Car that drives like a Fiesta ST but grown up?

[hothatchguy]

For a long time now i've really fancied a Mk7 fiesta st. I'm now in a position where i can afford one for around 10 grand, taking out a personal loan over 5 years. However i'm a bit worried 5 years is a long time with such a young mans car (i'm 36) but i absolutely love the way they drive. Ae there any hatcbacks out there for a similar price that have a similar sense of fun, in particular the steering, but are a bit more grown up?

[kieranblenk]

Renault Megane RS250?

[Nickbrapp]

I’ve tried a few when I was changing from a ST to something with a better ride

The best of the crop that I tried was the leon 280, it felt just like a bigger ST, closely followed by a golf GTI which was a little bit more numb

Audi s3 was fast but dull. Megane was great but I wanted 5 doors, merc a250 was nippy but not fast.

Volvo v40 T5 was really good too, very expensive though.

[hothatchguy]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not overly keen on the looks of the megane and i think the leon is going to be out of my price range.Shame to hear about the S3, was looking at S1 but also a bit too expensive at the moment. Do all of the cars you have suggested have the ST like steering? I'm more concerned about that than speed as long as its fairly nippy.

[Trevor555]

If I was spending ten on a hot hatch I'd buy an ST over all the others.

I'm 47

If your worried about it being a young mans car then de badge it, maybe change the wheels?

For ten they are easily the best.

[Nickp82]

Focus ST in a dark colour? They look quite subtle in grey.

[Nickbrapp]

hothatchguy said:

Thanks for the replies. I'm not overly keen on the looks of the megane and i think the leon is going to be out of my price range.Shame to hear about the S3, was looking at S1 but also a bit too expensive at the moment. Do all of the cars you have suggested have the ST like steering? I'm more concerned about that than speed as long as its fairly nippy.

They all have electric steering I think so not too dissimilar from each other. The ST Is the smallest car and they do turn in very sharply and have quite well weighted steering

Have you thought about a polo GTI or a Ibiza cupra aswell? The later ones with the 1.8tsi engine are good, the polo is much more refined than the fiesta but not quite as good to drive.

I also forgot about the 2.5 litre mk2.5 focus ST, I really wanted that when I bought my fiesta but I couldn’t find one in electric white anywhere.

The fiesta ST Is a great car, but the ride really is awful, and there’s a fair bit of engine drone on the motorway, coupled with how many get stolen or bits taken off them ( mine had the whole bodykit stolen) where all reasons for me to move it on. I bought a leon FR 180 in the end which was nothing like the ST

[Trevor555]

Nickbrapp said:

The fiesta ST Is a great car, but the ride really is awful, and there’s a fair bit of engine drone on the motorway, coupled with how many get stolen or bits taken off them ( mine had the whole bodykit stolen) where all reasons for me to move it on. I bought a leon FR 180 in the end which was nothing like the ST

Very good point, you may have just changed my mind about getting one.

Hadn't considered the theft bit.

Thank you.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 24th December 11:55

[rustfalia]

I wouldn't bother either, will more than likely be stolen.
Sold mine due to getting fed up of putting a disklok on it every time I left it somewhere.

Sacked the finance off and bought a EP3 Civic in the end.

[CABC]

maybe at 41 you'll care less about what others think?

[TheAlastair34]

I bought a JCW Mini over a Fiesta ST

[hothatchguy]

I couldnt really care less what other thought or i'd get something "premium", im more concerned with being bored of the ride in 5 years time, but ive been running an 11 year old leon fr but the past two years and thats pretty hard so im probably worrying about nothing. Ive had a test drive in both an ibiza cupra and a polo gti and there was something missing. Not considered a JCW mini though. Do the focus drive the same as the fezzer?

[Total Drivin]

rustfalia said:

I wouldn't bother either, will more than likely be stolen.
Sold mine due to getting fed up of putting a disklok on it every time I left it somewhere.

Sacked the finance off and bought a EP3 Civic in the end.

I've got a focus mk2.5 and it takes less than 30 seconds to fit/remove both the disc lock and clutch lock.

[Trevor555]

I'll get slated close to death for this on here, but.

I collected an Audi TT V6 manual for a dealer friend the other day, just under ten.

Not a hot hatch I know, but I just thought it was a lovely car for the cash.

I'm ready for the abuse.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Megane RS as it handles better than Fiesta but rides better I know you said you don't like the look but go & test drive one. The best spec would be a Lux with the Cup Chassis & the Recaros but they're very hard to find.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


I'd say the 2.5T Focus in ST-3 spec is a very good alternative to the Fiesta:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I have to say if you're looking for a fun steer then don't look at the VAG stuff, it's good & competent but not necessarily fun compared to the above.

[Podie]

What do you find “not grown up” about the car?

Some decent aftermarket suspension solves my only real complaint with the car.

[Tannedbaldhead]

208GTI Prestige.
Not quite as full on as the ST, a very subtle looking hot hatch (in black), a more compliant ride, more refined, better equipped (heated seats this time of year are particularly welome), nicer interior and, unless the ST is a Mountune or re-mapped, quicker.
I bought my Pug at 51 and have really enjoyed it.

Edited by Tannedbaldhead on Monday 24th December 15:21

[stargazer30]

41 years young here with 3 kids and I have a mountune mk7 ST. The crashy ride can be a little tiring at times but other than that its spot on.

If it wasn't for the 10K limit I'd have said mk8 ST, they are a bit more grown up but still fun apparently.

• EDIT 1* - Re it'll get nicked! Get an auto electrician to solder in a bi-spoke connector on the OBD and then unplug it, hide it in the house till you need it and put a OBD disabled sticker on the car. Simples.

• EDIT 2* Mini JCW. Good shout. The missus has a 2016 cooper and it does handle nice, but it is still a little dull compared to the ST, not practical at all though. 4 seats and the boot is useless, think MX5 lol. Also running costs look suspect so far. Rear brakes after 16K, brake fluid every 2 years, seems every other week the computer says it needs something doing.

Edited by stargazer30 on Monday 24th December 14:19

[Nickbrapp]

I had also forgotten about the Kia pro ceed GT. 200bhp warm hatch and supposed to be a pretty good steer, I tried one briefly years ago and remember it being good but a bit of tyre roar but that was probs down to the tyre now the car

[Nick-ST]

+1 for the Megane RS250. Definitely have to make sure you get the right spec. Lux model with cup chassis and Recaro seats are an absolute must! Xenons also extremely desirable! Go for a colour other than yellow or white and it definitely falls into the 'grown up' category. They drive superbly!