Mk6 Fiesta ST - any good?
Discussion
My younger brother fancies one of these, has a budget of £5k. Wants something sporty, fun to drive and four seats. A bit of performance is fine, he won't be taking it on track days, just a short commute and occasional weekend away. His main concern is reliability and low running cost having been shedding for the last few years and wanting a car he can trust not to ruin him.
RS404 said:
My younger brother fancies one of these, has a budget of £5k. Wants something sporty, fun to drive and four seats. A bit of performance is fine, he won't be taking it on track days, just a short commute and occasional weekend away. His main concern is reliability and low running cost having been shedding for the last few years and wanting a car he can trust not to ruin him.
With a similar budget myself I've been looking more towards a Clio 197A friend of mine has had one for the past few years, and it is great. Pretty quick - my 328i will pull away from it but only when you are really going some.
Reliability has been really good, a few electrical gremlins here and there and a few suspension bits, but he has put over 30k on it and lives up a farm track so the suspension stuff is to be expected. It is a good little car, nice to drive and pretty quick.
It is a tad thirsty - we did a trip up to Skye and back with my 328i and the ST both of which were fully loaded. Not hanging about, and some enthusiastic driving, and both cars averaged 32 mpg. Very impressed with the BMW, but I though the Fiesta would have got more seeing as it has a smaller engine and is lighter.
Reliability has been really good, a few electrical gremlins here and there and a few suspension bits, but he has put over 30k on it and lives up a farm track so the suspension stuff is to be expected. It is a good little car, nice to drive and pretty quick.
It is a tad thirsty - we did a trip up to Skye and back with my 328i and the ST both of which were fully loaded. Not hanging about, and some enthusiastic driving, and both cars averaged 32 mpg. Very impressed with the BMW, but I though the Fiesta would have got more seeing as it has a smaller engine and is lighter.
I bought one a year ago. At that time, Clio 197s were not really in budget but i have read gearbox issues can arise on 197s. Given the choice, I would certainly have looked at the 197 as I like the styling but I couldn't stomach the cheapness of the 172/182.
The first thing to note is that there are plenty out there and because everyone wants 200hp, the prices are very negotiable. I paid £4700 for my immaculate blue 2007 model with a mere 34k on the clock. I looked at plenty and kerbed wheels seemed to be the main issue. I could have probably had a Black edition for £5k if I had been willing to travel but I wasn't.
Over the year, the consumption indicator is averaging just over 31mpg, largely commuting.
In that time, I had to replace the £10 gearbox reverse light switch (5 minutes) as they weren't coming on.
One of the front springs snapped and shaved a tyre and I think that was about £110 a side plus a new tyre.
I didn't find the brakes inspiring so fitted Green Stuff all round which was about £130 but it's fair to say the previous owner was a young lad who seemed to have fitted low cost replacements.
I have had one rear wheel bearing replaced.
Other than that, total reliability, bar the usual ST reluctance to give up CDs from the multi-payer which means I use mine as a single CD slot.
As a drving tool, it is short, chunky and has nice weighty and direct steering, making it fun. The back end can go because it's short but it is eminently catchable.
I think my only gripe with it is that, being small, it is noisier (low-geared) than a Focus (not excessively so but you will look for the non-existent 6th gear. The leather interior can squeak a bit but overall, it's quite solid.
After a year, I am not regretting it nor desirous of extra power (it's not fast but it's fast enough)and I still love the way it looks. So, by all means, look at the 197 but bear in mind the prces on STs are very negotiable and a low ball ofer is always worth it as they tend to sell slowly. Just avoid obvious boy-racer material and look for a nice one.
The first thing to note is that there are plenty out there and because everyone wants 200hp, the prices are very negotiable. I paid £4700 for my immaculate blue 2007 model with a mere 34k on the clock. I looked at plenty and kerbed wheels seemed to be the main issue. I could have probably had a Black edition for £5k if I had been willing to travel but I wasn't.
Over the year, the consumption indicator is averaging just over 31mpg, largely commuting.
In that time, I had to replace the £10 gearbox reverse light switch (5 minutes) as they weren't coming on.
One of the front springs snapped and shaved a tyre and I think that was about £110 a side plus a new tyre.
