fiesta ST or 208 gti

[conpep]

What one would you go for ?

[Matt100HP]

Fiesta ST, in fact, it will quite possibly end up being my next car.

[conpep]

could i ask why ?

[KingNothing]

Fiesta, 208 might be more powerful, but it's a lot uglier than the Fiesta IMO.

[Mercury00]

I'd probably go for the Peugeot simply because STs are everywhere. Reviewers reckon the 208 is easier to live with day to day.

[Matt100HP]

conpep said:

could i ask why ?

They're meant to be the best small hot hatch you can buy. I don't need the practicality of a larger car, but I'd also I'd still like to have a boot and at least 4 seats so I can carry a reasonable amount people/stuff on the rare occasions which I need to.

Also, they're really quite well priced.

[Northernchimp]

Is anybody still buying Corsa VXRs? Seem outclassed and overpriced now, especially against the ST.

[Matt100HP]

Northernchimp said:

Is anybody still buying Corsa VXRs? Seem outclassed and overpriced now, especially against the ST.

I'm not quite sure why, if you were into cars enough to be buying the performance model, you wouldn't realise the ST far outclasses the VXR...

That said, I guess it's the natural progression for some people from their 1.2 "Limited Edition" Corsa.

[43034]

I'd go for the 208. Not that stty half n half paint job though.

[Defcon5]

Matt100HP said:

I'm not quite sure why, if you were into cars enough to be buying the performance model, you wouldn't realise the ST far outclasses the VXR...

As it should, considering the VXR came out in 2007.

I'd have the Fiesta, based purely on the reviews - tbh I wouldn't even look at the 208. Does the 208 have the Cooper S engine?

[cj2013]

I did consider one through work, but wouldn't be any point for the driving I do. I looked at the 208 for comparison, but I'm sure there's about £5k difference in it between best price you can drive for an ST1 and a 208 GTi base model.

I had a hire 208 1.2 a year ago and liked it, but not enough to justify the premium they charge for Pugs now.

[Dot Dot Curve]

I am going for a test drive in the 208 GTI on Sunday. I'll let you know how I find it.

Haven't driven the ST yet.

Does anyone else have any personal experience with either?

[crookie]

For me there would literally be no contest, Fiesta ST every time! Maybe it's purely because I have a soft spot for fast fords but just seems an overall better package.

[Podie]

Evo preferred the ST, putting the 208 third - http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/2905...

The 208 does get a good write up.

[alangla]

ST's not a bad daily hack. I've had one for about 13 1/2 months, mainly used up & down the motorway. It's good on all roads - nimble enough for the B roads but high enough geared (70mph=~2500rpm) for the motorway. Suspension is a bit stiff in normal use, but you're glad of it when pressing on. I fitted the Mountune MP215 kit early on, improves the power delivery a lot, well worth having.
The only thing I wish I'd done differently is that I wish I'd waited for the launch of the ST3, mine is an ST2 so no auto wipers or cruise control. Dipped headlights are a bit cruddy as well, if I'm going to do anything to it it's going to be fitting Osram Nightbreakers or similar.

[GrumpyTwig]

Easily the fiesta.

[FamilyDub]

GrumpyTwig said:

Easily the fiesta.

[neil1jnr]

ST

I bought one, an ST3, and it was far cheaper than an equivilant specced 208 GTI.

I went for the Mountune stage 1 upgrade for roughly £700, it retains the Ford manufacturer warrenty and bumps power up to a quoted 215 bhp but more importantly torque is up to 240lbs ft at just over 2000rpm.

I haven't driven a 208 GTI so I can't comment on what I think would be better but the handling of the ST is one of the best cars I have driven and is probably the most fun car I have driven.

[neil1jnr]

alangla said:

ST's not a bad daily hack. I've had one for about 13 1/2 months, mainly used up & down the motorway. It's good on all roads - nimble enough for the B roads but high enough geared (70mph=~2500rpm) for the motorway. Suspension is a bit stiff in normal use, but you're glad of it when pressing on. I fitted the Mountune MP215 kit early on, improves the power delivery a lot, well worth having.
The only thing I wish I'd done differently is that I wish I'd waited for the launch of the ST3, mine is an ST2 so no auto wipers or cruise control. Dipped headlights are a bit cruddy as well, if I'm going to do anything to it it's going to be fitting Osram Nightbreakers or similar.

First thing I did was change to a 5000K HID kit. Makes a huge difference.

I was very surprised the ST3 didn't come with xenon headlamps or even that Ford don't offer xenon headlamps as an optional extra.

[blearyeyedboy]

Slightly off topic but are there any 5 door alternatives if you don't like the Clio?