2015 Ford Fiesta Review

It is said that the best things come in small packages and that statement is spot on when describing the 2015 Ford Fiesta.

The newly redesigned Fiesta has combined attractiveness and power with a price tag that won't send you into sticker shock. Fiesta is ranked in the top three of most affordable subcompact cars. The starting MSRP on the base model is just $13,965, not too shabby for a car that seats up to five people. All of those passengers will be amazed by the high quality interior and well built cabin. Whoever is lucky enough to be the co-pilot will appreciate the spacious and comfortable front seats and plenty of leg room.

Everybody who drives the 2015 Fiesta will feel power usually saved for vehicles much larger and definitely more pricey. For the first time in Fiesta history there is a model with an optional 3-cylinder, 1.0L turbocharged engine that provides plenty of punch when your foot hits the gas pedal. It is fueled by direct injection, 123 HP and 125 LBS of torque. That motor was voted 2014 International Engine of the Year. The Fiesta ST model has a turbocharged 4-cylinder, 1.6L EcoBoost engine that ups the ante on the acceleration of the 3-cylinder to even greater heights. That same force can be found in Fiesta's SE and Titanium models as well. No matter which Fiesta you feast your hands on, you will have the luxury of 28 MPG in the city and a whopping 36 MPG on the highway. So while your Fiesta will be small and compact, your wallet will be overstuffed with all the money you'll save on gas!

Now that you have your Fiesta filled with fuel you will want to drive it all over to show off to your friends. Of course, in this era where we can turn on our house lights from our phones, nobody will be impressed with your car unless it has the latest technology. Thankfully, this 2015 Fiesta is chalk full of gadgets. It all starts when you enter your vehicle using the optional intelligent access with push button start. This gives the Fiesta owner the ability to open the driver's door and start the car with the key securely stuffed in one's pocket. If you allow a friend or family member the pleasure of driving your new Fiesta, Ford's MyKey option encourages responsible driving by limiting top speeds and decreasing audio noise when your guest driver gets behind the wheel. There is also an optional rear view camera with reverse sensing system for helpful backup assistance to anyone who is driving. Another cool feature is the automatic headlamps that activate when wipers are in motion. As in other Ford vehicles, some of these new Fiesta's offer the owner the SYNC system with MyFord Touch. This phenomenal feature comes with a 6.5 inch LCD touch screen, SYNC voice activation, available navigation, SD card reader and 2 USB ports. The Titanium model also has a premium Sony audio system.

We know that those interior features are music to one's ears, but the Fiesta's exterior is pretty fabulous too. The 15 inch wheels on the base model are spunky and cute and make a great little brother to the sweet looking 17 inch painted aluminum wheels that decorate the Titanium model. Those wheels are accompanied by dual chrome exhaust, front fascia lower extensions and side rocker molding. Sport tuned suspension and advance trac with electronic stability control are a couple of other features of the Titanium, which provides a nice balance to its 197 HP and 202 LBS of torque. You can also choose a rear spoiler and a fancier grill on the Fiesta Titanium making it look way more expensive than just the $17,915 you spent on it. Ambient lighting in all Fiesta models starting with the SE enhance the spotlight that is placed on this incredible vehicle.

One last thing that is great about the 2015 Fiesta is that even though it has upgraded considerably from year's past, it hasn't forgotten where it came from. Once again in 2015, you will be able to purchase the Fiesta in a hatchback model. The hatchback comes in four variations starting with the base S at just $14,365 and climbing to the ST type, which you can buy for only $20,945. A unique feature of the ST model is that it is the only Fiesta that can be found in the color Molten Orange. Talk about juicing up the excitement level! You may go to many parties in your lifetime, but none will share the thrill you will have everyday when you climb into your very own Fiesta!

The Benefits and Differences Between Buying and Leasing a New Car

Growing up the daughter of a used car dealer, it was instilled into me that you always buy a car - a used car - because it’s the best investment for your money.  From age 16 until now (I’m 26), I’ve had 5 different cars...all used of course.  And they truly were good investments.  I bought them at a great price (thanks to dad) and I was able to sell them in a few years and get back almost what I paid for them.  It worked for me and it works for a lot of people.  

Now that I work at a new car dealership, the temptation of a shiny new car is always around me.  I decided to step out of my comfort zone and lease a new Fusion.  It was pretty terrifying at first, I’m not gonna lie, but once I sat down and thought through the logistics I felt a lot better.  Next to your house payment, most peoples’ highest monthly payment goes to their car - so obviously it’s a huge investment and shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Each option has benefits, and each option would be appealing to different people for different reasons.  If you’re like many car buyers who haven’t tried leasing, you may not truly understand how it works and what it has to offer.  Continue reading.

Payment:  When a payment is figured on a lease, the dealer is basing it on what’s called a “residual” value, or what the manufacturer determines the vehicle to be worth at the end of the term of the lease.  So if it's not worth what you can buy it for, you're protected to not have to own it. Therefore the payment is generally lower because you’re paying on a percentage of the vehicle as opposed to when you purchase a car, you’re paying on the entire amount of the vehicle.  

Warranty:  On a short term lease, you’ll be under the full warranty for the entire duration of your lease.  On a purchase, depending on how long you keep your car, you’ll be under the manufacturers warranty until it expires and then you’ll be responsible for any repairs from that point forward.

Options:  When your lease expires, you have 3 options.  1. You can lease a different car.  You’ll start over with the full warranty plus you’ll have the latest and greatest of what’s out there.  2. You can purchase the car you just finished leasing.  Maybe you really love the car and don’t want to see it go - then just buy it!  You’ll pay the value that was locked in at the beginning of the lease (the purchase option price).  3. You can simply walk away.  Maybe you decided you didn’t want to lease again and just wanted to go in a different direction; it’s all good!  When you purchase a car, you will pay for it until you’ve satisfied your loan and then it’s all yours.

So like I said earlier, both leasing and buying has its advantages and each one appeals to different buyers.  Talking to a sales professional about your options is always a good idea.  After all, it’s what they’ve made their career out of and they can give you all the information you need to make a well informed decision.

So whether you decide you want to lease a new car, or purchase a new or used one, all of us at Fred Martin Ford are eager to help you drive away with your perfect vehicle!