What to get after a Fiesta ST?
Discussion
I have a facelift Fiesta ST which I use the car for both commuting and general driving. I've had it a couple of years now, but fancy a change so would value opinions on what to replace it with.
The car is standard apart from Eibach lowering springs and is great fun to drive. I like the handling which I think is superb with excellent turn-in, the gearbox and the fact it doesn't cost the earth to run.
Things I don't like are the slightly coarse engine and the lack of power. The ride is also very hard, but that is a secondary concern as the handling is so good.
So.....what if anything would be good to replace it with? Budget is not a major issue (but after running an Evo 6 as a daily drive I don't want to go quite that far!). Whatever I change to must handle as well as the ST and have a bit more pace!! I don't need a big car so anything similarly sized would be fine.
One other possibility is a Mountune 185 conversion......
Thoughts much appreciated.
The car is standard apart from Eibach lowering springs and is great fun to drive. I like the handling which I think is superb with excellent turn-in, the gearbox and the fact it doesn't cost the earth to run.
Things I don't like are the slightly coarse engine and the lack of power. The ride is also very hard, but that is a secondary concern as the handling is so good.
So.....what if anything would be good to replace it with? Budget is not a major issue (but after running an Evo 6 as a daily drive I don't want to go quite that far!). Whatever I change to must handle as well as the ST and have a bit more pace!! I don't need a big car so anything similarly sized would be fine.
One other possibility is a Mountune 185 conversion......
Thoughts much appreciated.
Edited by grenpayne on Friday 8th October 20:17
Thanks for the replies 
I deliberately didn't mention what I was thinking of as I didn't want to sway the suggestions!! But to give some feedback.....
Mini Cooper Works - Pretty much my top choice, although I've not driven one. I like the fact it got 210bhp, is small and handles well.
Corsa VXR - Although not my favourite, definitely worthy of a test drive. Having owned an Mk4 Astra SRi though it had better be good
Focus ST/RS - A tricky one this. I actually chose the Fiesta over an Focus ST due to running costs of the commute, and the fact it was smaller and lighter, so I'm not sure I'd go that way. However a remap is not something I'd considered. The RS would be spot on, but for that money I'd prefer to go back to an Evo!!
Megane 230 - Again probably a little on the large side, but in fairness I'd not considered it and have never driven one!
Budget - I said budget wasn't an issue but if I had to put a figure on it I would say £20K tops.
Other things I had thought of...Focus RS Mk1 and Clio 200 Cup.
To answer the criticism of the Fiesta ST's interior and driving position....yes I think valid BUT it's not so bad that it detracts from the whole experience. I've not yet found the perfect car and I don't expect to soon. Even the new Clio 200's interior isn't great!
I deliberately didn't mention what I was thinking of as I didn't want to sway the suggestions!! But to give some feedback.....
Mini Cooper Works - Pretty much my top choice, although I've not driven one. I like the fact it got 210bhp, is small and handles well.
Corsa VXR - Although not my favourite, definitely worthy of a test drive. Having owned an Mk4 Astra SRi though it had better be good
Focus ST/RS - A tricky one this. I actually chose the Fiesta over an Focus ST due to running costs of the commute, and the fact it was smaller and lighter, so I'm not sure I'd go that way. However a remap is not something I'd considered. The RS would be spot on, but for that money I'd prefer to go back to an Evo!!
Megane 230 - Again probably a little on the large side, but in fairness I'd not considered it and have never driven one!
Budget - I said budget wasn't an issue but if I had to put a figure on it I would say £20K tops.
Other things I had thought of...Focus RS Mk1 and Clio 200 Cup.
To answer the criticism of the Fiesta ST's interior and driving position....yes I think valid BUT it's not so bad that it detracts from the whole experience. I've not yet found the perfect car and I don't expect to soon. Even the new Clio 200's interior isn't great!
Focus ST is not an upgrade to a Fiesta St. I had both at the same time and my Focus had the 260 Mountune conversion. Fiesta was complete and utter blast. Focus was a cruiser, it always left me feeling slightly disappointed in the way that it floated about at high speed (i.e under damped) and spun away its power in the twisty bits. Fiesta wasn't much better TBH but was much better planted on the road and a much better drive. If you like it, consider the Mountune 165/185 conversion.
My current RS is so much better its just not true. So my view would be to go to an FRS 2009 if you like FWD Fords, the RS awesome in comparison. As other have said the 350/370z is pretty good as long as you can cope with the tyre noise. I've no experience of the Renaults though.
If you're struggling to justify an upgrade, keep what you've got and improve it. I really miss my fiesta, would buy another tomorrow if I could....
My current RS is so much better its just not true. So my view would be to go to an FRS 2009 if you like FWD Fords, the RS awesome in comparison. As other have said the 350/370z is pretty good as long as you can cope with the tyre noise. I've no experience of the Renaults though.
If you're struggling to justify an upgrade, keep what you've got and improve it. I really miss my fiesta, would buy another tomorrow if I could....
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