Wednesday 4th May 2022

Ford Fiesta ST200 | Spotted

The three-door Fiesta has gone. We won't ever forget it

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Obviously when news of the three-door Fiesta ST's demise hit last week, we took it like grown men. There are other hot hatches out there, we told ourselves. And five-door superminis aren't a bad thing, right? Back doors are good. You don't have to get out to let your mates get in. There isn't the slightest chance you'd be mistaken for a midwife on a home visit. An ST is still an ST. It'll still turn like a swift and look like a toddler's trainer. Relax.

Then the introspection set in. Are we really okay with Ford's decision to sever us from its tiniest tearaway? After all, it wasn't even 18 months ago that we drove the ST Edition against the Toyota GR Yaris and decided that, on balance, the all-wheel-drive newcomer wasn't delivering anything that you'd miss in the Ford - not with the Yaris's premium taken into account. "In terms of sheer driving fun at sensible road speeds, there arguably isn't another car at any money on sale today that matches the Fiesta ST," Dan P concluded. Still hard to disagree with that.

Or it would be if Ford hadn't singled the once huge-selling model out for liquidation. Naturally it blamed us: we don't buy the Fiesta in sufficient quantities to sustain every variant, the firm said. And it may have a point. Year-to-date, the car has slipped from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' best-selling top ten. Last year, among B segment models it was roundly thumped by the updated Vauxhall Corsa, the Mini, the VW Polo and, tellingly, the newer, taller Puma.

But it's not like the nation went to bed one day and got up the next suddenly not liking the Fiesta. We know this because when you look at total used car sales for 2021 - which, needless to say, vastly eclipse new car sales - the model remains the undisputed king of the forecourt. The SMMT recorded 326k transactions involving a Fiesta last year. That's more than the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A3 - combined. The next biggest selling used car was the Corsa, and it accounted for nearly 64k fewer secondhand sales than its perennial rival.

So while the three-door Fiesta might have gone from Ford's brochures, it has emphatically not left our hearts or minds. In fact, the manufacturer has sold so many since the Mk7 went on sale in 2008, that it will likely be with us for decades to come. At time of writing, there were 546 Fiesta STs alone in the classifieds - the vast majority of them three-door. So which version to have? Well, a good shout could be made for buying the aforementioned Mk8 ST Edition in lightly used condition and wrapping it in cotton wool for your grandchildren. (Otherwise how else will they learn about lift-off oversteer?)

Or, if you've a taste for the old school (if 2016 qualifies for the description), you can't go far wrong with the limited-edition Mk7 ST200. For our money, Ford never improved on the Storm Grey looks, and while we'll concede that the interior is now a full aeon out of date, you do get the punchy old 1.6-litre four-pot in its 200hp (or 215hp on temporary overboost) spec with the shorter final drive and 236lb ft of the good stuff. Here's one with a full service history and hardly any miles on it. The ST200's rarity commands an admittedly hefty premium - especially in this condition - but it's just possible that given the right day, and the right stretch of road, it'll make you shed a manly tear for times gone by.

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Specification | Ford Fiesta ST200

Engine: 1,596cc, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200 @ 6,000rpm (215 on overboost)
Torque (lb ft): 213 @ 2,100rpm (236 on overboost)
MPG: 46.3 (combined)
CO2: 140g/km
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 8402
Price new: £22,745
Yours for: £18,250

See the full ad here

[PSB1967]

Cracking driving cars! I had an ST3 MP215 version, for which I paid 19K new on a 66 plate. On one of it's many warranty returns I had a duel with an RS Focus, who as it turned out was also going back to the dealer for another awful experience. Luckily the route had lots of roundabouts, so while the RS left me on the straights there was never that much road before the next roundabout. The little, agile Fiesta nipped in front on every one.
These were in the showroom when I went looking but I didn't like the colour. I thought this one was over priced by a few grand. But a quick check in the classifieds and maybe not.

[pb8g09]

Think I’d rather buy one for half that price and take it to mountune myself.

[humphra]

Looked at the car.
Looked at the price.
Looked at the year, then looked at the price again
Double‐checked the year and the price when new.
Looked at the price again, and just felt confused.

It's a Fiesta (ok, an ST200 but still a flippin' Fiesta!), 6 years old and still got 80% of its value from new?? The used market is truly mental. Or I've just been used to too many years of cheap access to fun cars.

[Cupramax]

£18k for a 6 year old Fiesta? the world truly has gone bonkers.

[Shuthan_s2k]

This is quite overpriced, you can get the ST200 for cheaper than that. Surely you would get the newer Fiesta ST for that money, which is said to be better than this generation regardless of its slight rarity for the ST200.

[Water Fairy]

humphra said:

Looked at the car.
Looked at the price.
Looked at the year, then looked at the price again
Double?checked the year and the price when new.
Looked at the price again, and just felt confused.

It's a Fiesta (ok, an ST200 but still a flippin' Fiesta!), 6 years old and still got 80% of its value from new?? The used market is truly mental. Or I've just been used to too many years of cheap access to fun cars.

Took the words out of my mouth!

[Gecko1978]

Will there be in next 5 years an EV that's as fun. The puma is frankly just dull. While I have a renulat capture for school run I bought it cos it was dirt cheap I would have rather had a clio etc but the wife bought it. I just don't see a mini suv as fun where as these look a blast (not at 18k) but then again I did not buy one so I am part of the problem.

Just hope Honda make there small ev do 200 miles one day

[SeenTheStrings]

Was this article actually written by Troy Queef? It has his hallmarks all over it!

