How good is the Fiesta ST?

[Gerald]

Hello,

I read recently an article about the fiesta ST placing second behind a McClaren sports car and third was the Porsche 911 Turbo and on and on. Some European magazine apparently tested this car some years back. Was this a very techical track? Its confusing because most reviews don't have the fiesta doing "this well". I was contemplating getting a lightly used 2017-2019 Fiesta ST, do a Cobb $600-1000 package, some wheel spacers front and back, better brake pads front and back and a good quality air filter like an Afe, etc. And very good grippy tires. Maybe some lowering springs. I was looking at a 2010 Porsche Boxter with PDK. With mods I am thinking on putting on the Fiesta ST, could it hang with the Porsche, handling, steering feel, etc? Yeah, the Porsche is a dream car but the luck with Porsches I have had overall has not been the greatest. Thx. Ger.

 

[RubenZZZ]

Try to rent a stock Fiesta St on Turo to get a feel for it.

I may be biased because i drive one, but it really is a great little car.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FJ16]

Yes the ST is a nice little track car, but I can't believe it can outpunch a 911 turbo... do you have a link to that article?

 

[CarGuy]

Hello,

I read recently an article about the fiesta ST placing second behind a McClaren sports car and third was the Porsche 911 Turbo and on and on. Some European magazine apparently tested this car some years back. Was this a very techical track? Its confusing because most reviews don't have the fiesta doing "this well". I was contemplating getting a lightly used 2017-2019 Fiesta ST, do a Cobb $600-1000 package, some wheel spacers front and back, better brake pads front and back and a good quality air filter like an Afe, etc. And very good grippy tires. Maybe some lowering springs. I was looking at a 2010 Porsche Boxter with PDK. With mods I am thinking on putting on the Fiesta ST, could it hang with the Porsche, handling, steering feel, etc? Yeah, the Porsche is a dream car but the luck with Porsches I have had overall has not been the greatest. Thx. Ger.

In the Motor Trend Best Drivers Car test, it placed well too. Finished above some expensive performance cars.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Dpro]

My buddy and fellow forum member D-resonant bought his FiST specifically because he wanted something that could out handle bikes and chase Porsches. He added a S242 Turbo which was one of the predecessors of the S280 and Pretty much runs them down in the Canyons. Indeed these cars handle incrediable and a lot like the Datsun 510 of yesteryear can out handle cars that are a lot more expensive and have more power. Which is why a lot of FiST owners upgrade their turbo’s so they can have the power as well.
I own a E36 BMW M3 which is one of the best handling RWD cars of the 90’s. They did not call them flying bricks for nothing . I can tell you my FiST handles as well if not better and is even more fun to drive.
There are lots of Porsche owners and M3‘s owners and other expensives cars that also have picked up FiST’s because of this.
It’s truly a great little car.

 

[GreenenvyFiST]

My buddy and fellow forum member D-resonant bought his FiST specifically because he wanted something that could out handle bikes and chase Porsches. He added a S242 Turbo which was one of the predecessors of the S280 and Pretty much runs them down in the Canyons. Indeed these cars handle incrediable and a lot like the Datsun 510 of yesteryear can out handle cars that are a lot more expensive and have more power. Which is why a lot of FiST owners upgrade their turbo’s so they can have the power as well.
I own a E36 BMW M3 which is one of the best handling RWD cars of the 90’s. They did not call them flying bricks for nothing . I can tell you my FiST handles as well if not better and is even more fun to drive.
There are lots of Porsche owners and M3‘s owners and other expensives cars that also have picked up FiST’s because of this.
It’s truly a great little car.

I love mine, and it's at stock power. I would love to add an S280 turbo kit, bilstein b6 struts and shocks, and upgrade the intercooler. The only problem is $ lol. I still love it, but 320 to 350 hp and torque would be more fun.😎

 

[Mikey456]

I’m familiar with the Boxster. The car has long gearing and high limits (check out the tire size) It’s not as engaging to drive at lower speeds as the FiST in around town and canyon driving. I prefer my car.

 

[Rexracer]

I believe that article is more about the pure driving experience, not a direct comparison between the cars. If you watch the Motor Trend "best drivers cars" video series, they are not saying "if you were given any one of these cars for free, which one would you pick" they are saying "Which of these cars give you the most pure driving joy", or something like that.

Having had a Boxster (although older, 2001 vs the proposed 20101), in the tight twisty roads, they are both a lot of fun, and the Fiesta can easily keep pace with the Boxster. But at the end of the day, the Fiesta is a small economy car, its fit and finish is not the same (read through the squeaks/rattles thread). Despite that, for a lot of reasons I kept the Fiesta and sold the Boxster.

