Thinking of trading WRX for FiST

[sectachrome]

Hey guys,

The past couple days I've been mulling over the possibility of trading my '13 WRX hatchback that I've only had for a year for a Fiesta ST. While I like my WRX in theory - looks good, sounds good, has rally cachet, is fast, has AWD - I don't find myself really enjoying driving it that much. The shifting and stock tune feels sloppy. I came from an NA Miata with fully redone suspension before this so I'm a little spoiled I guess. I chose a WRX mainly because I still wanted a sports car with a bit more comfort and practicality than my Miata, which it absolutely does have. I just haven't had any of those "wow" moments that I got with the Miata, and often just feel disappointed with it when I don't get the type of response I want out of it. A bit of it is also that it's hard to approach its limits just daily driving on public roads. I put a short shifter and sway bars on it not long after I got it, but for some reason I still feel like its missing that magic something.

Thus, the Fiesta ST. It seems like a very similar package that could be even better to drive, and cheaper. I could trade in the WRX and keep my payments the same as they are now and still cut a year off of my loan saving me a couple thousand bucks. I would also likely be saving on gas and insurance though those 2 things arent that important to me, just a bonus. There are also some features like the keyless ignition/entry and heated seats (if I liked the Recaros) that I don't have now. I know it's a smaller car which makes me a little hesitant, because I do love how much crap I can put in the WRX if I need to. Don't care too much about the back seats, but it's nice that they are there. I'm a little hesitant about the cargo space, as it looks really tiny without the seats folded down. I don't need to haul stuff often, but I do need to carry a big hockey bag and sticks and it would be nice to not have to put the seats down every time for stuff like that.

Do you guys think this would be a good idea? Interested to hear from those that have experience with both cars. I still haven't seen or driven one, so there's still that.

 

[jaynometry]

Plenty of us here came from the same road as you, me included. I had a 92 Sunburst Yellow, that was roll barred, suspension set up, etc, etc but I had to sell it. I also had an 04 WRX that was stage 2. In comparison, the FiST is much closer in driving feel to the Miata than the WRX. The WRX feels "dull", though mine didn't really have suspension tuning as I just had coilovers and I didn't do roll center adjustments or anything like that. The FiST is like a FWD love child of a GR hatch and a Miata; you get the same connection to the road as a Miata but you get the back seats, turbo kick and grunt of the WRX. That being said though, I don't think you'll be happy with the size of the FiST. I think a Focus ST might be more in your alley if you want to fit hockey bags inside the car. The cargo space with the rear seats up is probably just enough to put one and a half paper boxes in.

 

[BryanD]

I had a 340whp 2010 WRX before switching to my Fiesta in December. I also have a 1999 Miata with upgraded suspension, haha!
I don't regret the switch at all, and have loved the FiST ever since.

For what it's worth, I don't think you'd be happy with the Focus. I looked at it first, and it felt like a slower, fwd version of my WRX. The Fiesta has the little kid that forgot his ADHD medicine feel to it, and it's awesome.

 

[sectachrome]

Plenty of us here came from the same road as you, me included. I had a 92 Sunburst Yellow, that was roll barred, suspension set up, etc, etc but I had to sell it. I also had an 04 WRX that was stage 2. In comparison, the FiST is much closer in driving feel to the Miata than the WRX. The WRX feels "dull", though mine didn't really have suspension tuning as I just had coilovers and I didn't do roll center adjustments or anything like that. The FiST is like a FWD love child of a GR hatch and a Miata; you get the same connection to the road as a Miata but you get the back seats, turbo kick and grunt of the WRX. That being said though, I don't think you'll be happy with the size of the FiST. I think a Focus ST might be more in your alley if you want to fit hockey bags inside the car. The cargo space with the rear seats up is probably just enough to put one and a half paper boxes in.

I have the weirdest boner right now. I'll have to bring my hockey bag with me when I go to look at one and see how it fits. I don't really NEED a ton of space, I just got tired of not having at at all in the Miata.

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I had a 340whp 2010 WRX before switching to my Fiesta in December. I also have a 1999 Miata with upgraded suspension, haha!
I don't regret the switch at all, and have loved the FiST ever since.

For what it's worth, I don't think you'd be happy with the Focus. I looked at it first, and it felt like a slower, fwd version of my WRX. The Fiesta has the little kid that forgot his ADHD medicine feel to it, and it's awesome.

Yeah, the Focus ST just has never appealed to me at all for whatever reason. Besides, I think that would be too similar of a car to the WRX and wouldn't really be worth the switch. Part of the appeal is the cheap factor. I've never really cared about any Fords at all until the Fiesta ST. It just seems to have that special something judging by what I've read about it.

