RE: Fiesta ST: Then and now
Discussion
Hoygo said:
Its an early American muscle car?
Aha! 1987 Camaro 5.0 Z28 made 170hp and did it in 7.9. The 205hp 5.0 did it in 6.x IIRC.Out of interest, i dug out Autocar from 2005 and this is what they reported: 0-60 in 7.8 and the reason it only got 150hp was because Ford canned the proposed RS. It concluded that "the chassis really is something special, as are the steering and brakes - this goes a long way to compensating for the ST's lack of get up and go in a straight line". It mainly lamented the lack of another 30hp against the similarly priced Clio 182 and therefore gave it 3.5 out of 5.
It also suffered compared to the Focus ST, then in Mk II guise which hit 60 in 6.5 and got 4.5 out of 5 but the Fiesta retailed at £13600 list where the Focus was £17500 before any discounts.
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 8th February 19:25
FWDRacer said:
Handling isn't as good as previous Gen Zetec-S. Then there was the Puma also off previous MkIV/V platform...
Quite, bit surprised by the article myself. I found all the Mk6 fiesta's (including the st) a massive disappointment in the driving department, especially compared to the previous model.Ford really hit a sweet spot with the Mk4 Fiesta/Puma/Ka era.
LuS1fer said:
I bought a facelift (better looking IMHO) 2007 model with 34k on the clock at the end of last year. Performance Blue is a great colour.
I love the chunky styling which has a touch of timeless/classlessness about it which I think the new "waspy" version lacks. It has that reserved tasteful appearance that doesn't go overboard "boy-racer". I like that.
I began looking at Clio 172/182s but couldn't live with their flimsiness and they seemed dated inside.
Contemporaneous road tests suggested the Zetec S was the better handler but I haven't driven one and have nothing particularly negative to say about the ST's steering. It is firm, weighty, sharp and while it may lack feedback, the car is so chunky that you can't fail to feel what it's up to.
It has GREAT visibility, unlike modern cars. It is short, compact and has THREE rear seat belts, a massive bonus for 3 child families.
It is not perfect. The build quality is not great and it squeaks a bit. The grey instruments look a bit naff. The dash layout isn't great. The Ford heated windscreen is the last gen version so works "in parts" but it's better than nothing (our 2009 Mondeo is vastly better). the key is the old Ford "stick" (Mondeo is the traditional flat blade).
The stereo is not great. It took a while to realise it was a 6CD changer but they have a propensity to not eject (piece of card required)so I stick to one CD (no issues).
The main bugbear is that it is fairly low-geared so it is not a motorway car and some might consider it noisy (it is a hot hatch).
Mine is averaging around 32mpg which is not much better than the 09 Mondeo which uses the same engine but certainly seems to have a beefier clutch and gearbox. HOWEVER, the fuel tank is small and requires filling a lot because of that.
The other issue can be the brakes which had cheap pads in when I got mine as they felt like glass but a set of EBC Green Stuff pads (£107) restored confidence though they are still not as good as the Mondeo's.
Only other "complaints" is the seat belts are a long way back if you're short and the single note horn is extremely embarassing (often replaced by a Focus item but you have to take the headlight out to access it). Taking headlights out to change bulbs is reqired too but it's DIY-able.
So after several months ownership, am I delighted or disappointed? Well, I confess I love the car, it has character in spades, it's a hoot to drive and chuck about and park, has a nice gearbox, it looks great and 150hp is really more than enough to ensure enjoyability - you don't get much in the way of unruly torque steer (not that I think the clutch would stand a huge amount of abuse) and I like the handling even though, being short, the rear end will happily let go (easily caught with the reasobaly quick rack).
I think it suffers next to higher powered hatches but I did find that makes them harder to sell so you can get a bargain if you haggle hard enough.
I did have a front spring break and that lathed off an inch of tread and I have had a rear wheel bearing replaced (sqeaking like a stamped rat).
A nice gearbox? It's one of the cars worst features! Clunky, 5 speed when it should be 6 and I don't recall hearing of any other model of car smashing as many gearboxes up. The IB5 box is an absolute piece of sI love the chunky styling which has a touch of timeless/classlessness about it which I think the new "waspy" version lacks. It has that reserved tasteful appearance that doesn't go overboard "boy-racer". I like that.
I began looking at Clio 172/182s but couldn't live with their flimsiness and they seemed dated inside.
Contemporaneous road tests suggested the Zetec S was the better handler but I haven't driven one and have nothing particularly negative to say about the ST's steering. It is firm, weighty, sharp and while it may lack feedback, the car is so chunky that you can't fail to feel what it's up to.
It has GREAT visibility, unlike modern cars. It is short, compact and has THREE rear seat belts, a massive bonus for 3 child families.
It is not perfect. The build quality is not great and it squeaks a bit. The grey instruments look a bit naff. The dash layout isn't great. The Ford heated windscreen is the last gen version so works "in parts" but it's better than nothing (our 2009 Mondeo is vastly better). the key is the old Ford "stick" (Mondeo is the traditional flat blade).