If its purely a fun car, and you don't care about daily driving comfort/economy, and you live in Porsche neighborhood with Porsche friends, the Fiesta will likely disappoint. But if you want a fun car that can do everything, and put a smile on your face in almost every situation, its an amazing pick. I would also drive it stock, and pick mods carefully. A lot of the fun of the Fiesta is for what it is, many people have "ruined" with mods. Matt Farah specifically talks about his Fiesta ST (reliable) and one pushed to far being un-reliable.
The 5 Ways People Ruin Their Cars | The Drive

 

[kivnul]

I’ll 2nd Rex above. Mods that enhance the things this car is already good at are great. Putting huge turbos, lift kits etc on it to make the car something it isn’t already is a quick path to disappointment. (Tho some folks do love their huge turbos)

 

[iammacey]

It depends on what you're wanting. I love my FiST and I bought it specifically for it's handling characteristics. Not because it was fast. I ride motorcycles and also have a 981 GT4. These all provide very different sensations.

Keeping the comparison to four wheels, the GT4 is absolutely a more special experience. The FiST is solid on-track. I upgraded the radiator, did Fortune Auto coilovers, R888R tires, tune, air intake, brakes, and have an LSD awaiting install. Stock turbo. On the track, power is the issue. I could upgrade the turbo and hang with others much more effectively, but that's not what I'm after.

The Fiesta is liveable, has four doors, it's small, and has plenty of storage. In my current setup, it's a great daily and I swap wheels/tires and I'm on-track. Running costs are relatively low.

That said, it's still a FWD hatch. The same thing that makes it a blast to drive also hinder it somewhat if you're focus is track specific.

The GT4 has better suspension. Considerably wider tires. More power. Better brakes. Better cooling. I can push the GT4 at 7/10s and run better laps than the Fiesta at 9/10s.

All of this said though, the Fiesta was a $20k car and the GT4 is a $107k car. The Fiesta is less a sense of occasion, but more fun to rip around the streets and mountains. It's about momentum, carrying your speed, and having a great time doing it. While not worrying you're going to get into massive trouble having that fun.

I ride a BMW S1000RR on-track. It's an incredible bike. My little Honda Grom for $3k is more fun tooling around.

It really comes down to your use, the roads you plan to drive, and your expectations.

 

[Capri to ST]

The Fiesta ST is considerably more fun to drive than a lot of cars that are better on paper. I had an E90 M3 before this car, and I like this one a lot better, you sit in it instead of on it which is how I felt with the M3.That car was of course considerably faster in a straight line, but for me the problem with having a car that goes 0 to 100 in 10 seconds is that I want to go 0 to 100 in 10 seconds.If you're going 60 in that V8 M3 and punch it, count to three, and then you're at the point where your driver's license disappears if you encounter a cop.
The primary asset of the Fiesta ST is its nimble and agile handling, and that's something that you can use every day without losing your license or going to jail. This makes it a fantastic car in the real world that we have to actually live in. I would agree with others about modifications, don't over modify it, or at least go slow so that you can see if each step is actually an improvement.
To your point about the Porsches, this is a fun article about a guy who liked his Fiesta ST so much that his Porsches weren't being used-
The Fiesta ST Is All the Performance Car You Need
Quick, lively, and practical, the Fiesta ST is simply addictive. And my Porsches still tucked away in the garage are starting to get jealous.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28913/fiesta-st-excellent-performance-car/

 

[Dpro]

I believe that article is more about the pure driving experience, not a direct comparison between the cars. If you watch the Motor Trend "best drivers cars" video series, they are not saying "if you were given any one of these cars for free, which one would you pick" they are saying "Which of these cars give you the most pure driving joy", or something like that.

Having had a Boxster (although older, 2001 vs the proposed 20101), in the tight twisty roads, they are both a lot of fun, and the Fiesta can easily keep pace with the Boxster. But at the end of the day, the Fiesta is a small economy car, its fit and finish is not the same (read through the squeaks/rattles thread). Despite that, for a lot of reasons I kept the Fiesta and sold the Boxster.

