Faults:

Potentiometer wore out.

Gearbox high pitch noise and needs replacing.

Potentiometer went again.

Vandals constantly break the wing mirrors and jump on the car.

The suspension is so hard the CD player jumps all day long.

General Comments:

Even so, I think it's a great little car. Bags of fun to drive and it's pretty darn quick. Also the brakes actually work well, unlike my previous Fiestas.

I would definitely buy the newer model when finances permit.

Faults:

Engine Warning Light is always on.

General Comments:

This car is very practical and economical to own if only used for short journeys. However, the driving experience becomes very uncomfortable on trips lasting more than an hour.

Can average about 30 to the gallon overall as car is only used locally.

Being a 1.3 it is cheap to insure and to run.

The handling is responsive and very satisfying. Much more favourable compared to the Escort and even my mums '99 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec.

The general performance is average. Probably should have bought a 1.25 as I find it much quicker. I was even overtaken by my mate's 1.0 Nissan Micra with my foot down! Oh dear...

In the cabin there are few toys to play with, well, none actually. Though the seat height adjustment pump comes in handy, being 6 feet tall. Couldn't get on with the standard Radio/Cassette and speakers. So I upgraded to a CD player and did a little DIY on the speakers, fitting in a couple of 13cm SONY beasts. I can't cruise without listening to fiddy, now he sounds much better!

Getting a little irritated with the engine light. It doesn't flash, but have had it checked out twice by local garage and they can't find a problem. Does anyone else have this?

Becoming bored of it after a few thousand miles. Considering either a Mondeo 2.0 Zetec S or Omega 3.0 Elite for my next car in a couple of months.

Faults:

When I got the car, it was missing a parcel shelf. No big deal, got a cheap one from a scrapyard. However, when I got into the back seat for the first time, the middle bracket holding the seat down was snapped. This was re-welded by the dealers shortly afterwards. Also, a bit of seal from the driver's door was missing. Also a scrapyard replacement! Just the one fault during running, however. Had some new front brake discs replaced due to the old ones worn out, and this was its 2nd MOT, although I was alerted that they were due in a few thousand miles from the last service.

General Comments:

Very good runner for a 1.3. Being very reliable and never let me down. Can pull off it's own at the lights, and keeps going right up to 105mph! Just wish the screen wash tank held more, especially for the winter period! Never did like the box standard radio/cassette player, however, so fitted a Kenwood CD/MP3 player, and it does the business. Also, on good long runs at a steady 60mph, I got more than 50mpg out of it, and that is good!

Faults:

Rear wheel bearing went at 38,000.

Had to change o gasket on the radiator which meant the car was leaking water.

Reluctor ring worn on front offside wheel which kept activating the ABS.

Usual wearing of the steering wheel.

General Comments:

The car does handle extremely well however make sure that you have plenty of tread on your tyres as I almost lost control when the road was greasy.

Very fun car to drive, silky gear box and gear change. The car is very quick in second to third gears and is very comfortable at doing higher speeds on the motorway. The car is also decent on fuel when driven sensibly. Not the quickest at 0-60 however the car is only an insurance group 9 making it reasonable for a hot hatch and I have laughed off when racing against cars in its category (Astra SXI 16v, Saxo VTS)