Monday 30th November 2015

Ford Fiesta ST: PH Carpool

Where to head when an MX-5 isn't the answer to everything? This PHer thinks he's found it!

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Name: Adam Gagliani (Ads22)
Car: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST2
Owned since: June 2015
Previously owned: 2007 Mazda MX-5 NC, 2003 Ford Focus 1.6, 2001 Ford Fiesta 1.3

Why I bought it:
"Oddly enough because it was practical. Coming from a Mazda MX-5 NC, I was tired of the lack of seats and using it as a daily driver, plus I couldn't afford to keep two cars. I was not happy with the way the Mazda drove either as I thought the steering felt over assisted for a sports car. My early mid-life crises had also come to an end as having a convertible was no longer appealing.

"I began to miss my 1.6 Focus and having the option of the extra seats. I always thought the Mk1 was one of the best handling cars I had driven and I have always admired how Fords drove. Ultimately I wanted something that combined the sportiness of the Mazda and the do-everything ability of my old Fords.

It's been travelling already!

"I considered other options. While I could afford to insure a Mk5 Golf GTI, many of them were high mileage and tired looking examples. Others were the Mazda RX-8 and the Toyota GT86. I loved the look of the coupes but the RX-8's rotary engine seemed like high maintenance and scared me off. As for the GT86, while I am sure it would have been great fun at first, I think it would have eventually caused me to yearn for something better suited for daily abuse.

"Purely out of curiosity, I jumped in the car to a Ford dealer to try their demo car after I heard continuously good things about the latest Fiesta ST. I was also shocked on how reasonably priced they had become on the secondhand market since launch.

"After driving the demonstrator, I decided not to even bother trying anything else and that I would start saving for the Spirit Blue version with Style Pack. I've always felt there is a lasting quality of performance Fords in a deep blue colour.

"I trawled the classifieds looking for used examples for a couple of weeks. Once the Mazda was sold, I immediately encountered a very tidy looking barely used 2014 model in the exact spec I wanted located in Dagenham. After a short test drive later, the deposit was down straight away!"

What I wish I'd known:
"I made sure I did my homework when it came to choosing the ST, so there were no nasty surprises really.

"Part of the appeal also was that it was a nearly new car so maintenance would be minimal. The Fiesta ST Owners Club was a great source of information on such a new car so I was armed when I went on the search for mine. The only criticism I really have is that there a quite a few about, but what do you expect from a Fiesta? The 17-inch alloys are also magnet for kerbs!"

Chunky Recaros a big part of the appeal for Adam

Things I love:
"Ecoboost power and those snug Recaro seats! The engine makes up such a large amount of the character that is the ST. The 1.6-litre turbo engine has so much torque available and seems much more powerful than you would initially think. After throwing you back in your seat unexpectedly it just pulls and pulls but also just seems effortless in its endeavours when you just want to take it easy.

"On the first drive home after picking it up, the turbo spool and blow off valve noises had me giggling like an idiot. The first couple of days I think I drove most places with the windows down listening for all the silly noises.

"There is a lot to like with the car. Some may say it looks a bit 'Saturday night McDonalds car park' but I think it looks great. I also like how it reminds me of my old Focus, similar dimensions and interior layout especially.

The steering and handling cannot be forgotten though, despite having electric power steering it has better steering feel than many hydraulic assist cars I have driven.
Overall I think it is a really good package."

Things I hate:
"Anything I mention will be nit-picking really. The Bluetooth is fiddly but the ride quality is the main thing that can wear thin. It is a very firm ride on rough roads, however I was fully aware of this from the start and it is small compromise on such an enjoyable car.

"From behind the wheel it can feel a little normal at times, and detached from what is going around you. The dashboard is quite big but these are just small shortfalls that are inherited from the regular everyday Fiesta on which it's based on. You can tell the development of the ST has been focused on the superb engine and its direct and sharp handling. It's enough to not make me miss the RWD of my old Mazda."

