Fiesta ST replacement?
Discussion
Early days but considering moving the ST on due to a lack of comfort. Looking for feedback and suggestions, I love that the ST is engaging for a daily, handles well, sounds good and is revvy for a modern turbo four – all these things are relative as compared to far more expensive/hardcore machinery I appreciate.
I’m very lucky that I have access to other stuff so I’m looking for a true daily, but life’s too short to be in something dull when the nice stuff is in the garage.
Requirements are engaging, 30MPG minimum, preferably manual, decent amount of modern kit DAB etc
Thoughts so far;
Civic Type R FK8 – test drove one and LOVED it, simply superb, but a bit over budget (circa 20k) frankly, and a bit worried re bent wheels etc and the rough country roads I commute and live on – plus will it make the other garage stuff seem dull!
Golf R – on paper sounds perfect but I had a Golf for 4.5 years before, and they just strike me as a bit dull
M135/M140 – having driven a 120d years ago they felt very small inside and the dark interior/small windows felt rather oppressive in winter, and I spend a lot of time in the car
Focus RS – I think they’d have the same comfort issues as the ST, plus the bad MPG/small tank would probably annoy after a while, can’t deny they're an event to drive though
M235/M240 – same as the M135/M235? I often hear complaints that they unravel at 8/10ths +, I don’t often rag a car to that extent but I don’t want something that falls apart on a typical British B road which is where I drive most of the time.
What am I missing? I’d really appreciate feedback from anyone who’s owned these cars, in particular a variety of them.
Cheers
I’m very lucky that I have access to other stuff so I’m looking for a true daily, but life’s too short to be in something dull when the nice stuff is in the garage.
Requirements are engaging, 30MPG minimum, preferably manual, decent amount of modern kit DAB etc
Thoughts so far;
Civic Type R FK8 – test drove one and LOVED it, simply superb, but a bit over budget (circa 20k) frankly, and a bit worried re bent wheels etc and the rough country roads I commute and live on – plus will it make the other garage stuff seem dull!
Golf R – on paper sounds perfect but I had a Golf for 4.5 years before, and they just strike me as a bit dull
M135/M140 – having driven a 120d years ago they felt very small inside and the dark interior/small windows felt rather oppressive in winter, and I spend a lot of time in the car
Focus RS – I think they’d have the same comfort issues as the ST, plus the bad MPG/small tank would probably annoy after a while, can’t deny they're an event to drive though
M235/M240 – same as the M135/M235? I often hear complaints that they unravel at 8/10ths +, I don’t often rag a car to that extent but I don’t want something that falls apart on a typical British B road which is where I drive most of the time.
What am I missing? I’d really appreciate feedback from anyone who’s owned these cars, in particular a variety of them.
Cheers
If you like the ST you will love the Focus RS take on for a drive and you will see what I mean.
I've just recently picked up a 2014 ST Fiesta turbo its a cracking little thing to drive, reminds me of my old 205 Gti 1.9 in a lot of ways. But the hard ride which gives it amazing handling also makes it a pain in the neck - literally.
How did you find the seats in your car the head-rests seem to be angled too far forward and don't adjust (my misses wont even use it for this reason which is annoying). Is there a way to change the angle of the headrests?
I've just recently picked up a 2014 ST Fiesta turbo its a cracking little thing to drive, reminds me of my old 205 Gti 1.9 in a lot of ways. But the hard ride which gives it amazing handling also makes it a pain in the neck - literally.
How did you find the seats in your car the head-rests seem to be angled too far forward and don't adjust (my misses wont even use it for this reason which is annoying). Is there a way to change the angle of the headrests?
rallycross said:
If you like the ST you will love the Focus RS take on for a drive and you will see what I mean.
I've just recently picked up a 2014 ST Fiesta turbo its a cracking little thing to drive, reminds me of my old 205 Gti 1.9 in a lot of ways. But the hard ride which gives it amazing handling also makes it a pain in the neck - literally.
How did you find the seats in your car the head-rests seem to be angled too far forward and don't adjust (my misses wont even use it for this reason which is annoying). Is there a way to change the angle of the headrests?
I test drove a mates Focus RS and did indeed love it, it fulfils a lot of my loves; charisma and a decent noise, but I think as a daily it would soon wear thin – the rock hard ride, poor MPG and small tank, not to mention the engine issues. Plus since testing the FK8 I’ve not given it a thought.I've just recently picked up a 2014 ST Fiesta turbo its a cracking little thing to drive, reminds me of my old 205 Gti 1.9 in a lot of ways. But the hard ride which gives it amazing handling also makes it a pain in the neck - literally.
How did you find the seats in your car the head-rests seem to be angled too far forward and don't adjust (my misses wont even use it for this reason which is annoying). Is there a way to change the angle of the headrests?
I’d totally agree the FST reminds me of a Pug 205, not that I’ve driven one, but certainly of all the tests I’ve read etc, and it’s one reason for buying the ST, getting a relatively analogue car whilst I can – I’m dreading the impending EV revolution.
The seats are the reason I’m contemplating moving it on. The position is far too high, a well documented fault, even that I can live with as I can the seat back bolsters. The real issue is the seat base bolsters, they’re just far too much, and as a bloke they result in, and there’s no polite way of saying it, your knackers being squashed! I’m sometimes described as lanky so it’s nothing to do with being lardy.
I had a mk7 Fiesta ST for a few months and just couldn't get on with it. I replaced it with a mk6 Golf - which I also didn't get on with.
