The little Fiesta, though a stripped model with an auto, had respectable oomph. A manual would be much more drivable IMO as automatic transmissions and little engines don't seem to play properly. Again, IMO.
The dealer, however, told me to forget about getting a 5-speed in Cali. No such luck.
Yeah, at
his dealership there would be no such luck.
Otherwise, the car was very nice and very strong feeling. Good interior space despite the lack of fold flat rear seats. A bike would fit back there, front wheel off, no problem.
The new Fusion, Edge and Explorer were also very easy on the eyes. Oddly, the car I liked the least aesthetically, was the Mustang. I'm just not into that slanted rear end. Maybe it takes time to get used to.