So, I now own this...

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
09/29/2013 at 22:08 • Filed to: None

2014 Fiesta ST, sunroof, Molten Orange. I did not get the Recaros, and due to the shape of my ass, and the narrow width of the car I think that may actaully have been the smart move, though I will probably miss the seat heaters and side mirror defrosters this winter :/

Sadly I'm going to have to thing about a winter tire and wheel package sooner, rather than later. As sticky as the Potenza RE050s are on dry pavement, I fear they will not hold up well to Vermont winters and this is my daily driver now. 15"s will clear the brakes, but I might look at a 16" set just to keep the appearance better in tact with winter rubber on it.

Pictures do not do the color justice and although it doesn't quite have the attitude of the 500 Abarth it's a bit more practical and I think it's handling limits are higher too... and it's just a smidge quicker, though in the grand scheme of Fast Cars, it really only rates a "quite quick". The torque is awesome, its very easy to drive in traffic and it loafs along on secondary roads quite happily while returning nearly 40mpg ;) the ride is firm, but not impolite, even if there's a fair amount of suspension noise reaching the cabin (Vermont roads, in case you didn't know, are NOT know for their smoothness...) it's not crashy or harsh. taller profile winter tires should smooth that out even more.

It's a wee ball of happy ;)

also of note; this is the first car I've owned with Hill Start Assist (as Ford calls it's hill-holder system)... a dude could get used to that!

DISCUSSION (63)

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:11

Nice car! For some reason I thought they all came standard with the Recaros?

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:11

Sweet man! Have you done anything naughty with it yet?

Kugelblitz > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:13

I thought smaller, narrower tires would be the go to size for snows?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:15

Kinja'd!!!

next to my old Elantra Touring for comparison.

Kinja'd!!!

will probably have to go out and do an Orange Car/Orange Leaves photo shoot soon, since we are near peak color...

Kinja'd!!!

my friend's Civic coupe has never looked so big!

Also, yes, it hangs the ass out just like you see in all the videos ;)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:17

They paired the side-mirror defrosters to the Recaros!? Really Ford? Fuck you. My 2002, no-options SVT Focus still included side-mirror defrosters.

Also, the FieSTa and the SVT Focus and SVT Contour share the same 4x108 bolt pattern. So a set of SVTC wheels should do you nicely for the winter. They are 16's by the way, and what I use on my SVT Focus.

I was seriously considering one of these, but the more I learn about the assinine options packaging I am thinking I might have to pass.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:17

Congrats bro, that's a really nice looking car for sure. Manual or Auto? I'm curious because I at first assumed Manual, but then you mentioned the Hill Start Assist which, I think only comes in autos... right?

POD > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:18

We demand 0-60 times, lat G's, 70-0 stopping distance, and anything else your ass can tolerate.

Kinja'd!!!

mkellis > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:22

While you're looking at snow tires, consider the Nokian WRG2 and WRG3. They're not studded, but they are damn nice 4-season tires and have excellent winter grip on anything short of ice.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:24

Thinking about one of these when I graduate, provided I (LOL) find employment. Would you recommend this over the FocuST?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
09/29/2013 at 22:25

yeah, it pisses me off too, but you's takes you's lumps and I'll probably survive.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > POD
09/29/2013 at 22:26

I'll get right on that ;) anyone in VT have a Gmeter I can borrow?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
09/29/2013 at 22:27

nope, 6spd stick. Oddly they don't advertise the feature, in fact i don't even thing it's on the window sticker, but the first time I pulled away from an uphill start I was like "whaaa?!" then i found the menu in the Sync screen that lets you disable it if you want.. but seriously, why would you do that?

Stephen the Canuck > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
09/29/2013 at 22:27

That would be something for manuals.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:29

Great review. I like Molten Orange, so sad they stopped painting Raptor that color. It really shines in the sunlight. Are you glad you got the Fiesta instead of the Focus?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > mkellis
09/29/2013 at 22:30

I'm a big fan of the Dunlop WinterSport series and have been running them for several years now. Much better on dry pavement and in the rain than other winter tires i've driven, and still aggressive enough to handle a nasty storm if you're not an ass about it. Also, they're a little cheaper than the Nokians..

Jayhawk Jake > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:32

Just wait til hill start assist makes you stall.