I now have (and have had for over 2 years) an m135i. I had a grey one first, for 6 months, and now a Valencia Orange for 2 years. I love it - perfect balance of what I need in my "jack of all trades" car. The m140i is arguably as good/better.
The Focus RS is great but as an every day car I think they're a bit much - and perhaps I'd put the CTR in the same category. You don't say what your budget is (I don't think) but would have another consider of the m135i/m140i.
P.S. The Golf R I just found a bit "boring"!
I now have (and have had for over 2 years) an m135i. I had a grey one first, for 6 months, and now a Valencia Orange for 2 years. I love it - perfect balance of what I need in my "jack of all trades" car. The m140i is arguably as good/better.
The Focus RS is great but as an every day car I think they're a bit much - and perhaps I'd put the CTR in the same category. You don't say what your budget is (I don't think) but would have another consider of the m135i/m140i.
P.S. The Golf R I just found a bit "boring"!
Fiisch said:
Did you not consider FK2 Type R?
Ran for 2.5 years and absolutely loved every second. Have driven the FK8 and it is a little more refined, but there's very little difference between the two - certainly, not enough for me to change just yet!
I did test one when they came out but want that impressed, the standard exhaust was incredibly droney. The test drive wasn't ideal, so I'm sure that didn't help neither did the suspension but against the ST it might now seem good!Ran for 2.5 years and absolutely loved every second. Have driven the FK8 and it is a little more refined, but there's very little difference between the two - certainly, not enough for me to change just yet!
rfn said:
I had a mk7 Fiesta ST for a few months and just couldn't get on with it. I replaced it with a mk6 Golf - which I also didn't get on with.
I now have (and have had for over 2 years) an m135i. I had a grey one first, for 6 months, and now a Valencia Orange for 2 years. I love it - perfect balance of what I need in my "jack of all trades" car. The m140i is arguably as good/better.
The Focus RS is great but as an every day car I think they're a bit much - and perhaps I'd put the CTR in the same category. You don't say what your budget is (I don't think) but would have another consider of the m135i/m140i.
P.S. The Golf R I just found a bit "boring"!
I'm not a particular fan of the 1 series having driven regular ones, & I'd like an E92 M3 as well, but I will definitely test one. I do hear the manual isn't the best?I now have (and have had for over 2 years) an m135i. I had a grey one first, for 6 months, and now a Valencia Orange for 2 years. I love it - perfect balance of what I need in my "jack of all trades" car. The m140i is arguably as good/better.
The Focus RS is great but as an every day car I think they're a bit much - and perhaps I'd put the CTR in the same category. You don't say what your budget is (I don't think) but would have another consider of the m135i/m140i.
P.S. The Golf R I just found a bit "boring"!
acme said:
rfn said:
I had a mk7 Fiesta ST for a few months and just couldn't get on with it. I replaced it with a mk6 Golf - which I also didn't get on with.
I now have (and have had for over 2 years) an m135i. I had a grey one first, for 6 months, and now a Valencia Orange for 2 years. I love it - perfect balance of what I need in my "jack of all trades" car. The m140i is arguably as good/better.
The Focus RS is great but as an every day car I think they're a bit much - and perhaps I'd put the CTR in the same category. You don't say what your budget is (I don't think) but would have another consider of the m135i/m140i.
P.S. The Golf R I just found a bit "boring"!
I'm not a particular fan of the 1 series having driven regular ones, & I'd like an E92 M3 as well, but I will definitely test one. I do hear the manual isn't the best?I now have (and have had for over 2 years) an m135i. I had a grey one first, for 6 months, and now a Valencia Orange for 2 years. I love it - perfect balance of what I need in my "jack of all trades" car. The m140i is arguably as good/better.
The Focus RS is great but as an every day car I think they're a bit much - and perhaps I'd put the CTR in the same category. You don't say what your budget is (I don't think) but would have another consider of the m135i/m140i.
P.S. The Golf R I just found a bit "boring"!
[quote=Montybaber]Sounds like you want the type r, I think that it ticks every box
Prices are coming down now, I do think it's worth stretching and going for one over the FK2[/quo
I think ultimately you're right, I've never been so impressed by a car on a test drive. Though it doesn't really feel like a hot hatch, more akin to a touring car. Not an issue though.
If they were closer to 20k I doubt I'd be considering anything else. Perhaps I just have to wait 'til the end of the year and hope they're circa 20k, but doubt they'll drop that much in six months.
Prices are coming down now, I do think it's worth stretching and going for one over the FK2[/quo
I think ultimately you're right, I've never been so impressed by a car on a test drive. Though it doesn't really feel like a hot hatch, more akin to a touring car. Not an issue though.
If they were closer to 20k I doubt I'd be considering anything else. Perhaps I just have to wait 'til the end of the year and hope they're circa 20k, but doubt they'll drop that much in six months.
te. Not sure if 7.5 ones are the same. acme said:
Civic Type R FK8 – test drove one and LOVED it, simply superb, but a bit over budget (circa 20k) frankly, and a bit worried re bent wheels etc and the rough country roads I commute and live on – plus will it make the other garage stuff seem dull!
FK2?You'll lose some comfort, which somewhat defeats the point, but it's a bit narrower which may be better for your roads, and closer to budget.
Edit: Read the thread ._.
I'd say pop an aftermarket exhaust on and you'd be golden. They do sound nice with a B pipe
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