DoggieHowser Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 Just picked this car up to replace my daily drive - a 2012 Tiguan 155TSI with the Golf GTI engine and 4WD, mated to a 7 speed DQ500 wet DSG. I got the Tiguan because I was working inter-state and wanted a bit more storage to haul stuff back and forth. I thought the GTI 2.0T engine would give it a bit of fun factor - and optioned it to the hilt: Adaptive Suspension, Leather, Bixenon, Reverse Camera, All round parking sensors, Auto Park etc. But the car while comfortable has never been involving to drive.It was coming up to 3 years and I decided I might want to downsize to something smaller and more fun to drive without too much money changing hands.I first looked at the Polo GTI - now available in a manual and 1.8T engine - which should hopefully address the reliability issues of the 7speed dry DQ200 DSG and the twin charged 1.4 engine. But the base model was really what we call a "povo" pack and once you start optioning the nicer toys, it stopped being a cheap runabout.I was reading reviews of the Polo GTI and invariably, it was compared to a Fiesta ST. I had test driven the base Fiesta in 2011. A basic 1.6 engine with Ford's version of the DSG. The naturally aspirated engine was lethargic and ran out of poke - and Ford's DSG was jerky and unrefined next to VW's. So I hadn't even bothered looking in Ford's showrooms before this.But while the regular Fiestas in Australia are built in Thailand, the ST was built in Germany and there are some better quality plastics and fit and finish which warranted a second look.The test drive was a blast. Probably couldn't have negotiated a better deal once they saw the big grin I had with the car. So picked it up in about a week. In Australia, it comes with a few things as standard - the cloth Recaro seats is a highlight, the projector headlight (not bixenon tho) with LED DRL, push start/keyless go and the grey wheels among others. Driving it back to the office has been a real blast. My last manual was a circa 2004 Evo8MR so it's been great having to stir the engine - which on the Fiesta ST has been surprisingly rewarding and engaging. The car has the small feisty Jack Russell feel to it - always energetic and eager to go and really manic 4
DoggieHowser Posted June 24, 2015 Author Posted June 24, 2015 I really like that I can have so much fun with the car without breaking the budget And it is fun even at speed limits.. Here are some reviews that kinda capture how I feel Here's a US review - I think the engine is sourced from Germany like the UK/Australian but the US ST is built in Mexico tho
DoggieHowser Posted June 24, 2015 Author Posted June 24, 2015 While this car isn't going to win any awards for "green" emissions, it is still surprisingly frugal on fuel consumption. The combination of the lightweight 1.2 tonne body mated to a 1.6T EcoBoost engine gives a reasonably good 5.8-6.1 average l/100km on my routes. I get about 8.5l/100km on the Tiguan, and about 5.5l/100km with my wife's Golf 77TSI with a 1.2T engine/7 speed DSG. I guess the 7 speed on the Golf helps it achieve slightly better mileage vs the 6 speed manual. Cruising rpm on the Golf on the motorway was at abt 2000 revs while the ST needed about 2400rpm
mello yello Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 well done Doggie a good choice the Fiesta ST, its well reviewed 1
muzzagruzz Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 Well done! I love the little Fiesta as I had the first model Ford brought out here in 2004. It was only the base model three door with 1.6 and 5 speed manual. What a hoot to drive. It had a chassis that was so well sorted and the engine it had at the time was better than later models. It had a decent amount of squirt - I still miss driving that car. Enjoy yours. 1
DoggieHowser Posted June 25, 2015 Author Posted June 25, 2015 One of the things I was concerned about was learning to drive stick again after so long. The fear was completely unwarranted. The clutch is light and easy to operate and the hill start assist made the transition a non-event. I had more problems driving a Toyota HiAce than this car. The gearbox is a delight to use. Truth be told, I used to drive my Evo barefoot so I could have better finesse on the clutch biting point especially after I installed the twin plate clutch, but after the first day, I have been driving the ST with regular shoes.