Thanks for the feedback guys, very helpful!

 

[Etyrnus]

The Fiesta has the little kid that forgot his ADHD medicine feel to it, and it's awesome.

That is sig worthy right there.

 

[BryanD]

I have the weirdest boner right now. I'll have to bring my hockey bag with me when I go to look at one and see how it fits. I don't really NEED a ton of space, I just got tired of not having at at all in the Miata.



Yeah, the Focus ST just has never appealed to me at all for whatever reason. Besides, I think that would be too similar of a car to the WRX and wouldn't really be worth the switch. Part of the appeal is the cheap factor. I've never really cared about any Fords at all until the Fiesta ST. It just seems to have that special something judging by what I've read about it.

Thanks for the feedback guys, very helpful!

I think you are in the same boat I was in, and will feel the same way about the Fiesta as myself. Give it a shot, maybe there's even a local member to you that had a stage 2 or 3 Fiesta so you can see what they're capable of with just a few bolt ons.

 

[TurboTinCan]

I sold my modded Evo X for my Fiesta ST, so I can relate a bit. For driving fun, I think it is good match. Not nearly as fast, doesn't corner quite as hard, doesn't make you feel like Superman no matter how poorly you take the turn, but is still just as fun because it is so responsive and tossable. It feels like a 2WD little brother to the Evo. I like that it doesn't cost me a fortune to maintain, saved a bunch on insurance, gets like double the gas mileage and has a lot more fun creature comforts. I do love driving tiny cars as well, the Evo never felt large until I drove this. Plus honestly, I only drive on the streets and I enjoy being able to get silly at speeds that don't make me think I will surely die if I mess up. I can't imagine you would regret it.
Not sure on the hockey bag, my son plays but I haven't crammed it in my car yet but I think it would fit but would be snug. Yours could be bigger so I don't know. I'd second your idea to bring your bag to a dealer to see if it fits.

 

[StayPuft]

I can relate. I came from an LS1 Camaro SS that was worked over pretty good. So I wanted something that could match the visceral raw feeling.

Among others, I test drove a 2012 wrx hatch. It just didn't have that feeling. It felt like I was riding along with it and I didn't feel connected to the car. The Fiesta St has the visceral raw feeling. When you're driving it hard the car feels like a wetsuit wrapped around you. You can feel what it's doing from your feet to the steering wheel to the shifter.

It's not fast but it's not slow by any means. If you liked the Miata and you want Miata feeling with more space, Fiesta ST should be near top of the list.

 

[MegaBuster]

I came from a 270hp tuned Miata and am very happy with my fist. The cornering is great and I can play with the tail rather easily by tossing the car around or lifting late corner to get the car to easily rotate. The everyday drivability is wonderfull since you have all that torque down low. I have not driven my Turbo Miata since I brought it home.

THe only gripes are the reach to the shifter feels too long and the brake pedal is too close compared to the throttle. Makes quick footwork in steel toe boost kinda clumsy.

 

[johnlopez624]

I'll have to bring my hockey bag with me when I go to look at one and see how it fits. I don't really NEED a ton of space, I just got tired of not having at at all in the Miata./QUOTE]



it will fit. the seats fold down and give you plenty of space. tho your stick may poke between the front seats maybe.

 

[MMMTRBO]

I had a 2013 WRX Hatch that served as my weekend car for over 2 years (just sold in February 2015). It was very modified and the "building" aspect of the Subaru was very fun. Yeah, the car was fast, handled well and looked amazing, but never felt incredibly exciting. I bought the Fiesta to originally just serve as a DD and another car to tinker with, but found it so enjoyable that I really didn't have a desire to play with the Subaru anymore. I got out of the Subaru and haven't looked back since. Even with the very modified Subaru, I personally still found the Fiesta much more fun in STOCK form. You should go check out the Ford, sit in it, test drive it and go from there.

Subaru build if you're interested: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2513235

 

[SPhilli911]

I used to have a 2004 Subaru STI I daily drove for 2 years before switching to the Fiesta ST, but I had that car because I didn't care about gas mileage or comfort. It was just a cool rally car that was loud and obnoxious in every way possible. But the GD Subarus are worlds different than the GR ones.

However, my dad has a 2014 WRX hatch, which I have driven quite a bit before getting my ST. It's just not a fun car to me, I mean it's fast, but it's emotionless and not that fun. The clutch feels bland and the shifting feels like it's doing all the work and it's terrible on gas. The only pros I can think of is that it looks cool, sounds cool, and is AWD. The ST is the better car if you care about fuel economy and a comfortable commute.