I didn't find the brakes inspiring so fitted Green Stuff all round which was about £130 but it's fair to say the previous owner was a young lad who seemed to have fitted low cost replacements.
I have had one rear wheel bearing replaced.
Other than that, total reliability, bar the usual ST reluctance to give up CDs from the multi-payer which means I use mine as a single CD slot.
As a drving tool, it is short, chunky and has nice weighty and direct steering, making it fun. The back end can go because it's short but it is eminently catchable.
I think my only gripe with it is that, being small, it is noisier (low-geared) than a Focus (not excessively so but you will look for the non-existent 6th gear. The leather interior can squeak a bit but overall, it's quite solid.
After a year, I am not regretting it nor desirous of extra power (it's not fast but it's fast enough)and I still love the way it looks. So, by all means, look at the 197 but bear in mind the prces on STs are very negotiable and a low ball ofer is always worth it as they tend to sell slowly. Just avoid obvious boy-racer material and look for a nice one.
Bodykit theft is commonplace unfortunately.
Check that the power steering fluid is not black, it easily overheats and can ruin the pump and rack. Changing the fluid should be a service item but 90% will never get changed.
MP165 is a great upgrade and feels (despite not being) quicker than the cammed MP185.
Check that the power steering fluid is not black, it easily overheats and can ruin the pump and rack. Changing the fluid should be a service item but 90% will never get changed.
MP165 is a great upgrade and feels (despite not being) quicker than the cammed MP185.
My brother had a Fiesta ST for a couple of years before deciding to go for its bigger brother instead. I can honestly say its one of the most fun cars I've ever driven. Never gave him a jot of bother either.
I haven't had a go in any of its peers but I would be very surprised if he was disappointed by it.
I haven't had a go in any of its peers but I would be very surprised if he was disappointed by it.
I thought I'd reply in this thread than make my own.
Currently looking at these as insurance is very cheap, the car is cheap to buy and run and there seems to be endless modifications available. Going to go and look at a few in the new year; is there anything I need to look out for other than the power steering fluid?
Currently looking at these as insurance is very cheap, the car is cheap to buy and run and there seems to be endless modifications available. Going to go and look at a few in the new year; is there anything I need to look out for other than the power steering fluid?
The one I mentioned earlier in the thread is now dead sadly, got written off buy a pensioner not paying attention at a junction.
I think the car was on 90k or so, he did a LOT of miles in it and as I said before - lived up a farm track! Car was totally fine and gave virtually no issues. He put lowering springs on it as they sit quite high and said it was fairly easy.
Very solid little car, not the fastest hatchback out there but I would recommend it for durability and it was a nice drive. Car always thought the boot was open but it did that from day one.
I think the car was on 90k or so, he did a LOT of miles in it and as I said before - lived up a farm track! Car was totally fine and gave virtually no issues. He put lowering springs on it as they sit quite high and said it was fairly easy.
Very solid little car, not the fastest hatchback out there but I would recommend it for durability and it was a nice drive. Car always thought the boot was open but it did that from day one.
There's also a large club with various meets and technical advice for these. www.fiestastoc.com
I ran one for around 3.5 years and loved it.
My only issue was a loose rear light from new.
The gearing makes the economy suffer. Taking that into account I found it very economical.
I found it great fun to drive and cost buttons to run.
Handling wise, it was a little old school. Pointy front end, loose rear end, lift off oversteer at will.
It was such an honest car, that just did everything I asked of it! I miss mine
.
I never really felt it didn't have enough power to be honest, even standard.
I did replace the airbox with a unit from Graham Goode Racing. A quality item that put me up to around 162.9 BHP. Significantly improved response and noise.
I'd definately recommend one. Though many were owned by erm... plonkers... Buy a good one and you will be fine.
My only issue was a loose rear light from new.
The gearing makes the economy suffer. Taking that into account I found it very economical.
I found it great fun to drive and cost buttons to run.
Handling wise, it was a little old school. Pointy front end, loose rear end, lift off oversteer at will.
It was such an honest car, that just did everything I asked of it! I miss mine
.I never really felt it didn't have enough power to be honest, even standard.
I did replace the airbox with a unit from Graham Goode Racing. A quality item that put me up to around 162.9 BHP. Significantly improved response and noise.
I'd definately recommend one. Though many were owned by erm... plonkers... Buy a good one and you will be fine.
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