I think the Fiesta is nice,just aimed at the younger buyer.

Yes,in my early 20's the dream cars were the XR2 then the XR2i then the turbo so I presume the ST is having the same effect.You think about fun driving and pulling young ladies (or gents in the modern world)

When you move to your thirties you think Insurance groups,fuel,four doors.

Sadly then I'm to old to pull up on the company car park with anything 'Viper striped':(

I've owned 3 'Sport' Fords (petrol) from new. The only problem was they never actually drove quickly, unless you were revving the ba!!s off them. This meant that under normal conditions, cars like vRSs could catch you napping at any time. You'd have to be driving with your 'race head' on all the time, which at my time of life is tiresome. The other thing to consider is how long you intend keeping the car. I'm modding the vRS for the long term. Its the first car I've had that I can say that about. If you're gonna thrash a petrol, I'd assume you'd want to get shut a lot sooner. Not a criticism, just a different slant on what people want out of a car.

Speaking as another 'Dad', and strictly from a practical point of view, the Furby is much easier to get kids in and out of obviously, but I also find that the little Fiesta has very small rear windows, thus severely restricting the view out for anyone small sat in the back, which is fine as long as your kids don't ever get car sick!

I find the power delivery of the vRS much more useable than most cars, and even as standard the mid range thrust is pretty impressive. I grew out of mutli-valve N/A petrol engines many years ago (could be tempted with an R32 though!) and the ride in the vRS isn't bad for a VAG sports model.

Main downside of the vRS is the silly coloured trim.

Have a good long drive in both, then go back and have another go in each. Then make your mind up, remember you've got to live with your decision!

Hi

The ST is ultimately a bit quicker then the vRS round a track or on a mad thrash, but there is not much in it. Give and take roads and not 10/10ths driving is a different story. The Fiesta will need extending quite a bit to keep up with the Fabia being driven in its midrange, where it really is noticably quicker.

The Fiesta is also nose heavy and feels it (but not as much as the vRS). Also on the downside, the Fiesta is a noisy place to be and the engine sounds harsh and nasty. Most would prefer the vRS on a motorway journey.

So if you want a frenetic and lively drive for a good thrash, the ST is the choice, if you want something to cover the ground almost as quickly in a more mature way, the vRS is the choice.

Yes I know the Fiesta is quicker round a track, but in the real world there is not much difference in terms of A to B speed. very different delivery though.

Chris

A child and a need to cover 13-14k miles per year meant the Fabia was the only choice for me, however, if I didn't have a kid and covered a few k miles less per year then I think initialy the ST would be more appealing.

When you move to your thirties you think Insurance groups,fuel,four doors.

Grandad!!!

The ST is ultimately a bit quicker then the vRS round a track or on a mad thrash, but there is not much in it.

Whatever http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?lnk=401&featureid=89&pageid=180&show=s8e4&section=Shootout

Where for be the Furby :p ???? I am sorry but the furby is not all it is cracked up to be I am not commited ot one brand so if another brand shows something interesting i will look at it,

Where for be the Furby :p ????

Romeo and Juliet?

Nobody's disputing the fact that the Fiesta went round the track quicker than a (standard) vRS. But for a lot of furby owners (me included) its the effortlessness of driving that makes the difference. The insurance savings, fuel savings and engine longevity are just the icing on the cake. If we want to go round 'mullering' Fiesta STs, we just get a re-map, springs and an ARB.

mullering' Fiesta STs, we just get a re-map, springs and an ARB.

And what about when the ST is modded? Will you take your smugness elsewhere lol

Whatever

Dude' date=' I've taken out 'Bugatti Veyrons' (ask Mil).

Now if the STs came with free '[i']Burberry[/i]' Baseball Cap?...................................let me think about it for a 'Nanosecond'........................................

Nah.

Remember that the Fabia vRS is sacred and that nobody can suggest otherwise,

"Tha Fabia is faster when driving slowly" apparently, :confused:

"Tha Fabia is faster when driving slowly" apparently' date=' :confused:[/quote']

Yep. And conversely, the ST is slower when driving fast.

^^ LMFAO

I think this thread maybe on it's last legs.

I am looking at the ST and to be honest a very attractive offer! the Fiesta was nippy and fun to drive, but the engine was tinny and frustratingly unsatisfying when pushed.

I took a test drive in both the ST and FABIA VRS and I the Fabia did put a bigger smile on my face. Yes the fiesta around a track is 2.5 (roughly) seconds quicker but i don't intend driving around a track for every mile i do in a car. The FABIA was far more comfortable and easy to drive fast where as the Fiesta was so much harder to go at pace aswell as a harsher ride.

