Fiesta ST not a slow car.

[Old Mike Emerson]

I keep seeing comments about the ST being a slow car. I've owned slow cars and trucks. Datsun 510s and 710, Mazda RX7, Chevy Impala with 283 2 barrel carb and 2 speed trans, 0-60 in a day and a half. The list could go on I've owned over 60 vehicles. The fast cars I've owned were a pain in the ass to maintain, road like crap and handled like a pregnant elephant. You really want a slow car buy any year VW bug. I know I'm older than the majority of ST owners but there is no metric by which the ST is slow at it's price point. Agree or disagree change my mind. LOL

 

[Woods247]

Yeah they’ve never driven anything from the late 70s early 80s haha! Try an 80 Monte Carlo with a 289 and a 2 barrel or a VW Bus. Any VW from those days. I used to think the VW Fox was fast.

 

[Toofless ST]

I keep seeing comments about the ST being a slow car. I've owned slow cars and trucks. Datsun 510s and 710, Mazda RX7, Chevy Impala with 283 2 barrel carb and 2 speed trans, 0-60 in a day and a half. The list could go on I've owned over 60 vehicles. The fast cars I've owned were a pain in the ass to maintain, road like crap and handled like a pregnant elephant. You really want a slow car buy any year VW bug. I know I'm older than the majority of ST owners but there is no metric by which the ST is slow at it's price point. Agree or disagree change my mind. LOL

I didn’t buy my FiST because I was wowed by the power; it was the overall experience. I’ve owned many cars and there has been really fast ones and slow ones. The FiST IMO is neither very fast or very slow. I believe it’s performance is directly proportional to how it’s set up (state of tune, performance/handling mods). There are many vehicles that shouldn’t be faster but they are but if you’re buying an ST to drag race you’re wasting your money. Every ST punches high above it’s weight but there are still those who expect more and tinker with their builds to the point of frustration. For some, I believe, they refer to the FiST as slow as an endearing statement. Dollar for dollar, FiSTs are great performance bargains but still realistic expectations should always be at the forefront. I’ve been pondering trading it in for something else as I miss big V8s but am I taking a chance of just spending more money and having less fun? Im not willing to take that risk right now. Im having too much damn fun just driving to work! And cars run better when they are paid off.


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[GreenenvyFiST]

I keep seeing comments about the ST being a slow car. I've owned slow cars and trucks. Datsun 510s and 710, Mazda RX7, Chevy Impala with 283 2 barrel carb and 2 speed trans, 0-60 in a day and a half. The list could go on I've owned over 60 vehicles. The fast cars I've owned were a pain in the ass to maintain, road like crap and handled like a pregnant elephant. You really want a slow car buy any year VW bug. I know I'm older than the majority of ST owners but there is no metric by which the ST is slow at it's price point. Agree or disagree change my mind. LOL

The power to weight makes it pretty quick IMO. Bigger turbo, if you can get traction, even more. Especially as it cools down, he loves the cool air!

 

[iammacey]

It definitely punches above it's weight. Not slow, in it's class, but it's often compared outside it's class. It's slower than many other hot hatches and when it is being compared to those cars, it's often in a different context. As in, while the slower car, it's still more fun and often the most recommended.

I didn't buy it because it ran strong 0-60 times. I bought it because it's the more fun car to drive. And it carries speed well in the mountains, often feeling faster than it actually is.

 

[M-Sport fan]

This car most definitely feels faster than it actually is on paper.

Most seem to claim that an untuned, factory stock FiST even on the factory summer 'stones will do about a 6.5 second 0-60 AT BEST.

But to me, even though mine may be lighter than most on here due to being fully a base model, (and then gutted from the front seats back, save for the rear door cards, and no extra infotainment hardware at all), it only feels slightly slower in acceleration than the last car I owned before this one, an LS1 Z28, which did a 12.5 @ 115 MPH quarter (so I am guessing about a 4.5 second 0-60 or so??).

