New Fiesta ST vs old Focus ST
Discussion
Heres a question.... how do these compare and which would you ultimately choose?
Me and the OH really like the old Focus ST, especially in that air hostess orange. MK 2 + facelift is really a nice looking car and you can't argue with the 5 pot sound (even if it is rather muted from the cabin). The againsts are pretty obvious though, it is bigger, it is older, it likes a drink, more expensive to run.
The fiesta is smaller, presumably lighter and almost as powerful. I am guessing the two are probably quite well matched on performance since the old Focus wasn't exactly a rocket ship.
So fiesta ST... cheaper to run, just as fast, got more kit and it doesn't sound too bad. Focus ST, drinks like a fish, sounds immense and can be had in beautiful orange.
Which would you go for if you wanted a "fast" ford for general driving about + having a bit of a hoon when the opportunity presents?
Me and the OH really like the old Focus ST, especially in that air hostess orange. MK 2 + facelift is really a nice looking car and you can't argue with the 5 pot sound (even if it is rather muted from the cabin). The againsts are pretty obvious though, it is bigger, it is older, it likes a drink, more expensive to run.
The fiesta is smaller, presumably lighter and almost as powerful. I am guessing the two are probably quite well matched on performance since the old Focus wasn't exactly a rocket ship.
So fiesta ST... cheaper to run, just as fast, got more kit and it doesn't sound too bad. Focus ST, drinks like a fish, sounds immense and can be had in beautiful orange.
Which would you go for if you wanted a "fast" ford for general driving about + having a bit of a hoon when the opportunity presents?
If I needed 5 doors it would be the Focus but if I did more than 6000 miles a year I'd go for the Fiesta just for the fuel savings.
For me personally the Fiesta as I don't need the space and prefer smaller cars. You can get them in orange as well, just a more red/orange than the Focus. I suppose the obvious advice is to go and test drive both and see what you prefer, nice dilemma to have though.
For me personally the Fiesta as I don't need the space and prefer smaller cars. You can get them in orange as well, just a more red/orange than the Focus. I suppose the obvious advice is to go and test drive both and see what you prefer, nice dilemma to have though.
Greengecko said:
Drive them both, I guarantee you'll take the Focus ST.
Not actually driven the new Fiesta ST, but I drove my friends old Focus ST over the moors Friday night, what an epic car. Never been able to jump straight into a car and feel comfortable enough to hoon straight away. The sound was amazing too! Much better IMO than when I drove the new Focus ST, however the driving situations were different (twisty back roads at night vs main roads in day time!)ST150HB said:
Not actually driven the new Fiesta ST, but I drove my friends old Focus ST over the moors Friday night, what an epic car. Never been able to jump straight into a car and feel comfortable enough to hoon straight away. The sound was amazing too! Much better IMO than when I drove the new Focus ST, however the driving situations were different (twisty back roads at night vs main roads in day time!)
I've had a test drive in the fiesta ST, and it honestly is a lovely car. More than enough power for its size and very nippy in the bends, but compared to my MK2 Focus ST it just didn't match up. Have also had a quick go in the new MK3 Focus ST, and would take the Fiesta ST over that.Fiesta ST & Mountune it.
38 mpg, nearly the same power as the standard Mk2 Focus ST, 3 year warranty intact, absolutely effortless power at anything above 2000rpm. Probably more nimble as a B-roader than the Focus (I went from a 2007 Focus CC to the Fiesta ST, the CC could sometimes feel a bit big on narrow B roads. Fine on single tracks though)
Downsides on the Fiesta - boot is a bit small, the Sync system on the radio never seems to like your choice of music, keep an eye on the coolant - mine mysteriously lost a load early in its life but has been fine since it was topped up. Dipped headlights aren't great & there's no Xenon option.
38 mpg, nearly the same power as the standard Mk2 Focus ST, 3 year warranty intact, absolutely effortless power at anything above 2000rpm. Probably more nimble as a B-roader than the Focus (I went from a 2007 Focus CC to the Fiesta ST, the CC could sometimes feel a bit big on narrow B roads. Fine on single tracks though)
Downsides on the Fiesta - boot is a bit small, the Sync system on the radio never seems to like your choice of music, keep an eye on the coolant - mine mysteriously lost a load early in its life but has been fine since it was topped up. Dipped headlights aren't great & there's no Xenon option.
Have driven both, though sadly not back to back (more like a few years apart). I rather quite liked the Fiesta, I know its a 4 pot but the sound symposer does a decent stab at giving you something interesting to listen too.
I can't say much more though thinking back, straight line performance wasn't too dissimilar... i.e. you could be doing 90 odd if you forget to look at the speedo. The introduction of the ST-3 model is a big plus as it comes with cruise as standard (something i must have for longer journeys) which the Focus never did.
Think we'll have to go test drive again! Which will be fun if the same lady is there at the dealer. Last time we just went to look at the Fiesta but the woman there basically wanted to get out the office so off we went! Turns out she was a proper petrol head, owns an Elise and does track days. She was properly egging us on too!
We do like both so I guess what will happen is we'll end up having both. Focus first to scratch the itch and then replace with a Fiesta.
I can't say much more though thinking back, straight line performance wasn't too dissimilar... i.e. you could be doing 90 odd if you forget to look at the speedo. The introduction of the ST-3 model is a big plus as it comes with cruise as standard (something i must have for longer journeys) which the Focus never did.
