RE: Ford Fiesta ST: PH Fleet
Discussion
The suspension is a pretty good compromise I’d say- but when im not in the fiesta I’m in a Caterham or an S-Max so different extremes- I wouldn’t ever call it hard but something about the setup means that if you hit a series of bumps at a certain frequency it sets up a slight bounce which kicks the dampers into ‘fast’ response (I think they’re dual valves or something to make them react differently to fast/slow compression) and when it does that at the wrong time it can compress your spine a bit (or at least it does mine)
If this sounds a bit obscure/specific then it’s because it’s literally my only complaint about it so far. Been dailying one since July when I chopped my Elise due to a job change and much like the article says the ST manages to be entertaining in all weathers and still reasonably cosseting in the morning stop start grind of the m27. I genuinely wish I’d taken it to silver stone instead of the Caterham given the track was wet.
If this sounds a bit obscure/specific then it’s because it’s literally my only complaint about it so far. Been dailying one since July when I chopped my Elise due to a job change and much like the article says the ST manages to be entertaining in all weathers and still reasonably cosseting in the morning stop start grind of the m27. I genuinely wish I’d taken it to silver stone instead of the Caterham given the track was wet.
I ran a DS 3 for 3 years and that suspension was fairly unfortunately but the ST is way better than that. Yes it's firm but not so your dentures get rattled.
The seats are snug but not in a bad way, I drove down to Goodwood for the breakfast club meeting and I can't say that after 3hours driving I suffered any problems when I got there.
As regards the fuel costs I averaged 41 mpg on that run and was getting better on the way home cruising at about 70 with the cruise control on.
The seats are snug but not in a bad way, I drove down to Goodwood for the breakfast club meeting and I can't say that after 3hours driving I suffered any problems when I got there.
As regards the fuel costs I averaged 41 mpg on that run and was getting better on the way home cruising at about 70 with the cruise control on.
The Michelin rubber is pretty potent - lateral traction is extremely good and despite some wheel spin it puts the power down exceptionally well, you can turn the traction control all the way off by holding down the button for what feels like half an hour but the ‘sport’ mode it goes into for the ‘race’ drive mode or just by tapping the esc button makes it unobtrusive in all but the most heavy footed/ice rinky situations.
stavr0ss said:
The Michelin rubber is pretty potent - lateral traction is extremely good and despite some wheel spin it puts the power down exceptionally well, you can turn the traction control all the way off by holding down the button for what feels like half an hour but the ‘sport’ mode it goes into for the ‘race’ drive mode or just by tapping the esc button makes it unobtrusive in all but the most heavy footed/ice rinky situations.
Cheers for that. Despite my old Mini JCW having an LSD it was still tedious in the wet and what ultimately led me to rwd. Sounds like things have improved over the years for high powered fwd though.wab172uk said:
Why would it need AWD? Slightly wider arches. Lower the ride height. Adjust the suspension to make it more focused. Stick a pair of Recaro seat in as standard. Tart up the inside to make it a bit more exclusive. Then give it 250-260BHP.
Sorted.
Not much sense in a Rallye Sport model with FWD.Sorted.
Brainpox said:
I don't think a Fiesta RS would be as great as people think. Most of the appeal of the ST is that it's lightweight and handles well. Sticking a 150kg AWD system in it won't make it any better.
Actually, I've been thinking on the same lines. With the Focus, there is room above a 250-275 BHP ST for an RS model. With the Fiesta, it does everything so well in a small package that I am not sure a 260BHP monster would necessarily be a more enjoyable car.If ford were to go the RS route, I'd prefer a mild BHP hike, to say, 230 BHP tops, a proper LSD and some work to make it a track day special like the Leon Cupra 280 Sub 8 and Megane Trophy R. I guess a modern day version of their Ford Racing Puma. It probably wouldn't sell in big numbers however. As it stands, I think the Fiesta ST hits a real sweet spot of usable BHP and relative light weight that would be difficult to improve on without compromising the overall package.
Edited by greenarrow on Monday 12th November 10:13
The worst thing about this generation I reckon is the lack of decent colours! That blue is horrible imo... so bland and dull. Seen another in red which looked pretty awful. The old one had the wonderful deep blue and the orange that sparkled fantastically. Ford are great at colours (looking at Focus orange and green too) so I am surprised, perhaps they're waiting for 'special editions'
Still ultimately prefer the older one, but would like to give both a go to compare engines.
Still ultimately prefer the older one, but would like to give both a go to compare engines.
CrippsCorner said:
The worst thing about this generation I reckon is the lack of decent colours! That blue is horrible imo... so bland and dull. Seen another in red which looked pretty awful. The old one had the wonderful deep blue and the orange that sparkled fantastically. Ford are great at colours (looking at Focus orange and green too) so I am surprised, perhaps they're waiting for 'special editions'
Still ultimately prefer the older one, but would like to give both a go to compare engines.
Still ultimately prefer the older one, but would like to give both a go to compare engines.
The fact that only red is the no cost option doesn't do ford any favours. The prices of the limited colours is a huge rip off.£250 extra for white?
By the way you're wrong red looks fantastic
CrippsCorner said:
The worst thing about this generation I reckon is the lack of decent colours! That blue is horrible imo... so bland and dull. Seen another in red which looked pretty awful. The old one had the wonderful deep blue and the orange that sparkled fantastically. Ford are great at colours (looking at Focus orange and green too) so I am surprised, perhaps they're waiting for 'special editions'
Still ultimately prefer the older one, but would like to give both a go to compare engines.
I agree. I saw my first, on the road, the other day, in WishyWashy Blue. Dull as dishwater. Checked the Ford site and I don't honestly like any of them.Still ultimately prefer the older one, but would like to give both a go to compare engines.
The Focus Ruby Red and Desert Island Blue are far nicer colours and they haven't even got an ST yet.
Saw a focus on The desert island blue when I went to pick mine up and wished hard the fiesta was available in it , looks even better in the metal than in print. the impact blue of my S-max is nicer, im treating the ST as a slight sleeeper though - in the bland blue (why they call it performance I do not know) as a five door it’s ‘just another fiesta’ to the casual observer. Saw one in ‘silver fox’ in the show room and it stood out but in completely the wrong way- might as well be called 2fast2furious
Gordon_Roslin said:
After what's happened with the Ecoboost engine with all Fords and the RS Mk3 in particular, I think you'd have to be mad to fork out for one of these at the present. Why reward a manufacturer for such shambolic treatment of customers?
Whats shambolic? Mine showed no symptoms or issues, I took it in whe I got the letter as per any recall from any other manufacturer, was provided a courtesy car whilst they replaced the head gasket and a week later had the car back as if it had never happened. Pretty standard warranty work as far as I can tell.Jex said:
How firm is the suspension?
I know this is a bit of an old post, but I've finally managed to test-drive an ST2 on the standard 17" wheels. 99% of demonstrators seem to be ST3s or ST2s with the 18" upgrade.The 17" wheels definitely remove the jolt from the ride. Seems to be a much better everyday compromise.
Don't need a car until April/May time, but I'm now fairly certain I'll be ordering an ST2 with performance pack and LEDs.
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