Costs:
"Surprisingly cheap to run and insure. Short journeys can hurt the fuel consumption but longer drives are definitely its strong point - I've managed around 45mpg on the motorway. The tank is fairly small though so it does not take a lot to fill it."

Where I've been:
"I have taken it to Ford Fair during the Summer, as I have once again caught the Ford bug.

"Lately I've been to the Lake District and through the infamous Hardknott and Honister passes which were an experience that will not be forgotten. It feels a little bored on regular everyday roads but thrives on B-roads where it truly shines."

What's next?
"Nothing for the near future, which was the whole purpose of buying the ST. This one's a keeper hopefully.

"It's everything you need in one package really. The long term aim may be to install the ever popular MP215 package from Mountune and release some extra performance. Maybe a few subtle mods alongside a nice characterful exhaust note to complete the car."

Look for a Ford Fiesta ST in the classifieds!

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[J99kke]

Adam I doff my hat to you sir I also run an ST-2 (style pack) in spirit blue. Your write up pretty much sums up my ownership for the past 19month. Fantastic car, surely a 'future classic' seeing as it has all the hallmarks of legendary fast fords

Edited by J99kke on Monday 30th November 09:06

[gazmond]

"On the first drive home after picking it up, the turbo spool and blow off valve noises had me giggling like an idiot. The first couple of days I think I drove most places with the windows down listening for all the silly noises."

haha I still do this when I can prise it out of the wifes hands!!

[chriscoates]

These are on my radar for my next car in a couple of years. My first two cars have been rare sights on the road and I'm normally not keen on seeing the same cars everywhere but these are just such good value that I don't care. I'll be looking for the exact same spec as yours with the exception of the Mountune kit my brother works for Lookers Ford in Sheffield so he can get me a decent discount as well

[Kolbenkopp]

They certainly are super value for money. Now what can be done about the suspension without compromising the handling too much? Some say stock dampers with the slightly stiffer mountune springs is acutally more comfy than stock?

[thespannerman]

I'm seriously considering one of these as a daily driver when I'm qualified next year... Something fun for the daily and keep my Mazda as a weekend toy!

[PorscheGT4]

I also run one as a run about, I hate the seats though, and a remap is well worth it droping over a second from 30 to 70 mph.

great cars, best in class.
mpg is st though far worse than my old JCW mini.

[madmatteo]

PorscheGT4 said:

I also run one as a run about, I hate the seats though, and a remap is well worth it droping over a second from 30 to 70 mph.

great cars, best in class.
mpg is st though far worse than my old JCW mini.

Surprised you have found the MPG to be poor. Obviously, it will vary from person to person but after nearly 15,000 miles in mine the lifetime average is approx. 37mpg which I don't think is bad. I don't drive the car lightly so I have been pleasantly surprised at how economical it has been.

Having said all that I would have expected the same from a Cooper S or JCW which I also looked at.

I agree completely with the writer of this report. Still love my ST and the only criticism I have is the hard suspension which actually results in me leaving my seat occasionally on the way to work on some of the rougher country roads. Personally though I accept this as part of the car's character and it is certainly no worse than the Clio 200s I had before.

To the owners out there, anyone else like the "raspy" type noise it makes inside the cabin as you approach 5,000rpm? No doubt the noise may be a little exaggerated but I think it sounds pretty good for a little 4 cylinder engine.

[Mafffew]

madmatteo said:

To the owners out there, anyone else like the "raspy" type noise it makes inside the cabin as you approach 5,000rpm? No doubt the noise may be a little exaggerated but I think it sounds pretty good for a little 4 cylinder engine.

The key between this and other cars is that this is actually engine noise. There is a tube that pipes noise into the cabin and you can actually make it louder (slightly) by removing a bit of foam! Some other cars create the noise via a speaker.

The exhaust note for me is disappointing though.

Overall it's probably one of the best value and most fun new cars you can get today.

