Faults:

The Fiesta is a truely superb car to drive. It can be chucked round a corner with such ease and the overall poise and stability makes it handle with verve. It has to be the best handling small car!

I have driven many cars and the only other car which comes close to matching the responsiveness of the steering is (surprisingly) a Mazda Premacy people carrier, which is actually a fun car to drive too.

The quality of the interior can't match the mazda's, there are too many hard and shiny plastics and the assembly doesn't seem quite as sturdy, either.

Build quality is merely adequate, in terms of things not working, the front windscreen washer has failed (and yes it does have water!!), and when I opened the bonnet the stick to prop it up came off in my hand! Also the heated rear window is useless.

The cabin has excellent ergonomics and is well equipped in for an entry level supermini. Performance from the 1.2 engine is equally good, with a top speed of 97mph, the acceleration seems better than figures suggest. The engine is equally quiet and smooth. The ride quality however is far too firm round town especially over sleeping policemen, and it doesn't even have low profile tyres.

A car to buy if you love driving, but in terms of quality and build a Yaris or a mazda 2 would be better.

General Comments:

The Fiesta is an A1 car to drive and will definitely put a smile on any drivers face.

But in terms of quality, comfort and build, sadly it is merely average, but good for something British.

Faults:

Rear Parcel Shelf would not sit correctly.

Water leak in rear left pillar.

General Comments:

The 'New' fiesta chassis is a big improvement over the old chassis.

Handling for a bottom of the range model is outstanding.

Engine lacks top-end power, but makes up for this shortcoming with just enough torque.

Have driven the zetec (1.4i 16v) model, which has more than enough power and torque.

No grab handles on either of the models driven, which is a big oversight.

Split component CD player is an obvious attempt at forcing the purchase of official Ford replacements (expensive).

Dealer help has been difficult to attain. Parcel shelf problem yet to be rectified and water leak took several days to solve.

Optional extras really start bumping the price up. Bottom of the range Finesse offers best value for money.

Faults:

Remote operated central locking button on Key broke, was repaired under warranty.

General Comments:

The car looks very smart in panther black metallic, but I did not buy it to look at!

The trim is OK too, and mine has air con and electrics, but I am not into toys, If I could spec the car it would have 1 bucket seat, a gearknob and 3 pedals!

The reason I bought this car is that it handles so well, it is completely neutral and is ideal to learn all about driving a front wheel drive car quickly. I have owned 13 cars now, both front and rear drive and engined with power from 70 to 240 BHP, and I really rate this car highly. It is essentially a Puma (best handling car in its class) under the skin!