Fiesta ST

[max_330i]

The more I read about these cars, the more they grow on me. Don't get me wrong, I love the BMW, but I'm probably not gonna keep it forever. When there are more miles on the odometer and the repair bills start to add up, I'll probably ditch the old German sport sedan for a new(er) American hot hatch.

Before you tell me how wrong I am, take a moment to read the ST's reviews, such as this one: http://www.caranddriver.com/ford/fiesta-st

Has anybody driven one of these things? I'd love to get some input from someone who has been behind the wheel. Thanks in advance.

Max

[overcoil]

I got in to the ST also but browse their forums. Rattles and replacement transmissions.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I got in to the ST also but browse their forums. Rattles and replacement transmissions.

Yeah there are certainly drawbacks. The rattles would really piss me off in a small car. Any thoughts on Fiesta ST vs Focus ST?

[kprocivic]

I haven't looked at the fiesta, I did Price the focus RS though and for 50k after mark up i'll pass. The Fiesta looks is like a pissed off ant lol.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

I haven't looked at the fiesta, I did Price the focus RS though and for 50k after mark up i'll pass. The Fiesta looks is like a pissed off ant lol.

The RS is nice but way too expensive once you add decent options. I'm not interested in paying BMW prices for a Ford.

You're right that the Fiesta is a funny-looking little car. I think it's kind of charming, but yeah, definitely not a traditional look

[overcoil]

I too like the look of the Fiesta ST, the overall size and the interior. Was lookong for a cheaper car to thrash, now looking at '17 Subi Forester, snow and hauling crap. Fun just researching.

[Never_Enough]

I'd be more interested if it was not FWD. I HATE tq steer. Guy I bought my Z28 has one so I rode in it & an ex had a new Fiesta (Non-ST). Interior is pretty much the same cheap hard plastic.

[Beartato]

I had a 13 Focus ST for a couple years, I know it's not the same car but I can tell you it was a fun car, the limiting factor being FWD. I've heard the Fiesta ST is even more fun, thanks to a lower price and more manageable power.

But then there's this: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...ont-want-know/

[Rated M Roadster]

I had a new 15 Fiesta ST with the Recaros, drove it for two months at which time I was so bored of it that I bought a 16 Golf R and let the Fiesta sit for 4 months until I could finally get rid of it. It's a cool car, but there are better options for the money. The interior is from a base Fiesta and certainly feels it. Handled great, nice transmission, great seats (Recaros only), but a little lacking in power, and really cheap in the quality department. You'd be much better off in a Golf GTI IMO.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by OrangeZ06

I'd be more interested if it was not FWD. I HATE tq steer. Guy I bought my Z28 has one so I rode in it & an ex had a new Fiesta (Non-ST). Interior is pretty much the same cheap hard plastic.

Yeah I recognize that the interior is cheap. I guess that's only fair given the price though. I'm not expecting leather from a car that's like $21K MSRP, but there is definitely room for improvement

Originally Posted by Beartato

I had a 13 Focus ST for a couple years, I know it's not the same car but I can tell you it was a fun car, the limiting factor being FWD. I've heard the Fiesta ST is even more fun, thanks to a lower price and more manageable power.

But then there's this: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...ont-want-know/

That's terrifying. Interesting that SCCA would ban the base Fiesta but allow the ST though-- I didn't think any of the ST-specific upgrades changed the center of gravity.

Originally Posted by Rated M Roadster

I had a new 15 Fiesta ST with the Recaros, drove it for two months at which time I was so bored of it that I bought a 16 Golf R and let the Fiesta sit for 4 months until I could finally get rid of it. It's a cool car, but there are better options for the money. The interior is from a base Fiesta and certainly feels it. Handled great, nice transmission, great seats (Recaros only), but a little lacking in power, and really cheap in the quality department. You'd be much better off in a Golf GTI IMO.

The VW would be a huge step up from the Fiesta, certainly. But it comes at a higher MSRP (now that I think about it, I guess I don't care, I don't buy cars new anyway). Also, maybe I'm crazy, but I think it would cost less to own the Ford over the years as opposed to the GTI.

