Fiesta ST shed
Discussion
Having run a couple of Smart cars for the past year, various Lotus, an MR2 etc, decided it was time to buy something a bit more sensible that I could get my golf clubs in (hello middle age!) without placing them in the car individually. £1500 budget.
Past few cars have been bought around 70-80k miles, and I've found that certain pricey things tend to wear out around that point - dampers, exhausts, springs, suspension bits (an engine in the MR2!), etc etc, so this time decided to f
k the mileage and just look for something in tip-top condition that was cheap.
Ended up with a MK6 Fiesta ST, for a few reasons. Expecting a bit of a 'meh' attitude on here as it's not a 172/182/197, but there was method in my madness - mainly the fact the budget wasn't negotiable and I didn't want a rattly French hatch. Don't get me wrong - I personally think French hot hatches are the best, bar none (have owned hot 205s, 306s, 106s, 206s), and reading the comparison threads I'm fully aware that I "wouldn't see which way a 182 went", "it would piss all over the ST" and so on.
But you know what, I'm pushing 40 and I can't remember the last time I even noticed a hot Clio, let alone tried to race one, so I just don't care. There are better, more fun options out there, but then again there are better, more fun options than the best hot hatches, too - there's always going to be something better. Got to the point that it doesn't matter to me as long as I'm happy enough in whatever I'm driving.
So to the ST, and the plus points. Love the seats. I like the styling. It's done 120something thousand miles and doesn't rattle, feels far more solid (albeit with cheapo scratchy dashboard plastics) than my R53, which rattled like a tin of bolts and ended up getting traded in), has lovely steering feel and enough torque that I can generally waft about in either 3rd or 5th gear.
It's quick enough to be amusing, quiet enough to be comfortable, the seats are too high up but I'm a pigmy anyway so what's to dislike? Well, the ride is nothing like as composed as slower models, there's nothing in the way of modern tech and the fuel economy is ste for such a small car, but aside from that seems like a bargain for shed money (at least to me!).
Pictures from the previous owner - it's a testament to the amount of time and effort he put into it, there are no swirls in the paint, very few marks or stonechips, feels closer to a 2yr old car in condition than 12 or 13.
Past few cars have been bought around 70-80k miles, and I've found that certain pricey things tend to wear out around that point - dampers, exhausts, springs, suspension bits (an engine in the MR2!), etc etc, so this time decided to f
k the mileage and just look for something in tip-top condition that was cheap. Ended up with a MK6 Fiesta ST, for a few reasons. Expecting a bit of a 'meh' attitude on here as it's not a 172/182/197, but there was method in my madness - mainly the fact the budget wasn't negotiable and I didn't want a rattly French hatch. Don't get me wrong - I personally think French hot hatches are the best, bar none (have owned hot 205s, 306s, 106s, 206s), and reading the comparison threads I'm fully aware that I "wouldn't see which way a 182 went", "it would piss all over the ST" and so on.
But you know what, I'm pushing 40 and I can't remember the last time I even noticed a hot Clio, let alone tried to race one, so I just don't care. There are better, more fun options out there, but then again there are better, more fun options than the best hot hatches, too - there's always going to be something better. Got to the point that it doesn't matter to me as long as I'm happy enough in whatever I'm driving.
So to the ST, and the plus points. Love the seats. I like the styling. It's done 120something thousand miles and doesn't rattle, feels far more solid (albeit with cheapo scratchy dashboard plastics) than my R53, which rattled like a tin of bolts and ended up getting traded in), has lovely steering feel and enough torque that I can generally waft about in either 3rd or 5th gear.
It's quick enough to be amusing, quiet enough to be comfortable, the seats are too high up but I'm a pigmy anyway so what's to dislike? Well, the ride is nothing like as composed as slower models, there's nothing in the way of modern tech and the fuel economy is s
te for such a small car, but aside from that seems like a bargain for shed money (at least to me!). Pictures from the previous owner - it's a testament to the amount of time and effort he put into it, there are no swirls in the paint, very few marks or stonechips, feels closer to a 2yr old car in condition than 12 or 13.
