Ford Fiesta ST: Spotted
The new ST is just weeks away, but there's still plenty to recommend the old one. Especially at £9k...
Ever since then, the Fiesta has been the pocket rocket benchmark. More entertaining than Renault Sport's offerings, cheaper than those from Peugeot and just plain better than the Vauxhall alternative, the ST has always had something up its sleeve to see off rivals. Fast, fun, entertaining and fantastic value for money, this generation of Fiesta ST has done more than enough to make us forget about some fairly ordinary predecessors. Even with a rather iffy interior.
There's a lot going for it. Ford sold plenty of STs, and sold them cheap, ergo there are lots of affordable used ones knocking around. Which means you can be picky about colour, equipment, and so on. When you bear in mind that there are only 16 Clio IV Renault Sports in the PH classifieds, and half of those are white, you can see the advantage the Fiesta holds when the spec has already been decided for you.
Furthermore, it would appear that this particular car has the Mountune Performance upgrade, as signified by the yellow badge on the bootlid. The dealer seems to be unaware of this extra, but we'd wager it's genuine as Mountune goes to great lengths to ensure you can't just plonk a badge on your Ford. And even if it's not yet fitted, the MP215 kit is well worth having at some point down the line.
And you just know it's going to be an absolute riot. An old Renaultsport Clio may yet be sweeter still, but it'll be an older car at this money and will cost more to run. A Corsa VXR has never been quite as talented, and is now a 10 year-old car despite revisions. A 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport is about the only car from the past five years to surpass the Fiesta in certain areas, though you're looking at thousands more for one of those. It would seem, then, that there's perhaps even more going for the ST as a used car than a new one; certainly the three-cylinder version has an awful lot to live up to.
Inspired? Search Ford Fiesta STs for sale on PistonHeads Classifeds
SPECIFICATION - FORD FIESTA ST
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 182@5,700rpm (200hp w/overboost)
Torque (lb ft): 177@1,500-5000rpm (214lb ft w/overboost)
MPG: 47.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 138g/km
Recorded mileage: 50,000
Year registered: 2014
Price new: £17,995 (ST-2)
Yours for: £8,990
See the original advert here.
" With the launch of its replacement imminent, a car with a considerable weight of expectation on its shoulders, what better time to assess a secondhand ST?"
In answer to the above question I'd say a better time is after the new car is launched and prices dip further
Biggest two problems with them are amount stolen and a disproportionate amount driven recklessly by young knobheads. It's the new Civic in that respect.
Insurance premiums are sky high for these atm!
I did briefly dabble with the idea of getting a bank loan for one of these. Easily one of the most fun cars i've ever driven. Probably the most fun modern car i've driven. I did reign myself in eventually and didn't think it'd be a particularly great idea, financially
I was awaiting the new one on some hopefully cheap lease deals. They mentioned about it being released early this year, but i assumed it would have been released by now, as i didn't really want to wait any longer and extend my extremely boring but cheap Audi A4 until they became available.
I will drive the new one and see what i think. I reckon it'll be another great fast Ford, but i do love the MK7's simplicity and character of being a modern day Clio 182. They're also a steal at these prices (excuse the obvious pun) on the used market!
Darker wheels are part of the Style Pack including red brake callipers.
Pre 2015 cars came with silver standard, rado grey as part of Style Pack.
2015 onwards cars came with rado grey standard, rock grey which is a darker shade again as part of Style Pack.
Anyone gone from MK5 GTI to ST180?
Have a GTI at the mo and have tried an ST very briefly. Coming from RS Renaults, was left a bit underwhelmed by the sheer emotion offered by the ST. But then again, the GTI also gets under your skin gradually. Wonder how they compare in the long run...
Engine - boring sound but good engine, torquey and revvy.
Handling - unbelieveable for a fwd, with esc in sport the car can literally go sideways ridiculously easy in the damp and the back end easily kicks out in the dry if provoked but you can never lose control of the car its crazy
Point and squirt
As you say unfortunately they attract a certain type but there are some very fastidious ford owners out there.
Interested to read the comments about the wheel design; whats wrong with the design? Love the fact they're so easy to clean!
I'd love one of these, seeing as we have the Mk6 ST in the family, but in some ways it only highlights what an even bigger bargain the Clio 200 Cup is right now, as highlighted by EVO in the current issue....so £9K for a Fiesta ST or around £5K for a Clio 200.......
What it is to have such great cars to choose from !
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