The reviews really praise the ST but I guess it's really nothing special. I'm essentially just intrigued by the idea that an American car company can make a relatively successful hot hatch. I'm glad I made this thread, you guys have good insight.

[mremg]

Right timing, I'm actually looking into a FiST right now. I had a R56 MINI Cooper S and boy that was so much fun on the street. I had to sell it because it's super high mileage and gradually becoming a money pit. While the new F56 MINIs have terrific interiors, IMHO I think they lost their charm.

Internet wisdom tells me that the FiST is the closest to it in spirit but somehow I'm just not biting it. In fairness, I haven't test driven it yet so I can't completely judge it. It got a lot praise from all across the board which is good. But that awful 'standard' Ford MyTouch whatever. I'll be very happy if it just had an old school stereo instead of that atrocity.

Also, the car looks a little tall for me. Almost Honda Fit-esque height.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by max_330i

Yeah I recognize that the interior is cheap. I guess that's only fair given the price though. I'm not expecting leather from a car that's like $21K MSRP, but there is definitely room for improvement



That's terrifying. Interesting that SCCA would ban the base Fiesta but allow the ST though-- I didn't think any of the ST-specific upgrades changed the center of gravity.




The VW would be a huge step up from the Fiesta, certainly. But it comes at a higher MSRP (now that I think about it, I guess I don't care, I don't buy cars new anyway). Also, maybe I'm crazy, but I think it would cost less to own the Ford over the years as opposed to the GTI.

The reviews really praise the ST but I guess it's really nothing special. I'm essentially just intrigued by the idea that an American car company can make a relatively successful hot hatch. I'm glad I made this thread, you guys have good insight.

I decided to keep my Mazdaspeed6 over getting either of the ST models. Also thought about the SHO since it is AWD, but I like my MS6 over the ones in the range of what my MS6 would sell for enough to keep it.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by mremg

Right timing, I'm actually looking into a FiST right now. I had a R56 MINI Cooper S and boy that was so much fun on the street. I had to sell it because it's super high mileage and gradually becoming a money pit. While the new F56 MINIs have terrific interiors, IMHO I think they lost their charm.

Internet wisdom tells me that the FiST is the closest to it in spirit but somehow I'm just not biting it. In fairness, I haven't test driven it yet so I can't completely judge it. It got a lot praise from all across the board which is good. But that awful 'standard' Ford MyTouch whatever. I'll be very happy if it just had an old school stereo instead of that atrocity.

Also, the car looks a little tall for me. Almost Honda Fit-esque height.

That's what got me interested in the first place, actually. The whole point of the FiST is the driving experience, and all the reviews make it sound like it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Originally Posted by OrangeZ06

I decided to keep my Mazdaspeed6 over getting either of the ST models. Also thought about the SHO since it is AWD, but I like my MS6 over the ones in the range of what my MS6 would sell for enough to keep it.

Never looked into the MS6. I haven't seen many for sale in my area. What's your favorite thing about it?

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by max_330i

Never looked into the MS6. I haven't seen many for sale in my area. What's your favorite thing about it?

You may have to travel a bit to find the right one, but it's worth it. I have to pick just 1 thing?

They are very underrated & under appreciated cars. Bolt-ons get them to 300 WHP or so & simply swap the K04 for a direct bolt-in BNR stage 3 turbo & off to the races! If you have access to E85, even better!

This is my second one & both have been very reliable. First I bought new in 2007 and got rid of in 2010 (I should have kept it) All I had to do was oil changes & tires. Even the factory brake pads still had a lot of life left & I got rid of it with over 40k miles. That car had bolt-ons pretty much the whole time I had it too.

Bought the current one at 62k miles & have about 88k on her now. Still going strong with just routine maintenance. AWD, turbo, 6 speed manual, heated seats, etc so how can you not like it?! They are fun to drive in stock form, but it really gets fun when you start modding. I normally change cars very often, but I've had this one for over 3 years. That pretty much says it all.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by OrangeZ06

You may have to travel a bit to find the right one, but it's worth it. I have to pick just 1 thing?

