RE: Farewell Ford Fiesta ST!

[J4CKO]

BarbaricAvatar said:

Would a Fiesta ST be faster than a 350Z down a country road?

I had a 350Z and struggled to keep up with a Mountuned ST down country roads, I dont think there is much in it but the ST is more confidence inspiring, 350Z would pull away if the roads are straighter, 350Z is quicker but not night and day, mine was a roadster, coupe may be a smidge quicker.

Would say the ST is more fun, but I am not a RWD fundamentalist, I like what I like.

[Patrick Bateman]

The lack of mass will always be a big advantage to the typical smaller hot hatches on country roads.

[greenarrow]

I think the current Fiesta is far and away the best car in the Ford range. The current model came out in 2009, but is still very competitive in magazine group tests, usually finishing either first, or second to the Polo, depending on the publication. A mate has a 1.0 Ecoboost and it really is a superb all rounder. In fact if I didn't have kids, my wife and I would have one as a daily driver, as it does everything you need in a day to day car. My mate gets 60MPG on his 40 mile each way commute and its very nippy for what it is. Perfect for UK roads tbh.

As for the ST, yes I think this is a future classic without a doubt! Its a fast Ford and the only fast Ford I can remember which has led its class in road tests from launch to retirement, over a 4 year period. Even the various hot Escorts, Sierras and Focus' never managed that. Actually the Sierra Cosworth probably did, but that's in a different league entirely.

We have the older ST 150 and it still drives tightly after 13 years and 5 owners. The best part is the high speed handling. Feels so tied down compared with the older hot hatches. I'd love to move up to the soon to be replaced ST in a few years time.

[blade7]

greenarrow said:

As for the ST, yes I think this is a future classic without a doubt! Its a fast Ford and the only fast Ford I can remember which has led its class in road tests from launch to retirement, over a 4 year period.

It seems 250 bhp + is reliable from them, and the new one dropping a cylinder and going down in capacity will restrict what that engine can be uprated to. I think that is good news for the outgoing ST in terms of it's future demand and price.

[LuS1fer]

bobbo89 said:

We used to have 208's as pool cars at work before we turned to Hyundai and I could never get on with the driving position and tiny steering wheel, it all felt a bit awkward!

I haven't driven the GTi but had a 208 hire car and hated the titchy steering wheel and crap instruments. Looks nice, externally.

[2172cc]

LuS1fer said:

bobbo89 said:

We used to have 208's as pool cars at work before we turned to Hyundai and I could never get on with the driving position and tiny steering wheel, it all felt a bit awkward!

I haven't driven the GTi but had a 208 hire car and hated the titchy steering wheel and crap instruments. Looks nice, externally.

Granted.......the steering wheel and driving position is odd at first but after a while you do get used to it . It took me maybe a couple of weeks to find the right wheel/ seat / height combo but now it kinda makes sense. Jumping into the ST the wheel seams huge!

[WCZ]

blade7 said:

It seems 250 bhp + is reliable from them, and the new one dropping a cylinder and going down in capacity will restrict what that engine can be uprated to. I think that is good news for the outgoing ST in terms of it's future demand and price.

still no word on the weight of the new car, if it's not lighter then it's destined to be a completely pointless car other than better fuel economy

[Manners2001]

I've just picked up a Fiesta ST-3 on a 3yr lease deal for my daily 14 mile (e/w) commute following sale of my last car to fund a house move. The route is a mix of single carriageway and some of the most bumpy, potholed single track lanes going - full of hair pins and crests. I have to say, I absolutely love it! It's nippy, eager, sticks like the proverbial to a blanket and has all of the toys I need. Bearing in mind my garage in the past 10 years has included a 335i MSport, M3, 650i MSport and S6 Avant (the one just gone), I have not had so much fun in a car since I owned a 52 plate 2.2i Astra SRi when I was 18.

The suspension seems to be softening a little after 350 miles, it was really very, very stiff to start with and I'm even starting to get on with the seats (at 6ft3 and 17.5 stone the bolsters were perhaps a little tight!). I look forward to getting into it every morning. Highly recommend, to the point I wish I'd actually bought one so I could keep it!

[culpz]

WCZ said:

blade7 said:

It seems 250 bhp + is reliable from them, and the new one dropping a cylinder and going down in capacity will restrict what that engine can be uprated to. I think that is good news for the outgoing ST in terms of it's future demand and price.

still no word on the weight of the new car, if it's not lighter then it's destined to be a completely pointless car other than better fuel economy

I'm struggling to see much appeal with the new one. The only people that seem to be excited about it are advocates and fans of 3-cylinder engines. I've never driven one and i will be testing this new ST to see how it compares to the current one. I just don't see the issue with 4-cylinders.

[blade7]

culpz said:

I'm struggling to see much appeal with the new one. The only people that seem to be excited about it are advocates and fans of 3-cylinder engines. I've never driven one and i will be testing this new ST to see how it compares to the current one. I just don't see the issue with 4-cylinders.

I'm guessing better fuel economy and lower emissions, combined with similar performance was the logical way for Ford to progress at a similar price point. I expect it's cheaper to produce too.

[culpz]

blade7 said:

culpz said:

I'm struggling to see much appeal with the new one. The only people that seem to be excited about it are advocates and fans of 3-cylinder engines. I've never driven one and i will be testing this new ST to see how it compares to the current one. I just don't see the issue with 4-cylinders.

I'm guessing better fuel economy and lower emissions, combined with similar performance was the logical way for Ford to progress at a similar price point. I expect it's cheaper to produce too.

That, to me, sounds like they're playing it too safe. The current Fiesta ST seems very economical for the power it puts out and doesn't exactly cost the earth to run. This new one doesn't even have any more power either.

[lee_erm]

It'll be freer revving I'd have thought?

[VeeFource]

culpz said:

I'm struggling to see much appeal with the new one. The only people that seem to be excited about it are advocates and fans of 3-cylinder engines. I've never driven one and i will be testing this new ST to see how it compares to the current one. I just don't see the issue with 4-cylinders.

4 cylinders (especially forced induction ones) sound pretty dull and droney generally. Most would agree that 3 cylinders sound a lot more warbly and characterful in comparison.

[culpz]

VeeFource said:

4 cylinders (especially forced induction ones) sound pretty dull and droney generally. Most would agree that 3 cylinders sound a lot more warbly and characterful in comparison.

Hmmm... I'm not sure that i personally agree. I'll be test driving this new one hopefully so i'll have to make my own mind up from there, having never driven a modern 3-cylinder before.

[Tarland233]

It is a car that makes you want to just drive it and fast just for the fun of it.

[RBH58]

culpz said:

Hmmm... I'm not sure that i personally agree. I'll be test driving this new one hopefully so i'll have to make my own mind up from there, having never driven a modern 3-cylinder before.

Every triple I've ever heard sounds better than an inline 4. Triples sound like 6 cylinders

[bobbo89]

Having picked up my ST yesterday I can promise you it wont matter a st whether a 3-pot sounds better than a 4-pot as the sound imposer just throws induction roar into the cabin!