Swap a Fiesta ST for a 306 Rallye?
Discussion
I've had my Fiesta ST for two and half years now and whilst it's been great, I find myself thinking more and more about swapping it for a 306 Rallye. I've already owned a Phase 1 XSi and my wife had a Phase 3 HDI too, so we're no stranger to 306s. Assuming I can find one in very good condition, would I be mad?
The ST handles brilliantly, is reasonably fast and quite practical but the same goes for the Rallye so could be viewed as a sideways step. Any thoughts?
The ST handles brilliantly, is reasonably fast and quite practical but the same goes for the Rallye so could be viewed as a sideways step. Any thoughts?
back step in my opinion. sure the 306 is going to be quicker, but at the end of the day its a fairly aging model and what you have is a recent-ish Ford.
go drive a few though, if you can live with the creaks and the wobbles that any old car can bring then go for it. if you cant, stick with what youve got.
go drive a few though, if you can live with the creaks and the wobbles that any old car can bring then go for it. if you cant, stick with what youve got.
I'd say get the rallye, tbh i think its a better car. Looks better, more powerful, bigger, imo handles a bit better. It will probably be much thirstier than the fiesta though. My old Rallye wasn't that great on fuel, unless i was doing a motorway run. Probably mid 20's pottering round. I also think the ride is more compliant in the 306 and isn't as bumpy.
If you still want some creature comforts get a gti6. A/c (usually never works), auto wipers, more sound deadening, electrics, alacantara seats. But yeah i'd rather have a 306 personally, but i think the fiesta st is a great car too so you won't go far wrong.
If you still want some creature comforts get a gti6. A/c (usually never works), auto wipers, more sound deadening, electrics, alacantara seats. But yeah i'd rather have a 306 personally, but i think the fiesta st is a great car too so you won't go far wrong.
Edited by r1ch on Saturday 23 July 09:05
Baryonyx said:
If you can seel your ST for a decent price and then buy a 306 and pocket some cash, that sounds like a great idea.
I think I'd agree with that, but you'd need to accept that the Rallye will probably need alot more money spent to keep it in fine fettle. Having said that, the rallye has probably hit bottom in value, the Fiesta has a little way to go. Future value wise, hopefully it should negate those possible costs.If you were to face a big bill with the rallye, like a clutch, you'd simply have to suck it up. Having said that, I think it likely that if it is a few years old now, the fiesta will start costing bits and bobs. Nothing serious perhaps, but no car is immune from wear and tear. Point is, the Rallye may be worse, but the question is how much worse?
For me, the head would stay keep the fiesta, heart would go with the Rallye.
Head over heart on this one, keep the ST. Yes the fuel consumption is poor for the power output but but the 306 is an older breed of car and will likely still have you at the pumps jut as often.
A friend of mine has an ST and feels a similar dissatisfaction, I think it's because the ST is an "almost there" car, where it was released as a car that was not quite tuned to the level of performance it should have had. It's not terribly weighty so the 154bhp feels strong enough, though the linear acceleration and torque delivery make it feel much more new than old school. Said mate thinks the handling is fairly nose heavy compared to some other hot hatches he has owned but admits the cornering limitations of the car are still sufficiently high as not to be blunted by this effect. Though I have not driven it, I've had a few rides and it certainly strikes me as a fun little car. He fitted a Powerflow exhaust which sounds fantastic, and it's just a nippy, great-sounding and good looking car.
The 306 on the other hand, while I have never seen a Rallye model I have had a poke around a GTI, is getting on now. Everything about the car is historic compared to what the ST offers apart from driving position (I think the seats in the ST, and most Fords, will always be too high!), and that goes for interior, build quality and probably reliability too. Coupled with the fact that even well-serviced cars are still going to have suffered wear on parts like suspension, internal engine components if the car has not been heated through before driving hard etc, and you could be looking at some big bills. It's probably a much rawer and more raucous driving experience, but it will be a much bigger burden to live with than the ST.
A friend of mine has an ST and feels a similar dissatisfaction, I think it's because the ST is an "almost there" car, where it was released as a car that was not quite tuned to the level of performance it should have had. It's not terribly weighty so the 154bhp feels strong enough, though the linear acceleration and torque delivery make it feel much more new than old school. Said mate thinks the handling is fairly nose heavy compared to some other hot hatches he has owned but admits the cornering limitations of the car are still sufficiently high as not to be blunted by this effect. Though I have not driven it, I've had a few rides and it certainly strikes me as a fun little car. He fitted a Powerflow exhaust which sounds fantastic, and it's just a nippy, great-sounding and good looking car.
The 306 on the other hand, while I have never seen a Rallye model I have had a poke around a GTI, is getting on now. Everything about the car is historic compared to what the ST offers apart from driving position (I think the seats in the ST, and most Fords, will always be too high!), and that goes for interior, build quality and probably reliability too. Coupled with the fact that even well-serviced cars are still going to have suffered wear on parts like suspension, internal engine components if the car has not been heated through before driving hard etc, and you could be looking at some big bills. It's probably a much rawer and more raucous driving experience, but it will be a much bigger burden to live with than the ST.
Interesting stuff...
To add a little detail the ST is only used for my daily commute which is 12 miles one way. Whilst I could drive a little sh*tbox to work and back I do like to be entertained by what I drive, but not so much that I'd spend a fortune as I have the Caterham to scratch any major itches
Mastodon2 you have hit the nail on the head regarding my feelings for the ST. If only it had 180-200bhp... but it doesn't and I am not going to spend £3K getting it there as it's money I'll never get back. Besides I do fancy a change! My ST is also lowered on Eibachs and as LongLiveTazio rightly says the ride is shocking on a poor road surface. It is however reasonably fast and the IMO the handling is very good given a decent bit of tarmac.
The trouble with considering a change is that I feel most hot hatches are too bloated and heavy these days, which made me think about a 306 Rallye. As I said earlier I've had two 306s previously so I do know them, however as said the design is old now and the build of the ST is light years ahead. And although the 306 would be cheaper, I'd probably have to spend the difference from the sale of the ST on new shocks, bushes, tyres etc etc.
So...I think I'm sufficiently put off the Rallye now, but as to where I go from here, I'm not so sure!
To add a little detail the ST is only used for my daily commute which is 12 miles one way. Whilst I could drive a little sh*tbox to work and back I do like to be entertained by what I drive, but not so much that I'd spend a fortune as I have the Caterham to scratch any major itches
Mastodon2 you have hit the nail on the head regarding my feelings for the ST. If only it had 180-200bhp... but it doesn't and I am not going to spend £3K getting it there as it's money I'll never get back. Besides I do fancy a change! My ST is also lowered on Eibachs and as LongLiveTazio rightly says the ride is shocking on a poor road surface. It is however reasonably fast and the IMO the handling is very good given a decent bit of tarmac.
The trouble with considering a change is that I feel most hot hatches are too bloated and heavy these days, which made me think about a 306 Rallye. As I said earlier I've had two 306s previously so I do know them, however as said the design is old now and the build of the ST is light years ahead. And although the 306 would be cheaper, I'd probably have to spend the difference from the sale of the ST on new shocks, bushes, tyres etc etc.
So...I think I'm sufficiently put off the Rallye now, but as to where I go from here, I'm not so sure!
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