Ford Fiesta ST 2005... Any good?

[Prof Prolapse]

Can get a good 2005/6 plate with under 60K, FSH for £4000 - £5000.

Alright 7.9 to 60 isn't going to set the world on fire but insurance friendly, decent mpg, seems good price.

Chav factor aside is there something I'm missing? Seems a good alternative for the Civics/Corollas/Focii I was looking at...

[BE57 TOY]

Clio renaultsport would be a better buy

[deltashad]

Tried to talk my little brother into getting one. Seems its not that cool amongst the wee ones. He went for the Civic type S, Fiesta is far nicer imo.
Looks good on paper too.

[Defcon5]

I think they look pretty good tbh. I hear the facelift ones are much better, not sure if an 05 is or not?

[skene]

MPG isn't decent. My step-brother has one he averages about 30mpg. They are torquey but the engine is quite lazy and not too rev keen.

[veevee]

Much rather have the Civic, or lots of other things! How important is newness?

[iva cosworth]

Defcon5 said:

I think they look pretty good tbh. I hear the facelift ones are much better, not sure if an 05 is or not?

Fairly sure that is pre facelift

[Prof Prolapse]

I think it's the shape they ran for a while so presumably it's facelift.

The thing is I'm not actually after a hot hatch. I joined the dark side and ride my bike for kicks nowadays. I was just after something newish, insurance friendly, with reasonable mpg and reasonable reliability.

I've had a bit of a experience with Renaulsport Clios and Type Rs. They're a bit too.. Focused, for what I'm after. I'd get an Focus ST but they're a bit pricey for a good one.

So as an alternative to a boggo Civic 1.8 (new shape) which costs about £2000 more so it's an interesting left field choice.

Interesting to hear about MPG, auto express said the same thing.

Edited by Prof Prolapse on Sunday 8th April 23:12

[Defcon5]

I used to have a Lupo GTI, awesome little car - may be worth considering?

[Prof Prolapse]

Need something just a touch bigger than a Lupo... To be honest even the Fiesta is smaller than I'd intended.

I'm not really desperate for a hot hatch, I've got a Cooper S as well. I just need a second car for work and fancied something pratical.

[Defcon5]

Is the Cooper S a track car then? I got the other half an R53 last year, been pounding it around the countryside today and been very impressed

[CraigMST]

Just a suggestion.
http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/3798140.htm
Mondeo ST220.

[GTiFrank]

If your not looking for something that is necessarily a hot hatch and just an everyday car then an e90 320d falls into your price bracket I think.

[Mastodon2]

If you've already got a Cooper S then I'd probably just buy something cheap and economical like an old Pug diesel for piling on the work miles, and keep the Cooper and the bikes for fun. Spend some money on some upgrades for them instead of buying a thirsty (for the power output) warm hatch like a Fiesta ST. A friend of mine had one a little while ago. I never drove it but did passenger in it, the engine is punchy enough but runs out of puff above 70, it's a pretty gruff and torquey engine too - more mid-range punt than top-end sizzle. It sounds pretty harsh and nasty towards the redline, which is only 6500rpm iirc, so it's hardly the sweetest engine going. Very popular with the kids around my way though, and can sound decent with an induction and exhaust upgrade, but it's hardly a joy to rev like a RS Clio and not a patch on the screaming (and admittedly more expensive to insure) Civic Type R.

[Prof Prolapse]

Nah don't do track it's just the one herself uses.

R53 as well. Cracking little thing. If I'm being overly critical I don't like the finish on some parts, the lack of space is ridiculous and it isn't what you would call comfortable on bumpy roads! Random electrical failures are quite amusing as well.. She loves it though.

I've a '91 Golf GTI 8v as well.

ST220 is a nice shout but when we end up discussing 3.0 v6s we are increasingly moving away from the "everyday car" criteria! Besides I'd go for an X-type instead...

[Prof Prolapse]

I already have a K12 micra as a run around that's basically what I'm looking to replace. In terms of modifications, I've really no interest. As I said I'm not really looking for power as such but if I can get a practical car thats a bit of fun thats a plus.

Yeah I've been full circle on the BMWs... They really don't do it for me. I was sorely tempted by a 335 but then I know I'd end up buying an XJR (again) and then I'd end up driving the Micra again because I'm too much of a tight arse to pay for the fuel.

I think pistonheads is the wrong place for this... I'm clearly just going to be advised to buy something needlessly powerful!

[visual123]

Focus 1.6/1.8?

[btdk5]

I don't think it'd be as much fun as the mini and if it were me I'd keep comparing the two.

If its just a run around maybe think turbo diesel? Polo 1.9??

[ashleyqprw12]

Had mine almost a year & love it facelifts are 06< easiest way to see is the bubble on the headlight went to mountune in oct for a 185 upgrade, lots of fun in this car great handling too.

[paulm3]

Don't do it, we bought my ex one. 55 plate and it was awful to be honest. Lots of things went wrong. Wasn't quick at all and was in all honestly just a regular fiesta with stripes. Seats were about the only redeeming feature!!

For £4k you can get alot better, we sold it after 5/6 months for a Clio sport