Ford Fiesta ST ..
Discussion
Can't help with the ST specfically but it has a lot in common with my Zetec-S and reliabilty wise that has been fantastic (22k in 12 months and no faults at all) and it not a bad handling car, but the dealers I have spoken to have all said the suspension on the ST is very hard when you are not having fun and I can believe it as the ZS isn't the most comfortable car I've ever owned (ST170 and New focus ST are both a lot comfier).
From what I know of Ford's mobility pricing scheme (Dad has always had ford's via mobility) the best packages are available on the 2.0tdci focuses and unless you are wanting to push on down B-roads 2 or 3 times a week a much better daily ownership experience would come with the focus. Hindsight is a wonderous thing when looking into Fiesta's
I would have a look around at other manufacturers and see what you can get to compare with the ST first as it's never been the most popular hot-hatch (more a warm hatch really) and is one of the most dated/lower powered about.
From what I know of Ford's mobility pricing scheme (Dad has always had ford's via mobility) the best packages are available on the 2.0tdci focuses and unless you are wanting to push on down B-roads 2 or 3 times a week a much better daily ownership experience would come with the focus. Hindsight is a wonderous thing when looking into Fiesta's
I would have a look around at other manufacturers and see what you can get to compare with the ST first as it's never been the most popular hot-hatch (more a warm hatch really) and is one of the most dated/lower powered about.
The Wiz said:
Dicky said:
I have a Fiesta ST and can only say on the ride it is is stiff, but not as bad as the TVR I had.BUt I suppose the only way to find out if it's for you is to test drive one 
True enough. Mind you I should have done that before I lost my leg lol.
foot in mouth moment sorry if i caused any offence never intended to
Dicky said:
The Wiz said:
Dicky said:
I have a Fiesta ST and can only say on the ride it is is stiff, but not as bad as the TVR I had.BUt I suppose the only way to find out if it's for you is to test drive one
True enough. Mind you I should have done that before I lost my leg lol.foot in mouth moment sorry if i caused any offence never intended to
Fiesta ST does have a very stiff ride and can be noisy on Motorways but was good fun. I went for "Essex spec" and had a riot in the car. Having said that I prefer the handling characteristics of the Sportka as it's more compliant.
The contemporary road-tests appear to prefer the Fiesta Zetec S over the ST due to their ride...but you know it wouldn't be quite the same!
Phil
The contemporary road-tests appear to prefer the Fiesta Zetec S over the ST due to their ride...but you know it wouldn't be quite the same!
Phil
The Wiz said:
Dicky said:
The Wiz said:
Dicky said:
I have a Fiesta ST and can only say on the ride it is is stiff, but not as bad as the TVR I had.BUt I suppose the only way to find out if it's for you is to test drive one
True enough. Mind you I should have done that before I lost my leg lol.foot in mouth moment sorry if i caused any offence never intended to
Sold our 2006 facelift White ST with 10k on the clock a couple of months back.
It was the most disappointing fast ford we have ever owned
just eclipsing a Fiesta RS turbo.
We had a MK5 Fiesta Zetec S previously, and loved every thing about it, apart from the lack of grunt, so when the ST was announced we assumed we would have our perfect car...wrong, with in 6 months of it arriving the Mrs wanted to get rid, the chief complaint was the ride which was as bad as my TVR Tamora,
the TVR is an out and out budget supercar so you don`t expect a decent ride, the ST was our daily run around, and we expected better. When pressing on the back end would have some moments because the ride was so firm, when you hit a bump midbend the car would bounce off line!
Playing with tyre pressures helped slightly, and we toyed with changing the wheels to 15 or 16 inchers.In the end we decided to get rid, it took an age to sell as we knew we would loose a fortune, we didn`t want to give it away, it sat on the drive for 5 months un used the Mrs bought an MR2 roadster, and i had a early Zetec S to get to work. In the end i sold the ZS and used the ST while it was still for sale, it was nippy, but not fast for a 2 ltr hot hatch,and i would drive around pot holes and bumps in the road to avoid the suspension crashing, and creating more squeaks in the cabin
The strange thing about the whole episode, is that i managed to use my old Ford contacts and had a 2005 pre facelift demo for a day before purchasing the 06 mdl yr, that car seemed ok, firm yes but not like the car we purchased!
