i am a foreigner in Malaysia. Want to buy a second hand car out of necessity. Saw some old Ford fiesta 2012 1.6 within the range of 10k RM with low mileage of 88k and good condition.
Was wondering, is the ford parts easily available in Malaysia? is the deal good? or any other recommendation? my budget around 15k max.
You can still find Ford parts anywhere in Malaysia (my family drives Ford), but the issue with the Fiesta sold here is that it was built in Thailand for the mass market when Ford focused on the ASEAN region. The gearbox paired with the 1.6 engine was problematic (the Euro version had a 4-speed automatic).
The facelifted 1.5 and 1.0 turbo models were slightly better but still used the same gearbox.
My relative has a Fiesta XTR, a special edition, but it’s also a 1.6 automatic. It drives really well; the handling and feel are excellent. He left it to me since he works out of town, and I drive it occasionally just to keep it warmed up, but it’s not in the best condition.
If you really want a Fiesta, just remember that the gearbox requires good maintenance. You can buy them at a low price, giving you some extra money for upkeep. The car is inexpensive because it has low resale value, but don’t neglect maintenance, and it should be fine. Also, check out Facebook groups to find recommended workshops; getting parts for repairs shouldn’t be too difficult.
If you’re looking for a sensible option around 15k, you might end up with a Myvi or Corolla, which are both perfectly good choices too.