RE: Ford Fiesta ST200 vs. Peugeot Sport 208 GTI

[sdiggle]

sdiggle said:

"the driving position is even more awkward, there's more turbo lag and the gearbox is baggier - but don't discount it: this little Peugeot remains on of the best hot hatches on sale."

Apart from the typo, how do statements like that get the green light for publishing? From those three negatives, it sounds like the worst hot hatch on sale!

oh, and everyone else has reviewed the 2018 Fiesta ST...so why are you comparing with a 2016 model? Maybe Ford have a load the need a hand getting rid of...

[DanGPR]

MOBB said:

Great engine, sat nav, wobbly handling

Not in the same league if you want a fun to drive car imo

Horses for courses though I just love small mischievous cars nowadays rather than German stuff

This in spades!

Went from a Clio 200 Cup to a M135i.
As soon as the lease finished, I was straight back in a 182 Cup!

Going fast in a straight line isn't my idea of fun. Have an MX5 now.

[mooseracer]

sdiggle said:

oh, and everyone else has reviewed the 2018 Fiesta ST...so why are you comparing with a 2016 model? Maybe Ford have a load the need a hand getting rid of...

Don't worry - Autocar have reviewed it so a very slightly rehashed version will be on here soon

[morgs_]

macky17 said:

greenarrow said:

Another vote for the Fiesta... in fact, I'd be quite tempted to go for the 140PS little 1 litre ecoboost St Line model they did instead, as I reckon it would be an absolute blast...

My other half has one of these and yes, it is bloody good fun. Great turn in as there’s no weight over the front axle really. Much more comfortable than an ST and averages almost 50mpg. Nowhere near as fast though (but more than enough).

Same here, my other half had the Zetec-S Red version. Looked fantastic and as said, great fun to drive. Agreed that it was quick enough, but the Mountune MR165 helped with any speed deficiency arguments and made it even more fun. Highly recommended!

[Abstractwings]

Just completed 5 months & 8,000 km (5k miles) in my 208Gti and no regrets whatsoever. A Bmwaudivw was beckoning, but. . . at the young age of 62 I needed to liberate the still in me for my solo daily quite back road & motorway commutes into Cork city, Those 8k's have definitely been GREAT FUN whilst at the same time if you are not in the mood or have guests on board they mostly have no idea it's a "GTI" . . . . 'this is smart, roomy nice and comfy are common comments" Never driven the current gen ST would love to try one, the new one does look a bit more grown up so maybe when I'm 64. . . btw I love the 208 dial set up and saucer sized wheel myself and yes getting in my wife's Toyota the steering wheel feels massive and it just feels very odd to look DOWN through it at the gauges I just think Peugeot may be onto something but we all know. . . change is a scary thing!

Edited by Abstractwings on Tuesday 8th May 11:13

[treeroy]

I test drove both cars and the difference was miles apart. The Peugeot was fine but then went down the road to the Ford garage and fell in love with the Fiesta. Then I bought it and couldn't be happier. Love my ST

Drive Blind said:

I have not sat in any modern pug but that driving position and the position of the clocks 'looks' totally wrong.The pic in the article shows the steering wheel blocks the views of the clocks.

It can't be that bad in reality, can it ?

Yes, it is. I had heard bad things but thought the same, but when I test drove the 208 it really is that bad. The wheel blocks the dials. I asked the salesman and he said yes they're very aware of it as every one complains about that.

[Dal3D]

morgs_ said:

Same here, my other half had the Zetec-S Red version. Looked fantastic and as said, great fun to drive. Agreed that it was quick enough, but the Mountune MR165 helped with any speed deficiency arguments and made it even more fun. Highly recommended!

Ditto the above - I've got a 125PS Zetec S as my daily commuter and for what it is, it's a hoot of a thing. Pretty nippy when you want it to be, comfy and quiet when you prefer that.

My Mk3 Focus RS is a much faster and capable car but the Fiesta is a much more relaxing yet nippy thing.

[Abstractwings]

[quote=treeroy]
The wheel blocks the dials.