I liked it at first, but I hate it now. It hardly ever actually turns on anymore, I don't know why, but it's made me stall a few times.

SonorousSpeedJoe > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
09/29/2013 at 22:32

Nope, they're an option. The Focus ST is the same way - bare-bones models have the standard Focus seats with ST embroidery as opposed to the Recaros.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:32

Yeah, that's pretty awesome to be honest. My parents' 2013 TrailBlazer has it, and it's always a hand to drive it in the hills and ups and downs in my area.

My Tipo, being from 95 and all, only has a standard 5 speed with no electronic features whatsoever, so I've had to learn not to let it slide on hill starts, but I still hate having to do it in the rain. I always lose traction in the rain.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > vdub_nut: scooter snob
09/29/2013 at 22:42

well, that depends on your priorities... the Focus is faster, no doubt about that, it also has higher handling limits, its also BIGGER... BUT I think the Fiesta is much more pleasant to drive in traffic, is a couple $K cheaper, cheaper to insure, gets better fuel economy, and is friendlier at the limits of handling. the Focus is like "Fuck you, you pushed too hard, now your corner is screwed, enjoy that guardrail!" while the Fiesta is like "oh, hey, you seem to be on the limits of adhesion, and about to understeer, let me take care of that by stepping the rear out in a nice, friendly, happy, squeally way! You didn't shit your pants? Ok! lets do it again!" Also, I think it rides better too...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > vdub_nut: scooter snob
09/29/2013 at 22:48

Also: torque steer. The focus has lots (even with the e-diff), the Fiesta has almost none.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > SonorousSpeedJoe
09/29/2013 at 22:52

The base Fiesta ST seats are actually different from the standard Fiesta seats, though the bottom cushion could probably use even MORE side bolstering... if you have a skinny ass the Recaros are awesome, but I don't... and because the Fiesta is so narrow they are TIGHT. The after-Market Sparco and Recaro seats (Sparco passenger, Recaro driver..) I have I have in my 242 race car are MUCH more comfortable than the ones in the ST Ford siblings...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jayhawk Jake
09/29/2013 at 22:53

Which vehicle do you have with Hill Start Assist?

Jayhawk Jake > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 22:56

Chevy Sonic.

It's hard to describe, but I feel like the car has learned to not use it. I'm probably full of shit, but I've noticed the car rolling backwards when it SHOULD be enabled. That being said, I'm glad it's stopped. Maybe on a steep hill it would be nice, but on a shallow incline it's too aggressive.

Did you compare your seats to the ones in the standard Fiesta? Are they the same? I haven't seen a Fiesta ST without the recaro's yet, and I was curious if the seats were special at all.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
09/29/2013 at 22:57

yes.

POD > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 23:00

Damn it, no, AB.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 23:03

Thanks. I'm also factoring in stuff like the cost, cost of ownership, etc., so your post(s) helped a bunch.

Again, this all relies on me getting a jorb.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
09/29/2013 at 23:06

yeah, it's a really great color! I just fear how expensive it'll be to repaint if I ever get in a paint damaging situation :/ And yes, the Focus is definitely faster, but I think the Fiesta is a more livable every-day vehicle in traffic and city streets... and I need this to be my daily driver, that means traffic, as much as I hate to admit it :p

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
09/29/2013 at 23:10

The Focus and Fiesta ST's are only available with a 6-speed manual.

Soloburrito > Jayhawk Jake
09/29/2013 at 23:11

Same here in my mustang. I didn't stall it but the engine did lug for a split second as I compensated with a little more throttle.

I feel like you need to be on a decent incline and apply firm brake pressure. That's just a guess but you're right it's hit or miss.

ddavidn > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 23:21

I am super jealous! I want one! Congrats on your new baby!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > ddavidn
09/29/2013 at 23:27

Thanks :) I'm pretty damn happy with my purchase and the 0% promotional financing makes it even easier to love ;)

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jayhawk Jake
09/29/2013 at 23:33

Hmmm, I only hope Ford did a little better job with the logic than Chevy did... I mean Subaru's been doing it for 30 years... In any case, the base Fiesta ST seats have different backs, with more aggressive side-bolsters, but I think the bottom cushions are the same as the standard Fiesta seats :/ they're not BAD, but I wish they had a LITTLE more ass-locating prowess... But as I said before, the Recaros are just too damn narrow for my ass.

