New here and in the market for a FiST, (almost) no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited!

[BushManofSFrip]

Hi all, new here from the NorCal area and in the market for a FiST. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’m considering one in the SoCal area but I’ve been told that someone local might be willing to help? Where would be the best place to ask?

Excited to be part of this community (hopefully with my own ST very soon)!

 

[XR650R]

A lot of these cars are modded. That's not a bad thing in itself, but make sure that it's running properly.

 

[Capri to ST]

Here's a thread I started years ago which as it says lists mechanical changes and improvements through the years.
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...-improvements-to-fist-through-the-years.9186/

I would advise looking for a 2016 or newer to get the newer Sync 3 screen system, and also to get the newer cylinder head design which had a recall on some of the earlier models. If you find a good one, jump on it quickly, because there aren't that many good examples out there. The cars have generally been quite reliable and held up well. Good luck on your search.

 

[D1JL]

Dave

 

[BushManofSFrip]

A lot of these cars are modded. That's not a bad thing in itself, but make sure that it's running properly.

For sure, the mods don’t put me off, but I’ve read that it depends on the types of mods people had upgraded. Such as skipping on a more expensive mod and going for a cheaper one in some cases, and/or maybe the installers weren’t the best.

Also the fact that fun cars like this, especially with mods, can get driven hard. I mean obviously that’s the point, but you never know how someone treated it.

But mods are not an automatic no-go for me. Appreciate the input though!

 

[BushManofSFrip]

Here's a thread I started years ago which as it says lists mechanical changes and improvements through the years.
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...-improvements-to-fist-through-the-years.9186/

I would advise looking for a 2016 or newer to get the newer Sync 3 screen system, and also to get the newer cylinder head design which had a recall on some of the earlier models. If you find a good one, jump on it quickly, because there aren't that many good examples out there. The cars have generally been quite reliable and held up well. Good luck on your search.

Awesome! That’s super helpful! Thank you!

I’ve been window shopping both the FoRS and the FiST for a couple of years now and I do recall the cylinder heads being an issue on some models, it didn’t recall what years. So I appreciate that. Ideally looking for a 2018-2019 model but happy with anything 2016 or newer.

Thanks again!

 

[BushManofSFrip]

​

Dave

Appreciate it!

 

[SVTBob]

I was in your position in June. I knew very little about the FiST. But everything I’d read was great (One of 20 best enthusiast cars EVER, Road and Track, May/June 2024). Discovering this forum was a huge help. A goldmine of info and generous members willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Nervous about getting one that had been abused, decided I would get the newest stocker I could find with low miles, around 25k miles, as the basis for building a fairly modded car. Instead, I now own two, one nearly stock (an aftermarket exhaust and a Cobb intake; putting a stock exhaust on it tomorrow). The other with a pretty high degree of mods but clearly driven hard fairly often, but also well cared for with well thought out mods. Lessons learned: don’t let mods deter you, per se; pay much more attention to the overall condition, try to inspect it in person. Getting a well cared for car is more important than miles and that is usually fairly obvious on inspection and a test drive. However, also decide beforehand how you will mostly use it. If you’re not going to track it or do canyon runs regularly, don’t buy a highly modded car. But if you do want to race, hpde, autox, etc., buying an appropriately modded car can save you a lot of time, $ and effort. A stocker is well balanced and plenty entertaining and mods generally mean a lot more NVH and noise. Be willing to travel to get the right car (bought the stockish car in PA, enjoyed driving it home to AZ, glad I did that, very nice car). The engines in these cars are pretty robust, so don’t let low miles be a priority, although there are seemingly more out there than you think. I know 2 other guys who have bought cars with around 25k miles and I bought 2, since June. And there was one on the forum recently, for sale in GA, a 2019, I believe, original owner, obviously well cared for and not abused, with 21k, just weeks ago. I would give the ‘16-19’s priority. I would try to sit in both the Recaro and base seats as a first step; some find the Recaro’s too constrictive and the leather is hotter in warmer weather. So take your time, be honest with yourself as to how you will use it and you will find a very nice car at a reasonable price.

