Fiesta ST Mk7 alternatives

[Dobsie]

So I've had my fiesta for just over 4 years now and I am considering changing it for the main reasons of:
-getting sick of the rock hard ride
-the motorway drone (I've deleted the symphoser but it's still annoying when I have passengers above 70mph)
-the interior is a bit meh, it is only an st-1 though
-want something a bit more discreet/not as boy racery

It's not my main car so it's barely driven, it is however garaged so it's replacement would need to be similar sized as it's only an 8x16 garage and leaving it on the road is not an option.

I want something more comfortable with a slightly more luxurious interior that I can put my foot down with every now and then.

I think the fiesta is worth about £7.5k and I'm willing to top it up a few grand so say max £10k budget.

Any ideas appreciated

[ChrisH72]

Have a read of the recent post about the Peugeot 208 Gti by Peugeot sport.

That meets your criteria and budget.

Or maybe an f56 Cooper s?

Can’t think of many more alternatives in the hot super mini sector.

[fastraxx]

Anything but FWD.

[ZX10R NIN]

Some Mountune Progressive springs will sort the ride as well as a bit of time & money spent on some Dynamat will sort those two issues for not a lot of money but if you want to change then for me there are two alternatives:

Clio RS200 the gearbox is actually decent but compared to the 2.0 offerings it was always going to feel bad.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

If you're willing to haggle hard & stretch the budget a bit then the revised 220 Trophy is well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

The other car is the Peugeot Sport 208 GTI they're a hard car to find in your price (unless you don't mind the two tone) bracket

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

But you can pick up a nice Prestige GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

There's also the DS3 Performance it's the same car underneath as the PS GTI but not as popular

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[patmahe]

Swift Sport? Underrated gem IMO

[CacheMonet]

I don't want to get egged, but have you considered going in for a lease on a mk8 ST? It's leaps and bounds ahead of the mk7 in terms of cabin and refinement.

mk5 Golf GTI or mk5 Polo GTI could be good options for more refinement.

[Dobsie]

Hmm looking for something a bit more "warm hatch" really.
Do the Mk7 golf tsi 160 engines still have reliability issues?

[Benjarke]

Giulietta Cloverleaf - Your budget should get a decent one.

Quite discreet with a nice kick of power.

[jwilco]

Dobsie said:

Hmm looking for something a bit more "warm hatch" really.
Do the Mk7 golf tsi 160 engines still have reliability issues?

The MK7 Golf doesn't have a 160 engine option as far as I'm aware. As stated, you can probably get a decent 1.8tsi MK5 Polo GTI for that sort of money. A bit more grown up than the Fiesta ST. I've not driven one myself, but the Suzuki Swift Sport always seems to get decent reviews for fun factor.

[ZX10R NIN]

I thought the OP was concerned about Focus sized cars were to tight for his garage.

[Darren93]

Mk8 ST?

[Dobsie]

Oops the 1.4 tsi is a 140 bhp.
I can fit a golf/focus sized car (I meant saloon size cars are a no go)
Don't want to lease or buy a newish car as it's barely driven so I'm happy to buy something a little older
Also read up on sound deadening the ST, it doesn't appear to have a discernible difference from what I've seen

[Zetec-S]

If garage space permits then a Mk 3 Focus with the 1.6 ecoboost engine (180bhp) as a warm hatch option?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Having owned Mk7 Fiesta's and Mk3 Focus I know firsthand the Focus is significantly larger, but find it easier to get in and out of in some ways as the long doors on the 3 door Fiesta make it awkward.


If not a Focus, how about a Mini Cooper S or possibly an older JCW?

[ChrisH72]

Going up to a Focus/golf sized family hatch will certainly get you more refinement which seems to be what you’re looking for.

Do you want 3 or 5 doors?

Lots of options at 10k, especially if ultimate performance isn’t a priority.

Mk7 Golf GT petrol is meant to be nice. Or a similar car for less money would be a Leon. I think the Leon SC is a good looking motor and unlike the golf you can get one with the 1.8 tsi engine.

If you want something a bit plusher then an Audi A3 or BMW 1 series could work. For your budget you could get the 125i m sport hatch which has a little more poke than your fiesta but is quite discreet.

[culpz]

I'd say Polo GTI with the 1.8 TSI, as apposed to the troublesome twin-charged 1.4, but i'm not sure you'll get one for 10k. Not sure though so have a look.