 

[Old Mike Emerson]

I didn’t buy my FiST because I was wowed by the power; it was the overall experience. I’ve owned many cars and there has been really fast ones and slow ones. The FiST IMO is neither very fast or very slow. I believe it’s performance is directly proportional to how it’s set up (state of tune, performance/handling mods). There are many vehicles that shouldn’t be faster but they are but if you’re buying an ST to drag race you’re wasting your money. Every ST punches high above it’s weight but there are still those who expect more and tinker with their builds to the point of frustration. For some, I believe, they refer to the FiST as slow as an endearing statement. Dollar for dollar, FiSTs are great performance bargains but still realistic expectations should always be at the forefront. I’ve been pondering trading it in for something else as I miss big V8s but am I taking a chance of just spending more money and having less fun? Im not willing to take that risk right now. Im having too much damn fun just driving to work! And cars run better when they are paid off.


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I agree, but the thought of 300+ HP in a 2700lb car is just to appealing. Plus I've built V-8's, for the money I spent on the ST I could of bought an older Mustang, walked out of Summit Racing (I only live about 20min. from them) with all the parts to make the Mustang an 11sec. car. The ST is a learning experience for me and I love the little beast. Mo power baby! LOL

 

[Capri to ST]

The car hits a sweet spot of performance for me, including its speed. I love the balance of the car, and the power fits well with everything else. The extra bump in power from my Mountune tune doesn't destroy that balance, but actually enhances it.
The car is fast enough to be enjoyable, but not so fast that you immediately need to turn in your driver's license for a year if you punch the gas for a few seconds. That's the problem with a lot of really fast cars, you just can't use or enjoy the speed on a public road.
I practiced law for many years and handled thousands of speeding tickets, so I knew the limits of what you could get away with.If someone got a ticket for 30 over or less, it could usually be plea bargained down to keep their license and eliminate or at least minimize the effect on their insurance. If someone got a ticket for going 95 or more, they were basically screwed, there was nothing that I could do for the person except possibly get them a limited driving privilege to drive only to work or school. Because of that work experience, I decided I didn't want or need a crazy fast car, just one fast enough to be fun, which ours definitely is.

 

[Lays]

It's definitely not fast on stock turbo, with a larger turbo it's a lot more fun, lol.

 

[SteveS]

Slow is because people nowadays look only at 0-60 times to make that judgment, and they don't really have any perspective. They are comparing the Fiesta ST's 0-60 to Pagani Huayrans and Mclarens and 750 HP Dodges.

The reality is that unless you are actually racing at the dragstrip, 0-60 in 8-10 seconds is likely all you can do in daily driving. Maybe 0-30, depending on the road.

 

[Dpro]

I agree, but the thought of 300+ HP in a 2700lb car is just to appealing. Plus I've built V-8's, for the money I spent on the ST I could of bought an older Mustang, walked out of Summit Racing (I only live about 20min. from them) with all the parts to make the Mustang an 11sec. car. The ST is a learning experience for me and I love the little beast. Mo power baby! LOL

Having hit that mark , the only downside I am seeing is torque steer which I absolutely hate.
It is the one thing that makes me want to pick up another RWD for the sake of HP. I am firmly convinced at this point that the sweet spot on these cars is around 250-300 HP max.

The Car is slow on paper stock but feels fast like others have mentioned. Its a Quick fun car. The fun factor and handling is why I bought it. Its very visceral in that way. I am working on eliminating the TQ steer but I cannot see going much beyond the numbers I have managed to pull with the upgraded turbo. Oh and its definitely fast now. Though there are still cars that are faster.

We are in a certain HP glory days. I say that because never before in the last 5-10 years cars have been sold stock with huge amounts of HP. The power to weight ratio’s from the factory have never been better. Even back in the so called Muscle car glory days.
In that sense even with a upgraded turbo that is what the FiST is up against. The trick is to remember its faster where some of those cars still aren’t aka in the corners. I find some of these cars still might edge me in a straight line but the minute I hit the corners I am caught up and passing them.

In a lot of ways this is exactly where the Datsun 510 excelled back in the day. I have to admit driving the FiST stock for the first time did remind me of driving my old 69 2 door 510 that was lowered and pumped engine wise.

I will not get rid of it but I am definitely getting another RWD sports car to sit in the garage alongside it.

 

[Lays]

Having hit that mark , the only downside I am seeing is torque steer which I absolutely hate.
It is the one thing that makes me want to pick up another RWD for the sake of HP. I am firmly convinced at this point that the sweet spot on these cars is around 250-300 HP max.

