I don't despise it, but I don't particularly like it either, nor do I rate it's capability in most of it's guises. I may not like Gymkhana at all, but the Fiesta is alright when it comes to that mode. I reckon the WRC version is actually quite decent on certain tracks and stages, but it's my third choice car in that class (Mini being the last one I'd choose).
As for the Open and Trailblazer versions, I've never liked them at all. The Open class Fiesta seems to be great for some people and terrible for others, such as you and myself. I can never get any sort of pace out of it for whatever reason. The Trailblazer Fiesta just can't match the other cars in it's class, both speed and handling-wise.