Kelfords Ford Fiesta TDCi 1.6 Turbo Diesel Ambiente 5 door

Things I like:

– Turbo Diesel. Poweful, economic & clean(er).

– Voice activation, USB, iPod & Bluetooth for a handsfree office and entertainment centre.

– Capless fuel system and fool proof “diesel only” nozzle.

– Good looks and small, yet roomy- thanks to seat down hatch back and Thule bike racks.

– Fuel economy: This Fiesta has done 3.9L/100km to win its class in some economy run.But with 2x XL bikes (often) on the roof, and mixed city and highway driving, I get an avs of 5.7L/100km.

Since its not my car (thanks Tristan and the crew at Kelfords Ford in Somerset West) and its not made for off roading, we parked and enjoyed the magical West Coast on foot.

In the meantime, dreaming of something more Caveman like when I grow up…

Caveman’s Stellenbosch Kelfords Ford Fietsta Ambiente 1.4

[Open letter to friend and owner of Kelfords Ford and Mazda in Somerset West, South Africa]

Dear Tristan,

Thank you very much for the use of your wonderful little Ford Fiesta. We love the fuel economy, (5.9L per 100km) the nippy handling, the voice activated, hands free phone and radio system and the fact that it can take 4 bikes (size XL Specialized) plus gear. (2 bikes on the Thule Roof racks, 2 inside the hatch back- padded with the food and equipment needed for a long weekend training camp.)

BUT during our home-stay here in Las Vegas with Saffers Nic and Jodie Sacco, we got slightly spoiled with Nic’s everyday run around bakkie. “Spoilt” to say the least.

We would like to put in a request for your consideration for next years Caveman mobile:

The Ford Raptor F-150 SVT:

Yes, the one with the 6,2L V8 engine (420 Hp) and Fox racing suspension. To name but a few items.

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The good folks at Kelfords Ford & Mazda are selling the Demo Model Ford Fiesta I have been test driving for you:

2010 Ford Fiesta 1.4i Trend. (Thule bike racks and Specialized bikes not included)

35 000 Km

Price R135 000

This is a great little car. Liezel and I fell in love with it right away. The Fiesta handles great, feels nippy in traffic and city driving, she turns on a dime, and if you wind her up tightly, goes fast enough to widen the smile already on my dial.

The interior is a lot more spacious than you may think, considering its a smaller car. With the split rear seats down, we could fit huge amounts of sporting and camping goodies for adventurous weekends away. With the bikes and/or surfboard on the Thule Roof racks we once even packed the double bed (mattress) on top of all the other gear… Plenty of leg room, head room (I’m 6ft2) and in terms of ergonomics, I cannot think of anything I could improve on.

This car is modern.  VERY modern, considering my previous ride. The small things I like: (things I dislike about some other cars who try to think FOR me as opposed to OF me)

– No unnecessary stupid beeping. This car only beeps when your (or passengers’) seat belt is not on, and when you are about to leave the lights on, and if you have less than 80km in the petrol tank. (it beeps once to notify you when on the road, and if you start the car with less than 80km left, it beeps once softly upon starting up.)

The dash shows all kinds of data, including fuel economy, distance left on fuel in tank and avs fuel economy. (rated at 5.9l/100km, but I got more like 6.7-  we often had two XL bikes on the roof, and with a slight;y heavy foot, I did get a few love letters from the traffic dept.)

The technology I enjoyed the most was the Bluetooth connectivity- I could use my iPhone hands free via the cars’ impressive sounds system. Calling was so easy and the sound quality so good, I saved phone calls for drives.  It also boasts Voice Activation and other fancy technology beyond the grasp of a mere Caveman.

If you’re interested, please contact Tristan at Kelfords Ford & Mazda in Somerset West.

Tristan, (currently getting ready for Ironman) and his crew are kind, warm hearted and offer exceptional service. They’re very active in the Multisport community, sponsoring Team Kelfords and Dan Hugo. And the Caveman. Thanks so much, Tristan for your support & kindness, and also “H”-ie for all the drop-offs and pick-ups at the airport.

The Fiesta is great for an active lifestyle- like motor pacing from Pringlebay to Hermanus…

Getting ready for XTERRA Grabouw course pre ride:

My previous ride: The Family Heirloom: I gave up the prized Grand Luxury Express to drive the Fiesta. My dad bought this Toyota Cressida GLE  new in 1988- also the year I did my 1st triathlon- lots of sentimental value. Also great for cross training- like push starting, pumping tyres by hand etc

I know a hot stuff mobile when I see one.  Check out this blog as further proof: Red Rocket and other cool cars blog.

YES, believe it or not, The Caveman has wheels from this century!* Kindly sponsored by Kelfords in Somerset West, South Africa. Kelfords is passionate about multisport. Team Kelfords Multisport club is very active in the Western Cape and they also support fellow XTERROR “DGH” Dan Hugo.

After driving (and pushing) my dads 1988 Toyota Cressida GLE around Stellenbosch for decades, this nippy little Ford Fiesta 1.6 Trend is like living in a dream. It starts every time, ALL FOUR speakers work, it burns more petrol than oil… No, seriously- I LOVE this car. Its nippy, it comfortably takes off (or “launch” as I call it) in 2nd gear, it corners like on rails, it fits into parking spaces in the 1st try, it is really light on fuel (5.9L per 100km rating) and of course, it looks good. Now I can even legally talk on the phone once I put my Blue teeth in. Cheez, whats next?! Voice control? O ja, it already has that.

AND it comfortably fits a size XL 29er (or two) in the back.  I’m working on a roof rack for the bikes. Got to keep this baby looking new, since the Caveman will now be known for his nice, clean car, as opposed to “The Owner Of The Red Rocket”.

* If you dont know the Caveman transport story, check out this great blog post- “A tribute to the Red Rocket“.

Caveman & Team Kelfords