Requesting armchair mechanic photo review of FiST for sale

[fiesta_dip]

I went to test drive this FiST last night and I noticed that there was some potential front-end damage. It made me wary enough to skip buying it, even though it checks all of my boxes. I didn't feel any handling problems besides the tires being nearly bare.

The damage is around the front bumper where it meets the fender flares. It's more obvious on the drivers side. The "line" is warped. And the gap between the hood and bumper is bigger than I'd expect.

I'd appreciate some thoughts on if this is concerning or not. Otherwise, I'd likely buy the car. If this is concerning, there is another available 3 hours drive away I might check out... we'll see!

Note: there is no accident history on the Carfax. You can click the carfax button on the Autotrader link below to double check. It was leased for most of it's life, which is a positive to me.

Here is the car for sale:
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=572267472&zip=98028&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=98028&city=Kenmore&incremental=all&modelCodeList=FIESTA&makeCodeList=FORD&sortBy=relevance&location=%5Bobject+Object%5D&state=WA&firstRecord=0&marketExtension=include&relevanceConfig=default&searchRadius=50&trimCodeList=FIESTA%7CST&isNewSearch=false&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&modelCodeList=FIESTA&makeCodeList=FORD&searchRadius=50&trimCodeList=FIESTA|ST&makeCode1=FORD&modelCode1=FIESTA&clickType=listing

 

[Northwest]

I don't like the look of it, it looks like a non oem bumper, I did a bit of editing in paint to show you what I mean. It probably has a few secrets, or could just be a bumper issue that happened and they bought the cheapest replacement and that's why it fits like that hard to say... It's also 60k miles for 13k

Here is one same color with recaro and black wheels and a sunroof for 2k more and only 30k miles... So half the miles, proper bumper, same everything with the more "premium" black wheel paint option so that pays for the difference and you get half the miles, does this still check all your boxes?

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/3FADP4GX7HM164626

Any other questions?




See how one is circular and the other is not? I believe it's a non OEM bumper probably a cheap replacement that was painted.

 

[LionsTooth]

Use a flashlight to inspect the front crash beam. Is it bent downward or bent at all? The whole front bumper/cover is one unit so if it is sagging (what it look like) check that the fasteners are all in place and the holes aren't ovaled or broken out. Looks like the hood is in the right place.

 

[Dpro]

2017
21,368

• Mullinax Ford of New Smyrna Beach
• Apopka, FL
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• mullinaxfordnsb.com

4.3 / 5.0
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• Vehicle serviced
  • Maintenance inspection completed
  • Airbag system checked
  • Wiring repaired
  • Battery/charging system checked
  • Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
  • A/C and heating system checked
  • Front seat replaced
  • Seatbelt retractor replaced
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Front seat track replaced

This car was in a flood possibly a Hurricane and or possible accident. I am surprised its got a clean title with the amount of stuff replaced in this list . why would wiring need to repaired? . either way it looks sketchy. I would move along if its going for 12k from a dealer that also tells you on the private market you would pay less.

In fact inspecting that Carfax more closely that car was definitely in some kind of flood and it was then shipped across country to be sold which means it probably had a salvage title and when it was brought into the Northwest it caused whats called a title wash. That‘s were a previously salvage title car from a another state is reregistered in a new state. Quite often the new Title comes back as non salvage .

 

[Jabbit]

That picture immediately above is no a Fiesta ST. As far as the first post yeah something looks off.

 

[fiesta_dip]

I'm laughing @Northwest because that car you linked is literally the car I had referenced as the "another [car] available 3 hours drive away".

Good to know that you echo my thoughts there!

The thoughts on the bumper being replaced are interesting. I definitely checked for any broken plastic tabs and "ovaled" holes but didn't notice anything. The fact that the bumper was replaced non-OEM would explain it! That's what made me want to post here -- I was confused and uncertain about what the cause could be.

 

[fiesta_dip]

@Dpro ahhhh, nice catch! It's subtle that they would state that as "maintenance" in the Carfax and not as an accident. Probably the owner didn't use the insurance to pay for the repair?

@LionsTooth Thank you for the drawing there. The car is about a 40 minute drive (each way) from me and I'd checked it out at night last night. Debating if I should drive back up to check the bolts align in the pic, like you have listed above.

Or I can just go for it and drive down to Oregon 3 hours away tomorrow

I wish there were more private party FiST's available. I always prefer to go straight through the owner, when possible. There is so much you can gauge about how a car has been treated based on talking to the owner!

Edit: Re-read your post @Dpro and that's even more interesting to think about the flood damage. That seems really bad and worth walking away from. Very subtle!

 

[Dpro]

Don’t be afraid of flying somewhere to pick up a car as long as you can make absolutely sure its good. Roadtrips are an experience and with our cars unless you are like where I am you quite often just can’t go buy one.

 

[Dpro]

That picture immediately above is no a Fiesta ST. As far as the first post yeah something looks off.