MK4 Clio 200 EDC is what i'd have but similar interior to the Fiesta and still boy-racer. Fairly discreet though still.

What about a Golf GTI or a Leon Cupra?

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a nice warm hatch then there are three that fulfill that roll well:

Astra GTC 200 Limited Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Kia Pro Ceed GT Tech you'll still have some of the Manufacturers Warranty left too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Ceed GT Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

308 GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[acme]

Dobsie said:

Oops the 1.4 tsi is a 140 bhp.
I can fit a golf/focus sized car (I meant saloon size cars are a no go)
Don't want to lease or buy a newish car as it's barely driven so I'm happy to buy something a little older
Also read up on sound deadening the ST, it doesn't appear to have a discernible difference from what I've seen

I had the 1.4 TSI with the 150bhp engine, it's the same as the 140 just slightly upgraded for the MY2015 for 4 years/86k miles as a company car 'til last February. A change of jobs meant I wanted something fun as a daily so got a ST3, though I was going to change pre the current situation for something more comfortable.

The Golf though a bit too competent was great for the often long work journeys I did plus the 65 miles per day commute, but I wouldn't want one as a second car in any way, shape or form, you'll find it very dull after the ST - they're chalk and cheese.

How about a MK5 Golf GTI, seem to hold their value too from what I've read?

[Dobsie]

Zetec-S said:

If garage space permits then a Mk 3 Focus with the 1.6 ecoboost engine (180bhp) as a warm hatch option?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Having owned Mk7 Fiesta's and Mk3 Focus I know firsthand the Focus is significantly larger, but find it easier to get in and out of in some ways as the long doors on the 3 door Fiesta make it awkward.


If not a Focus, how about a Mini Cooper S or possibly an older JCW?

the styling both interior and exterior of the mini's has never really appealed to me. The focus is a good shout but i'm put off by the interior

ChrisH72 said:

Going up to a Focus/golf sized family hatch will certainly get you more refinement which seems to be what you’re looking for.

Do you want 3 or 5 doors?

Lots of options at 10k, especially if ultimate performance isn’t a priority.

Mk7 Golf GT petrol is meant to be nice. Or a similar car for less money would be a Leon. I think the Leon SC is a good looking motor and unlike the golf you can get one with the 1.8 tsi engine.

If you want something a bit plusher then an Audi A3 or BMW 1 series could work. For your budget you could get the 125i m sport hatch which has a little more poke than your fiesta but is quite discreet.

I think 5 door would be preferable but certainly not a deal breaker.
Yeah the mk7 golf gt is a serious contender. I also quite like the look of the Leon FR's but the SC's seem very rare?
125i M sport is also a good shout

acme said:

I had the 1.4 TSI with the 150bhp engine, it's the same as the 140 just slightly upgraded for the MY2015 for 4 years/86k miles as a company car 'til last February. A change of jobs meant I wanted something fun as a daily so got a ST3, though I was going to change pre the current situation for something more comfortable.

The Golf though a bit too competent was great for the often long work journeys I did plus the 65 miles per day commute, but I wouldn't want one as a second car in any way, shape or form, you'll find it very dull after the ST - they're chalk and cheese.

How about a MK5 Golf GTI, seem to hold their value too from what I've read?

What were you looking at changing your ST3 for?

I dont think the mk5 gti's have aged that well with the black bumpers, had a quick look at mk6's but they're all high mileage or out of budget

[ChrisH72]

I've looked briefly at Mk6 golf gti too, but they are very overpriced for what they are. The Mk7 GTi is lovely but way over your budget. But the GT is affordable.

Those astra gtc's do look quite nice. Surely they can't ride all that well on 20 inch wheels though?

The problem you have is that the fiesta is widely regarded as the best hot hatch going. So if you go for another hot hatch you'll only end up disappointed. So you might well be better off going for a more luxurious 5dr hatch from the car above as it will be a different kind of car altogether.

The A3 was always rated best in class by motoring press. It's never really done it for me but what do you think of them?

[acme]

MK7 GTI pp manual. I know the Golf format works really well so as a daily it should be great, if a little dull, but everything’s a compromise.

But I am very fortunate to have other fun stuff too.

I had a non GTI Mk5 til 2014, great car but the MK7 feels leap years ahead in all areas, more like four generations on than two.