[ghoST]

So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Fiesta ST or the Focus ST.

Between work and graduate school I drive about 500 miles a week (97% highway, everything is right off the highway for me) so I need something MPG friendly but enough power to have fun and beat a few Honda's I'm 22, don't have a family, commute alone, and I don''t drive around many people at all other than my girlfriend. My current car's backseat was used all of once. It seems overkill to get the Focus ST as most of that space would go unused and I'd pay the price at the pump. It may be worth it for the extra 50-ish hp though if the FiST feels lacking. From my standpoint, I don't think I can lose either way, but I just wanted your take on the Fiesta ST.

I did some research on Fuelly and found Focus ST's run around 25-26 MPG. The Fiesta gets around 30-31 but there aren't many samples.

A few questions:

1. Do you ever feel a lack of power? Is 197hp ever not enough for you while having fun on the roads?
2. What do you enjoy most about you FiST?
3. MPG what do you get / What's your highway to city ratio?
4. Will I survive snow in the North East with some winter tires in the FiST or is is just too small?
5. Did you get the Recaro's? Do you like them? Are they good for daily driving? Are they worth the extra $2,000? (I'm about 5'9 200lbs, I do some amateur bodybuilding, so I'm not very "fat" in the waist just big broad shoulders, chest, and back.)
6. Base model on TrueCar runs $20,692 with incentives factored in. Recaro's, nav, and painted wheels go for $23,500. Would you say base model or get the extra toys?
7. My stick is 4 years rusty, as I learned on a stick and then haven't driven one since. How difficult is the clutch to get a hang of? Shifter feel?

I'm probably going to wait on a purchase until April or May as that's when I'll have the cash lined up, by then I'm guessing more incentives will be around as it'll almost be 2015 model year time.

 

[cinderbike]

Good luck getting the TrueCar price anytime soon. Most dealers want sticker (or more).

 

[ConST]

My two cents....but if you're doing mostly highway miles, I would think the Focus is the better option. It is more comfortable. The FiST can get bumpy.


1. Do you ever feel a lack of power? Is 197hp ever not enough for you while having fun on the roads? It's plenty, trust me. I've driven both. I like the Focus ST, don't get me wrong, but I find the FiST better in the twisties. The pick up on this little thing is fantastic. Throw in a tune and it will rock.
2. What do you enjoy most about you FiST? Everything, but mainly the gearbox and throws now that I've put in a short shift kit and heavy knob. One of the best boxes I've used. Makes driving pure enjoyment.
3. MPG what do you get / What's your highway to city ratio? I have no clue haha. I just drive it. I think I am getting 8.5L/100km. Sorry, not in the US!
4. Will I survive snow in the North East with some winter tires in the FiST or is is just too small? Can't comment. No snow here!
5. Did you get the Recaro's? Do you like them? Are they good for daily driving? Are they worth the extra $2,000? (I'm about 5'9 200lbs, I do some amateur bodybuilding, so I'm not very "fat" in the waist just big broad shoulders, chest, and back.) They come standard here. I love them. I weight about 240 pounds. I'm pretty big, and I still fit in them fine.
6. Base model on TrueCar runs $20,692 with incentives factored in. Recaro's, nav, and painted wheels go for $23,500. Would you say base model or get the extra toys? Can't comment again. We have no options here. Car comes as is.
7. My stick is 4 years rusty, as I learned on a stick and then haven't driven one since. How difficult is the clutch to get a hang of? Shifter feel? See my previous comment. The stock throw is a bit long. Throw in a short shift kit and it will be beyond perfect. I love it. The clutch is pretty light. Much lighter than the Focus ST

 

[kvetcha]

A few questions:

A few answers.

1. Do you ever feel a lack of power? Is 197hp ever not enough for you while having fun on the roads?

In-gear acceleration is strong. It's down on horsepower compared to the Focus ST, but it's also down on weight. In the end it's a difference of about 1HP/lb.

2. What do you enjoy most about you FiST?

Ride/handling balance. MyFord Touch has actually worked pretty well for me, too.

3. MPG what do you get / What's your highway to city ratio?

So far, around 27.7mpg, 85% city. Sometimes driving like a grandma.

4. Will I survive snow in the North East with some winter tires in the FiST or is is just too small?

You'll be fine. It's not THAT small.

5. Did you get the Recaro's? Do you like them? Are they good for daily driving? Are they worth the extra $2,000? (I'm about 5'9 200lbs, I do some amateur bodybuilding, so I'm not very "fat" in the waist just big broad shoulders, chest, and back.)

I like the Recaros a lot. I test drove the car without them, and while it drove the same, it didn't feel quite as special. That said, $2000 is a whole lot of cash. If you don't mind the base seat aesthetics, there's something to be said for saving money.

