Fast, what is the oldest automotive platform nonetheless being mass-produced someplace on the earth? A case might be made for the mid-Eighties-vintage Kia Satisfaction, derivatives of that are nonetheless being inbuilt Iran and presumably Venezuela. We knew the primary era of this automotive because the Ford Festiva, bought right here for the 1988 by means of 1993 mannequin years. The marginally bigger (however in any other case fairly related) second era bought a reputation change for North America, turning into the Ford Aspire. The Aspire did not promote in addition to its predecessor, and it is powerful to search out examples of this machine in automotive graveyards at this time. This is one which appeared in a Denver-area boneyard just lately.
The Festiva and Aspire have been designed by Ford ally Mazda and inbuilt South Korea by Kia Motors (which bought its begin within the automotive enterprise by assembling autos for different firms). The Aspire was bought right here for simply the 1994 by means of 1997 mannequin years. This one was inbuilt Could 1997, so it is one of many final U.S.-market Aspires ever bought.
It is all Mazda right here, mechanically talking. It is a Mazda 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 63 horsepower.
These automobiles aspired to acceleration however largely failed to attain it. This one was handicapped additional by its three-speed automated transmission, which added 660 bucks to the value (that is about 1,262 bucks in 2023 phrases).
It was low-cost. MSRP on the three-door for ’97 with handbook transmission was $9,195, or about $17,577 in at this time’s cash.
You needed to look exhausting to discover a cheaper new automotive in 1997. The most cost effective Geo Metro (quickly to develop into a Chevrolet) that yr price $8,580 ($16,401 now), whereas essentially the most inexpensive ’97 Hyundai Accent was $8,599 ($16,438 at this time). The Metro-sibling Suzuki Swift listed at $8,999 ($17,202 after inflation).
Simply over 140,000 miles, which is not so dangerous for a disposable econo-commuter.
Did the sandbag behind the entrance seats assist the dealing with on snow and ice?
Aspire to be sensible together with your cash.
In its homeland, this automotive was referred to as the Kia Avella.
So many normal options on the Iranian model!