Ford recently revived the Fiesta model in the US, starting with the 2011 model. If anyone owns this car, please pass along any observations you have about it. I just bought one, and it’s the first brand new car I have owned.
Highlights so far, for me, are the SYNC system (although it doesn’t recognize my wife’s name when i try to call her), the steering and handling, fuel efficiency, and the economy price.
Cons are no arm rests in front seats, seat controls are a little strange, the automatic shifting feels less subtle, and it’s hard to tell exactly where the front of the vehicle is.
Overall, I’m very satisfied with my purchase. It’s a nasty lime green color (wife’s fault, not mine) and I’ve only had it for a day, but it sure feels nice to drive. Anyone else got an opinion?
People that know me know whom I work for, and many people know that I spend a year and a half in the Mexico City area until a few months ago, so my opinions are sure to be a bit biased, but I can sincerely say, “Damn! What a great car!”
Honestly if I’d not taken the present assignment in my present location, I’d have one now. It’s the first tiny car that I’d ever considered since my two Civics back in the 90’s. Although no one would ever be able to even dream of sitting behind me, the fact is I fit very well into the driver’s seat in spite of my height and build. The thing was quick and fast at 7,000 feet (I’d’ve loved to try it in Michigan with 25 more h.p. – that’s a 20% boost). It was fun to drive, and it fit everywhere (a real concern in Mexico City versus the Expedition that’d I’d been issued).
While the five-door is sharper looking, for my needs it’s less practical. For moving stuff, I have an Expedition (my own, not the Mexican one), and for normal shopping (such as groceries) the trunk is much more useful than the hatch. The four-door is also significantly cheaper. On the other hand, for single-car families, the hatch is likely to be much more convenient than the trunk, if you don’t mind folding down the seats.
I think the only thing I’d like to add is the Ecoboost (coming soon) engine, and a graphical navigation system. You can already get turn-by-turn directions from Sync, but I prefer a map.
This opinion is opposed to when I first started working for my company and there wasn’t a product I’d ever consider driving for the first several years (yes, it was awkward parking in my reserved spot with a non-company product). And since the Civics, I’d never driven anything smaller than a Bonneville. The Fiesta has definitely changed my attitude toward small cars.
I got the trunk version instead of hatchback. Wasn’t worth 500 extra dollars to me to get the hatchback, even though I like the hatchback design a little better.
Same here. I’m a very tall 240 pound guy, and I’m surprised that the driver seat is comfortable for me. If it was ANY smaller I’d feel cramped, though.
Is that going to improve emissions, or reduce fuel consumption, or both? The thing is already rated at 40mpg highway, so that’s pretty impressive if it’s going to be improved in future models.