I WAS worried about this hearing all the bad comments but was convinced otherwise when I was randomly given a cooking 208 as a hire car on holiday, it did take a bit of getting used to for sure not sure I would have mastered the set up on a short test drive but after a few days fiddling it kind of came together I'm 5,11 mid build , I have my seat lowest setting, the wheel adjusted so it's quite low not as low as it goes but where the wheel top just clips the bottom of the dials, given a choice now I would have ever car with this heads up, small wheel arrangement. but as always horses for courses

Edited by Abstractwings on Tuesday 8th May 11:31

[dieseluser07]

Whats the handling like on the pug at the back?

The fiesta st i own is crazy playful at the rear with esc off, back end can slide out very easily if provoked.

[Abstractwings]

dieseluser07 said:

Whats the handling like on the pug at the back?

The fiesta st i own is crazy playful at the rear with esc off, back end can slide out very easily if provoked.

To be honest as not as leery esc off as my previous MX-5 I can feel something going on back there, but it feels like it may just be gripping quite hard or maybe even cocking a wheel, I have felt the odd twitch but it never feels like its going SUDDENLY let go or do something scary on lift off as my very ol' 205 did (esc wasn't even invented then) Not been brave enough to try it hard on with the esc off. . . . yet I think it will most likely lift off oversteer if your brave enough, it just has that feeling about it

[J-Tuner]

It's great we have some decent hot hatch choices these days. I'm generally confused why people have not warmed to the current Clio 220 trophy. The handling and performance is very good, The dual clutch (Getrag before anymore starts) gearbox is superb! Build quality is markedly better over previous generations. I enjoyed rinsing mine around Donnington when I first got it.

I think it's a bit of a unsung hero and perhaps ahead of its time making the leap to dual clutch. It's Excellent.

Edited by J-Tuner on Wednesday 9th May 20:34

[Ahbefive]

Because auto gearboxes remove much of the enjoyment of driving.

[poo at Paul's]

Are these really £23k to £25k? Or heavy discounts available?
£25k seems an awful lot for them, tbh. But i can understand it if they are realistically nearer £18k new.

[ecsrobin]

J-Tuner said:

It's great we have some decent hot hatch choices these days. I'm generally confused why people have not warmed to the current Clio 220 trophy. The handling and performance is very good, The dual clutch (Getrag before anymore starts) gearbox is superb! Build quality is markedly better over previous generations. I enjoyed rinsing mine around Donnington when I first got it.

I think it's a bit of a unsung hero and perhaps ahead of its time making the leap to dual clutch. It's Excellent.

Because reviews like this won’t help:

Evo Magazine said:

The dreary engine and ‘box, combined with totally numb steering, mean that despite the enthusiastic chassis, the Trophy feels like a normal Clio with in a sporty trim rather than a dedicated hot hatch. There is a great car underneath, but the lacklustre controls and drivetrain don’t allow access to that often enough.

And in my opinion it has too many doors.

[culpz]

The little Peugeot does look good in that colour, i must admit. It's still the Fiesta that wins for me though, albeit in the standard 'guise. I'm not a massive fan of the ST200 and would probably just get a normal one with the MP215 pack.

[neil1jnr]

had ham said:

The Peugeot all day long. The Fiesta really is a horrible looking thing inside and out. And who wants to drive a fastish Ford - the chav image is second to none.

I want to drive a fast-ish Ford. I would rather drive one and be seen as a chav if that's your view on them, than say, drive about in a convertible...

Edited by neil1jnr on Thursday 10th May 15:30

[neil1jnr]

R36vw said:

Spending that type of money, negotiate you can get an s1. The audi s1 walks all over these two. Ok the kit on both will be superior, but its no point when the engine is nowhere near as good and you are dust on a b road Fine if you like the looks and gadgets, but you will l be dissappointed when alongside an s1 performance wise...and dtuk tune them to 300+bhp also??

An S1 wouldn't dust either on a B road that's for sure, lardier car and Quattro drive train losses, wouldn't anywhere near as fun either. I'd take both over the S1, even if the S1's price was anywhere near comparable , which it isn't.

Furthermore you would be driving an Audi

Being biased I'd take the Fiesta over the Pug. I test drove a 208 GTI (anniversary model?) a few years ago while I had an ST and didn't enjoy it as much. It felt a bit gutless (only had a few hundred miles on clock though) and I couldn't see past that steering wheel positioning, it ruined the whole experience for me and I wouldn't be able to live with it.