1995 FESTIVA :to buy OR not?

[Marcel Bluret]

Hi folks, I've gotta nice siver EF Fairmont which just got re-reg'd but needs a new W/screen,4tyres,1elec-front-W/dow-repair, radiator,full tune-up,etc, @275,000klms & whilst I only use this car for long trips to city for AIR-CON-(wife's health-issue), IF it was an EB-EF:5litreV8/automatic, I be very happy to spend the $2500+work needed to keep it goin' (hopefully?) for another few years.

It sits inside the garage & mebbe goes on a 500klms trip every 6wks or so-(apart from a weekly-aircon-workout).

I just don't really like the 6cylinder/4litre motor & we only need 2drs,manual=box,w/dows & freezing AIR CON which is why I've been looking at FESTIVAs @under $3000 & have found a very nice one owned by a lady who's looked after it well & I can get it for $2000-(RWC & 6mths rego!)

I know NOTHING about these cars being an 'old-car guy' who's EF is the most 'modern' ever owned.

ANY advice is much needed - please?

This 1995 'met-dark-green':2door/1.3/5spd/manual=w/dows,alloys & 13" new tyres,V.G.CDplayer,gd paint/body/interior & mechanically excellent FESTIVA (with a 'bodykit' :-rear-wing & side-sill-thingys?) was test-driven by me last Wed & @188,000klms with FSH,(I met it's mechanic), it is actually PERFECT & exactly suitable for our needs BUT the AIR-CON was LOUSY!

It was an immaculate comfy car & very nice to drive & the owner has owned it for 5 yrs but has never done anything to the AIR-CON.

She is moving away & the sale is GENUINE, as all she said has checked out true & she is going to have the AIR-CON completely looked at this week & I'm sure it no doubt needs a reciever/dryer/re-gas/compressor-seal, etc,as 5 years is way too long to never check the AIR CON system & she lives in Toowoomba where the cool weather prevails, uses this car on weekends only, so I don't think she deliberately tried to sell me a lousy Air-Con'd Festiva.

My point is ; COLD Air-Conditioning is my ONLY purpose in owning a 'modern' Ford & while I feel my EF is ready to die & needs all this work & $ spent, will the little 1.3 Festiva's AIR-CON ever be really COLD enough even if totally 're-done' (which I could tell it did need) or should I stick with my EF-FAIRMONT & keep my fingers crossed ?

I would really prefer the FESTY as it is even more roomy behind the driver's wheel for me than the Fairmont & of course is a manual, has done 100,000klms LESS & is in seriously VGC in every way BUT I cannot seem to get a 1.5 FESTIVA & I have NO more than $2500 to be honest & I don't expect to get much car for that amount.

I will testdrive it again when the 'AIR' has been attended to but am I expecting too much for an 15 year old 1.3 Festiva to be as 'chilled' as a 15 yr old 4litre EF F'Mont ?

All info/advice/abuse, etc, will be appreciated, as this is a 'big-deal' for me!

Thanks, Marcel.