Manuél Ferrari > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 23:49

That's really interesting. I haven't read up on either car much and didn't know how big of a handling edge your car has.

Does it give you that nice feedback when going around a really long turn too fast? My cousin used to have a VW Corrado and he pushed it too hard around a near 360 turn. The car didn't really warn him before he lost traction, he just got to the limit and things got sketchy. Luckily he was able to correct and avoid an incident but his experience always scared me away from high power FWD cars. I've always driven RWD cars and never had a situation like that where the car was not warning me about the handling limit getting close.

Manuél Ferrari > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/29/2013 at 23:54

Your description of the FocuST's handling is exactly the kind of car I hate to drive. I want my car to warn me ahead of time before things get hairy.

I have a Porsche 997 C2. While the rear engine will cause the pendulum effect if you botch a turn you REALLY have to botch the turn for it to happen. It gives you plenty of feedback before you get anywhere close to having an incident. The classic 911s drive more like your description of the FocuST. They have plenty of grip until they don't, and you have to correct perfectly and quickly or you will spin out.

offroadkarter > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 00:00

Congrats on the new ST! Compared to an Elantra I'd say you made a hell of an upgrade.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > offroadkarter
09/30/2013 at 00:08

Honestly, the ET was a really good car, and Skippy was a good companion for many years... completely reliable, quite comfortable, very spacious, not too boring... but yes, it is an upgrade ;)

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 00:23

All us Opponauts should buy a shared G-meter and one of those accurate speedo box things to send off when someone gets a new car.

Rory > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
09/30/2013 at 10:45

A lot of cars here in Europe have hill assist on Manuals , my mothers Golf has it .

Benzed92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 14:13

This is good news as a possible future Fiesta ST owner, did you get the mountune kit or intend to?

Benzed92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 14:16

Also curious as to what seats you have in the 242 if I don't go with the Recaro package. Thanks!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Benzed92
09/30/2013 at 14:41

At this point I find the car to be pretty much "just right", so I don't feel a need for the Mountune kit, although a slightly more agressive exhaust note would be kinda fun ;)

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Benzed92
09/30/2013 at 14:42

At this point I find the car to be pretty much "just right", so I don't feel a need for the Mountune kit, although a slightly more agressive exhaust note would be kinda fun ;)

Benzed92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 15:50

+1 on the exhaust note. I believe Milltek is the only one out right now, but I know Cobb has a whole host of parts currently in development. You said you came from an Elantra so the the performance must be at a new level, but do you have a reference of it from a more powerful car? I will be adding a Fiesta alongside my Mazdaspeed 6 so it will be a much different gap than the Hyundai.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Benzed92
09/30/2013 at 16:09

I have a 1982 Volvo 242 race car with a fully race-built b23 running high-comp pistons, big valves, hot cam, equal-length header, distributorless ignition and a pair of (well tuned) Webber 45 DCOEs ;) The turbo Fiesta is right up there, but torquier below 5000RPM than the NA Volvo by a wide margin. I also used to own a mildly breathed upon Volvo V70AWD (not an R, but mine was running about 12PSI instead of the factory 8, so probably 230HP and lots-o-torque) and I have owned an Alfa Romeo 164-S and a moderately tuned Mazda Protege LX. The Fiesta handles better than any of them but the 242 race car (which is currently shod with Toyo Proxes R1Rs...) and goes better in the midrange than any of them... The Alfa would probably take it off the line and for sure in a high-speed run - for that matter the Volvo would probably take it in a straight-line blast too - (high-speed being over 110 mph) but all that ridiculous little-turbo-four torque makes the Fiesta real sweetie in the midrange, and it's immensely flingable ;)

Benzed92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 16:19

That's the best news I've heard all day! From what I've heard with everyone complaining about the Toyobaru twins lacking torque, 200lb-ft seems to be just right. You also have quite the list of cars going there. :P How do you like the R1R's? My MS6 currently has a little over 2" of ground clearance and will become a snowplow in the winter, so I am looking for some DOT comp tires for this spring and onward. Thanks again for all the info!

Benzed92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 16:19

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Benzed92
09/30/2013 at 16:37

The R1Rs have some seriously short tread life, don't even think about driving them in rain. Hell, even if the pavement is below 50-degrees they get dicy. These are actually my first Toyos, I've been a Yoko and Sumitomo guy most of my high-performange tire buying life...

