Topic: 2011 Ford Fiesta - Review

[blackdiamond]

Today I stopped by the local Ford dealership to test drive a 2011 Ford Fiesta SES 5-speed manual.  This is the first of the European designed small car from Ford.  I was interested to see how it compared to the other small cars.  I recently got a ride in a nearly new Chevy Aveo and it felt like the typical cardboard box with wheels.  In stark contrast, the Fiesta felt very nice.  It has an overall tight feeling with a lot more insulation from the road than any other car in it's class that I've ever been in.  At nearly 40 mpg it would make a nice car for people with a long commute.

[88_Pathy]

I would take this Fiesta .....
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0902_2010_ford_focus_first_drive/index.html

[kneedownnate]

I'd have to say give it time to see if it turns out to be a typical ford or if they've actually tried to put some decent quality into it 

[TacoStewie]

i want this one

660 HP at the wheels

[Rocksurfer]

I remember when the Focus 1st came out, had the same kind of reviews that the Fiesta is getting, I bought a Focus, I regretted it.

[87hillbillyoter]

i want this one

660 HP at the wheels

ya that thing does 0-60 in 1.9 seconds!

[bleakhorizon]

i work at a ford dealership.... they seem to be nice little cars....

and as far as quality goes....  we barely have any warranty claims compaired to 10 years ago... and most the stuff we warranty is cosmetic like stupid plastic handles and switches.....

I own a 2008 focus and have had older Foci... and it seems that ford steped up the game from the disposable car 2000-2007...

that being said... its my wifes car... i wont own anything i cant work on..  hell the 3.slow i gots pushing that limit lol

[blackdiamond [OP]]

I remember when the Focus 1st came out, had the same kind of reviews that the Fiesta is getting, I bought a Focus, I regretted it.

The Fiesta looked to be a better made car compared to the line of Focus's that were sitting next to them.  It was sort of odd to have a less expensive car appear to be a significantly better product.

I've never been a Ford fan, but was interested to see for myself if the European influence really improved anything.  The only Focus that I've driven was a beat up rental that I actually returned the next day for a variety of reasons.  I've driven many of the small cars as rentals in past years and nothing felt as solid as the Fiesta did on a short test drive.

[yotarunner85]

I like the Fiesta. Its fun to drive, great MPG's, and looks cool. I don't care for the name, brings back memories of the old Fiesta that was a tin can on 13inch wheels.
The first years of the Focus were crappy, but the last few years have improved greatly and are very reliable along with most other Ford vehicles in recent years. Ford has definitly stepped up in the Quality department, exept in the 6.0 diesel, but that was made by Navistar.

[Tofudude]

if anybody watches top gear you'll know it has potential. It survived a d-day style invasion!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIyCmcuQno

(not sure how to get links to work, but copy paste works)

[Cheesemaker]

I'm not a Ford fan at all.  I'm a GM and Toyota fan, and Bleakhorizon knows this.  But I've got to say, Ford is the first of the big Three to finally pull their heads out of their ass's!!  Almost all of their passenger cars are kicking some MPG ass, vs. anybody else, including Toyota.  And we aren't talking hybrid either.  They have reports of their V6 in their pickups, getting 30+ MPG.  Why hasn't GM and Dodge done this too?  Gm has the new Cruze which has followed in Europe's footsteps in using small motors with turbos.