[mal999]

I've just bought one. ST-3 7 months old with the tuning upgrade. My previous car - Cayman GTS...you may think a bit of a come down. Fun levels similar, grins per mile much the same, day to day usability the 'shopping car' wins hands down. Is there really a place for the GTS on todays roads....often not, for the ST it's a yes! So, save the money and by a Fiesta!

ps I also drove a Golf R.....it's less of a car, it's an experience, a computer game with artificial noise!

[Solel]

I've read a few comments about the suspension. Are we talking Panda 100hp hard? Or just a bit of the firm side?

[towelie]

PorscheGT4 said:

I also run one as a run about, I hate the seats though, and a remap is well worth it droping over a second from 30 to 70 mph.

great cars, best in class.
mpg is st though far worse than my old JCW mini.

Are you sure it's not the remap that's ruined the mgp?

I get 37-39 on the motorway with cruise set to 80. Usually get 33mpg over a tank, with a lot of heavy footed driving.

I used to get 23-24.5 mpg in the clio 200 on the same journies.

Much better everyday proposition than the clio, seats are much better than the clio recaros(I am skinny), the suspension in the fiesta is also nice and compliant in comparison. I also enjoy having torque at low revs, no more frustration at 45mph trying to over take diesels.

My only slight complaint is, it really does need an lsd in the wet. In the dry its fine without, with federal 595 rsr's on the front.

[TheDoggingFather]

Cracking little car.


Yours

Not Biased of Dorset

[Nickbrapp]

Had my ST for about 3 months, mirror everything you have said, such a great little car. No idea what i would ever replace it with.

Mods wise, ive got the symposher delete and i find it enables you to hear the induction and turbo much more now, the drone got on my nerves quite quickly.

Im also considering revo VS mountune. I know revo may invalidate warranty,but this is a pretty proven drive train etc.


the sync is a load of crap mind!

Edited by Nickbrapp on Monday 30th November 21:13

Edited by Nickbrapp on Monday 30th November 21:13

[ORD]

I must get a drive in one of these, as they get such great praise despite the basic Fiesta being pretty terrible! It must be some amazing chassis work.

[Kolbenkopp]

Solel said:

I've read a few comments about the suspension. Are we talking Panda 100hp hard? Or just a bit of the firm side?

Well I only had one for a week, mostly German B roads and few hundred km of highway. It's not brutally hard, just pretty firm -- e.g. never managed to make it actually bottom out. But it seems to be very strongly damped so things get bouncy at higher speed. Which I found deal breaking level annoying on the Autobahn (>100 mph). An old fart's view, YMMV and all that.

[Kolbenkopp]

Nickbrapp said:

The sync is a load of crap mind!

I like decent quality audio in a daily. Think my loaner had the Sony kit. Not terrible, not impressive. Any better OEM options or a case of get the cheapest radio and replace speaker and/or head unit when convinient?

[stanglish]

I have a Fiesta Red which is the 140ps version of the 1.0 Ecoboost. After a few months with it sometimes I feel I copped out not going to the full ST. Will have to have a go at one at some point and back to back them.

[Nickbrapp]

Kolbenkopp said:

I like decent quality audio in a daily. Think my loaner had the Sony kit. Not terrible, not impressive. Any better OEM options or a case of get the cheapest radio and replace speaker and/or head unit when convinient?

I find the Sony head unit to be very good, I have mine with the bass to full and it does pack a really decent punch without any rattles much better than the one on my golf.


The sync is the voice activated crap, although I've never used a good one of those I suppose

[J99kke]

madmatteo said:

To the owners out there, anyone else like the "raspy" type noise it makes inside the cabin as you approach 5,000rpm? No doubt the noise may be a little exaggerated but I think it sounds pretty good for a little 4 cylinder engine.

Yes love the raspy noise when your nearer the top end of rev range, and then once you lift off the throttle you hear the dump valve do its thing and this is coming from someone who doesn't have a mountune'd/revo'd ST!

[HJMS123]

I love mine, 15 plate SB ST3. Ride is a tad firm but no firmer than other 'focused' hatches such as clio 200 or megane R26.

Has all the toys you could possibly need, as fun as anything on the road today and returns good mpg.