Had a good drive of a Ford Fiesta ST (ST-2 spec) with the recaros.

Only driven one in town before.

 

I have to say, it's rather nice.

Had a play with it on some winding country lanes I know quite well too.

 

It's brilliant fun.

Afterwards I had to wonder, why are people still buying other dreary attempts at hot hatches.

 

The only downside for me was the synthetic engine noise, which you can't turn off.

But driving experience, car balance and value for money is great IMO.

 

Anyone else had a go?

 

Shame it's not available as a 5 door, but if I was looking for a fun hot hatch I'd buy this over anything else I can thing of that's the same money or even several thousand more.

 

The ST-3 spec has recently been released too, complete with built in sat-nav etc...

I sense another project thread coming

I sense another project thread coming

 

It only needs the mountune kit, which is about £600 and is covered by the Ford warranty.

I was considering one of these when I was having my Fabia woes!!

 

I noticed an ST3 was coming out soon - what extras does it come with apart from Sat Nav?

 

Mind you, just off topic a bit I took mine to Shark today to make sure new engine etc was ok on the Dyno.

 

Was 2hp less than when it had its gas-flowed head - so was really pleased with that.

Best bit of fun available for under 20k IMO. Amazing that you can't have the 5 door over here as that's all that's available in the US! You can pick them up for around 15k via a broker - simply amazing for what you get. (And yes, I'm aware I've used the word 'amazing' twice in this post!)

Edit - ST-3 spec includes all the ST-2 niceties plus:

EATC

Auto Headlights , Wipers and Dimming Rear View Mirror

Power Fold Door Mirrors With Puddle Lamps

Cruise Control

Keyless Entry

Sony DAB Nav

How does the ST compared to a Cooper S?

I had a look in one at goodwood. Haven't had a chance to have a drive, but does seem like a cracking car. It's top of my list as a replacement to the Fabia.

Best bit of fun available for under 20k IMO. Amazing that you can't have the 5 door over here as that's all that's available in the US! You can pick them up for around 15k via a broker - simply amazing for what you get. (And yes, I'm aware I've used the word 'amazing' twice in this post!)

Edit - ST-3 spec includes all the ST-2 niceties plus:

EATC

Auto Headlights , Wipers and Dimming Rear View Mirror

Power Fold Door Mirrors With Puddle Lamps

Cruise Control

Keyless Entry

Sony DAB Nav

Think I had a drive the deal email at the weekend saying £14k in fact.

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I drove a 1.25 one last year and absolutely loved it (see here). They way these cars drive is such a breath of fresh air in the sea of dreary modern cars. I'd love to try one of these. The only downsize is the dated cabin which juts out just where your knee wants to be so you end up rubbing up against the dash all the time and the hideous exterior styling. 

 

Really impressive, and I'd love to try an ST version. 

Think I had a drive the deal email at the weekend saying £14k in fact.

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Yeah, its 14.4k for the base version. Ive been keeping an eye on the ST-2 specifically. I just cant make a sensible case to replace our current 2008 Fiesta as its such a corker. If I did however, this is what I'd jump to.

Been offered a top spec ST-3 version with the optional spare wheel, parking sensors and styling pack in Sprint Blue (or whatever it's called) for around £2,700 off list... 

 

Why oh why no 5 door ?!?!

Yeah, its 14.4k for the base version. Ive been keeping an eye on the ST-2 specifically. I just cant make a sensible case to replace our current 2008 Fiesta as its such a corker. If I did however, this is what I'd jump to.

 

 

Who needs an excuse?

 

 

Been offered a top spec ST-3 version with the optional spare wheel, parking sensors and styling pack in Sprint Blue (or whatever it's called) for around £2,700 off list... 

 

Why oh why no 5 door ?!?!

You'll save a good couple of hundred more if you go via Drivethedeal then Richard.

You'll save a good couple of hundred more if you go via Drivethedeal then Richard.

 

Yes, but I'm actually trying NOT to buy one.

Not much use for a family of four with two child seats.

 

Way more fun to drive than any current Skoda VRS offerings though. :(

(pre-modding obviously...)

I know a few lads who have them, one running at around 250bhp and has beaten a focus RS down the 1/4 lol. Rather nipper motors !

Yes, but I'm actually trying NOT to buy one.

Not much use for a family of four with two child seats.

 

Way more fun to drive than any current Skoda VRS offerings though. :(

(pre-modding obviously...)

Ah ok. Personally I wouldnt buy one for family duties, full stop but id very happily have it as the commuting/weekend run around car. Id actually suggest for sheer fun, anything with a recent Ford chassis and ST badge on the grill would be better than even many modded Skoda VRS offerings!

Ah ok. Personally I wouldnt buy one for family duties, full stop but id very happily have it as the commuting/weekend run around car. Id actually suggest for sheer fun, anything with a recent Ford chassis and ST badge on the grill would be better than even many modded Skoda VRS offerings!

 

If I can just... hold... off.... for a week or two...  I should have something else to play with.  

If I can just... hold... off.... for a week or two...  I should have something else to play with.

 

 

Just buy the Fiesta, you tight wad    

 

 

(Then you could donate it to me after i ditch the Octavia)

If I can just... hold... off.... for a week or two...  I should have something else to play with.

No doubt but im a Ford chassis lover through and through tbh. Ive taken many VAG platform cars to extremes (bilsteins, konis, eibach kits, arbs, bushing upgrades, big turbos, big I/C's yadda yadda...) and at the end of the day, nothing beats the grin factor (for me at least) of a Ford chassis, for me its just more nimble and pointable and has that ultimate degree of connection with the driver and road. The Fiesta ST is the best example of this yet imo 

No doubt but im a Ford chassis lover through and through tbh. Ive taken many VAG platform cars to extremes (bilsteins, konis, eibach kits, arbs, bushing upgrades, big turbos, big I/C's yadda yadda...) and at the end of the day, nothing beats the grin factor (for me at least) of a Ford chassis, for me its just more nimble and pointable and has that ultimate degree of connection with the driver and road. The Fiesta ST is the best example of this yet imo 

 

So many modified vRS owners hearts just broke a little

So many modified vRS owners hearts just broke a little

Oh I doubt that very much and if they drove a Ford they may well not agree with me anyway! My opinion is that Fords just have very well sorted handling characterists from the factory. I spent thousands on my Octavia VRS stage 2+'s handling and it never came close to providing the enjoyment that my old Focus or even Fiestas did.

If I can just... hold... off.... for a week or two...  I should have something else to play with.

 

Haven't you literally JUST picked up your R32 Skyline?!

Haven't you literally JUST picked up your R32 Skyline?!

 

 

One can never have too many toys

Haven't you literally JUST picked up your R32 Skyline?!

I was kind of joking...

I was kind of joking...

 

 

.....he typed sat in the local ford dealership signing finance docs