Faults:

Handbrake cable stretched easily and had to be replaced after 10,000 miles.

Handle for adjusting the seat is stiff.

Rear bumper starting to come-away.

Passenger door lock became stiff.

General Comments:

The car is really quick through the first 3 gears. Beats most other cars upto at traffic lights.

Good, firm handling.

Seats are very comfortable even after long journeys.

Cheap to run.

Cheap to insure.

Very quiet.

Large variety of parts available, but not a lot of mods available.

Faults:

The passenger side electric window jammed open, resolved with a little lubrication.

Low mileage per gallon when I first picked the car up, simply needed re-tuning which was covered by my warranty.

General Comments:

This car is such a joy to drive, it is very nippy and despite the small engine, has no problems keeping pace on the motorway. Cornering is no problem either...there's virtually no need to slow down!

I do find that first gear is a bit short though and pulling away at roundabouts or junctions from a standstill can feel quite sluggish.

The seats are very supportive and the car is comfortable even on long journeys although rear passengers might feel a bit cramped.

The CD player fitted is fine although rear speakers would mean a huge improvement in sound quality.

Overall I think the car looks great, better than the face-lift model, but above all it's fun to drive.

Faults:

My electric driver side window sticks sometimes in the cold.

General Comments:

This car is very quick off the mark.

It can put most small cars to shame at the lights, or when overtaking.

Everyone who has been in the car have commented on the quickness, and the overall look of the car.

The interior of the car is smooth.

The white dials give this car a sporty look along with the rear spoiler.

Go and buy one now.

Faults:

My rocker head gasket blew at 13,000 miles.

The back seats got damp in the winter due to the internal brake light wiring not having been fitted properly.

General Comments:

This car is a super cheap runaround which is very reliable.

It won't get left behind on the motorway, it's quite pokey!

The seats are quite stiff, but apart from that, a good buy which won't let you down.

Faults:

One of the main stereo speakers is becoming crackly and often doesn't work at all.

The driver's seat is very stiff and doesn't roll back properly.

Slight squeaking noises on the driver's side.

General Comments:

I am very happy with the way the Fiesta drives, the quiet Zetec engine is very rev-happy and the acceleration is impressive for a 1.25, it'll beat many hatchbacks from a stand-still. Economy is average with around 40 miles per gallon.

The handling and ride-quality is superb as standard. The car seems to take corners really well and you don't have to worry about feeling the bumps in this car.

The front sports style seats are nice, however they are quite hard and can make your back hurt on long journeys. Also, rear space is very limited with little leg room.

The Fiesta is a nice curvy car, I think the mark 4 looks much more modern than previous models. However, the front-end has quite a sad look which has been criticised by some people. The Zetec model has several nice extras including front fog-lights, body-coloured bumpers, 14" alloys and rear spoiler.

I would certainly recommend the Fiesta Zetec to anyone looking for a cheap, nippy hatchback. I've had very few problems with the car since I owned it in February 2001.