I have mostly been driving a Ford Ka since the crash that resulted in the demise of the Swift.
I was rather disappointed to see it when the driver dropped it off at my house but I've got to say it's pretty good to drive around town and on B-roads.
Nippy engine with plenty of torque low down and quite fun go-kart handling and very lift-off sideways (well even a slight reduction in pressure on the accelerator makes the back end twitchy). What has caught me out a couple of times is the steering's reluctance to self-centre. You have to put the wheels back straight yourself! The gearshift is pretty good, though all Fords I've driven have had a pretty good gearshift. It somehow feels a bit van like to swap cogs though. Brakes feel quite nice but not quite as nice as Clio brakes, which are my all-time favourite brakes (once you get used to the initial sharpness).
It's got absolutely no poke above 60mph though and there is no central locking, no rev counter and it has keep-fit windows! On an 06 plate car I find this staggering!
A peek under the bonnet reveals an entirely plastic rocker cover and inlet manifold. Christ on a bike! But it does have ABS.
Overall I can understand why Dervy likes them and I was surprised by the pleasant driving experience as the passenger experience in a KA is piss-poor IME.
I'm bored of it now though, I never got bored of the Swift (RIP)