We bought our Fiesta on 24th Jan, 2006 and the car has completed over 2 years and 30,000 km.
The car is simply amazing. It is very easy to drive in traffic because there is loads of torque available near 2000RPM, however, the car is a bit slow on empty roads because Ford designed the engine in such a way that it scores on Fuel Economy and is easy to drive in traffic instead of it being like the Verna which isn't as Fuel Economical and a pain to drive in traffic due to its larger turbo though the Verna is more fun in a straight line.
The Fiesta is also very driver friendly and stable at high speeds. We've taken the car upto 176kmph on the expressway and the car was a joy. In the city, visibility is amazing and so is the manuevereability.
The engine, is very refined and it is very difficult to believe it's a diesel. It is a bit noisy when you start it early in the morning but then it's quieter than a few petrols. Also, you can't feel the gear and steering vibrating like you do in other diesel vehicles.
Fuel Economy is amazing and the car gives 14kmpl in Mumbai traffic with the A.C. on full time. On the highway, it gave 19kmpl while keeping the speeds at around 120kmph.
Maintainance cost isn't a lot and is pretty reasonable unlike what people out here make it to seem. We spent 5000 on one service and that included changing all the filters and the oils and that is very good value for money.
I think the car is VFM as well as it costs less than the Verna, a car which is slightly bigger and more powerful but is let down by suspension issues, braking issues, poor interiors and to an extenet reliability issues as well.
I would whole heartedly reccommend this car to anyone looking for a mid size sedan. The only one compliant I have is that the car is a bit small in comparison to the Verna/Aveo/NHC but it isn't that small that 4 average sized people would find uncomfortable.
I love this car!
Fuel Economy, Driveability, Interiors, looks, refinement, handling and stability, priceIt is just a bit Cramped