Think we'll have to go test drive again! Which will be fun if the same lady is there at the dealer. Last time we just went to look at the Fiesta but the woman there basically wanted to get out the office so off we went! Turns out she was a proper petrol head, owns an Elise and does track days. She was properly egging us on too!
We do like both so I guess what will happen is we'll end up having both. Focus first to scratch the itch and then replace with a Fiesta.
I sold my 2007 MK2 Focus ST3 for a ST2 Mountune'd Fiesta ST last year.
The Focus was a great car. Thirsty, but not as bad as some people make out. I averaged 27-29mpg. I was very fond of its muscular looks, superb leather Recaro seats, and dash mounted boost gauges...a nod to previous fast Fords.
The Fiesta handles better, being so much lighter its much easier to drive fast, even for an amateur like me.
Its extremely ecomomical for 215bhp. I achieved 49.1 mpg the other day on a steady run. Day to day I average 42mpg. The worst I have seen is 30mpg. In comparison, my record in the Focus was 37mpg.
Although the Focus did sound epic with its 5 Cylinder rumble, once the Fiesta is warm the exhaust is quite noisy...and as my car approaches 4000 miles now it has certainly loosened up. The turbo has developed a nice whistle, coupled with slightly louder dump valve, which just adds to the STs charm if i'm honest.
The Focus always seemed more like a GT car to me rather than a true hot hatch. The ride was very good, even on unsettled roads. Only when pushed hard did I wish the car was somewhat lighter, when changing direction at speed you notice the large weight of the car through the steering.
The Fiesta is the oppposite. The ride is firm, and can become weary on long journeys, but this is a small price to pay for what I would class as the best handling hot hatch i've ever driven. It eats corners effortlessly, and although sometimes on a large, wide straight road I yearn for slightly more power...it is more than adequate on a B road blast.
1 year in i'm very happy and proud of my Fiesta ST. Its one of the very few cars I genuinely love. I've had no mechanical issues with the car, and looking on the forums they have proven to be generally very reliable.
If you're buying used, I would check the LED ST trim plates inside the door light up, some have known to fail. Also worth assessing is the front end. The paint is very soft, and despite the fact I only use mine as a weekend/sunny day car, I have noticed a many chips beginning to appear on the lower bumper.
Hope this helps. Any further questions please let me know.
Matt
The Focus was a great car. Thirsty, but not as bad as some people make out. I averaged 27-29mpg. I was very fond of its muscular looks, superb leather Recaro seats, and dash mounted boost gauges...a nod to previous fast Fords.
The Fiesta handles better, being so much lighter its much easier to drive fast, even for an amateur like me.
Its extremely ecomomical for 215bhp. I achieved 49.1 mpg the other day on a steady run. Day to day I average 42mpg. The worst I have seen is 30mpg. In comparison, my record in the Focus was 37mpg.
Although the Focus did sound epic with its 5 Cylinder rumble, once the Fiesta is warm the exhaust is quite noisy...and as my car approaches 4000 miles now it has certainly loosened up. The turbo has developed a nice whistle, coupled with slightly louder dump valve, which just adds to the STs charm if i'm honest.
The Focus always seemed more like a GT car to me rather than a true hot hatch. The ride was very good, even on unsettled roads. Only when pushed hard did I wish the car was somewhat lighter, when changing direction at speed you notice the large weight of the car through the steering.
The Fiesta is the oppposite. The ride is firm, and can become weary on long journeys, but this is a small price to pay for what I would class as the best handling hot hatch i've ever driven. It eats corners effortlessly, and although sometimes on a large, wide straight road I yearn for slightly more power...it is more than adequate on a B road blast.
1 year in i'm very happy and proud of my Fiesta ST. Its one of the very few cars I genuinely love. I've had no mechanical issues with the car, and looking on the forums they have proven to be generally very reliable.
If you're buying used, I would check the LED ST trim plates inside the door light up, some have known to fail. Also worth assessing is the front end. The paint is very soft, and despite the fact I only use mine as a weekend/sunny day car, I have noticed a many chips beginning to appear on the lower bumper.
Hope this helps. Any further questions please let me know.
Matt
Edited by Mister3man on Friday 20th June 07:13
kathyp said:
If you're bothered at all about ride comfort then the focus ST is more compliant, new fiesta ST is stupidly harsh.
I thought the rise was fine. Better than my civic. It's not a type r or anything but the suspension set up on those generation of civics is bloody awful. A wheelie bin down a cobbled street is better.If I have any more questions I'll hit you up Matt. Thanks for the offer.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 19th June 23:44
Otispunkmeyer said:
I thought the rise was fine. Better than my civic. It's not a type r or anything but the suspension set up on those generation of civics is bloody awful. A wheelie bin down a cobbled street is better.
If I have any more questions I'll hit you up Matt. Thanks for the offer.
So the ride is better than a car that you describe as ' bloody awful'. Not the best comparative If I have any more questions I'll hit you up Matt. Thanks for the offer.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 19th June 23:44
Anyway, not denying the Fiesta ST is a great car...but shame Ford couldn't have sorted the ride a little more. I notice reviews are starting to comment more on it these days as people live with it for a few months in the longer term tests. We don't drive 100% on race tracks or super smooth roads sadly.
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