I bought the car from a broker for just under £11k new, and as a result my local dealer didn`t really want to know about any problems.
Its gone now and won`t be missed, i have bought a bright yellow 2000 Puma with leather recaros and 16" OZ racing alloys and apart from the outright grunt it is a far superior car in every department than the Fiesta ST.
It was the most disappointing fast ford we have ever owned
just eclipsing a Fiesta RS turbo.We had a MK5 Fiesta Zetec S previously, and loved every thing about it, apart from the lack of grunt, so when the ST was announced we assumed we would have our perfect car...wrong, with in 6 months of it arriving the Mrs wanted to get rid, the chief complaint was the ride which was as bad as my TVR Tamora,
the TVR is an out and out budget supercar so you don`t expect a decent ride, the ST was our daily run around, and we expected better. When pressing on the back end would have some moments
because the ride was so firm, when you hit a bump midbend the car would bounce off line!Playing with tyre pressures helped slightly, and we toyed with changing the wheels to 15 or 16 inchers.In the end we decided to get rid, it took an age to sell as we knew we would loose a fortune, we didn`t want to give it away, it sat on the drive for 5 months un used the Mrs bought an MR2 roadster, and i had a early Zetec S to get to work. In the end i sold the ZS and used the ST while it was still for sale, it was nippy, but not fast for a 2 ltr hot hatch,and i would drive around pot holes and bumps in the road to avoid the suspension crashing, and creating more squeaks in the cabin
The strange thing about the whole episode, is that i managed to use my old Ford contacts and had a 2005 pre facelift demo for a day before purchasing the 06 mdl yr, that car seemed ok, firm yes but not like the car we purchased!
I bought the car from a broker for just under £11k new, and as a result my local dealer didn`t really want to know about any problems.
Its gone now and won`t be missed, i have bought a bright yellow 2000 Puma with leather recaros and 16" OZ racing alloys and apart from the outright grunt it is a far superior car in every department than the Fiesta ST.
New Fiesta is due out next month, which will hit residuals (new one is a major step-up in all regards - exterior, interior, handling...).
However...no word on whether they'll do an ST version of the new one yet...the hottest is the 120bhp 1.6 Ti-VCT, which is respectable but isn't as quick as the outgoing ST.
However...no word on whether they'll do an ST version of the new one yet...the hottest is the 120bhp 1.6 Ti-VCT, which is respectable but isn't as quick as the outgoing ST.
Interesting read T66ORA...I wonder...did you ever take it back to the dealer and get them to look at it? Or did you ever stick your head under the wheel arch and take a look at the springs?
Reason I ask is that I have read of quite a few cases where peoples new Focus St's are being delivered with the rubber transit packing being left in the suspension springs...it prevents the cars bouncing around during transit and they are supposed to be removed during the PDI.
It also sounds a bit like there was something binding causing the skitish rear end.
Reason I ask is that I have read of quite a few cases where peoples new Focus St's are being delivered with the rubber transit packing being left in the suspension springs...it prevents the cars bouncing around during transit and they are supposed to be removed during the PDI.
It also sounds a bit like there was something binding causing the skitish rear end.
havoc said:
New Fiesta is due out next month, which will hit residuals (new one is a major step-up in all regards - exterior, interior, handling...).
However...no word on whether they'll do an ST version of the new one yet...the hottest is the 120bhp 1.6 Ti-VCT, which is respectable but isn't as quick as the outgoing ST.
Local Ford dealer filled me in about that. To be honest as this will bea Motability car residuals aren't really an issue for me. New Fiesta is very nice, reminds me of the Corsa.However...no word on whether they'll do an ST version of the new one yet...the hottest is the 120bhp 1.6 Ti-VCT, which is respectable but isn't as quick as the outgoing ST.
deviant said:
Interesting read T66ORA...I wonder...did you ever take it back to the dealer and get them to look at it? Or did you ever stick your head under the wheel arch and take a look at the springs?
Reason I ask is that I have read of quite a few cases where peoples new Focus St's are being delivered with the rubber transit packing being left in the suspension springs...it prevents the cars bouncing around during transit and they are supposed to be removed during the PDI.
It also sounds a bit like there was something binding causing the skitish rear end.
