Discussion
After I graduated uni, I realised I actually, finally, had enough money to buy a car. I never seemed to have the spare cash others did at uni, even with working weekends and evenings, so this would be my first car, which everyone seems to say is always your best.
After almost a month of looking at 172/182s, I ended up buying a Fiesta ST. Just couldn't get along with the driving position, nor the interior. I know, you don't buy them for that, but as it's to commute in, I wanted something a little nicer to sit in, and much preferred the ST for that.
So, here we go:
I've had it for a couple of months now, and still having fun, even on my through-the-city commute.
Just thought i'd throw a few pictures of it up anyway.
After almost a month of looking at 172/182s, I ended up buying a Fiesta ST. Just couldn't get along with the driving position, nor the interior. I know, you don't buy them for that, but as it's to commute in, I wanted something a little nicer to sit in, and much preferred the ST for that.
So, here we go:
I've had it for a couple of months now, and still having fun, even on my through-the-city commute.
Just thought i'd throw a few pictures of it up anyway.
Thanks chaps, just trying to keep it clean at this time of year is impossible! It does look good after a polish though!
jamieleehodgson said:
Totally understand the reasons behind choosing the ST even if I am a Renault sport fan.
Great first car but please don't spoil it like every other one I see on the road
Don't worry man, not planning on it. Only thing I've done was remove the OTT stripes (same colour as the side stripes) when I got it. Was an entertaining afternoon with a hair dryer and a friends help! Would I be forgiven for having the grey plastics sprayed black? Or is that too much? :PGreat first car but please don't spoil it like every other one I see on the road
Great choice, especially for a first car! Our eldest got one of these in the summer and a couple of things to be aware of about the wheel centres:
They aren't very firmly attached and it isn't clear if they fall off or there's a big demand second hand, so a couple of blobs of silicon seal on the back has left them removable if needed but more secure.
The chrome trim on the centres seem to oxidise quite badly so he just took the chrome bezels off to find silver plastic underneath and they look better like that. There are wee metal tabs to bend back, and then some were glued and others weren't.
They aren't very firmly attached and it isn't clear if they fall off or there's a big demand second hand, so a couple of blobs of silicon seal on the back has left them removable if needed but more secure.
The chrome trim on the centres seem to oxidise quite badly so he just took the chrome bezels off to find silver plastic underneath and they look better like that. There are wee metal tabs to bend back, and then some were glued and others weren't.
GoneAnon said:
Great choice, especially for a first car! Our eldest got one of these in the summer and a couple of things to be aware of about the wheel centres:
They aren't very firmly attached and it isn't clear if they fall off or there's a big demand second hand, so a couple of blobs of silicon seal on the back has left them removable if needed but more secure.
The chrome trim on the centres seem to oxidise quite badly so he just took the chrome bezels off to find silver plastic underneath and they look better like that. There are wee metal tabs to bend back, and then some were glued and others weren't.
Yea i've heard people actually steal them, there are quite a few cases of this happening on the Fiesta ST OC website. I know a friend near me also had his whole bloody front bumper stolen at the same time as the wheel centres! Thanks for the tip though mate!They aren't very firmly attached and it isn't clear if they fall off or there's a big demand second hand, so a couple of blobs of silicon seal on the back has left them removable if needed but more secure.
The chrome trim on the centres seem to oxidise quite badly so he just took the chrome bezels off to find silver plastic underneath and they look better like that. There are wee metal tabs to bend back, and then some were glued and others weren't.
Lynch91 said:
Very nice first car. I'm looking to get a clio 182 later this year as they're just that much cheaper than these! Have you done any paint correction as that paint looks really nice and glossy?
Nah mate, that was just after i took the stripes off, and gave it a really deep clean and polish to ensure you couldn't tell where the stripes had been (they'd been factory fitted). Nothing other than a clean and polish, which i seem to get a little better at every time i've done it!ST150HB said:
Great choice for first car, identical to my current car! Hope you continue to enjoy it!
Damn man, from your picture it does look identical! I don't suppose you considered taking the side stripes off have you? I can't decide if i want to leave them on or not.Thanks for all the nice comments guys, been up to the Dales today and had a blast around having some fun, still taking it easy, can feel it has more to give in the corners though, just don't want to tempt fate!
If anyone is curious, this is what it looked like before i got rid of the stripes, i think it's a much smarter looking car without.
jaacck said:
I have a 1.8 Sri corsa of this year and considered one of these. What insurance group yours? Bhp?
It's entirely stock, so 150 bhp (probably lost a few over the years though!)Insurance group, AT says 13, but it all depends on the individual car/circumstances, so insurance group doesn't mean a lot in my opinion!
Gdgd said:
Loved the time I had with mine - I put a K&N on along with a full Milltek, sounded like an old rally car, popped and banged like it had anti-lag
Been pondering the K&N for a while, people say they get a higher MPG AND a slight performance bump, doesn't seem to be a downside with it, so may just go for it. You reckon it's worth it?I had one for 3 years before I upgraded and now my brother runs it. It was too good a car to let go in at trade price. NEVER broke or had any issues at all and was enough fun as an entry into quicker cars.
As for the K&N/other induction, there were some proper tests done by Fast Ford I believe and they were returning 10bhp+ over stock. I cant find the link but its out there. Car does rev easier and more freely with the K&N. I did it and dont regret it. Just make sure you use the cold air feed to stop heat soak in traffic.
For £300 you can get and induction you like and a flexi pipe (very restrictive in the ST) and you will get some nice little performance gains for not a lot of cash. Another £200 for a remap and your floating around the 165-175 BHP mark. So essentially for no more than £500 you have a nice little hot hatch like the ST should have been.
As for the K&N/other induction, there were some proper tests done by Fast Ford I believe and they were returning 10bhp+ over stock. I cant find the link but its out there. Car does rev easier and more freely with the K&N. I did it and dont regret it. Just make sure you use the cold air feed to stop heat soak in traffic.
For £300 you can get and induction you like and a flexi pipe (very restrictive in the ST) and you will get some nice little performance gains for not a lot of cash. Another £200 for a remap and your floating around the 165-175 BHP mark. So essentially for no more than £500 you have a nice little hot hatch like the ST should have been.
p0d said:
Been pondering the K&N for a while, people say they get a higher MPG AND a slight performance bump, doesn't seem to be a downside with it, so may just go for it. You reckon it's worth it?
Definitely. I don't know how much you've read up on with regards to these cars but the speculation is that some parts were built to be actively restrictive - theres a reason the car only runs 147bhp and conveniently falls into insurance group 13. The post above mine is pretty spot on - air box is majorly restrictive along with the flexi pipe. Replace these and the car will feel much more alive, well worth it for the minimal outlay in my opinion. Only problem I had was once I had these I couldn't stop and I ended up with a full Milltek
I recommend this if you have deep pockets.Best of luck with it, mine never let me down
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