The stereo is not great. It took a while to realise it was a 6CD changer but they have a propensity to not eject (piece of card required)so I stick to one CD (no issues).
The main bugbear is that it is fairly low-geared so it is not a motorway car and some might consider it noisy (it is a hot hatch).
Mine is averaging around 32mpg which is not much better than the 09 Mondeo which uses the same engine but certainly seems to have a beefier clutch and gearbox. HOWEVER, the fuel tank is small and requires filling a lot because of that.
The other issue can be the brakes which had cheap pads in when I got mine as they felt like glass but a set of EBC Green Stuff pads (£107) restored confidence though they are still not as good as the Mondeo's.
Only other "complaints" is the seat belts are a long way back if you're short and the single note horn is extremely embarassing (often replaced by a Focus item but you have to take the headlight out to access it). Taking headlights out to change bulbs is reqired too but it's DIY-able.
So after several months ownership, am I delighted or disappointed? Well, I confess I love the car, it has character in spades, it's a hoot to drive and chuck about and park, has a nice gearbox, it looks great and 150hp is really more than enough to ensure enjoyability - you don't get much in the way of unruly torque steer (not that I think the clutch would stand a huge amount of abuse) and I like the handling even though, being short, the rear end will happily let go (easily caught with the reasobaly quick rack).
I think it suffers next to higher powered hatches but I did find that makes them harder to sell so you can get a bargain if you haggle hard enough.
I did have a front spring break and that lathed off an inch of tread and I have had a rear wheel bearing replaced (sqeaking like a stamped rat).
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 8th February 12:36
t.Definitely a car that forces you to take the rough with the smooth.
Smooth:
Just a shame that so many of the Fester ST owners think they are driving a rocketship and will try and race anything they come across.
Smooth:
- Cheap to buy, run and insure
- Good looking with a bit of lowering on Eibachs
- Sounds decent with a Milltek exhaust and K&N
- Lacks power, it has no top end sizzle, it just sounds rough above 4500rpm and doesn't really feel like it wants to rush towards the redline. It does feel pretty torquey and has decent throttle response though, so it's an easy car to hustle along.
- Interior is a bit naff. Nice seats, but you sit way too high in the car, and the rest of the interior looks far to much like a bottom of the line Fiesta. That gearstick and rubber gaiter are positively naff.
- Gearbox is poop. Is it not the same unit as the 1.25L model with different ratios? If not, both are crap, as oppoosed to it just being one crap gearbox.
- Nose-heavy handling
Just a shame that so many of the Fester ST owners think they are driving a rocketship and will try and race anything they come across.
Mastodon2 said:
Just a shame that so many of the Fester ST owners think they are driving a rocketship and will try and race anything they come across.
My own experience (though I am 53) is that it is the faster hatches who constantly badger you and try and goad you into a race. Most ST owners do tend to be aware that being 30hp down is a disadvantage.Nice to see my old car getting a mention in the article! 
Its the one with the Mountune 200 kit and countless other mods...it has wanted for nothing really, kind of miss it, my FN2 Civic Type Ris a more comfortable and refined drive, the Fiesta is a bit hard to live with in terms of noise, rock hard suspension, and the very heavy/sharp helix clutch, but it is great fun to drive hard!
Its the one with the Mountune 200 kit and countless other mods...it has wanted for nothing really, kind of miss it, my FN2 Civic Type Ris a more comfortable and refined drive, the Fiesta is a bit hard to live with in terms of noise, rock hard suspension, and the very heavy/sharp helix clutch, but it is great fun to drive hard!
ge0rge said:
blade7 said:
Fiests ST's are a bit underpowered and undergeared, a Clio 172 will run rings round one until it falls to bits 
.
Negative, my clio's done 194k and is still a weapon !. Not into Fords really but do admire the handling generally, my mates Puma was mega yet surprised myself when my high miler diesel Golf with a modest chip out dragged a Fiesta ST. Above 80 I just pulled away but stopped at ton, never normally race anything getting to old and it don't corner for st my motor!
t my motor!Picked up a 2008 Performance Blue ST for my wife last year. Previous owner was 62 year old and only covered 7000 miles in it. Her daughter worked at the ford plant and got it fully spec'd for her mother. A very well loved example. I drove it more than my e90 M3. I really like ford chassis on twisty B roads. Pretty good mpg too on a run.
ezi said:
LuS1fer said:
I bought a facelift (better looking IMHO) 2007 model with 34k on the clock at the end of last year. Performance Blue is a great colour.
I love the chunky styling which has a touch of timeless/classlessness about it which I think the new "waspy" version lacks. It has that reserved tasteful appearance that doesn't go overboard "boy-racer". I like that.
I began looking at Clio 172/182s but couldn't live with their flimsiness and they seemed dated inside.
