Faults:

Nothing so far (touch wood)

General Comments:

I've had my Fiesta Zetec S now for just over 2 months and I absolutely love it. Every time I get in it a huge grin comes across my face because it's such a pleasure to drive.

It's quicker than my mates Saxo VTR off the lights and has more overtaking grunt. He's now thing about trading the Saxo in for a Zetec S.

It's got all the gizmo's I need, anti-lock brakes, power steering, remote central locking, electric windows, air bag, traction control, CD player, alloy wheels all as standard and the sensible person who I bought the car from had air conditioning fitted as an option for the bargain price of £500. There is only one tiny thing missing though and that's an adjustable steering wheel.

All this coupled with the stiff lowered suspension, close ratio gear box, sports styling and an engine that sounds oh so sweet in the mid-high rev range makes for a superb overall package.

The ride can seem a bit firm, but the handling more than compensates. It sticks to the road like glue and body roll is kept down thanks to that stiff suspension.

I looked for ages to replace my old Punto Sporting and thought I'd never be able to get a sporty little hatch with a comparable insurance rating, but the Fiesta is only £50 a year more.

If anyone is thinking of buying the sporty versions of a Saxo, Punto, Corsa, Polo or Clio (excluding the 172 Sport) then I'd urge them to go test drive a Zetec S as well. I guarantee it will at least make you think twice even if you're not a Ford fan.

Faults:

No faults at all.

General Comments:

When we were looking for something to replace our tired (but great) 106 XSi, it never even occurred to us to check out the Zetec-S. There we were wandering around our Ford dealer when this shiny Colorado Red example just leapt out. To be honest, the looks alone half sold us, but the test drive finished the job.

This car is a total joy to drive, and will delight anyone who is remotely enthusiastic about driving. I didn't think I'd find anything that handled as well as the 106, but the Zetec-S does. On pure steering feel and response (and ONLY that I mean), it is scarily close to my friend's Lotus Elise, and proves that power steering done properly is perfectly OK! The result is a car with almost telepathic responses on a twisty road, and which handles with confidence, control and total ease. Ride is a bit harsh, but the trade off is fantastic body control at speed.

The engine is a bit under-endowed, but is sweet, economical and eager. It has lovely clout and an enthusiastic growl between 3,500 and 5,500 RPM, and makes the Fiesta feel quite lively in most "real road" situations. Also, the 5 speed box has a short throw, with a lovely slick, mechanical feel to it. Only when accelerating hard on an open, straight road does its lack of outright BHP show through. The flip side of this however, is a rock solid 35 MPG and insurance group 8E! Bit of a bargain really!

The Fiesta was the base for the Puma which has been often touted as having one of the finest front wheel drive chassis' around, so it's no surprise the car is good. The Zetec-S takes these qualities and combines them with insurability, low running costs and almost Germanic build quality. Sure it won't ripple the tarmac, but it's useable, balanced and every control oozes feel and feedback allowing you to drive it hard and fast in complete safety. Last but not least it looks rock hard. Nice one, Ford!