They are very underrated & under appreciated cars. Bolt-ons get them to 300 WHP or so & simply swap the K04 for a direct bolt-in BNR stage 3 turbo & off to the races! If you have access to E85, even better!

This is my second one & both have been very reliable. First I bought new in 2007 and got rid of in 2010 (I should have kept it) All I had to do was oil changes & tires. Even the factory brake pads still had a lot of life left & I got rid of it with over 40k miles. That car had bolt-ons pretty much the whole time I had it too.

Bought the current one at 62k miles & have about 88k on her now. Still going strong with just routine maintenance. AWD, turbo, 6 speed manual, heated seats, etc so how can you not like it?! They are fun to drive in stock form, but it really gets fun when you start modding. I normally change cars very often, but I've had this one for over 3 years. That pretty much says it all.

Wow! Sounds like a hell of a car. I remember Car and Driver putting it in the same class as Lancer Evo and WRX STi, what with the AWD-turbo-6MT setup. Certainly another good option for my next car, thanks for making me aware of it

[Alfisti]

i AM NOT bmw FANBOY BUT WHAT ABOUT A PREVIOUS GEN x1 WITHTHE BIG MOTOR AND A TUNE? mUST GO LIKE ABSOLUTE STINK.

Stupid caps lock.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

i AM NOT bmw FANBOY BUT WHAT ABOUT A PREVIOUS GEN x1 WITHTHE BIG MOTOR AND A TUNE? mUST GO LIKE ABSOLUTE STINK.

Stupid caps lock.

*equips flame-resistant suit*

I actually don't like wagons. X1, E91 etc-- it's just not my cup of tea. I'd take almost any sedan over a station wagon, but that's just my personal opinion.

[JS135]

Originally Posted by max_330i

*equips flame-resistant suit*

I actually don't like wagons. X1, E91 etc-- it's just not my cup of tea. I'd take almost any sedan over a station wagon, but that's just my personal opinion.

X1 is an absolutely hideous machine


Yeah, I'm along the same path as Op. Focus RS in about 2 years when the price has probably dropped dramatically. Repairs i assume would be a fraction of the cost as fixing the 135i. As well as being AWD is a nice touch for winter.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by max_330i

The RS is nice but way too expensive once you add decent options. I'm not interested in paying BMW prices for a Ford.

You're right that the Fiesta is a funny-looking little car. I think it's kind of charming, but yeah, definitely not a traditional look

What decent options are you talking about? The RS comes pretty well equiped for $36k. If you don't care about Heated Seats, Sunroof and go with the Partial leather Recaros instead of the "Full Leather", I think the RS is a great deal. Would rather have it then a regular run-of-the-mill BMW 3 Series sedan any day!

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by mPlasticDesign

What decent options are you talking about? The RS comes pretty well equiped for $36k. If you don't care about Heated Seats, Sunroof and go with the Partial leather Recaros instead of the "Full Leather", I think the RS is a great deal. Would rather have it then a regular run-of-the-mill BMW 3 Series sedan any day!

Attachment 1446306

I added some more options (Nitrous Blue paint, winter wheel and tire package, moonroof, leather seats) and came up with $43K. The heated seats and winter tires are a necessity around these parts as our winters are insanely harsh.

If I take off everything I don't absolutely need (special paint job, leather seats, moonroof) I still come up with $38,770, and that's without heated seats. The MSRP of the new 328i is $38,350, which is getting back to my point about paying BMW prices for a Ford. Not to say that I wouldn't do it, as I research cars pretty extensively and I like the Focus RS a lot, but I'm sure my family would raise an eyebrow when I tell them I took the premium Ford over the barebones BMW.

[Beedub]

i have one, albeit a 2 door.



absolutely awesome car! so tuneable, cheap to run, reliable, and the chassis is just awesome....

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Beedub

i have one, albeit a 2 door.



absolutely awesome car! so tuneable, cheap to run, reliable, and the chassis is just awesome....

Nice! Glad to hear it's been good to you. The "cheap to run" bit is gonna be important in my next car. I like your Z4 as well