muzzagruzz Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I remember my Fiesta had a light clutch as well and a decent manual gate. No doubt, the gearbox on yours would be extra special. God, that car must be such fun to drive. You lucky, lucky man. 1
rantan Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 The ST Fiesta is a genuine pleasure to drive and I would dearly love one for myself if I could justify having a second car. They seem to capture the essence of what affordable ,enthusiast motoring should be about but is becoming increasingly rare lately as car makers become obsessed with touch screens and connectivity while ignoring a simple fun factor car. Well done mate, enjoy! 1
DoggieHowser Posted June 25, 2015 Author Posted June 25, 2015 It's amazing how nimble the car feels on the road. The combination of a mere 1.2 tonned, and an engine that gives 20s of overboost to 197ps and almost 300Nm of torque is addictive. Plus the suspension is just designed to play. I have never experienced the rear end step out as much on my other cars. That little bit of rear end playfulness points the car in the right direction and you can get on the gas quickly. I notice I'm going noticeably faster than on my Tiguan despite being down on power and driven wheels. Not a good sign. Especially not when you drive a red car. This is supposed to be the signature color on the new Mustang coming out later this year.
zenikoy Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 Love these small Fords, such great handling and fun, even in base form. Here is my choice, if I could just get it here. Focus ST Wagon! 1
DoggieHowser Posted June 25, 2015 Author Posted June 25, 2015 If you don't mind cross shopping brands, I reckon the Octavia vRS wagon is well worth a look. Very well spec-ed out of the factory. Comes in manual too if you go for the petrol. The turbo diesel in manual would have been ideal for a daily runabout.
zenikoy Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 I like the Octavia wagon, have had it as a hire car in Europe, has a good sized rear space. Not like some more stylised wagons. Suprised me how it seemed quite larger inside and outside than a Golf, which I thought was based on the same platform. The base model seemed a bit ho-hum, compared to the Fords and VWs. Backstory, I lived in Europe for a while till recently and never owned a car. Just regularly rented small and compact hatches and wagons.
DoggieHowser Posted June 25, 2015 Author Posted June 25, 2015 The RS has the Golf GTI engine for the petrol and GTD engine for the diesel. And over here, the car comes with reverse camera, bixenon, sports seats, 8" display from VW's Pro range which ironically isn't available in the Golf R - not even an option.
RockandorRoll Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) The combination of lightweight and a tight chassis is the reason I went the Clio RS Cup. Plays in the same segment as the ST. Different league of handling compared to Golf GTI's, much more chuckable. I imagine its the same with the ST. I like the straight line speed and Dual Clutch of the RS though Edited June 25, 2015 by RockandorRoll
Super Mustud Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 It's most probably not quite as zippy as my black Liberty 3.6 sedan, but fun nonetheless. Well done. You got the fast colour as well.
comfortablynumb Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 Wife has the Fiesta ST. She loves the thing. Gets a real kick out of embarrassing the lads in their Clubsports and XR 8's on the drive home from work. The suspension is pretty firm, but you get that go-cart feel instead I drive a Focus ST. More power, less manners but better fit out inside. 1
metal beat Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 Congrats on the new car - the pocket rocket is back !!! new cars really depend on where you are coming from. I just bought my wife a new VW Tiguan - the mid range petrol model 2l TSI She was going from a Maxda CX-9 to the Tiguan. She loves it , even thou it has a lot less luxury features, it drives so much easier, its smaller so easier to park etc etc. The Tiguan is excellent and was better than the CX-5 and CRV we tested it against. I am a bit like you Doggie, after driving the SUV's just makes me appreciate the GTI even more. enjoy the new wheels 1
Briz Vegas Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 Looking forward to hearing how she goes in the coming months. The ST topped my list on and off while I was contemplating a new car. What put me off was the wobbly interior ( which could be no more than a cosmetic quirk), the fear someone would be keen to nick it for a blast ( very much a secondary reason), and driving through a speed camera in my 20 year old 77 kW 306. I got lucky somehow but I know the temptation is to drive a properly sporty car as it is intended to be driven Can I be slightly pedantic, 1,200 is relatively light, and much lighter than your " Forbee", but it's plump compared to the Fiat 500. Even my 308 is 1070 kg in manual and 1150kg in auto. I would like to see Ford aim for 1000kg with the next Fiesta but I'm very pro light weighting cars.
