Consumer Guide loves my car!

[Chaotic42]

Link
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Road Test Evaluation

Acceleration is no more than passable with the 1.3-liter engine and manual transmission. With automatic, or with more than one occupant aboard, a Festiva feels even more timid. The engine produces little power at low speeds, and gets noisy above about 4000 rpm, thrashing rather raucously. Gas mileage is exceptional, with 30-plus mpg on average.

Don't be surprised if the Festiva's body tilts precariously, as it skitters around corners on its 12-inch tires. Expect quite a bit of body roll through turns as well as irritating understeer. Few cars are easier to parallel-park than a Festiva. Surprisingly supple, the Festiva's ride is actually rather comfortable, but the short wheelbase keeps it from ever becoming exceptional. Noise levels tend to be high, and road and engine sounds combine to produce a loud din at freeway speeds.

Passenger and cargo room are limited, though the upright cabin provides surprisingly good head space. Even leg room ranks as adequate. Thin roof pillars, plenty of glass, and a short nose translate to great outward visibility. Interior furnishings are sparse. Even with the rear seatback folded, in fact, storage space is mediocre. Radio and climate controls are within arm's reach.

Considering its modest price, this unrefined minicar isn't a bad buy. However, we would recommend that you spend a few more dollars and get a more substantial automobile, such as a Ford Escort or Chevrolet Cavalier.
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How the heck can I find out what model of engine this thing has?

 

[Skyline622]

nice

 

[Eli]

The Festiva and Aspire engines are all Mazda built 1.3L single overhead cam (SOHC) 8-valve engines. They are part of the Mazda "B" series of engines and are known as B3 engines. The B3 has a bore and stroke of 71x83.6mm and a displacement of 1323cc. Besides the Aspire/Festiva B3 Mazda also made a couple of other "B" series engines, including the B1 1.1L and B6 1.6L engines. The B1 was never offered in the states, only Japan and Europe. The B6 engines were used mostly in Mazda 323's and Mercury Tracers from the late eighties and early nineties. The B6 engines have a bore and stroke of 78x83.6 and a displacement of 1597cc. The SOHC B6 is basically a big brother to the smaller B3 and from the outside the two engines look almost the same. There is also a DOHC 16-valve B6 with or without a turbo (as found in the Mercury Capri and 323GTX) but for ease of installation, the SOHC B6 will bolt into the Festiva/Aspire without modification.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Eli
The SOHC B6 is basically a big brother to the smaller B3 and from the outside the two engines look almost the same. There is also a DOHC 16-valve B6 with or without a turbo (as found in the Mercury Capri and 323GTX) but for ease of installation, the SOHC B6 will bolt into the Festiva/Aspire without modification.

Ooooooooooooh. That would be cool. I wonder how much more power I'd get from that.

Some joker put a 2.x liter V6 in his Festiva. Something like 190HP in a ~1900lb vehicle.