2000 Ford Fiesta Zetec S review from UK and Ireland

Internal leak caused by the air conditioning overflow pipe allowing excess water to enter the driver footwell.

Rectified by the dealer, including drying out of the carpets. Nothing else to report so far.

This car has serious handling capability for its price tag. Unfortunately the performance is limited, but this does not dampen the fun of driving the Zetec S and it shouldn't put you off buying one.

From the front and sides the car really looks the buisiness with its mesh grill, round spots, and 15 inch alloys. Only the rear is let down as it could be easily mistaken for a basic model and really needs a slightly bigger spoiler.

Inside the Zetec S looks quite fresh, neat too with metal effect facia and a leather trimmed stearing wheel. The factory fit CD/radio sounds OK and can be made real quality by easily adding a decent set of rear speakers to the parcel shelf.

Driving this car is the best bit. Gearing is near perfect and the car will pull away comfortably in any gear, however to make it perform anything like it has to be revved hard,which it loves, and rewards you with a lovely engine tone as well. The Zetec S is very forgiving round corners and enables drivers with limited skills to get away with relatively fast cornering without putting themselves or others at too much risk.

Finally insurance is only group 7 or 8 and I usually get at least 35 to a gallon of petrol.