The Car is slow on paper stock but feels fast like others have mentioned. Its a Quick fun car. The fun factor and handling is why I bought it. Its very visceral in that way. I am working on eliminating the TQ steer but I cannot see going much beyond the numbers I have managed to pull with the upgraded turbo. Oh and its definitely fast now. Though there are still cars that are faster.

We are in a certain HP glory days and I saw that because never before in the last 5-10 years cars have been sold stock with huge amounts of HP. The power to weight ratio’s from the factory have never been better. Even back in the so called Muscle car glory days.
In that sense even with a upgraded turbo that is what the FiST is up against. The trick is to remember its faster where some of those cars still aren’t aka in the corners. I find some of these cars still might edge me in a straight line but the minute I hit the corners I am caught up and passing them.

In a lot of ways this is exactly where the Datsun 510 excelled back in the day. I have to admit driving the FiST stock for the first time did remind me of driving my old 69 2 door 510 that was lowered and pumped engine wise.

I will not get rid of it but I am definitely getting another RWD sports car to sit in the garage alongside it.

Idk about you but... Seeing the look on the guys face in the AMG GT Coupe when we were side by side at 150 mph is good enough for me LMAO

Although, a fully built engine and head with g25-660 still calls my name, unfortunately my bank account can't answer LMAO

 

[Dpro]

Idk about you but... Seeing the look on the guys face in the AMG GT Coupe when we were side by side at 150 mph is good enough for me LMAO

Although, a fully built engine and head with g25-660 still calls my name, unfortunately my bank account can't answer LMAO

Been there done that. 😂 It gets old after awhile. Plus its just not what the car is built for . Ya I get the sleeper game but the car was meant for corners .

 

[Lays]

Been there done that. 😂 It gets old after awhile. Plus its just not what the car is built for . Ya I get the sleeper game but the car was meant for corners .

That's why mine is setup for both 😁 kill em on the straights and the corners too 🤘

 

[Intuit]

For a 1.6L 4cyl turbo, it's quick. The FiST has good styling and is often compared outside of its class; often mistaken for a FoST, hopefully never a FoRS.

Unlike nearly all other vehicles ramming an automatic shi(f)t transmission down your throat, the driver is a large factor. Adds to the fun.

All that said, the way most people drive their SUVs and econoboxes, even my manual shift 88HP Escort was fast. I've watched 300HP V8s hold up lines of traffic on highway entrance ramps. Unless you're racing, there's no situation where the vehicle will be too slow. Whatever one puts on the road, there will always be someone saying "it's slow". (believe me, I know) Pay them no mind. Fast is relative.

 

[gtx3076]

Going 100mph is not as fun as getting to 100mph in my opinion. I feel like this is the distinction between quick and fast. I think quick is more fun, and you can be quick on the daily, and fast on occasion.

 

[Dpro]

Going 100mph is not as fun as getting to 100mph in my opinion. I feel like this is the distinction between quick and fast. I think quick is more fun, and you can be quick on the daily, and fast on occasion.

This all depends on where you are going 100. Going 100 in long sweepy twisties is a gas.
The thing to remember is going 100 anywhere ( outside of being on track or a rally course) can get you a license suspension, impounded vehicle and lawyer costs.

kids do not do this on the street.

 

[Mikey456]

I owned a 1973 914 2.0. The biggest stock VW motor you could get. Man it was a great fun car when you were going downhill. It was no fun going up any hill.

 

[Old Mike Emerson]

I owned a 1973 914 2.0. The biggest stock VW motor you could get. Man it was a great fun car when you were going downhill. It was no fun going up any hill.

I had a 82 4 speed Chevette, I had to down shift and turn the A/C off to pass any body. LOL

 

[gtx3076]

This all depends on where you are going 100. Going 100 in long sweepy twisties is a gas.
The thing to remember is going 100 anywhere ( outside of being on track or a rally course) can get you a license suspension, impounded vehicle and lawyer costs.

kids do not do this on the street.

When speed limits are 70-85 it’s not a stretch to go a little faster, especially on closed express lanes. But, y’know, follow all applicable laws in your area.