Fiesta ST MK7 orrrr?

[thebigquestion]

Been a few years since I've had something fun and want to make a comeback

Would like something fun but still reasonably reliable for if I want to do euro trips.

Looking to spend up to £7k realistically but could push to more I guess for the right car.

Previously had an EP3 and that was excellent! But reluctant to go back as life's about variety

Also test drove a Fiesta ST MK7 a few years ago and it seemed great. My only concern is with higher miles they seem to eat up turbos and engines?

Would be interested in any ideas or comments on the fiesta ST.

Much love

[ChrisH72]

I've had mine for 3 years and it's on 79k miles now. No problems so far and it seems to be a strong engine.

Where did you hear about issues with high miles?

I can only guess the ones that suffer most failures are the ones that have been messed with. Find a nice standard example and you should be fine.

I'm considering moving on this year if I can find something worthy to replace it. The ST has been excellent fun but as you say variety is the spice of life.

[thebigquestion]

Well strangely it's actually a lot of the Autrotrader listings I'm looking at, the ones on the higher mileage side sometimes say they've either had: a new engine, new turbo or head gasket replacement. But yes I suspect you're right that an unmodified example is less likely to go pop.

But given the savings on road tax, mpg and smaller tyres on the Fiestas, even if one of those bigger things goes wrong you've saved enough money to throw at it I'm thinking lol.

[anonymous-user]

Think generally from what I've read is that the engines don't take high miles very well.


I had one from new and didn't think it was much fun.
Reviews raved about them but they are just to competent
Thought my 182 I had before it was much better.

You could get a really tidy 182 for 7k.

[ChrisH72]

I just looked at some on AT up to £7k and am pretty amazed you can't do better for the money.

Mine is a 2017 ST3 on 79k and the local Ford dealer are offering £5750 in part ex against a mk8. But £7k budget on AT seems to get 2014 ST2's with over 100k. There's even some ST150's listed for that money.

One thing I would say is that if you are a high mileage driver and do a lot of Motorway driving you might want to look elsewhere. I only do 4k a year which is mostly urban use and some quick back roads where the car comes into its own. Don't think I'd enjoy long drives in it though as the ride is firm and bouncy.

Before I bought the ST I did drive a 208 Gti. It wasn't what I was looking for at the time but it was nice enough. A bit softer than the Fiesta and probably better suited for a daily commute. They were good value 3 years ago and might still be now.

[Nelka]

Think I’ve said this before on here, but it’s a car I’d rather buy privately. You can then size up the owner, and gauge how it’s been driven….

I was very lucky with mine, a 2013 one owner car with 63k miles. Three years later it’s now on 78k and hasn’t missed a beat.

I think the problems will come when they pass through a few young owners in a short time period.

[ChrisH72]

Nelka said:

Think I’ve said this before on here, but it’s a car I’d rather buy privately. You can then size up the owner, and gauge how it’s been driven….

I was very lucky with mine, a 2013 one owner car with 63k miles. Three years later it’s now on 78k and hasn’t missed a beat.

I think the problems will come when they pass through a few young owners in a short time period.

Have you done the cam belt yet?

I was wondering if its getting any cheaper now these are getting older.

[ZX10R NIN]

thebigquestion said:

Been a few years since I've had something fun and want to make a comeback

Would like something fun but still reasonably reliable for if I want to do euro trips.

Looking to spend up to £7k realistically but could push to more I guess for the right car.

Previously had an EP3 and that was excellent! But reluctant to go back as life's about variety

Also test drove a Fiesta ST MK7 a few years ago and it seemed great. My only concern is with higher miles they seem to eat up turbos and engines?

Would be interested in any ideas or comments on the fiesta ST.

Much love

I'm going to sound like a broken record but the Asra GTC VXR really is the pick especially at this price point, they're great on longer runs (as you can slacken off the shocks etc) & when you want to go for it, they just get better:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...

This could well worth a punt for around 3.5k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

[soad]

EVOTECH3BELL said:

Think generally from what I've read is that the engines don't take high miles very well.


I had one from new and didn't think it was much fun.
Reviews raved about them but they are just to competent
Thought my 182 I had before it was much better.

You could get a really tidy 182 for 7k.

I was about to suggest a 172/182, should come well under the budget (unless it’s a Cup/Trophy). Even 197/200 RS?

I fancy a EP3 CTR myself, but prices have shot up (not unexpectedly) for anything without the rust or mega miles…

[CG2020UK]

Peugeot 208GTI is well worth a look as an alternative.

Easier to live with, reliable, better equipped and nicer to sit in, lighter and faster.

Cons are small steering wheel isn’t everyone’s taste and badge appeal.

[anonymous-user]

CG2020UK said:

Peugeot 208GTI is well worth a look as an alternative.

Easier to live with, reliable, better equipped and nicer to sit in, lighter and faster.

Cons are small steering wheel isn’t everyone’s taste and badge appeal.

We had a 208gti (back in the days of cheap leases)
We really liked it and preferred the interior and general design.
They make an appealing 2nd hand buy and generally won't have been owned by the typical ST owner

[thebigquestion]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm going to sound like a broken record but the Asra GTC VXR really is the pick especially at this price point, they're great on longer runs (as you can slacken off the shocks etc) & when you want to go for it, they just get better:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...

This could well worth a punt for around 3.5k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

That's a fair shout, didn't even consider them, I will do some research for sure!

[thebigquestion]

CG2020UK said:

Peugeot 208GTI is well worth a look as an alternative.

Easier to live with, reliable, better equipped and nicer to sit in, lighter and faster.

Cons are small steering wheel isn’t everyone’s taste and badge appeal.

Interesting thanks will have a look!

[Nelka]

ChrisH72 said:

Have you done the cam belt yet?

I was wondering if its getting any cheaper now these are getting older.

Needs done sometime this year….haven’t got any quotes yet but will probably just fire it into Ford.

[TheDrownedApe]

EVOTECH3BELL said:

CG2020UK said:

Peugeot 208GTI is well worth a look as an alternative.

Easier to live with, reliable, better equipped and nicer to sit in, lighter and faster.

Cons are small steering wheel isn’t everyone’s taste and badge appeal.

We had a 208gti (back in the days of cheap leases)
We really liked it and preferred the interior and general design.
They make an appealing 2nd hand buy and generally won't have been owned by the typical ST owner

Yes i had one too. 186cm tall and a hefty lad but found the car great to drive fast and really liked having the dials above the steering wheel. However on motorways the exhaust booms in the car and is tedious.

[CrippsCorner]

ZX10R NIN said:

This could well worth a punt for around 3.5k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

Wow, the interior looks immaculate for that mileage. Always thought my Mk5 fared well as well (125k)