If its purely a fun car, and you don't care about daily driving comfort/economy, and you live in Porsche neighborhood with Porsche friends, the Fiesta will likely disappoint. But if you want a fun car that can do everything, and put a smile on your face in almost every situation, its an amazing pick. I would also drive it stock, and pick mods carefully. A lot of the fun of the Fiesta is for what it is, many people have "ruined" with mods. Matt Farah specifically talks about his Fiesta ST (reliable) and one pushed to far being un-reliable.
The 5 Ways People Ruin Their Cars | The Drive

cool article except he is smoking crack if he thinks the dyno readout of 248whp 320ft lbs of torque was even accurate . Stock FiST engine even with a tune will not drop 248whp.

Plus I know what brand of dyno and the actual dyno he did it on. As its the same place that initially tuned my s280 and read out weaker numbers than that… and they told me it had just been correctly calibrated. Also it was way more powerful than stock even with their ok tune P.S. I am no longer tuning with those guys either.

Also the guy running 300 whp and breaking transmissions 3 in one year he had to be pushing way more than 300whp . There are a fair amount of FiST’s pushing more on stock transmissions with no problems.

I smell BS inexperience on tuning and performance on his part in that article and some of the other ones he has done. He is a great read but should not be taken as expert.

Face it he is rich and pays people to put the parts on his cars and tune them to what he tells them too. His overall experience with the FiST was a short lived period as only a year or two after getting it he dropped it like a hot Potato for a Focus RS. Which he also dropped like a Hot Potato.
In other words he goes on anecdotal evidence over long time experience . Do you see him owning a FiST now? Or the FoRS ah no.

 

[iammacey]

cool article except he is smoking crack if he thinks the dyno readout of 248whp 320ft lbs of torque was even accurate . Stock FiST engine even with a tune will not drop 248hp.

Plus I know what brand of dyno and the actual dyno he did it on. As its the same place that initially tuned my s280 and read out weaker numbers than that… and they told me it had just been correctly calibrated. Also it was way more powerful than stock even with their ok tune P.S. I am no longer tuning with those guys either.

Also the guy running 300 whp and breaking transmissions 3 in one year he had to be pushing way more than 300whp . There are a fair amount of FiST’s pushing more on stock transmissions with no problems.

I smell BS inexperience on tuning and performance on his part in that article and some of the other ones he has done. He is a great read but should not be taken as expert.

Face it he is rich and pays people to put the parts on his cars and tune them to what he tells them too. His overall experience with the FiST was a short lived period as only a year or two after getting it he dropped it like a hot Potato for a Focus RS. Which he also dropped like a Hot Potato.
In other words he goes on anecdotal evidence over long time experience . Do you see him owning a FiST now? Or the FoRS ah no.

I hadn't clicked on the article yet, read your post, and knew immediately it was Matt Farah. I don't take his word for anything and no longer watch his channel. Congrats on his success, just doesn't get support from me.

 

[scooter123]

It's a Package and the FiST is a wonderful Package. So, yes, it really is that good. BTW, if you want to absolutely HUMILIATE a Porsche just find a bone stock 1974 911 S, a car that now likely carries a price tag well over 1/4 million. In acceleration, braking, cornering, and top speed this "lowly" little economy car will trounce that Porsche. Fact is it took a turbocharger to restore a decent level of power to the 911.

One major factor the FiST has that is lacking in the high end sports cars is Utility. Just try putting a large dog crate with dog and 2 or 3 shotguns in a Boxster and you'll find you have a problem. With the FiST doing that is, errr, wait for it, DUCK SOUP. Drum roll please. I'll also note that if you stay out of the turbo it's also a pretty good economy car, typically I average around 33 MPG in City driving at an average speed of 28 mph.

 

[XR650R]

It's a Package and the FiST is a wonderful Package. So, yes, it really is that good. BTW, if you want to absolutely HUMILIATE a Porsche just find a bone stock 1974 911 S, a car that now likely carries a price tag well over 1/4 million. In acceleration, braking, cornering, and top speed this "lowly" little economy car will trounce that Porsche. Fact is it took a turbocharger to restore a decent level of power to the 911.

One major factor the FiST has that is lacking in the high end sports cars is Utility. Just try putting a large dog crate with dog and 2 or 3 shotguns in a Boxster and you'll find you have a problem. With the FiST doing that is, errr, wait for it, DUCK SOUP. Drum roll please. I'll also note that if you stay out of the turbo it's also a pretty good economy car, typically I average around 33 MPG in City driving at an average speed of 28 mph.

This.
The FiST can hang with a lot of cars on a race track. The tighter, the better.
You can also use it as a DD. It's very practical for its size, and it has that little extra that makes it fun, rather than just another econobox.
It's such a different animal. I knew when I saw it that I would get one.

