RE: Farewell Ford Fiesta ST!
Discussion
Klippie said:
Rubbish...its a white goods hatchback, not that special, looks horrible, crap build quality it won't last long enough to become a classic.
Indeed, it's the top of the range Fiesta but it lacks a RS badge.I can't see all the nutters who are currently paying £25k + for old Ford Escort RS or £50k for Sierra models suddenly deciding that a Fiesta ST is the next best investment.
Even Fiesta RS Turbos live in a rather large Escort shaped shadow with only a tiny number of dreamers hoping to cash in.
Klippie said:
Ahbefive said:
charltjr said:
Alucidnation said:
Errrr no.
Errr yes.Looks are subjective, but seems to be generally regarded by most as a fairly decent looking small hatch, well, judging by the number of Fiestas out there.
Whats up with the build quality ? based on what do you make that observation.
Not sure if it will be a "classic", being a bit rubbish never stopped the RS turbo being one though
A few comments
- I have a 64 plate Fiesta and for me it's great - really fun to drive but able to let me do 3hr + journeys regularly without problems
- I've had lots of hot hatches over 20+ years and it's the best with the possible exception of the Mk5 Golf GTI
- The agility is possible because the rear anti-roll bar is stiff - it essence it lifts the inside rear wheel and then passive rear steers on the other rear wheel which is why it feels like it pivots underneath you
- The new Polo has the Audi EA888 Gen 3B engine - it is a fuel economy version of the GTI engine. It uses the Miller cycle to improve fuel economy but this reduces performance - as a result this version is a replacement for the current 1.8l engine with very similar performance but 5~10% better economy - although bigger displacement than the current 1.8l Polo, it won't be much faster
- The new 3 cyl Fiesta engine will likely have better low RPM torque (3 cyl's work really well with turbo's at low RPM) but it will certainly sound and feel different - better - not sure till I try one !
- I have a 64 plate Fiesta and for me it's great - really fun to drive but able to let me do 3hr + journeys regularly without problems
- I've had lots of hot hatches over 20+ years and it's the best with the possible exception of the Mk5 Golf GTI
- The agility is possible because the rear anti-roll bar is stiff - it essence it lifts the inside rear wheel and then passive rear steers on the other rear wheel which is why it feels like it pivots underneath you
- The new Polo has the Audi EA888 Gen 3B engine - it is a fuel economy version of the GTI engine. It uses the Miller cycle to improve fuel economy but this reduces performance - as a result this version is a replacement for the current 1.8l engine with very similar performance but 5~10% better economy - although bigger displacement than the current 1.8l Polo, it won't be much faster
- The new 3 cyl Fiesta engine will likely have better low RPM torque (3 cyl's work really well with turbo's at low RPM) but it will certainly sound and feel different - better - not sure till I try one !
Interesting to read the variety of comments! At 50 I'm hardly a boy racer (mind you, I still have a go) but I love my wife's Mountune ST.
I've got a Meg 275 Cup-S as my daily and while the Meg is a far more serious proposition, I really enjoy getting in the ST for drive. It's got an effervescent character, almost like an over-excited terrier at times, that I find irresistible. Considering some of the comments on the seats, I've found them great - we did the NC500 in it so Malvern to Inverness in a single stint was plenty test enough and I've subsequently been to Scotland a number of times in it with no problems at all. I do think the seat height is too lofty though, especially compared to the Meg.
My wife was a serial Subaru owner and I bought the ST as a present after an illness meant that she couldn't cope with the heavy clutch of the Subaru's. She really rates the ST as well, although the Mountune pack does make a notable different.
For us, it's a great fun car with the kind of character I thought was missing in modern cars. Personally, I think the fact that it can hold it's own against a more serious machine from RenaultSport says a lot about how well Ford judged it.
I've got a Meg 275 Cup-S as my daily and while the Meg is a far more serious proposition, I really enjoy getting in the ST for drive. It's got an effervescent character, almost like an over-excited terrier at times, that I find irresistible. Considering some of the comments on the seats, I've found them great - we did the NC500 in it so Malvern to Inverness in a single stint was plenty test enough and I've subsequently been to Scotland a number of times in it with no problems at all. I do think the seat height is too lofty though, especially compared to the Meg.
My wife was a serial Subaru owner and I bought the ST as a present after an illness meant that she couldn't cope with the heavy clutch of the Subaru's. She really rates the ST as well, although the Mountune pack does make a notable different.