[simonsaunders]

No more Fiesta van either?

Another loss!

[Bracken]

Had one of these brand new at the end of 2016.

So much more than the sum of it's parts. I miss it. A lot.

Had a new shape 3-pot ST-3 last year (in Silver Fox) to try and re-capture the magic, but it didn't get close to the ST200...

[blade7]

Bracken said:

Had one of these brand new at the end of 2016.

So much more than the sum of it's parts. I miss it. A lot.

Had a new shape 3-pot ST-3 last year (in Silver Fox) to try and re-capture the magic, but it didn't get close to the ST200...

Fiesta ST200, the car all the (sponsored) glowing road tests of the mk8 3 cylinder 1.5 ST conveniently forgot.

[What The Deuces]

blade7 said:

Fiesta ST200, the car all the (sponsored) glowing road tests of the mk8 3 cylinder 1.5 ST conveniently forgot.

i much prefer the 3-cyl version

[s m]

PSB1967 said:

Cracking driving cars! I had an ST3 MP215 version, for which I paid 19K new on a 66 plate. On one of it's many warranty returns I had a duel with an RS Focus, who as it turned out was also going back to the dealer for another awful experience. Luckily the route had lots of roundabouts, so while the RS left me on the straights there was never that much road before the next roundabout. The little, agile Fiesta nipped in front on every one.
These were in the showroom when I went looking but I didn't like the colour. I thought this one was over priced by a few grand. But a quick check in the classifieds and maybe not.

Handling wise the Fiesta would be ahead no doubt…….but in a straight line off the lights would this 200bhp Fiesta be able keep up with that ‘Spotted’ 30 year old Rover with 200bhp I wonder?

[Ultrafunkula]

s m said:

PSB1967 said:

Cracking driving cars! I had an ST3 MP215 version, for which I paid 19K new on a 66 plate. On one of it's many warranty returns I had a duel with an RS Focus, who as it turned out was also going back to the dealer for another awful experience. Luckily the route had lots of roundabouts, so while the RS left me on the straights there was never that much road before the next roundabout. The little, agile Fiesta nipped in front on every one.
These were in the showroom when I went looking but I didn't like the colour. I thought this one was over priced by a few grand. But a quick check in the classifieds and maybe not.

Handling wise the Fiesta would be ahead no doubt…….but in a straight line off the lights would this 200bhp Fiesta be able keep up with that ‘Spotted’ 30 year old Rover with 200bhp I wonder?

Or the new GR86.

[s m]

Ultrafunkula said:

s m said:

PSB1967 said:

Cracking driving cars! I had an ST3 MP215 version, for which I paid 19K new on a 66 plate. On one of it's many warranty returns I had a duel with an RS Focus, who as it turned out was also going back to the dealer for another awful experience. Luckily the route had lots of roundabouts, so while the RS left me on the straights there was never that much road before the next roundabout. The little, agile Fiesta nipped in front on every one.
These were in the showroom when I went looking but I didn't like the colour. I thought this one was over priced by a few grand. But a quick check in the classifieds and maybe not.

Handling wise the Fiesta would be ahead no doubt…….but in a straight line off the lights would this 200bhp Fiesta be able keep up with that ‘Spotted’ 30 year old Rover with 200bhp I wonder?

Or the new GR86.

I guess it will be similar power to weight that’s true

Theoretically the GR86 should be much quicker off the mark with its faster stickier Michelins, rwd advantage etc

[Bracken]

What The Deuces said:

blade7 said:

Fiesta ST200, the car all the (sponsored) glowing road tests of the mk8 3 cylinder 1.5 ST conveniently forgot.

i much prefer the 3-cyl version

The 3-cyl car was fun, no doubt about that, but for me the eagerness of the chassis seemed a little too synthetic or "built in" when compared to the ST200, if you know what I mean? It was always hyperactive and felt like it wanted to flick sideways all the time but, ultimately, was more prone to understeer than the ST200 and wasn't as satisfying when you really had it by the scruff.

[Kawasicki]

PSB1967 said:

Cracking driving cars! I had an ST3 MP215 version, for which I paid 19K new on a 66 plate. On one of it's many warranty returns I had a duel with an RS Focus, who as it turned out was also going back to the dealer for another awful experience. Luckily the route had lots of roundabouts, so while the RS left me on the straights there was never that much road before the next roundabout. The little, agile Fiesta nipped in front on every one.
These were in the showroom when I went looking but I didn't like the colour. I thought this one was over priced by a few grand. But a quick check in the classifieds and maybe not.

Must be a difference in drivers, a Focus RS is way more agile and grippy than a Fiesta ST.

[WCZ]

ltd edition fast fords always hold their value

great cars and fun to tune, with £5k you can really turn them into a monster

[pquinn]

PSB1967 said:

On one of it's many warranty returns I had a duel with an RS Focus, who as it turned out was also going back to the dealer for another awful experience. Luckily the route had lots of roundabouts, so while the RS left me on the straights there was never that much road before the next roundabout. The little, agile Fiesta nipped in front on every one.

Having seen this exact thing before, on the straights it was probably more the traffic and speed limits - and not actually being in a 'duel' - that let you meet at the next roundabout rather than being particularly matched. And having laughed long and hard at a Fiesta ending up perched backwards on top of a roundabout having tried to match an RS going around at the same speed they might be nippy but they have their limits.

I've got both (so there's a spare when one needs fixing). They're different beasts.

[cobra kid]

Spotted? I know I asked this before but it's a Fiesta. Do these articles get paid for by the seller in some way?