck. I find no problem in keeping up with traffic on interstate driving. although it lacks in power, you have to expect that in a small motor. And with rising gas prices i am just in awe of the mileage. I have owned everything from a SUV to a Mercedes and i would rely more on this little aspire than all of them.

Strengths:
Gas mileage
Roominess
comfort in seating

Weaknesses:
the car is so short that it sometimes reminds me of the famous pinto and the problems they had with impact to the rear and gas tank.

Similar Products Used:
escort.
mazda 323
and i would rate the aspire much better.

Price Paid:  $4000.00

Summary:
I went looking specifically for this model, because of it's gas mileage reputation. I commute over 70 miles each way to work, so gas mileage was my motivation. Now that I have the car, a 2-door with manual (5 spd) tranny, I get 40 to 45 miles per gallon on the average! I have been extremely impressed with its performance for an "econobox". I can cruise at 70 to 75 without trying, even with the A/C going on a hot 100 degree day. Up hills, however, it shows it's lack of horsepower. If the incline is more than about 5%, forget it. I have to downshift to 4th or even 3rd sometimes, and crawl up the hill at 35 or 40. The seats are very comfortable, and I would not hesitate to take this car on a long trip. I added a high-end Pioneer stereo and speakers, which made the drive very pleasant. It's a fairly noisy car, so the extra volume is necessary. My wife named it "Dexter" because it reminds her of the cartoon character. Overall, I recommend this car highly. Ok, downside: VERY VERY expensive parts. The only problem I had was an ignition coil, which is built into the distributor, and Ford wants over $600 for the part. I found one on the web at a used parts house for $100 and it's back on the road. Don't even bother trying to buy parts at a Ford dealer. Go to car-parts.com and find a used one.

Strengths:
Gas mileage. (40+) More power than you would think for a 1.3L engine. Cheap to run. Very reliable. Strong A/C.

Weaknesses:
EXTREMELY expensive parts.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $6000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 auto

Summary:
This car handles great, has great gas mileage, and the best car ever to take on a road trip. I can fit camping gear and four people in it and go just about anywhere. I would not suggest going into the mountains, however. Anything over about 4-5% grade kills it(you would be lucky to get the car over 35mph) The car moves as fast as any other car on the road, its just getting it over the 0-30 hump first. It has always started for me and has never needed anything outside of the occasional tuneup and tire change. I would recommend this car to anyone who isnt very good with the mechanical aspects of a car, as it is very low maintenance and very efficient.

Strengths:
gas mileage, room, manueverability, reliability.

Weaknesses:
no guts up hills

Similar Products Used:
toyota camry- this is SO much better!!

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from Jackson Ford

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Aspire

Summary:
When we first bought it it was a great car,then it needed parts. We about died when we heard the price of an oxygen sensor(300.00). The gas milage is still good at 90,000 but dont hit a deer! I have been looking for a front clip for months now and have found a few parts(still need a bumper cover ans a marker lamp dont caution: use 4autobodyparts.com). Ido like my aspire but dont like people leaning on it, instant dent! we will try for 200,000 +.

Strengths:
gas milage, parking, interior room, buying tires

Weaknesses:
PARTS SUCK! PRICES AND TO FIND THEM. THE TRANNY CRIES FOR "ANOTHER GEAR PLEASE". VERY EASY TO DENT,VERY POOR ACCELERATION EATS SPARK PLUG WIRES{I PUT ON THREE SETS OF MOTORCRAFT WIRES!

Similar Products Used:
FESTIVA AND KIAS

Price Paid:  $2400.00 from Oregon

Summary:
I have read all the horror stories about the Ford Aspire and mostly have to believe that most peoples problems with the Aspire is the lack of basic maintenance. My Aspire performs perfectly every day. The only time it has ever even had a hiccup was with a tank of gas that had some water in it. Can't hardly blame that on the car. It has some road noise but that is to be expected with a 2000 pound car. I find it to be a very functional and serviceable vehicle. I commute 56 miles a day in it and get 32+ miles per gallon and it never has used any oil. It has a lot of leg and head room, I am 6 foot tall and really rather like the car.

Strengths:
Economical, comfortable seating, all gauges easily visible and 360 degree visiblity when driving. Very reliable vehicle.

Weaknesses:
It could use another gear in the automatic transmission as the engine is spinning 3000+ RPM's at freeway speed.

Similar Products Used:
Honda civic, Honda Accord, Mercury Topaz