The number 1 thing that I hate is the gear ratios! The spacing from 2nd to 3rd is too big, and 5th doesn't drop the revs enough. In order to use 3rd, I need to shift from second over 4500 RPM to keep it in the power band.
That leads into the 2nd thing I dislike, which is the engine calibration. The car lacks throttle response, mid range power is much less than the EU Fiesta (which with the gear ratios causes all sorts of problems), and I think the tuning is causing some sort of an issue with rev matching under braking. I am guessing it is that aggressive fuel cut off, or something that is causing a big delay in bringing up the revs while downshifting. When I am braking and blip the throttle, if the RPM's are low, the engine seems to have a long delay before it revs. This is the most apparent going from 3rd to 2nd, which requires a low RPM in 3rd, high RPM rev match while downshifting. Around 2k RPM in 3rd, the throttle input seems to be delayed so my downshifts are always jerky. At very high RPM's, it seems to rev match much easier. Something is going on with the tuning that causes all of these issues. The "fun to drive" part I loved with the EU car is greatly reduced with the US Fiesta.
The lack of volume control on the steering wheel is silly, since I adjust volume way more than I talk on the phone.
I am slowly getting used to the US front bumper, which I strongly disliked at first, but is getting better.
The door cup holders stick out pretty far, and people seem to hit them with their shoes. I have to keep rubbing the marks off the door, but that is minor.
My hope is that with a complete reflash of the PCM, and some bolt on performance modifications, I can mask the poor ratio's and tuning of the Fiesta. The car seems way too centered on MPG, and that really takes away the fun. The EU Fiesta had outstanding MPG, and was a blast to drive. The US one gets slightly better mileage, but really suffers in performance.