2003 Ford Fiesta Ghia review from UK and Ireland

Only one problem so far has been a noisy alternator fixed under warranty.

This is such a good car, I love it! It is a 5dr in Metallic Black with 16' alloys so it looks great. I got it on 0%APR so it was cheap to buy. I get 55-63 mpg on every tank (and the 55mpg was on a very fast journey) I have been from Glasgow to Isle of Skye then Inverness and back to Glasgow on one tank of fuel (£32). The tax is £88 a year and the insurance is only £200 so I am saving loads of money a year compaired to my last car a 1.2 Punto.

I have replaced the cheapo tyres that come with all new cars for Dunloup Sports tyres so the car now grips very well and has amazing wet weather performace. As it is the Ghia model, I have Air Conditioning, Remote Locking, CD Player (very clear and powerful, but no shuffle function) and a heated windscreen (godsend in winter!) plus lots of other toys. I can get 5 people in the car as it has 5 proper seatbelts and 5 headrests.

The only modifications I have made are a K&N filter (I don't like the cheap paper filters that come with the car) and a mesh grille from the 'Black' limited edition model that I got cheap on ebay!

The only problems with the car are the seats. The front seats are quite soft and don't have much support and the back of the rear seat base will only fold forward if the front seats are moved forward, but I need the seats back as I have long legs.

Performance overall from the engine is amazing. It pulls like a train from 1500rpm and will rev like a petrol when asked. The turbo-diesel makes a difference when there are passengers or hill on a journey.

I have had the car serviced twice (12500 miles and 25000 miles) and they were only about £80-£90 each. As usual the service from the Ford dealers was awful and the car never got cleaned, but the car got serviced which is all I expect from them.

This car is so good I will have trouble replacing it, but it feels very well built so I think I will keep it until something goes bang.