Thought I would post my opinion on the new Ford Fiesta having spent the day behind the wheel of one. I drove the 1.25 Style Plus. Having read rave reviews of the Fiesta I was looking forward to trying it and comparing it to the GP. The GP dosnt always get the best reviews to be fair.

The Fiesta looks nice, though I didnt like the small wheels with plastic trims that were already looking tatty.
The interior was a complete disapointment for me. Im forever reading about the GP's cheap plastics. The Fiesta is just as bad/worse in places. The speaker grilles are cheap looking. The door coverings are also cheap looking with a mix of grey/black. Ford still insist in using the same plastic that appeared in the early orion/escort in some places. The soft touch covering was uneven in certain places. Their was already a ripple on the drivers seat where the thin fabric isnt tight enough. The radio can be difficult to use when using the menu, taking your eyes off the road, its also a stretch away. The graphics looks cheapo on the display too. The electric window switches make you contort your arm into a strange position to use. The electric mirror switch which is strangely placed on the door has been used in Ford models since the Sierra era. The door handle is flimsy grey plastic flap. Ford's I feel have always had great sounding stereo's, my Focus' was brilliant. This one had bass, but the door cards make farting noises (like my GP did until I padded it out) the stereo didnt sound to pleasing on higher volume. I was surprised their are no rear speakers and no fuel trip computer.

The suspension was good over hard bumps, though the ride quality was no better than my GP. I was expecting to be amazed by the handling but I found the steering light (GP is lighter) and a bit of kick back I havnt noted before in a GP. The front end had a tendency to run ride on wet islands, feeling like it didnt have the grip of the GP. The gear shift normally good in Fords slightly notchy. The performance was okay no different really to any other 1.2-1.4 Supermini. Oh and the clutch squeaked.

So as you can probably tell, I wasnt overly impressed! I thought it was okay. Not as great as it is made out to be.

i drove a zetec s and i thought it was amzing to drive compared to my GP, although thats with the 16" alloys and the stiffer suspension. Agree about the radio though, its crap to use- sounds good though.

I thought the Zetec S was dead boring to be honest. looked great but didnt put a smile on my face.

The Mark 5 Zetec S was like a go-kart once it was dropped, haven't tried the new one. The appeal of a GP for me is you don't see ALL that many around. Spit in the air and it'll land on a Fiesta.

I thought the new shape Zetec S is a lovely looking car, and the new GP Evo is abit like marmite to me... But once out of my ST and back into the GP the difference is amazing! The GP is so much more comfortable!

Once you've owned a GP what dya reckon the ideal step-up would be (yes abarth I know)? I do have a soft spot for the new focus shapes.

next step up how?

what engine? spec?

Yeah I guess it's a bit of a dumb question as there's a big difference between a top spec sporting and an active 1.2 (like mine lol). Say you had a 1.6 sporting, where would YOU go after it?

Probably onto a 'premium brand'. Has to be said that not all of them are premium in terms of quality, fun, or overall experience though!