Dear Ford. Can you just let me buy a car please?

[Thorburn]

Looking to buy a new Fiesta Zetec S Red for the OH, test drove that and the ST at the weekend, got a quote from the local dealer we're happy with and emailed them yesterday to confirm price and specification.

First pain in the arse is we have the cash to pay for it, but Ford are doing big finance contributions so we have to borrow a tiny amount of money to get that discount. Now this morning I've been told I CAN'T order the car because as of today they've stopped taking orders for the Zetec S Red Edition and have replaced it with the ST Line Red Edition.

Okay, what's the difference between the two models? We don't know, we don't have any details on it - apparently there are some differences between the models but Ford haven't told them what they are yet. Tried another dealership and had the same response.

If its just a name change then fine, how hard can it be to communicate that to your dealer network? We're specifically going for the Zetec S over the ST as found the ST too stiff for the rural roads around here, so don't want to order the ST Line and find its a Zetec S with ST suspension bolted on to it.

So now not only do we have to take out a finance package we don't want or need, they can't even tell us if the car we want to buy is still going to be made or what has been changed on the new model. The Ford website just shows the Zetec S but you can't buy one now apparently. Piss-up in a brewery springs to mind!

[Thorburn]

lostkiwi said:

Buy something else from another brand.

Nothing else that really appeals/ticks the boxes.

[Thorburn]

Blanchimont said:

Call a couple of dealers, would it be worth calling some to see if they have one similar to what you want in stock?

Tried most the local dealers, unfortunately we want a couple uncommon options so we'd have to compromise on those which is rather missing the point on a brand new car. None of them can give me any useful information on what the difference between the Zetec S and the ST Line.

[Thorburn]

Blanchimont said:

Try further afield. It will be a ballache amount of legwork, but it may work and you can get what you want, quicker.

Tried a 100 mile radius - no new Red Editions with cruise, nav, rear sensors and heated seats available, and nearly new ones are more expensive as don't get the finance contribution and have additional extras we don't want.

[Thorburn]

Backtobasics said:

Buy a second hand one for less cash?

Can't find any with the right options on them. Also with the Ford finance deals at the moment the second hand ones really aren't much cheaper.

Vitorio said:

Clio with the TCe 120 lump? Ive done a few months in a DCI and had a few test runs in the TCe 90, and in the B-seg i'd have a Clio out of the usual suspects.

Only downside is the TCe 120 only comes in auto AFAIK..

Oddly enough im having a lot of trouble thinking of competitors to the Fiesta, The Punto is whittled down to very few versions. Perhaps a swift sport?

OH won't have a Renault - hates them. Also manual is a requirement.

loskie said:

try carwow or autoebid.

We were originally going through Carwow, but now been told the model is no longer available to order.

[Thorburn]

kylos27 said:

Buy a used xr2 ?

No cruise control.

[Thorburn]

The Mad Monk said:

30 new ones on Autotrader - if I understand it right.

http://tinyurl.com/ho9wtz2

Searching by keyword suggests precisely zero of them have cruise control.

gweaver said:

Whilst you wait for Ford to publish the ST-Line specifications, I'd strongly suggest trying a Swift Sport (if you haven't already). The fuel consumption and boot space aren't as good as the Ford, but the Swift is more responsive and IMHO the more exciting and involving drivers car. The engine is simpler (in a good way) and the standard kit is good, especially the HID headlights. Sat Nav and Cruise Control are standard, but parking sensors are dealer fit (the only factory options are colour and 3/5dr) and heated seats probably aren't available. The Sat Nav head unit has a socket for a reversing camera, and I have seen mention of people fitting them on the current model.

I REALLY want to try one of these, as I'm not a particular fan of the turbocharged engine and know the Swift is supposed to be superb. Being probably the last non-turbo warm hatch on the market gives it a big appeal. Unfortunately missus has an eye to the future and kids, and the boot in them is too small. If it was to replace my Mk6 Fiesta Zetec S for running around locally for my work I'd be all over it like a tramp on chips.

