[STdan]

In Europe, if you want a watered-down espresso, you ask for an Americano. And for practically forever, if you wanted a weaker version of a European hot hatch, you only had to wait for the Americano version to arrive Stateside. Not anymore. A Motor Trend colleague had already tested the European version of the Fiesta ST in France, and then I got a chance to get behind the wheel of American version -- which is almost exactly the same as the one Europeans have -- in Michigan. There are some differences, such as the rear fascia being a smidge longer to accommodate North American bumper requirements. There are some tuning differences on the suspension, but all of the bits and pieces are the same. Specific to the Fiesta is the honeycomb grille, a new chin spoiler, and a rear diffuser. The Fiesta ST also touts a unique hood, dual exhaust tips, 17-inch wheels, and a spoiler. Also, because of manufacturing limits, Americans will only get four-door models instead of the sleeker, 20-pound-lighter coupes offered Over There.

Read more: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST U.S. Spec First Drive - Motor Trend

 

[IngotslvrST]

Score!

I can't wait to test drive one of these. I have been reading every review and watching all the test drives I could get my hands on since these came out.

 

[ST_Rocky]

I can't wait to test drive one of these. I have been reading every review and watching all the test drives I could get my hands on since these came out.

Trust me, you will be hooked.

 

[IngotslvrST]

Sweet. A few dealers in WA are just starting to get their first FiST shipments. Seems like such a great performance value for the money. Not to mention the recent news of Mountune opening a shop in Socal.

 

[ST_Rocky]

Sweet. A few dealers in WA are just starting to get their first FiST shipments. Seems like such a great performance value for the money. Not to mention the recent news of Mountune opening a shop in Socal.

Of course, it all depends on what you are looking for in a car. Daily transportation (Camry, Hondas)? A Gran Tourer car, some performance, but more high end (VW, Audi, BMW - which lost they way for some time)? Or the not many frills, but an ultimate thrill of being at one with the car, having a shit eating grin? I came from a VW MKV R32, and feel as if I went back in time to my fun days of British sports cars, just without all the breakdowns. As Top Gear had mentioned, it is almost like the old Lotus Cortina. It is a practical car, being a 5 door hatch with plenty of room to use for the family. But on Sundays, you can let her rip on a track or AutoX, and kick some ass.

 

[takuarc83]

I don't think I have ever came across a review that is bad. And all the reviews have declared the FiST as the winner against contenders such as the Peugeot GTi and the Clio RS

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[IngotslvrST]

Of course, it all depends on what you are looking for in a car. Daily transportation (Camry, Hondas)? A Gran Tourer car, some performance, but more high end (VW, Audi, BMW - which lost they way for some time)? Or the not many frills, but an ultimate thrill of being at one with the car, having a shit eating grin? I came from a VW MKV R32, and feel as if I went back in time to my fun days of British sports cars, just without all the breakdowns. As Top Gear had mentioned, it is almost like the old Lotus Cortina. It is a practical car, being a 5 door hatch with plenty of room to use for the family. But on Sundays, you can let her rip on a track or AutoX, and kick some ass.

Yah I have a 2009 stage 1 Cobalt SS Turbo. I love it, but have had so many issues with it. It has less than 18,000 miles on it, and I have never been to a dealer more in my entire life lol. It should be sold by Friday, then I can save up for a FiST. This car sounds like it is so much fun to drive, responsive acceleration and light chassis = FUN. And I always told myself the next car i bought would have to have 4 doors, so the FiST is a natural choice.

 

[joker96]

Ive been with mine for a month and I love it. It has now 1500 miles and I dont regret buying this car. Got to love the torque that sound sympozer thing, comfort looks. fuel economy I mean theres nothing I dont like about this car.

 

[takuarc83]

I just had a test drive of the new 2013 Peugeot GTi. I will have to give it to French for making a very tolerable daily driver that is also relatively fast. But it is no where close to the FiST when it comes to fun factor. The GTi suspension is much less stiff. The standard model comes with satnav and front parking sensors etc. It is only a tad more expensive than the FiST. But the FiST feels faster, pulls harder and sounds better.
I didn't regret one bit after climbing out of the GTi. The online reviews are spot on.