6. Base model on TrueCar runs $20,692 with incentives factored in. Recaro's, nav, and painted wheels go for $23,500. Would you say base model or get the extra toys?

I get the impression I got an abnormally good price on my car, but nevertheless: Recaros - see above. Try them yourself and don't let others tell you what to think. Nav - only used it a bit, but it's no more special than a good app on a phone, aside perhaps from the built-in voice integration. Painted wheels - personally, I like the look and they hide brake dust better than the base wheels, but it's up to you whether that's worth the $350.

7. My stick is 4 years rusty, as I learned on a stick and then haven't driven one since. How difficult is the clutch to get a hang of? Shifter feel?

I learned on stick and henceforth drove automatic, aside from a couple of exceptional circumstances in the interim. I've had the Fiesta for almost three weeks now and am feeling almost, but not quite, totally comfortable. I still snag first gear on inclines once in a while, or screw up a shift when I'm distracted, but 98% of the time it's smooth sailing. And that includes commuting in D.C. Metro traffic. Clutch effort is light. Shifter's pretty good, if a touch long.

 

[NorthernProducer]

This might help some that are Farm Bureau members…in Tennessee, members can get an extra $500 off the purchase price of a new Ford (must be a member for at least 60 days). I was able to get that deal when I ordered my ST, and don't forget to look for a dealer that doesn't have crazy "doc fees". My dealer has NO doc fees, but many in this state will charge as much as $600 which is really just add-on profit.

 

[mjm873]

Just picked up mine on Friday, fully loaded with the Recaro package.


1. Do you ever feel a lack of power? Is 197hp ever not enough for you while having fun on the roads?
I honestly think this thing has great power. 2nd gear is where I think I feel the most as far as the turbo goes.

2. What do you enjoy most about you FiST?
Its comfortable and super quick.

3. MPG what do you get / What's your highway to city ratio?
Only have had it for a few days so I am still in the breaking in process.

4. Will I survive snow in the North East with some winter tires in the FiST or is is just too small?
I think it will be alright, but not in snow more than like 8 inches haha.

5. Did you get the Recaro's? Do you like them? Are they good for daily driving? Are they worth the extra $2,000? (I'm about 5'9 200lbs, I do some amateur bodybuilding, so I'm not very "fat" in the waist just big broad shoulders, chest, and back.)
Love the Recaro's. They hug you perfectly and your not sliding around. The leather trim with the cloth middle is awesome, especially with the heated seats.

6. Base model on TrueCar runs $20,692 with incentives factored in. Recaro's, nav, and painted wheels go for $23,500. Would you say base model or get the extra toys?
If your gonna spend the money go all out. My sticker price was about $26,500.

7. My stick is 4 years rusty, as I learned on a stick and then haven't driven one since. How difficult is the clutch to get a hang of? Shifter feel?
Easy to learn and shifting feels awesome. I have always driven a stick car besides my last one (Pontiac G8). This is by far the best feeling shift ive experienced.

Hope it all works out man!

 

[focusedintntions]

1. Do you ever feel a lack of power? Is 197hp ever not enough for you while having fun on the roads?
For everyday driving this thing is plenty quick and great passing power. Keep in mind I ditched a V8 Audi S4 with 350hp and awd and my fun car is a highly modified bmw 135 with easily double the power of the FiST. I enjoy driving it everyday more than either one of those two cars.

2. What do you enjoy most about you FiST? It's personality.
Its fun! and still very economical. To me it has just the right amount of power to have fun w/o getting into crazy dangerous speeds on public roads.

3. MPG what do you get / What's your highway to city ratio?
My last tank was right about 27mpg (only the second tank i've put in) and I do about 85% city driving

4. Will I survive snow in the North East with some winter tires in the FiST or is is just too small?
With snow tires you'll be fine. Believe it or not smaller lighter cars are better for snow/ice vs heavy machinery provided you have proper tires. Slowing a 2700lb object is much quicker than slowing a 6000lb suv.

5. Did you get the Recaro's? Do you like them? Are they good for daily driving? Are they worth the extra $2,000? (I'm about 5'9 200lbs, I do some amateur bodybuilding, so I'm not very "fat" in the waist just big broad shoulders, chest, and back.)
I'm 6'3 275.....they are totally worth it...every penny....just on the back support alone they're worth it.

6. Base model on TrueCar runs $20,692 with incentives factored in. Recaro's, nav, and painted wheels go for $23,500. Would you say base model or get the extra toys?
Get the recaro's and nav...helps with resale later down the road...wheels and calipers can always be changed/refinished and won't really enhance the value....and you aren't going to get true car pricing on it.

7. My stick is 4 years rusty, as I learned on a stick and then haven't driven one since. How difficult is the clutch to get a hang of? Shifter feel?
Get in there and drive, after a week you'll be fine. It's a very easy car to drive and toss around