 

[Zeille]

I was somewhat in your position back in October of 2023. I only knew that my uncle absolutely LOVED his that he bought brand new in 2014, and my dad had owned one since 2021. My friend was selling a pretty clean & well-maintained car, and I managed to pick it up from him for a bit less than asking price, due to him needing to sell it fast so he could get a very low-mile (15k mi) 2009 Cobalt SS Sedan off BAT. My car has since gone 23k miles, and has had minor issues. Radiator fan (probably fan control module) went out, upstream o2 went "bad" (throwing a p219a which did NOT affect performance), i broke my coolant return line when doing my o2 - so it's fragile, and i'm having an odd suspension noise because i went contrary to a rule of thumb my family has and i fixed something that wasn't broken. my car is now sitting at 162,6xx and running strong, but clutch could use replacement down the line.

try to aim for something under 60k miles if that's at all possible. if you're looking over 100k, try to find something that's had a timing job done so you don't have to fork out the money to do that

 

[BushManofSFrip]

I was in your position in June. I knew very little about the FiST. But everything I’d read was great (One of 20 best enthusiast cars EVER, Road and Track, May/June 2024). Discovering this forum was a huge help. A goldmine of info and generous members willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

It’s great to hear this, really helps knowing others have been where I am. Which is often the case with most things, but helps hearing it firsthand. I do miss specific forums and having great discussions rather than worrying about “votes” and “content”. These types of communities have always been great to participate in. Nice to belong to one again

Nervous about getting one that had been abused, decided I would get the newest stocker I could find with low miles, around 25k miles, as the basis for building a fairly modded car. Instead, I now own two, one nearly stock (an aftermarket exhaust and a Cobb intake; putting a stock exhaust on it tomorrow). The other with a pretty high degree of mods but clearly driven hard fairly often, but also well cared for with well thought out mods.

That's good to hear, from what else I’ve been trying to gather it seems it also depends on what mod has been done and sounds like only in specific circumstances that some cheaper mods should be avoided?

Lessons learned: don’t let mods deter you, per se; pay much more attention to the overall condition, try to inspect it in person. Getting a well cared for car is more important than miles and that is usually fairly obvious on inspection and a test drive.

Of course, I also don’t know what I am doing yet though, so me inspecting it in person might not mean much. lol But I’ve been looking around here and at mechanics to make sure I get a PPI and find someone nearby that is experienced with

However, also decide beforehand how you will mostly use it. If you’re not going to track it or do canyon runs regularly, don’t buy a highly modded car. But if you do want to race, hpde, autox, etc., buying an appropriately modded car can save you a lot of time, $ and effort. A stocker is well balanced and plenty entertaining and mods generally mean a lot more NVH and noise.

I am open to trackingn it, but that is not my primary conern. I'd definitely like to do some canyon runs, but I don't know how often I will realistically be doing them. But who knows, maybe once I have one, and have done a few I might be more inclined to do them more frequently. The primary use will be my daily driver, not really much of a commute, but running errands around town but I'd like to be able to have fun with it when I can. Weekends, and when the opportunity arises.

Be willing to travel to get the right car (bought the stockish car in PA, enjoyed driving it home to AZ, glad I did that, very nice car). The engines in these cars are pretty robust, so don’t let low miles be a priority, although there are seemingly more out there than you think. I know 2 other guys who have bought cars with around 25k miles and I bought 2, since June. And there was one on the forum recently, for sale in GA, a 2019, I believe, original owner, obviously well cared for and not abused, with 21k, just weeks ago. I would give the ‘16-19’s priority. I would try to sit in both the Recaro and base seats as a first step; some find the Recaro’s too constrictive and the leather is hotter in warmer weather. So take your time, be honest with yourself as to how you will use it and you will find a very nice car at a reasonable price.

I am definitely willing to travel, I'm not sure I'd want to do a full cross countrym especialy with the weather getting wrose, and I'd like to avoid one that has been in the snow if I can, but I am not going to rule anything out and keep my options open. I suppose time is the biggest factor. I don't want to pull the trigger on something prematurely but my car just died on me and I am paying for a rental. Thank you again for all of your input, I really apprecaite it!

 

[BushManofSFrip]

I was somewhat in your position back in October of 2023. I only knew that my uncle absolutely LOVED his that he bought brand new in 2014, and my dad had owned one since 2021. My friend was selling a pretty clean & well-maintained car, and I managed to pick it up from him for a bit less than asking price, due to him needing to sell it fast so he could get a very low-mile (15k mi) 2009 Cobalt SS Sedan off BAT. My car has since gone 23k miles, and has had minor issues. Radiator fan (probably fan control module) went out, upstream o2 went "bad" (throwing a p219a which did NOT affect performance), i broke my coolant return line when doing my o2 - so it's fragile, and i'm having an odd suspension noise because i went contrary to a rule of thumb my family has and i fixed something that wasn't broken. my car is now sitting at 162,6xx and running strong, but clutch could use replacement down the line.

try to aim for something under 60k miles if that's at all possible. if you're looking over 100k, try to find something that's had a timing job done so you don't have to fork out the money to do that

That's all very helfpul, thank you. Do despite those earlier issues, since then the ST has been running like a champ it sounds like? I do actually have two local to me, one of which has 57,xxx miles on it, the other a little over 100k. Both are pretty much stock and not the color I want. But the one wiht 57,xxx looks pretty clean, and as far as I can tell the only mod it has is an exhaust. I'll create a new thread to post pics and videos of it.

