Ford 1.0 ecoboost? Fiesta or focus? Is insurance good for a first car?

Would a 1.0 ecoboost be a good first car? Either the 100ps or the 125ps? And which car is better the focus or fiesta? Which would be cheaper?

Fiesta SE Sedan - $15,580
Fiesta SE Hatchback - $16,080
1.0 liter Ecoboost 123hp @6,000 rpm. 125 lb-ft torque @2500 rpm
Manual trans, 32 city/ 45 hwy/ 37 combined

Fiesta SE Sedan $14,100
Fiesta hatch $14,600
1.6 liter (no turbo) 120hp @ 6350, 112 lb-ft tq @ 5000 rpm.
Manual trans, 27 city/38 hwy/31 combined

Let's add this up: Both cars are very similar in performance. You're paying roughly $1500 for 6 mpg better overall mpg. This is pretty substantial, considering that your real world results can vary greatly, depending on your driving style and your daily driving route. It's also important to note, that there's only a slight horsepower difference and you would have to push the car near the redline to see either of those those peak horsepower numbers.

But, the torque is an entirely different matter. The ecoboost model would likely give you a much better seat of the pants feel, since it hits it's peak torque at only 2500 rpm. On the other hand, the 1.6 liter non boosted Fiesta has to be pushed much harder, all the way up to 5,000 rpm, to feel 12.5 lb-ft less torque. The boosted version, while not a whole lot faster, is going to be a little faster and safer, when you're trying to hang a left turn with oncoming traffic closing the gap on you. I can't stand cars that don't get up and go, when I need to scoot out of trouble in a hurry. And $1500 for a bit more giddy-up and 6 or 7 more mpg sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

Fiesta is a god car but focus is enjoyed by many more.
More power is often best for less stressful driving, easier overtaking and carrying heavy loads. Personal choice comes into play but avoid the lower powered focus as it's really low powered! To coin a phrase. Can't pull the skin off a rice pudding comes to mind.

More power equals higher premiums. Simples.