Contemporaneous road tests suggested the Zetec S was the better handler but I haven't driven one and have nothing particularly negative to say about the ST's steering. It is firm, weighty, sharp and while it may lack feedback, the car is so chunky that you can't fail to feel what it's up to.
It has GREAT visibility, unlike modern cars. It is short, compact and has THREE rear seat belts, a massive bonus for 3 child families.
It is not perfect. The build quality is not great and it squeaks a bit. The grey instruments look a bit naff. The dash layout isn't great. The Ford heated windscreen is the last gen version so works "in parts" but it's better than nothing (our 2009 Mondeo is vastly better). the key is the old Ford "stick" (Mondeo is the traditional flat blade).
The stereo is not great. It took a while to realise it was a 6CD changer but they have a propensity to not eject (piece of card required)so I stick to one CD (no issues).
The main bugbear is that it is fairly low-geared so it is not a motorway car and some might consider it noisy (it is a hot hatch).
Mine is averaging around 32mpg which is not much better than the 09 Mondeo which uses the same engine but certainly seems to have a beefier clutch and gearbox. HOWEVER, the fuel tank is small and requires filling a lot because of that.
The other issue can be the brakes which had cheap pads in when I got mine as they felt like glass but a set of EBC Green Stuff pads (£107) restored confidence though they are still not as good as the Mondeo's.
Only other "complaints" is the seat belts are a long way back if you're short and the single note horn is extremely embarassing (often replaced by a Focus item but you have to take the headlight out to access it). Taking headlights out to change bulbs is reqired too but it's DIY-able.
So after several months ownership, am I delighted or disappointed? Well, I confess I love the car, it has character in spades, it's a hoot to drive and chuck about and park, has a nice gearbox, it looks great and 150hp is really more than enough to ensure enjoyability - you don't get much in the way of unruly torque steer (not that I think the clutch would stand a huge amount of abuse) and I like the handling even though, being short, the rear end will happily let go (easily caught with the reasobaly quick rack).
I think it suffers next to higher powered hatches but I did find that makes them harder to sell so you can get a bargain if you haggle hard enough.
I did have a front spring break and that lathed off an inch of tread and I have had a rear wheel bearing replaced (sqeaking like a stamped rat).
A nice gearbox? It's one of the cars worst features! Clunky, 5 speed when it should be 6 and I don't recall hearing of any other model of car smashing as many gearboxes up. The IB5 box is an absolute piece of sI love the chunky styling which has a touch of timeless/classlessness about it which I think the new "waspy" version lacks. It has that reserved tasteful appearance that doesn't go overboard "boy-racer". I like that.
I began looking at Clio 172/182s but couldn't live with their flimsiness and they seemed dated inside.
Contemporaneous road tests suggested the Zetec S was the better handler but I haven't driven one and have nothing particularly negative to say about the ST's steering. It is firm, weighty, sharp and while it may lack feedback, the car is so chunky that you can't fail to feel what it's up to.
It has GREAT visibility, unlike modern cars. It is short, compact and has THREE rear seat belts, a massive bonus for 3 child families.
It is not perfect. The build quality is not great and it squeaks a bit. The grey instruments look a bit naff. The dash layout isn't great. The Ford heated windscreen is the last gen version so works "in parts" but it's better than nothing (our 2009 Mondeo is vastly better). the key is the old Ford "stick" (Mondeo is the traditional flat blade).
The stereo is not great. It took a while to realise it was a 6CD changer but they have a propensity to not eject (piece of card required)so I stick to one CD (no issues).
The main bugbear is that it is fairly low-geared so it is not a motorway car and some might consider it noisy (it is a hot hatch).
Mine is averaging around 32mpg which is not much better than the 09 Mondeo which uses the same engine but certainly seems to have a beefier clutch and gearbox. HOWEVER, the fuel tank is small and requires filling a lot because of that.
The other issue can be the brakes which had cheap pads in when I got mine as they felt like glass but a set of EBC Green Stuff pads (£107) restored confidence though they are still not as good as the Mondeo's.
Only other "complaints" is the seat belts are a long way back if you're short and the single note horn is extremely embarassing (often replaced by a Focus item but you have to take the headlight out to access it). Taking headlights out to change bulbs is reqired too but it's DIY-able.
So after several months ownership, am I delighted or disappointed? Well, I confess I love the car, it has character in spades, it's a hoot to drive and chuck about and park, has a nice gearbox, it looks great and 150hp is really more than enough to ensure enjoyability - you don't get much in the way of unruly torque steer (not that I think the clutch would stand a huge amount of abuse) and I like the handling even though, being short, the rear end will happily let go (easily caught with the reasobaly quick rack).
I think it suffers next to higher powered hatches but I did find that makes them harder to sell so you can get a bargain if you haggle hard enough.
I did have a front spring break and that lathed off an inch of tread and I have had a rear wheel bearing replaced (sqeaking like a stamped rat).
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 8th February 12:36
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