Most seem to get to around 100k and start coming up for like 1500 notes, any more or just generally rough around the edges and people are breaking them left right any cents. Fb market place for when you need a new gearbox, as the diff sort of explodes and has a party in your gearbox and eventually breaks loose, or when you need a new engine as most have hit 100k now and starting to show big ends knocking. Sorry to bring those last two items to your attention.
I like mine that much i considered getting another just to put the miles on and be a daily hack, couldn't think of selling mine now!
ETA if you're looking for certain mods let me know, but yours already looks like its got a zorst and been lowered.
I like mine that much i considered getting another just to put the miles on and be a daily hack, couldn't think of selling mine now!
ETA if you're looking for certain mods let me know, but yours already looks like its got a zorst and been lowered.
Always thought these were good looking little cars for a practical hatch. Proper wheel at each corner and nicely squat.
Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
poing said:
Always thought these were good looking little cars for a practical hatch. Proper wheel at each corner and nicely squat.
Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
There were 3 options - MP165, MP185 and MR200.Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
Not sure if they still do them, but as you say - not exactly cheap now compared to the price of the car. The Mountune manifold and induction kit for them is like rocking horse poo.
I've run a zetec S for ~50k now as my daily with the exact same seats and they are my biggest complaint.
Woefully uncomfortable after 30 minutes and the driving position is all wrong. Good little wagon otherwise, I'm surprised by how much of a van it can be with the back seats down/out.
Woefully uncomfortable after 30 minutes and the driving position is all wrong. Good little wagon otherwise, I'm surprised by how much of a van it can be with the back seats down/out.
Podie said:
There were 3 options - MP165, MP185 and MR200.
Not sure if they still do them, but as you say - not exactly cheap now compared to the price of the car. The Mountune manifold and induction kit for them is like rocking horse poo.
https://www.mountunestore.com/collections/hq-installationNot sure if they still do them, but as you say - not exactly cheap now compared to the price of the car. The Mountune manifold and induction kit for them is like rocking horse poo.
They still list the mp185 for 2 grand... but you can buy minters for less than that it seems a little cost prohibitive.
One of the cars in my top 5 most hated. It wasn't very quick, didnt handle particularly well, and drank fuel far too quickly. Replaced mine with an octavia vrs several cars ago and it was like night and day... never thought i'd get a bonus 15mpg out of a 1.8 turbo haha!
I've been driving Enterprise hire cars to and from the airport every few weeks for a while. Each time is a new Euro box, Micra, Clio, Citroen thing, Sportage etc. etc. then one day I get given a Fiesta ST, it was dark and I was tired, BOOM what a blast, took if home via as many B roads as I could find. The damping would give my Elise a run for its money. Well impressed....................and now I always make sure I get a fiesta ST!!
Proper good little cars, enjoy!
Proper good little cars, enjoy!
Podie said:
poing said:
Always thought these were good looking little cars for a practical hatch. Proper wheel at each corner and nicely squat.
Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
There were 3 options - MP165, MP185 and MR200.Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
Not sure if they still do them, but as you say - not exactly cheap now compared to the price of the car. The Mountune manifold and induction kit for them is like rocking horse poo.
It was either one of these or a 182 a few years back for me.
Being 6'2" & 15 stone, I opted for the Renault because I couldn't really fit into the ST easily.
It a shame, because I sold the Renault a couple of years later after several common problems, one of which was a disintegrating steering wheel for which Renault at the time wanted £500 to replace!
Being 6'2" & 15 stone, I opted for the Renault because I couldn't really fit into the ST easily.
It a shame, because I sold the Renault a couple of years later after several common problems, one of which was a disintegrating steering wheel for which Renault at the time wanted £500 to replace!
JackP1 said:
Podie said:
poing said:
Always thought these were good looking little cars for a practical hatch. Proper wheel at each corner and nicely squat.
Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
There were 3 options - MP165, MP185 and MR200.Only the Focus ST170 stopped Ford making these faster. With the 170 engine they would have sold a lot better and been a proper rival to some of the more serious stuff. I think Mountune still sell the tuning kit for these though, 185bhp from memory being top of the options but probably cost more than the purchase price
Not sure if they still do them, but as you say - not exactly cheap now compared to the price of the car. The Mountune manifold and induction kit for them is like rocking horse poo.
Yep, seen the inlets go for serious money. Seem to recall reading somewhere that someone was looking at copying the design...
My old man has one of these in mint condition, he's had it for years and still loves it. He wants a mk 6 ST soon, and he's offered it me for a bargain price when the time comes.
My old Fiesta Zetec S needs bodywork soon so i'm torn whether to spend on that (I do love it, even if it's a little slow), or sell and have the ST. I've driven it a few times, and I like it but I don't hanker after it.
Yours looks a good one, enjoy it!
My old Fiesta Zetec S needs bodywork soon so i'm torn whether to spend on that (I do love it, even if it's a little slow), or sell and have the ST. I've driven it a few times, and I like it but I don't hanker after it.
Yours looks a good one, enjoy it!
Thanks for the comments chaps.
It seems like a nice little car, I like it. Lots of places it could be improved upon but I generally find that's the case with most cars. No major plans to modify at present - it has a few tweaks like an aftermarket manifold, lowered etc, but would like to get a better air filter setup at some point. I'd also like some better dampers, but spending as much as the car is worth on suspension mods probably isn't in the spirit of shedding. We shall see!
Bit of gearbox whine, will try changing the oil at some point and see if that helps. If it does implode at this price won't be the end of the world, will probably just whack a cheap second hand one in and hopefully get a few more miles out of it. Engine seems pretty sound so not worried about that at the moment. Am no stranger to cars with widespread issues - Smart cars aren't known for their bulletproof mechanicals, had an MR2 that did actually blow up, 60,000 miles on various K series Elises, so not particularly worried about this one. At least parts don't appear to be overly pricey.
RE being one of commenter's worst five cars, would be interesting to know what else you've run in the past - it's flawed but is far from a bad car. Depends what you want it for really I guess - while it's not particularly fast it's far from slow, and suits my requirements. Don't really care about fuel consumption, is better than the Cooper S I had, and a lot more engaging than previous VWs (admittedly never had a VRS, but they've never really appealed).
Mountune kit looks fun, but not sure I'd really get a great deal out of it, my wife is in the car moaning at me 90% of the time, not sure an extra 50bhp would help the terrified passenger situation! If it helps it to rev more happily higher up the range it could be a benefit, which I presume it would with cams, but we shall see. Probably just make a few tweaks as I go.
It seems like a nice little car, I like it. Lots of places it could be improved upon but I generally find that's the case with most cars. No major plans to modify at present - it has a few tweaks like an aftermarket manifold, lowered etc, but would like to get a better air filter setup at some point. I'd also like some better dampers, but spending as much as the car is worth on suspension mods probably isn't in the spirit of shedding. We shall see!
Bit of gearbox whine, will try changing the oil at some point and see if that helps. If it does implode at this price won't be the end of the world, will probably just whack a cheap second hand one in and hopefully get a few more miles out of it. Engine seems pretty sound so not worried about that at the moment. Am no stranger to cars with widespread issues - Smart cars aren't known for their bulletproof mechanicals, had an MR2 that did actually blow up, 60,000 miles on various K series Elises, so not particularly worried about this one. At least parts don't appear to be overly pricey.
RE being one of commenter's worst five cars, would be interesting to know what else you've run in the past - it's flawed but is far from a bad car. Depends what you want it for really I guess - while it's not particularly fast it's far from slow, and suits my requirements. Don't really care about fuel consumption, is better than the Cooper S I had, and a lot more engaging than previous VWs (admittedly never had a VRS, but they've never really appealed).
Mountune kit looks fun, but not sure I'd really get a great deal out of it, my wife is in the car moaning at me 90% of the time, not sure an extra 50bhp would help the terrified passenger situation! If it helps it to rev more happily higher up the range it could be a benefit, which I presume it would with cams, but we shall see. Probably just make a few tweaks as I go.
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