Ya thats Focus MK3.5 Facelight version.

 

[fiesta_dip]

This seems like a clean FiST that I could check out. How much would y'all pay for this? https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/lake-stevens-2016-ford-fiesta-st/7278093412.html

 

[Capri to ST]

This seems like a clean FiST that I could check out. How much would y'all pay for this? https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/lake-stevens-2016-ford-fiesta-st/7278093412.html

That's a nice one, the price seems pretty fair.

 

[fiesta_dip]

Sold! Was too good of a deal. I'll keep digging. I'm not in a hurry, fortunately!

 

[Capri to ST]

That shows that when you find a good one, you need to be ready to jump on it quickly.

 

[Dpro]

This seems like a clean FiST that I could check out. How much would y'all pay for this? https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/lake-stevens-2016-ford-fiesta-st/7278093412.html

that one does look nice.

That shows that when you find a good one, you need to be ready to jump on it quickly.

Ya that just like the nice houses here. The ones that are nice are gone in days.

 

[Jabbit]

I think I underpriced mine when I sold it.

 

[PunkST]

If ths grille support that clips to the bumper beam is broken the whole nose will sag like that. Doesnt take much to break it either. Im gonna be on my 3rd grille if i bother to replace it AGAIN 😞

 

[Northwest]

Did you see the one signed by Ken Block fully built with a gold rollcage and hydro E-brake for sale last month on craigslist in Oregon? It sold really fast.

The market here in the Northwest seems to be very strong for these little cars and 18/19 model years are the most desirable due to having back up cameras from the factory and low mile examples sell for 18-19k I have watched a bunch sell for that price over the last few months. I feel like everything is hard to get right now/more expensive and or sold out. But you can still find a deal on these if you're patient or want to go out of state.

Be patient and wait for a clean low mile one that checks all the boxes but when you find one don't procrastinate, I've watched these gain popularity in the Northwest. I used to never see these and now I see WRC replicas pass by on the highway lol. Guys I work with now own green envy ones even, seems like everybody and there brother are getting them now that they're discontinued. And with upcoming gas price increases, and expensive Wa. state gas prices, these might go up a few grand more in value who knows.

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Here is another one that has a lot of money in mods from the looks of it, but no price listed... It definitely has some money put into it... Looks like a tarmac rally build. I want the wheels tires and seats out of it LOL. Who knows what else it has underneath. I dislike the flares though.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ctd/d/tacoma-2017-ford-fiesta-hatchback/7283687728.html

 

[fiesta_dip]

I did see that FiST for sale and... For me, honestly, I would opt for a Miata if I was going for a 2 seater that's primarily for the track. At least, that's where my head is at. Part of the appeal of the FiST is the low weight while simultaneously being practical enough for most tasks. It means I'll actually drive it when I have to go to the store or on hiking trips. I can pick people up when I drive the ~45 minutes each way to the airport (post-lockdown).

My other choice for a vehicle would be a Subaru BRZ but, again, it's not really a "practical" car. The back seat is for torso-only humans. It sure would be fun to throw a turbo on though!

Beyond that, I do own an RX-8 that was totaled by my insurance company back in October and that's my current "project" to fix back up. I was hit in an intersection on the front passenger side and the upper control arm snapped. Low velocity impact -- no airbags or anything. I still have questions about the frame though and if it'll ever hold an alignment again -- the guys at the collision shop were enthusiastic about me fixing it up though. I figure I will replace the suspension myself and bring it to a body shop to measure the alignment of the frame. But, that's likely 6+ months away before I am able to embark on that journey. Too many other projects on the list!

I don't have any kids, I work from home, and my roommate has an SUV he lets me drive as-needed. That gives me the luxury of time with buying a vehicle that I want (like a low-mileage FiST).

Patience is tough when you're excited though!

 

[New_Daily]

Don’t be afraid of flying somewhere to pick up a car as long as you can make absolutely sure its good. Roadtrips are an experience and with our cars unless you are like where I am you quite often just can’t go buy one.

Totally agree with this. As you say, we have a decent selection here in SoCal but I still drove 5 hours for mine (east of the Bay Area) to get the right combo of color, options and really low miles. Start early enough and 5 hours each way is still doable in a day, even when the dealer I got mine from took foooorrrrrrrr ever to complete the sale.

 

[Dpro]

That shows that when you find a good one, you need to be ready to jump on it quickly.

Totally agree with this. As you say, we have a decent selection here in SoCal but I still drove 5 hours for mine (east of the Bay Area) to get the right combo of color, options and really low miles. Start early enough and 5 hours each way is still doable in a day, even when the dealer I got mine from took foooorrrrrrrr ever to complete the sale.

Oh Ya I had to order mine from Ford to get it how I wanted and I still bought it up in Valencia. Which is not far but still like 35-40 miles from here.
Of course that was when they were still available new and still the closest similar configuration was over 400 miles away otherwise.
Though used there are some choices here,