Ford Fiesta (2008 - 2017) 1.6 TDCi Zetec S 3d (2010/10) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Even without the Zetec S sports styling, the base car is fun and youthful with a very modern look.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everyone who has seen the car has fallen in love with it with no bad word to say - they love the design and equipment and are impressed with its green credentials.

Would you buy this car again and why?

This is my first Ford Fiesta since I rode in my dad's Mk.1 model in the early 1990s. Previous models, including the model before this, have seemed bland and dull however if future versions are as brilliant as this one, I will be remaining loyal to the blue oval.

What are you likely to buy next?

Dealdrivers and other online brokers offer fantastic discounts - shopping around really does pay off. Test drive at a franchised Ford dealer beforehand, but be warned they won't offer as generous a discount as you can find online.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£14,380

When did you buy the car?

March 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

I ordered online through DealDrivers and received a discount of around £3,000 on list price, which Dagenham Motors couldn't match. I even got a great discount on added options (metallic paint, parking sensors, BT etc.)

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Compared to the other cars I considered, this was by far the best looking, cheapest to run and insure and had a great equipment level for the price.

What was the dealer like?

Dealer was very friendly and helpful.

What's it like to drive?

Engine is fantastically responsive, handling is the best of any car in the price range and the ride is smooth, however the rear sports suspension can be a little hard over speed bumps. Due to the chin spoiler of the Zetec S, take speed humps slowly (below 10-15mph)

What's it like to park?

Visibility is good, but the rear side windows are quite small. The rear parking sensors included in the City Pack are a must.

Have you had any problems with the car?

During the first cold spell of late 2010, I had issues with juddering when moving away resulting in the occasional stall - but this was resolved after Ford ran tests on the car. Occasionally misses reverse gear, despite the sensors and reverse light activating. Have locked the keys in the car at a service station because of the auto-lock function which cannot be disabled.

What's most practical about your car?

Engine has lots of power for acceleration whilst remaining economical. Was by far the cheapest car to insure (I am 21) out of all I considered - beating my previous car (a 52 reg 1.2 Punto) by over £500

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

City pack is essential - folding mirrors and reverse parking sensors are fantastic. Bluetooth handsfree works well and quality is acceptable. iPod integration works well but there are some quality issues with the 5th generation Nano.