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[NoSUVs]

Of course, it all depends on what you are looking for in a car. Daily transportation (Camry, Hondas)? A Gran Tourer car, some performance, but more high end (VW, Audi, BMW - which lost they way for some time)? Or the not many frills, but an ultimate thrill of being at one with the car, having a shit eating grin? I came from a VW MKV R32, and feel as if I went back in time to my fun days of British sports cars, just without all the breakdowns. As Top Gear had mentioned, it is almost like the old Lotus Cortina. It is a practical car, being a 5 door hatch with plenty of room to use for the family. But on Sundays, you can let her rip on a track or AutoX, and kick some ass.

Cortina? Showing your...experience...there, Rocky?

What gives me the serious case of itch on this car is the combination that it offers: Sporty, roomy (for someone my size, at least), cargo capacity, and enough fuel economy to not induce regret every trip to the pump. I could see using regular gas for the daily drone, and treating it with high test for the misbehavior. The question for me is whether to leap now, or wait until the end of MY 2014 for the sort of deals that are out there on FoSTs right now.

 

[focusedintntions]

Cortina? Showing your...experience...there, Rocky?

What gives me the serious case of itch on this car is the combination that it offers: Sporty, roomy (for someone my size, at least), cargo capacity, and enough fuel economy to not induce regret every trip to the pump. I could see using regular gas for the daily drone, and treating it with high test for the misbehavior. The question for me is whether to leap now, or wait until the end of MY 2014 for the sort of deals that are out there on FoSTs right now.

If you find the right dealer i'd say jump on it now. I got my $750 under invoice and got 5 year 0% financing on mine. Dealer treated it as a regular fiesta.

 

[NoSUVs]

Yer killin' me. A tougher deal is finding one w/o Nav.

 

[ST_Rocky]

Yer killin' me. A tougher deal is finding one w/o Nav.

The nav is not bad. And cause it is built-in, theives can't steal it, like they could a hand held. Even more so, without the tell tale signs of a windshield mount, or a charging cable laying in plain sight, they are less likely to bust out your windows to rape your car - like they did to mine for an old radar detector.

 

[NoSUVs]

The nav is not bad. And cause it is built-in, theives can't steal it, like they could a hand held. Even more so, without the tell tale signs of a windshield mount, or a charging cable laying in plain sight, they are less likely to bust out your windows to rape your car - like they did to mine for an old radar detector.

Yeah, I got ya on that. But, for $795, I can do a lot of things, including buying a really nice GPS...which I already have, with lifetime maps. I have no idea how you update an onboard system, but it won't be free. I'd even save the $395 for the grey wheels, paint my own calipers and be near $1200 to the good, but the early release stock models all seem to have those two items.

I'll keep hunting. The two dealers I'm close to don't even show a FiST on order.

 

[takuarc83]

I do envy you guys for having those extras...

However, like NoSUVs mentioned, I would rather spend it on something else.

I got a galaxy note 2 and the screen is big enough as a substitute for gps. I will also paint my own calipers. For the wheels, plastidips will work like a charm and I can change the color every once in a while should I desire.

Do look out for dodgy dealers that will charge you extra for standard equipment. The one dealer I got a quote from wanted to charge me for the pdc while others confirm they are standard...

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[rodmoe]

ok im not getting this for some reason ? PDC = ???

 

[takuarc83]

PDC = Park Distance Control is what Ford calls them. Or rear parking sensors for the aftermarket lot.

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[rodmoe]

PDC = Park Distance Control is what Ford calls them. Or rear parking sensors for the aftermarket lot.

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Ahhh like the back up cam we don't get in the ST .. gotcha ... thanks

 

[takuarc83]

Not the cam. The dudududu sound thing

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[rodmoe]

Not the cam. The dudududu sound thing

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yupper