All in all the ST is a smarter car. No it isn't as cool (to me) but it's incredible fun to drive and I'm spending a lot less on gas.

 

[RStolz]

Part of the appeal is the cheap factor. I've never really cared about any Fords at all until the Fiesta ST. It just seems to have that special something judging by what I've read about it.

These are the items, ver batum, that got me into a Ford dealer.

Never thought I'd own a Ford. Kind of a Nissan guy and honestly had no intention of trading the Versa for anything. 6 weeks after sitting in one at the auto show and I'm trading one of the most practical and cheapest to own, cars I've ever owned for a FiST.

1200 miles and I would do the same deal again. Hoping it stays that way. I leased mine so I could get out of it if things start to go wrong near the end of its warranty. If it's still trouble free, I have every intention of buying it out.

 

[mscuil]

My hockey bag fits in the rear, but its tight. I then just put the sticks in the passenger sear off to the side. It fits, but i only play forward. If you're a goalie, you may need to fold them to fit it all. I came from an XC90, which had immense storage, and like 14 cup holders. I have only missed the space a few times, and mostly on long highway trips that are not much fun to drive on anyways (think long and flat).

Let me know if you'd like me to take a pic with my bag in the trunk.

 

[doubletap]

Cargo space is the Fiesta's biggest flaw but that's the tradeoff for being small and agile. Definitely bring a tape measure or your bag to your dealership. Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for with the FiST.

 

[Old Guy]

Aside from the FiST being more fun to drive on public streets, the biggest differences I noticed from a 04 STi I owed is the amount of torque steer feedback you get in the steering wheel. It is very noticeable in the wet compared to the STi.

 

[sectachrome]

All the things you guys are saying make me think this good be the right move. I just got back from the dealer to look at one, and I liked it more than I thought I would. I was expecting it to feel pretty cheap but it wasn't bad at all - on par with the WRX. The backseat was definitely tighter in leg and head room, but not a huge deal there. Fine for for short trips if needed. The back looked like it would fit my hockey bag, but just barely. I loved the Recaro seats, they felt great.

However, they wouldn't let me test drive it unless I sat down and started talking numbers with them, because "the people who buy these are very anal about the mileage". I told them I wouldn't know if I wanted to talk numbers without even driving the car first and left. What a joke! It's a Ford Fiesta, not a Porsche. It had been sitting so long the battery was dead. I was hoping to be able to drive it since this is the only one less than an hour from me. I'm not that bummed though because I wouldn't have wanted this specific car anyway - I'm ready to have something besides black, and I don't want nav or a moonroof (which is like behind your head BTW). If I loved how it drove, I would have gone in and at least seen what they could give it to me for though, so their loss.

 

[BryanD]

All the things you guys are saying make me think this good be the right move. I just got back from the dealer to look at one, and I liked it more than I thought I would. I was expecting it to feel pretty cheap but it wasn't bad at all - on par with the WRX. The backseat was definitely tighter in leg and head room, but not a huge deal there. Fine for for short trips if needed. The back looked like it would fit my hockey bag, but just barely. I loved the Recaro seats, they felt great.

However, they wouldn't let me test drive it unless I sat down and started talking numbers with them, because "the people who buy these are very anal about the mileage". I told them I wouldn't know if I wanted to talk numbers without even driving the car first and left. What a joke! It's a Ford Fiesta, not a Porsche. It had been sitting so long the battery was dead. I was hoping to be able to drive it since this is the only one less than an hour from me. I'm not that bummed though because I wouldn't have wanted this specific car anyway - I'm ready to have something besides black, and I don't want nav or a moonroof (which is like behind your head BTW).

"Hey you're interested in trading in for this car, and we won't let you try it out because you don't know if you want it yet!"
Isn't the point of a test drive to see if you really like a car? Jesus Christ... I wouldn't buy a car from them even if the car was exactly what you wanted.

 

[FistSt215]

I'm the opposite . I was thinking about trading in the fist for a 12-14 wrx hatch . But being upside down on a loan when I traded my Gti for the fist says otherwise . I love the Subaru boxer rumble .

 

[sectachrome]

I'm the opposite . I was thinking about trading in the fist for a 12-14 wrx hatch . But being upside down on a loan when I traded my Gti for the fist says otherwise . I love the Subaru boxer rumble .

The sound and the looks are probably my favorite parts of the car. I'd only say it's "good" to drive though, not great. I can see why some people love them though. I agree with what someone else had said, that the WRX is still "cooler" than the Fiesta ST. I tend to be drawn to things that aren't very popular though. I passed 3 or 4 WRX's just on the drive back from the dealer today. Too bad I dont live in your area anymore or we could swap test drives.