You're right though, size aside it does seem like the perfect fit.

Edited by Thorburn on Wednesday 25th May 20:29

[Thorburn]

CrouchingWayne said:

Would the ST Line Red Edition be based on a Fiesta ST? I can't see it being a ZS car so probably irrelevant for you.

No, the suggestion from the dealers seems to be that the ST Line is a Zetec S with some styling bits off of the full-fat ST. Dealer is pushing me to just order it without knowing what it ACTUALLY is though which is pissing me off somewhat!

[Thorburn]

dnationPT said:

Hey guys, I'm from Portugal and had a order on a Sport(ZETEC S in the UK) and Ford called me 1 week ago saying that the car wouldn't be produce since this new st-line is kicking in instead of the Sport version of the fiesta.

After some heavy researching and after the dealer saying the changes to the car I was kind of pleased because now I'm able to order a 5 doors instead. I got some pics of the new wheels sent on friday by the dealer, which are now rock metallic and look awesome imo. Ford DE already has a price list on all the extra and the changes aswell on their website, some pics of the new st-line 3D are also around and being used by ford media already.


If you guys want me to post the links for the 3D let me know, I'm hoping we can all gather some information about the new st-line, I decided to order it after the research.

Well at least someone has some info! Amusingly when I asked about it the dealer specifically told me it DIDN'T have a new wheel design when I queried if it was getting the ST wheels.

Any info on it would be useful if you can link it up. :up

gweaver said:

I'd argue that a Zetec S (as a 3dr only) would be less practical for a family than a 5dr Swift, but since the ST-Line is available as a 5dr that would trump both for practicality. It'd probably beat everything else in the sector for driving fun too, though that's sadly a low bar these days.

For some reason OH has decided that a 3dr is more practical if you have a young child as you can't fold the seat forward and stand in front of them to do up belts, etc, which you can't in a 5dr. I don't quite get it, but she helps out a few friends with young kids so who am I to argue.

Edited by Thorburn on Wednesday 25th May 21:46

[Thorburn]

dnationPT said:

Regarding specs I already got a list of change for the ST-Line version given by the dealer basically the major changes are:
Inside the roof is now black, new seats with red stitching, it comes by default now with a 4.2 inches, the new finish on the wheels. There's st line badges below on the front doors, new LED rear lights, steering wheel with grey stitching, and they say it comes with a new exterior sport kit but tbh seems exactly the same, so must be minor changes only.

In Portugal they are selling a new pack called ST-Line pack which comes with sony sat nav, rear view camera, automatic AC and cruise control for 700€ which I decided to buy.

Edited by dnationPT on Wednesday 25th May 22:13

Weird those wheels don't match the design you posted above.

MrsFallon said:

Thorburn, I've sent you a PM if you take a look in your inbox.

Replied, ta.

[Thorburn]

silentbrown said:

Broadspeed (any most other brokers) figures already include the finance contribution discount. If you don't take finance the price goes up.

As mentioned you can cancel the finance within 14 days of taking delivery without any fee. Or pay it off in full at any point after that.

Broadspeed price is actually more than the local dealer has quoted us - roughly the same car price, but then a £199 fee on top. Doesn't matter though as you can't order that model anymore.

Good to know on the finance though, we'll probably do that but a pretty pointless hoop to have to jump through.

[Thorburn]

M1C said:

OP - If a baby is on the way, PLEASE get a 5 door. Having a 3 door is MUCH more hard work. (Been there, done that)

Not on the way (to my knowledge!) but it sounds like the ST Line is available as a 5 door, so will suggest it.

[Thorburn]

Went out again in a Fiesta ST again and decided to order one of those instead of the Zetec S/ST Line, so should have a new Fiesta ST-3 in the next few weeks.

I agree on 3dr vs. 5dr and kids, but we had a look around a Focus ST and the OH was adamant she wanted the smaller car.

Plot twist: If/when we have a kid and she changes her mind I'll chop in my old Fiesta for something practical and nick the ST.