I drove both and found myself liking the Fabia more. I do love the modern Fords and I was originally going for the ST but after the test drives i took i went for the Fabia VRS.

I think it was a mature and safer bet aswell as it being a SORT OF an investment for the future. Aswell as the fact it was 5 insurance groups less could get 100 more miles to the tank, was quicker in day to day driving, could fit 4 passengers in and pull as hard as it would with 1 driver where the fiesta would probably find a struggle.

Also the ST wind mirrors do flap in the wind!!! has anyone else seen this? they seenmed to wobble on thier hinges over every minute bump!?? very off putting!

To be honest with you, I couldn't give a toss about the Fiesta. There's a guy of about 70 drives one where I work and is the grumpiest old barsteward there is. Every time I see one with those rediculous Max Power stripes it just reminds me of this old codger. He wears a basey cap as well. Oh, as it seems that owners of the Fiesta usually cut hair, mine could do with a trim.

Badge snobbery is quite ridiculous' date=' on the Ford forum they'll probably be slagging off Skodas![/quote']

they did that when bengie had a run in with a focus RS:rofl:

Badge snobbery is quite ridiculous, on the Ford forum they'll probably be slagging off Skodas!

Well there's quite a few ex-Ford converts on here, myself included. ex-FFOC people anyway (you know who you are!)

So they might get the message, eventually

But then again we have people who've gone from Skoda to Ford, so nobody knows what's going on!

Steve

Main problem as I see it with the Fiesta is that in comparisons, its always eclipsed by the more powerful Clio.... although looking at price, not sure they are supposed to be rivals anyway. Apparently the Clio is a lot faster.

I have to admit, all the reviews i've seen of the ST have been very mixed. Some have even said the Zetec S is actually the better car to drive despite being slower, and I have heard criticisms that the engine as stock is a little thrashy and breathless at the top end.

Overall, it is a nice enough warm hatch, but not quite one that is up there with the bigger boys. I still think the best choice for a fun small car is the Clio.

This thread highlights the fact that everyone likes different things, and the only way to make the right decision is to try before you buy

Gents

Thanks for all your input on this. I'll have to book my test drives.

I think this has gone a bit off topic now - I'm not interested in the Clio, owned French in the past - atrocious build quality and reliability. Just look at JD Power.

The trouble is that my local Skoda dealer hasn't got a vRS demo. He's got an unregistered one in the showroom and I'll be able to take it out on trade plates but only put a couple of miles on it.

Ultimately the problem with the vRS for me is the uninspiring bland, dated dashboard and the seats. The seats look good new but I've seen the horror stories regarding the quality of the material. I think within a few miles I'd probably be wanting a leather retrim from seat surgeons - which obviously pushes up the expense further.

I think to a certain extent the ST has me remembering the happy days of my hot hatches in the 80s and early 90s (205 and 309 GTIs). I should be past that now but maybe I should have a bit more excitement again. I don't drive irresponsibly but like to have the power to put my foot down on a good road when conditions permit.

I don't think that insurance should be a big issue as I'm 40 this year :eek: and I've got a zillion years NCB

BTW my local Ford dealer really annoyed me with his attitude. He was considerably younger than me and was full of ****.

Me: "I'm considering buying a Fabia vRS but I've just seen the Fiesta ST and quite like the look of it."

Young tw*t: "Why would you want to buy a Skoda?" (s******ing)

Me: "Because I already have an Octavia, I bought it new 3 years ago and had no problems whatsoever, it's the best car I've ever owned!"

Young twa*t: "Oh"

He then proceeded to talk me through the Fiesta and lay it on far too thick (I've been around long enough to know bull****). He even told me some features that were standard which on reading the brochure turned out to be extras. If I have to deal with him again I'll give him a hard time.

Well there's quite a few ex-Ford converts on here, myself included. ex-FFOC people anyway (you know who you are!)

Including me under a different pseudonym Although I wouldn't say I was a convert, as such.

The Octavia is great, but I may have another Ford at some point, who knows? It just strikes me some of the Fabia vRS owners on here get very defensive for some reason!

They're the same over at FFOC.co.uk; I had the temerity to suggest that Ford failing to offer discounts on the Focus ST was a mistake, and tantamout to price fixing. One particular Blue-Oval fanatic is foaming at the mouth

It just strikes me some of the Fabia vRS owners on here get very defensive for some reason!

As there is no other car superior

I find it hard to believe that people are considering buying other cars than a Skoda :confused:

I find it hard to believe that people considering to buy other cars than a Skoda :confused:

PMSL you funny ****er