Gudday..Reason I ask is that I have read of quite a few cases where peoples new Focus St's are being delivered with the rubber transit packing being left in the suspension springs...it prevents the cars bouncing around during transit and they are supposed to be removed during the PDI.
It also sounds a bit like there was something binding causing the skitish rear end.
It wouldn`t be the first time this has happenend, i worked for Ford for over 10 years, and once deliverd a XR3i with the spring chocks still in
as you say they where left in during PDi, he came back for his 1500 mile service and hadn`t noticed!!So yep i had a quick look
I am a Fiesta ST owner.
IMO
power=Not enough, plain and simple. Just lacks the grunt of its rivals. An extra 20 bhp would make all the difference but that can easily be achieved with few upgrades.
handling- The best thing about it, I find you can fling it into corners and you constantly get feed back. Really does stick to the road (appart from the one time I understeered into a wall)
Brakes-good. better when p-zeros are replaced with goodyear F1's
Mpg-tanking the arse off it like you stole it 25mpg(full revs and speeds +85mph) 28-31 (keeping revs up to 4500rpm and not exceeding 85mph) 35-39mpg (motor way trips keeping revs under 3500rpm under 70mph)
comfort- By no means a good car for the shops and around town! And after a long journey on the motor way you know youve been driving for a couple of hours. It really is a car you have to be up for driving. I say that as a 21 year old fit(ish) lad.
Question would I buy it again if I know what I know after 8 months of driving?
Yes and no. The power or the lack of it bothers me but the ride of it on B-roads more than makes up for it.
Hope this helps, just my opinion may I point out
IMO
power=Not enough, plain and simple. Just lacks the grunt of its rivals. An extra 20 bhp would make all the difference but that can easily be achieved with few upgrades.
handling- The best thing about it, I find you can fling it into corners and you constantly get feed back. Really does stick to the road (appart from the one time I understeered into a wall
)Brakes-good. better when p-zeros are replaced with goodyear F1's
Mpg-tanking the arse off it like you stole it 25mpg(full revs and speeds +85mph) 28-31 (keeping revs up to 4500rpm and not exceeding 85mph) 35-39mpg (motor way trips keeping revs under 3500rpm under 70mph)
comfort- By no means a good car for the shops and around town! And after a long journey on the motor way you know youve been driving for a couple of hours. It really is a car you have to be up for driving. I say that as a 21 year old fit(ish) lad.
Question would I buy it again if I know what I know after 8 months of driving?
Yes and no. The power or the lack of it bothers me but the ride of it on B-roads more than makes up for it.
Hope this helps, just my opinion may I point out
Edited by moanthebairns on Wednesday 10th September 13:26
My wife has just finished running hers in, bought pre-reg in late June
IMHO - 2 main faults
1. No sixth gear and with 5th running at just over 20mph/1000, its unnacceptably noisy at 70-80lemptons (much better at 85-95lemptons)
2. The drivers seat doesnt go low enough for me and I struggle to get comfy in it
Yes it has a hard ride, and is not as quick as my cars, but it only cost £9995 with del. miles and she loves it
IMHO - 2 main faults
1. No sixth gear and with 5th running at just over 20mph/1000, its unnacceptably noisy at 70-80lemptons (much better at 85-95lemptons)
2. The drivers seat doesnt go low enough for me and I struggle to get comfy in it
Yes it has a hard ride, and is not as quick as my cars, but it only cost £9995 with del. miles and she loves it
Bosh 964 said:
My wife has just finished running hers in, bought pre-reg in late June
IMHO - 2 main faults
1. No sixth gear and with 5th running at just over 20mph/1000, its unnacceptably noisy at 70-80lemptons (much better at 85-95lemptons)
2. The drivers seat doesnt go low enough for me and I struggle to get comfy in it
Yes it has a hard ride, and is not as quick as my cars, but it only cost £9995 with del. miles and she loves it
spot on with the comments, for that price you cant complain!!!IMHO - 2 main faults
1. No sixth gear and with 5th running at just over 20mph/1000, its unnacceptably noisy at 70-80lemptons (much better at 85-95lemptons)
2. The drivers seat doesnt go low enough for me and I struggle to get comfy in it
Yes it has a hard ride, and is not as quick as my cars, but it only cost £9995 with del. miles and she loves it
glad she likes it
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