I wonder how much one could earn solely from participating in and winning contests on Twitter. I have a little experience in the field. Since December, i’ve taken home $340 worth of domain name credits and an 8GB iPod nano in NameCheap’s Trivia contests; and i picked up a free copy of a personal finance book from Glue Genie.

Now i’m looking at something even bigger. Though technically not just a Twitter contest, Ford’s Fiesta Movement embodies the same social media hype-generating efforts as the rest, but spans Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, blogs, and any and all other new media channels. Only here, the prize is 6 months in the driver’s seat of the yet-to-be-released Ford Fiesta with all expenses paid. For me the real reward is less tangible—i already have a car that i love, so i’m not desperate for those keys like some would-be “agents” seem to be. Don’t get me wrong, not having to pay for fuel and insurance for six months would be a huge blessing, but for me this could be the beginning of something bigger. That “Top Gear” dream job. Getting to drive and review cars, and be sent on missions and adventures. And making videos and shooting photos along the way. But can that even be a real job?

So then instead of begging, or polishing Ford’s emblem, as it were, my last-minute application video explains my angle for their Fiesta Movement. The original video went into more detail, but basically it would be an (admittedly Top Gear-esque) head-to-head comparison of my current 2001 Volkswagen GTI VR6 daily driver in Rave Green Pearl paint against the new 2011 Ford Fiesta which also happens to be a hatchback that comes in a similar green coating.

I’ll be the first to admit that i’m a harsh critic. But i’m also honest, and i’d like to think i’m fair. This obviously wouldn’t be an apples and apples comparison. A Golf and the Fiesta might be a better match up, as the GTI is tilted toward performance and the Fiesta’s goal is economy. But i think all the points in between would make a compelling contrast: the newest compact hatch from the classic American car maker vs a 10-year-old German import. With my being partial to Volkswagen Group’s products, is Ford’s new global car from Europe with a decade’s worth of improvements enough to impress me? We’ll learn this week if i get the chance to find out.