For us, it's a great fun car with the kind of character I thought was missing in modern cars. Personally, I think the fact that it can hold it's own against a more serious machine from RenaultSport says a lot about how well Ford judged it.
Since when did build quality, looks or how nice the interior is contribute to what makes a classic hot hatch? 
My Trophy has a crap interior and pretty poor build quality, do people refer to that when they're talking about what makes it special?
I also don't see the term as meaning it has to be the sort of thing that increases to a ridiculous price.
My Trophy has a crap interior and pretty poor build quality, do people refer to that when they're talking about what makes it special?
I also don't see the term as meaning it has to be the sort of thing that increases to a ridiculous price.
Nanook said:
I disagree, if you take two cars of similar size, similar weight, similar power, out round a track, chances are, the quicker one is gonna be the more fun one.
If it's quicker, there's a good chance that's because the brakes are better, the turn in is better, the car is more stable in the middle of the corner, it has better traction out the corner.
If your road surface is race track smooth, maybe. In reality I find a more compliant setup (to a point) makes a car better to drive on actual roads, even if losing a little in terms of ultimate body control.If it's quicker, there's a good chance that's because the brakes are better, the turn in is better, the car is more stable in the middle of the corner, it has better traction out the corner.
I've driven Elises with bigger brakes, more power and over-sprung setups which meant I couldn't take advantage of any of it and I ended up less confident in the cars responses than I do in my own basic S1 and a road focused setup...
Nanook said:
All of which are more fun to have than the alternative.
You're confusing speed with fun. I'm lucky enough to drive an M135i and a V12 Vantage S pretty regularly, but honestly one of the most 'fun' car I've had was my knackered old Subaru Forester - it had no power, no grip, no brakes and driving it was absolutely hilarious. Pedal box lifted from the Impreza that was perfect for heel and toe and when you got the weight over the front axle a surprisingly oversteery balance at modest and enjoyable speeds.It was like a fat man doing the 100 metres in 13 seconds - sure Usain Bolt is going to destroy him, but god its entertaining to see that much weight being hustled around in a way that just seemed completely at odds with the appearance.
Grabbing the ST by the scruff of the neck always just feels scruffy and unrewarding, once you really start to push it doesn't FLOW down a road, it thumps and scrabbles along it.
Patrick Bateman said:
Not sure I'd agree with that.
You can get dull but competent, quick cars that may well be faster than competitors but the feel of a fun car is so much more than numbers.
Bingo.You can get dull but competent, quick cars that may well be faster than competitors but the feel of a fun car is so much more than numbers.
Otherwise we'd all be driving TT-RSs.
Edited by Thorburn on Thursday 22 June 22:00
Thorburn said:
Bingo.
Otherwise we'd all be driving TT-RSs.
https://youtu.be/2xwecTp91-o?t=1083Otherwise we'd all be driving TT-RSs.
Edited by Thorburn on Thursday 22 June 22:00
One of the most entertaining cars I've driven in years. There's a sense of fun about it that so many modern fast cars simply don't capture. It feels brilliantly old school, but you could still use it as a daily with no bother at all. I'd have one on my drive now if I could get away with a car of that size.
J4CKO said:
I think some are worried they may catch "Working Class" off it as it is a Ford
This^ Our street is all VW's, Audis and Mercedes. I like having a Ford as it's certainly ticks all the boxes for me. It's why I own a Focus ST.
I'd have the Fiesta in a heartbeat but need the space for my family. Sold our 1.6 petrol Titanium when the twins came along.
Klippie said:
Ahbefive said:
charltjr said:
Alucidnation said:
Errrr no.
Errr yes.Each have their own good & bad bits, but don't confuse soft touch plastic and some tighter panel gaps with any form of durability. It might be the case at times, but there's no guarantee.
LuS1fer said:
I think the older ST will keep its price, simply because the new one is incredibly bland and looks Korean and the 4 cylinder turbo four is still a goody.
It took me a bashed panel to part with my 07 Fiesta ST150 which I really liked and while I do like my more accomplished 13 ST180, it took me a while to appreciate the looks and 18 months later, I quite like the car but maybe a Focus ST is more me.
I won't be buying this new model, it looks anonymous.
Keep its price? there's fecking thousands of the things, and prices always falling.It took me a bashed panel to part with my 07 Fiesta ST150 which I really liked and while I do like my more accomplished 13 ST180, it took me a while to appreciate the looks and 18 months later, I quite like the car but maybe a Focus ST is more me.
I won't be buying this new model, it looks anonymous.
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