Benzed92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/30/2013 at 17:06

Hmm well it looks like no R1Rs for me.. haha that kind of performance sounds like the GY Eagle F1 Supercar G2s on my dad's GT500, can't speak for rain use cause it's never seen such weather, but even under 70* ambient, until midway through third gear there's smoke pouring out the rear fenders.

i-do-strange-things > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/16/2013 at 19:15

Bring it up to Mt Philo this weekend. There just so happens to be a hillclimb there this weekend. You could give it a right proper G test.

And my 1992 Subaru Legacy had hill holder.

Daddio > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/31/2013 at 14:35

Good choice.

I am enjoying my first car with hill holding (Accord Sport 6MT), and it's quite awesome indeed. I always prided myself on my smoothness and quickness, and enjoyed an excuse to use the handbrake occasionally. But yeah, foot off the brake and it just stays there, even better than an automatic would... pretty rad.

Shiftright > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/31/2013 at 14:59

Nice choice. I'm so much more impressed by a car in the low to mid $20ks that can deliver performance, fun and style than another megabuck exotic or luxo barge. The current obsession with horsepower is ridiculous and the harsh reality is that you'll probably have more fun driving this everyday in real driving conditions that someone in a Shelby GT500.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Shiftright
10/31/2013 at 15:57

Exactly ;)

AcesNines > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/31/2013 at 21:24

But will it make it up the Notch access road? Or the Lincoln Gap?!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > AcesNines
10/31/2013 at 21:37

maybe not in winter, but both were driven in early October ;)

AcesNines > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/31/2013 at 21:58

Actually, when the weather gets better, do you want your cars photographed somewhere scenic? I'm doing a lot of bike work lately, but I want to get some cars in the book too: http://burlingtonography.tumblr.com/

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > AcesNines
10/31/2013 at 22:13

nice work, love the Commando. here's me: photograph4.c0m ;) site's a bit out of date...

AcesNines > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/31/2013 at 22:17

Nice! I gotta get more of my hiking stuff up somewhere.

If you are interested though I'd love to do the shoot with you; being able to build my book and get out of shoehorning myself into late 60s early 70s British motorcycles would be good...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > AcesNines
10/31/2013 at 22:26

yeah, sure! Now that it's got the Michelin Xice Xi3s on it we might even be able to have some fun in the snow ;)

a couple I took this fall:

Kinja'd!!!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > AcesNines
10/31/2013 at 22:26

Kinja'd!

Kinja'd!!!

AcesNines > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/31/2013 at 22:30

Oh nice! I knew a few overlooks in Jericho that are great for sunset shots over the car, and I have access to studio gear at work, so we can make your baby shine.

n1zm0 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/01/2013 at 13:56

Having an SR S13 just after HS and swimming in the JDM imported Skylines and such here and there, I recall now much gas I used to blow through in those turbo and twin turbo cars, now that i'm older and I have different priorities, I need to find a new car, more specifically I want to ride the (much belated because-of-the-gas-guzzling 70s) North American-forced-induction bandwagon with everyone else preferably a sub 2.5L Turbo, that being said is it still safe to say, keep out of the boost as much as possible in these newer turbos and you should be ok? or do they still suck down gas like no tomorrow. I always considered a Mazdaspeed3 but I feel like I should go with a lower displacement still keeping that love for boost in mind.

The Fiesta ST is particularily interesting as it's a 1.6L Turbo and it looks decent though i'm the last person you'd think would ever buy a domestic make/model, I wish Nissan would shove their 1.6 T from the Juke into something interesting like this. Or else I think I'm just going to settle for a 1.8L TFSI Hungarian Audi A3 Sedan in a few years.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > n1zm0
11/01/2013 at 14:23

I drive a 50/50 mix of city miles (sometimes my 3.5 mile commute can take nearly 30 minutes) and highway (a bunch of friends live down 35 miles down the interstate, and I visit them a couple times a week) and i'm seeing about 28 combined on plus, which is better than the 26ish I saw on regular, and I did not note an improvement in economy going to super, though it might have had a little more punch. I can't say I'm easy on it, but i'm not lighting the tires from every stop either....

Just4GP > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/01/2013 at 15:51

Congrats on the new ride. No interior pics?