 

[LateBrakeU2]

You will never find a better combination of performance, utility, economy, and price point than one of these,best value daily ever! ( on my third)

 

[Clint Beastwood]

I love mine, and it's at stock power. I would love to add an S280 turbo kit, bilstein b6 struts and shocks, and upgrade the intercooler. The only problem is $ lol. I still love it, but 320 to 350 hp and torque would be more fun.😎

lol at those power levels - there are easier ways to get rid of tires you know. Just buy them and throw them away haha

 

[Clint Beastwood]

Hello,

I read recently an article about the fiesta ST placing second behind a McClaren sports car and third was the Porsche 911 Turbo and on and on. Some European magazine apparently tested this car some years back. Was this a very techical track? Its confusing because most reviews don't have the fiesta doing "this well". I was contemplating getting a lightly used 2017-2019 Fiesta ST, do a Cobb $600-1000 package, some wheel spacers front and back, better brake pads front and back and a good quality air filter like an Afe, etc. And very good grippy tires. Maybe some lowering springs. I was looking at a 2010 Porsche Boxter with PDK. With mods I am thinking on putting on the Fiesta ST, could it hang with the Porsche, handling, steering feel, etc? Yeah, the Porsche is a dream car but the luck with Porsches I have had overall has not been the greatest. Thx. Ger.

It's not the best car in the world by a long shot, I hate to say it, but it's true. It's best to get the uncomfortable part out of the way first.
What it *does* do well, is allow you access to an automotive/driving experience that's not typically available in this price range. Its fast *enough*, it handles well *enough*, and it has (to some, not me) *enough* character to keep the owners happy. It's also a great platform for customization and modification. It absolutely does have it's drawbacks, primarily due to the fact it was built to a price (too-small radiator, for example) - but for a car that could be had for, what, $16-17k US *new* it's hilariously fun and does exactly what it's supposed to: inexpensively get you from point A to point B in an entertaining manner. Being turbocharged and a vehicle that saw broad distribution, the aftermarket is reasonably healthy and the car responds well to modifications, which adds to the "smiles per gallon" - when you start getting bored with the car - order a tune! Get an intake! Get one of those weird little blowoff plate thingies if that's what twists your niblets - there's a lot of potential. Sure, the average Camry or V6 minivan is probably faster - but you'll have fun while losing. At the end of the day, a car is like a pet, or a significant other - you like it for it's qualities, but you love it for it's flaws. It's not for everyone, but it is a bit of a hoot.

 

[Zormecteon]

When it was introduced, it finished in the top three performance cars of the year as rated by Road & Track.

It's as quick or quicker than almost all "muscle cars' of the 1960's, as it will do a 1/4 quarter mile in the 14 second range..and 0-60 in 7 seconds or less...

It will carry 4 people. 5 in a pinch. It has tons of space, .. mine averages over 29 mpg, .. and handles like a mini cooper..

There really is nothing else on the road with as many attributes that is a kick to drive.

 

[Clint Beastwood]

It depends on what you're wanting. I love my FiST and I bought it specifically for it's handling characteristics. Not because it was fast. I ride motorcycles and also have a 981 GT4. These all provide very different sensations.

Keeping the comparison to four wheels, the GT4 is absolutely a more special experience. The FiST is solid on-track. I upgraded the radiator, did Fortune Auto coilovers, R888R tires, tune, air intake, brakes, and have an LSD awaiting install. Stock turbo. On the track, power is the issue. I could upgrade the turbo and hang with others much more effectively, but that's not what I'm after.

The Fiesta is liveable, has four doors, it's small, and has plenty of storage. In my current setup, it's a great daily and I swap wheels/tires and I'm on-track. Running costs are relatively low.

That said, it's still a FWD hatch. The same thing that makes it a blast to drive also hinder it somewhat if you're focus is track specific.

The GT4 has better suspension. Considerably wider tires. More power. Better brakes. Better cooling. I can push the GT4 at 7/10s and run better laps than the Fiesta at 9/10s.

All of this said though, the Fiesta was a $20k car and the GT4 is a $107k car. The Fiesta is less a sense of occasion, but more fun to rip around the streets and mountains. It's about momentum, carrying your speed, and having a great time doing it. While not worrying you're going to get into massive trouble having that fun.

I ride a BMW S1000RR on-track. It's an incredible bike. My little Honda Grom for $3k is more fun tooling around.

It really comes down to your use, the roads you plan to drive, and your expectations.

I think pretty much everyone can agree that the grom is the pinnacle of motor vehicle nirvana