betty boop Posted June 28, 2015 Posted June 28, 2015 Looking forward to hearing how she goes in the coming months. The ST topped my list on and off while I was contemplating a new car. What put me off was the wobbly interior ( which could be no more than a cosmetic quirk), the fear someone would be keen to nick it for a blast ( very much a secondary reason), and driving through a speed camera in my 20 year old 77 kW 306. I got lucky somehow but I know the temptation is to drive a properly sporty car as it is intended to be driven Can I be slightly pedantic, 1,200 is relatively light, and much lighter than your " Forbee", but it's plump compared to the Fiat 500. Even my 308 is 1070 kg in manual and 1150kg in auto. I would like to see Ford aim for 1000kg with the next Fiesta but I'm very pro light weighting cars. its not a light car at 1200kg, considering it sits below small car class where focus, the peugeot 308 vw golf etc sit weighing that sort of weights and above. but to be fair they are newer ten cars and the festival makes up for in power/torque. two approaches one is light weight so dont need the big brakes, more power full motor heavy duty gearbox etc. different makers find their own sweet spot. we didn't really take to the ford fiesta when we were looking for a small second car...but then we never have taken to fords...closest was when wife owned ford tx5 which was really a mazda 626 the fiesta has come a long way though...from the heady days of the lovely mazda based ford laser TX3 to the horrid little first ford fiesta (should have been called siesta) which was a kia clone. this car is the sixth gen model gong back to 2008 so quite mature in development and few facelifts etc have probably had it the best it ever has been the next fiesta probably will be aiming for 1000kg I suspect, next model with new platform etc. but suspect given model runs of previous generations probably a year or still away
Briz Vegas Posted June 28, 2015 Posted June 28, 2015 (edited) 2017 for the next generation. The models maturity should mean the niggles are ironed out. The ST is 1200kg but the 1.0 triple is much better at 1090 kg in Titanium form. The Focus is around 1300 plus kgs. This is a test mule of the chassis with the current body modified for the different track width etc. Edited June 28, 2015 by Briz Vegas
DoggieHowser Posted June 28, 2015 Author Posted June 28, 2015 The Abarth definitely has more character but I wasn't a big fan of the seating position and I always missed the 6th gear.
betty boop Posted June 28, 2015 Posted June 28, 2015 2017 for the next generation. The models maturity should mean the niggles are ironed out. The ST is 1200kg but the 1.0 triple is much better at 1090 kg in Titanium form. The Focus is around 1300 plus kgs. This is a test mule of the chassis with the current body modified for the different track width etc. oh yes always good arguments on a mature model vs a brand newie. the ford triple is much better but likely lugging 200kg more than need be. most makers are putting a lot more effort into light weighting. because then can go smaller engine, dont need as big in brakes, as heavy duty in drive train, wheels suspension all around. car ca end up not having to cost as much either but lets see what comes to fore ...yes would still be couple of years off maybe even 3 years Id say before lands here. lot of life left in the current model ps for light weighting the new mazda mx5 and fiat/abrth spider are well worth looking out for...with 900kg weight as well and with a sweet basic sky active engine and the fiat with its rorty engines from the 500 will be a lot of fun Id say ! The Abarth definitely has more character but I wasn't a big fan of the seating position and I always missed the 6th gear. the abarth at nearly 2-2.5x the price of the basic 500 though and I couldn't see the value in. the benefit the ford has over it is extra 2 doors which from a practicality point of view as a daily drive Id say a lot of people will find more valuable
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