 

[atlantaM3]

I’ve been window shopping both the FoRS and the FiST for a couple of years now

These are VERY different cars. Be clear on what you are after regarding performance and driving dynamics. The 2018 RS in good condition also commands a significant premium, as its the most desirable due to suspension, diff changes from the other years.

 

[BushManofSFrip]

These are VERY different cars. Be clear on what you are after regarding performance and driving dynamics. The 2018 RS in good condition also commands a significant premium, as its the most desirable due to suspension, diff changes from the other years.

Totally fair and after the last few days I’m leaning heavily towards the FiST. There is an RS local to me so I’ll give that a test drive first before completely moving away from it. If the test drive changes my mind then maybe I’ll move back in that direction, but I think the FiST has won me over.

I appreciate the feedback!

 

[dhminer]

Totally fair and after the last few days I’m leaning heavily towards the FiST. There is an RS local to me so I’ll give that a test drive first before completely moving away from it. If the test drive changes my mind then maybe I’ll move back in that direction, but I think the FiST has won me over.

I appreciate the feedback!

The RS is an incredible car, but the seating position is so bad I bought a fist instead. There are now plenty of aftermarket brackets to fix this, but not sure what an insurance company would say in the event of a bad accident and they found it. Hopefully wouldn’t be an issue, but insurance companies are cocksuckers so who knows. Fiestas with recaros have the same issue, btw.

 

[BushManofSFrip]

The RS is an incredible car, but the seating position is so bad I bought a fist instead. There are now plenty of aftermarket brackets to fix this, but not sure what an insurance company would say in the event of a bad accident and they found it. Hopefully wouldn’t be an issue, but insurance companies are cocksuckers so who knows. Fiestas with recaros have the same issue, btw.

I do recall this being an issue with the RS. Matt from The Smoking Tire had one and this was one of his main issues and iirc he even tried to fix it and thought he did but it still ended up bothering him.

Good to know it’s an issue too with the FiST, thanks for the heads up! There are two local to me for sale but neither have Recaro seats.

 

[atlantaM3]

I personally like the Recaros in both, seem to fit me well overall. 6'3", about 250ish, but don't have a large middle.

It's one of those things where you need to sit in them, get them adjusted, and see how they feel. I personally dis not like the standard seats in the Fiesta, plus really wanted heated, which pushed the choice.

 

[Krackenamg]

Hi all, new here from the NorCal area and in the market for a FiST. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’m considering one in the SoCal area but I’ve been told that someone local might be willing to help? Where would be the best place to ask?

Excited to be part of this community (hopefully with my own ST very soon)!

A lot of these cars are modded.

 

[BushManofSFrip]

I personally like the Recaros in both, seem to fit me well overall. 6'3", about 250ish, but don't have a large middle.

It's one of those things where you need to sit in them, get them adjusted, and see how they feel. I personally dis not like the standard seats in the Fiesta, plus really wanted heated, which pushed the choice.

Interesting. Good to know though! Good thing there’s an RS locally to me at a dealer. Definitely going to go check it out and see how the seats feel. Thanks!

 

[dhminer]

Interesting. Good to know though! Good thing there’s an RS locally to me at a dealer. Definitely going to go check it out and see how the seats feel. Thanks!

Maybe a little more color to the recaro “issue.”

There are two problems. One is the seating position which plagues the focus and fiesta and several have spoken to so won’t elaborate further. The second is the width, which is more of a problem in the fiesta.

If you have normal sized legs, you’ll be fine in the fiesta recaros. If you’re a squatter, you’ll squish the family jewels between your quads trying to sit in them. I’m not huge by any means but 26” quads are a no-go for the fiesta recaros even if you don’t mind the seating position.

 

[SVTBob]

Some additional feedback. I swapped out the MBRP exhaust for a stock one yesterday. Now understand why so many people go aftermarket; it is VERY quiet, hard to believe it’s not restrictive and that there’s not power to be gained with an aftermarket exhaust on a stock car, although that seems to be the case. Plus there are some mods that just seem to make sense even on a relatively “stock” car. It being so hot where I live, I will definitely upgrade the intercooler which will allow for a very modest OTS tune for a nice small bump in power/torque. Since you need a Cobb APS or similar to do that, if you’re willing to spend the $ on one (which you can buy used for close to half price) you get the extra diagnostic capability plus up to six performance gauges to keep an eye on things. No mater what you do/do not do to the car, why not go with a short shift kit ? Likewise, why not go for a lighter set of wheels to reduce unsprung weight ? And go with upgraded brake pads (although I guess the originals were pretty awesome but it now appears Ford is substituting others). I will do all these changes to a car I was determined to keep “stock”.