FK8 CTR owner reflections

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Next year I’m potentially looking to get a FK8 CTR. I’ve read pretty much every test and closely followed Evo & Car mags long termers. I’ve tested them twice now and fully understand the reviews, but what I’m looking for are real world reflections from those who’ve owned for a while, and primarily the downsides. I’m aware as well as the great drive how comfortable they are, how seemingly fuel efficient they can be and how well specced the GT at least is.

I’m intrigued if the looks and reactions to it are a downside, do you constantly get people trying to race you? This has rarely been an issue for me even in fast cars and I’m too old to care what anyone else thinks.

Given both Evo & Car’s long termers got bent wheels/punctures seemingly due to the 30 profile wheels has anyone else had this, and does as Evo suggested pumping them to the 137mph + speed PSI’s mitigate?

Cheers for replies

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EK9_CTR said:

I'm not an FK8 owner (yet) but I too have been reading and watching many reviews with the view of buying one next year.

Going by the FK8 owners group on FB, the biggest downside as you've mentioned seems to be the standard 20" wheels. A lot of owners are switching to smaller 18" with a bigger tyre profile and appear to have no issues at all whilst still retaining the handling characteristics, feel etc.

A minor gripe which has been addressed in later models is the lack of a volume knob. IIRC the 2019 models onwards have replaced the volume slider thing with a proper volume knob.

I recall some owners stating they have actually had positive reactions and people asking about the car etc. whilst out and about.

Also the lack of an custom configuration for the drive mode as you're probably aware. E.g. can't have dampers set to comfort with the R mode steering and throttle. From what I've gathered the R mode isn't too bad and driveable on a bumpy B-road but I do recall some posts with owners stating it's too stiff on less than ideal surfaces. Perhaps this one is subjective.

Hope this helps and best of luck on your future purchase OP.

Many thanks for the reply, appreciated.

Interesting comment re downsizing of wheels, I had wondered if it was possible and to still get them over the calipers. As they seem to be a rare car and I assume sold in small numbers I wasn't sure if much of a scene around them had set up.

Various tests most notably Chris Harris' picked up on the drive mode, a shame but coming from the Fiesta ST as the current daily almost anything will feel compliant in comparison!

Cheers

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Another_James said:

I’ve had mine since May and completed 3300 miles and one track day in it.

In short it’s excellent and everything is hoped it’d be. Fast, fun and playful around Cadwell and comfortable, practical and quiet when the wife and my one year old are on board. Concern about damaging the wheels, cost of tires and the exceptionally quiet exhaust are the only minor down points to me.

With regard to changing the wheels I’d be very careful when choosing. The cars responsiveness, lack of torque steer and adjustability are all based around those tiny profile 20’s and changing them for softer 18’s would take some sparkle out of the handling imo. Good article about it here:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-ma...

One of the most surprising things is the almost universally positive reactions I’ve had to it. People at work, in laws, family, all people who I’d fully expected to take the piss have been full of compliments for it. Mine is polished metal metallic (grey) and It stands out in the sea of r-line, s-Line, st-Line diesels.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask, although I’m pretty crap about putting my thoughts down in text ??

Thanks for the reply, as you can see from the lack of them it’s clearly a rare car! (& how few you see on the road).

Funnily enough I saw that article this morning – thanks for the link. It’s quite clear you need to be very careful and that seemingly only the FK2 wheels are a decent replacement – bet new with tyres it’s a close on 2k investment!

I am surprised by the reaction, certainly at car shows with mates it seems quite polarising, with extremes of love and hate. The dark grey (polished metal?) is my preference, seems to tone it down a bit whilst still showing the black and red accents, and of course practicality wise it shows the dirt less!

Do you get idiots trying to race you or anything? I’ve a Fiesta ST and I suspect once anyone comes up alongside it and don’t see a 19 year old with a baseball cap on back to front they ignore me!

Cheers

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Another_James said:

Yeah you certainly don’t see many about, I was at the Silverstone GP this year and saw at least 5 blue Focus RS’s (the other car I was considering) in the car park but not a single other FK8.

I’ve not really had trouble with the local boy racers but I live in a smallish rural town so not too many lights for GP’s!

I test drove most of the other options and whilst they all had their strengths where the civic really stood out is the driving experience. It’s feels alive even at sensible speeds and engine is flexible enough to make satisfying progress at low revs then spectacular when the opportunity to stretch its legs comes along. Gearbox is the best I’ve used (after 1500ish miles to break in) It’s genuinely practical too, massive boot and decent ride quality.

It’s not perfect of course. The infotainment works fine but is illogically laid out and there are too many steps to change source etc. I’ve had some rattles that I’ve solved myself with felt tape and tires are £200+ a corner (the oem conti’s last about 6k on the front) and as I said the exhaust is too quiet. None of this was anywhere close to a deal breaker for me though.

I’ve driven a mates RS, it’s great but has the same problems my Fiesta ST has; overly stiff suspension & seats that are too high/wrong driving position.

I live in a rural area but assume as it’s the hot hatch equivalent of a Lambo & as subtle it may attract the McDonald’s car park frequenters!

Good to hear you don’t have to be on it to enjoy it, my commute rarely allows such antics. The quiet exhaust does worry me, the ST mainly via the symposer sounds great in combination with the love for revs it’s genuinely fun.

I’m a bit concerned the CTR will make the rest seem dull! I was truly blown away on both test drives where I did get the chance to make good progress.

Strewth 6k on tyres that’s akin to my old sports bikes. I seem to recall Evo changed on their long termer, Michelin possibly to assist with wear. I’ll look up FK2 wheel replacement too I think.

Appreciate the replies, cheers.