[appst8]

Greetings Fiesta brethren!

I have been doing a ton of homework on these cars and decided to make it a top candidate for a source of fun, economical transportation. I am considering purchasing a 2014 model from a private party. It's completely stock and appears to be well sorted but I have a couple of concerns. First of all, it has high miles for the year. Currently at about 20,000. Everything in the car works and it seems to run and drive just fine.

Any issues I should keep an eye out for if I take a second look at the car?

My biggest concern about the car was a whine coming from the transmission. It makes this noise in any gear and only when rolling off of the throttle. When decelerating in gear it's very obvious, but under load I cannot detect any noise. I read a thread on here describing a similar problem that resulted in the transmission being replaced by ford. Since there isn't too much time left on the warranty, this makes me a bit nervous.

Has anybody else observed this transmission noise in their car? If so, have any problems followed?

If it works out I look forward to joining the community.

 

[RodMoe]

I dont recall any odd noise from mine like that.
Welcome and have fun shopping

 

[Cligedy]

I've got 15k miles on mine, and not a peep out of the transmission. I would have a dealer inspect the car before you purchase it, just to CYA.

Also, there are always a few FiSTs at the Charlotte autocross events. If you haven't purchased (or have) by the next event, come on out and we will be glad to check out a FiST that you won't be pressured to buy.

 

[appst8]

That was my thought as well. Anything else I should ask for them to check out if I take it in? I haven't dealt with any dealers in the area. Which would you recommend?

Also, when is the first auto-x of the year?

 

[Cligedy]

Feb. 28 @ Zmax
http://ccrscca.proboards.com/thread/6559/2015-ccr-autocross-schedule

I haven't really dealt with Ford dealerships in Charlotte, I bought mine out of town.

I don't really know of any real problem areas on the FiST. You will hear of problems occasionally on the forums, but I don't know of any common complaints.

 

[appst8]

How would you reccomend approaching the dealer? Even if they confirm the whine from the transmission, I imagine they wouldn't do any kind of repair work until there is a failure. I really don't want a large scale failure to occur outside of warranty.

 

[Cligedy]

How would you reccomend approaching the dealer? Even if they confirm the whine from the transmission, I imagine they wouldn't do any kind of repair work until there is a failure. I really don't want a large scale failure to occur outside of warranty.

If they confirm that it's an issue, either have the seller fix it or walk from the deal.

 

[ryst]

at about 20,000.

The power train warranty goes until 60,000 miles or 5 years actually. Only problem is that manufacturers love to deny claims on manual transmissions because they "claim" they were abused.


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[appst8]

If they confirm that it's an issue, either have the seller fix it or walk from the deal.

I plan to contact him tomorrow about the issue. I hear read that this could be the early signs of an issue that could cause transmission failure. I let him drive it first so I could observe his driving habits and he is not very smooth. Very rushed with the gear lever and clutch actuation.

The power train warranty goes until 60,000 miles or 5 years actually. Only problem is that manufacturers love to deny claims on manual transmissions because they "claim" they were abused.


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I appreciate the information! I thought it was only 3 years 36K for the powertrain.

 

[ryst]

I appreciate the information! I thought it was only 3 years 36K for the powertrain.

Yeah I didn't notice until after I bought the car, but the bumper to bumper warranty is 3/36k but powertrain is 5/60k


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[CSM]

Probably input shaft bearing issue. There are a few FiST owners who have had transmissions replaced because of the issue. If anything it is a negotiating point!

Did you buy the car?

 

[boombots]

Funny I came across this, I believe I was the one who bought the car. To the O.P. was it a white SC tagged Fiesta? I am Charlotte area, and it has a whine, something I didn't so much pick up on on the test drive... It had just under 22k when I got it.

I've seen a ton of people on here(and other forums) that experience gear whine and many that do not, not overly concerned, I will have it checked out though. Gear whine is a common thing on subies too, and not everyone has it. I was more concerned with a noise it makes around 1.7-2k RPM, but after research and people commenting on videos it is a normal, forced induction intake noise (some sort of whirling suction sound).

This tranny scares me a lot less than my DCT on my 2012 focus... maybe that is blinding me to issues here. That thing was a hot mess. It would stutter, stumble, shift hard sometimes, and slow and lazy others. I tried going with an aftermarket tune but that made it worse (I would get burnt clutch smells). Ended up needing new clutches in that, and I think the new clutches and software were worse. It shifted so much less agressively at WOT. Hated that transmission... but enough about that...

Agreed that he was not the smoothest gear changer but the clutch is just fine, no clicking or odd things people reported, and a gear whine wouldn't be the cause of rough clutching.

Overall, pleased with the buy, only used FiSt anywhere nearby and I got it for 16500, and he tossed in an cobb AP that still had the protective screen on it, never installed, so almost like getting it for 16000, now it needs tires soon but oh well. Got 13000 trade in on my focus, so with my trade equity, I managed to put zero down, and lower monthly payments by going back to a 5 yr loan again.

 

[CSM]

Funny I came across this, I believe I was the one who bought the car. To the O.P. was it a white SC tagged Fiesta? I am Charlotte area, and it has a whine, something I didn't so much pick up on on the test drive... It had just under 22k when I got it.

I've seen a ton of people on here(and other forums) that experience gear whine and many that do not, not overly concerned, I will have it checked out though. Gear whine is a common thing on subies too, and not everyone has it. I was more concerned with a noise it makes around 1.7-2k RPM, but after research and people commenting on videos it is a normal, forced induction intake noise (some sort of whirling suction sound).

This tranny scares me a lot less than my DCT on my 2012 focus... maybe that is blinding me to issues here. That thing was a hot mess. It would stutter, stumble, shift hard sometimes, and slow and lazy others. I tried going with an aftermarket tune but that made it worse (I would get burnt clutch smells). Ended up needing new clutches in that, and I think the new clutches and software were worse. It shifted so much less agressively at WOT. Hated that transmission... but enough about that...

Agreed that he was not the smoothest gear changer but the clutch is just fine, no clicking or odd things people reported, and a gear whine wouldn't be the cause of rough clutching.

Overall, pleased with the buy, only used FiSt anywhere nearby and I got it for 16500, and he tossed in an cobb AP that still had the protective screen on it, never installed, so almost like getting it for 16000, now it needs tires soon but oh well. Got 13000 trade in on my focus, so with my trade equity, I managed to put zero down, and lower monthly payments by going back to a 5 yr loan again.

That's not a bad deal at all!

Does your whine happen in all gears? If it does, then its likely input shaft bearing issue. If it only happens in certain gears, then its likely another issue. Have you done a transmission fluid change? You can tell a LOT by what type of metal flakes you find in the old oil

 

[boombots]

I am going to change fluid this week. I'm hoping that solves it. Seems to be load on the drivetrain in 5th or 6th, maybe in 4th (can't recall) but I think the 2 overdrive gears. I know in other cars OD gears get whiney so I didn't think much of it. I'm also getting tires at ford soon so I'll sweet talk a tech to take a ride.