Non ST Fiestas?

"Svend" (svend)
05/06/2014 at 02:04 • Filed to: None

I see a lot of threads and posts on how well the Fiesta ST is being received over in the states. I know a few people here in the U.K. who love their Focus and Fiesta STs and their regular Focus and Fiesta.

It got me wondering how the regular Focus and Fiesta are going across the pond and is anyone looking forward to the Fiesta RS next year or so?

From what I can see from the U.S. website is the Fiesta is only available in a 1.0 and 1.6 engine with only a few trim levels (seven total with ST) though does have the option of a saloon/sedan.

DISCUSSION (25)

Cherry_man1 > Svend
05/06/2014 at 02:07

Fiesta sucks Focus is ok.

Svend > Cherry_man1
05/06/2014 at 02:14

Short and sweet I guess. Lol. I never hear anything on the regular non ST cars and rarely see anything on the Focus ST anymore.

Garrett Davis > Cherry_man1
05/06/2014 at 02:14

I wouldn't say it sucks. It's definitely an econobox, but for a sub-$15k, it's above par in my opinion. Drive a Versa and then the Fiesta, and you'll see the Fiesta has a much, much better chassis, and is actually lively to drive. The new 3 cylinder ecoboost is a great engine too.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Svend
05/06/2014 at 02:17

They're over here, they exist, they're purchased, but they are what they are: transportation. And as much as I love the ST versions, the econobox versions are so bleh, and a Honda Fit is a far better choice than either base model, to me. Plenty of base Fiestas/Focii around the states, though.

CRider > Svend
05/06/2014 at 02:18

You only hear about those because those are the ones Opponauts want, and because they're affordable people here are buying them. And talking about them. The regular cars are just fine for most people, and selling well, but they aren't as hot a topic as the STs are.

Svend > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
05/06/2014 at 02:28

Do you think more would be bought if there was more range (ie bodystyle, 3 door/5 door/3 door van or engine range 1.0 80ps/1.0T Ecoboost 100ps/1.0T Ecoboost 125ps/1.25 60ps/1.25 82ps/1.5TDCi 75ps and 1.6TDCi 95ps).

D > Svend
05/06/2014 at 02:31

They certainly sell well here in California. I see lots.

Brian Silvestro > Svend
05/06/2014 at 08:12

If I didn't get the ST I would have gotten the 1.0L.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Svend
05/06/2014 at 09:22

I would be surprised to see the sales be bumped by having a wider range of offerings for one model. Here in the states you're only buying a car of that size for one of two reasons: you want the cheapest car possible (most buyers), or you live in a congested urban area with limited parking (a not insignificant number, but even in large cities not named San Fransisco or New York size/space isn't that big an issue for Americans; we have lots of room). I don't think either buyer cares particularly much about the engine, and I think for Americans the 5 door probably captures the largest percentage of what buyers want; coupes/3 doors just don't sell well here.

cazzyodo > Svend
05/06/2014 at 09:40

Went as a passenger for a Fiesta test drive and it was so lame.

My girlfriend was the prospective driver and she floored it to see what would happen...the answer is: nothing. I only knew she floored it when I heard the engine "roar". She was disappointed.

Test drove a Focus before the ST as it was more in line with my budget and it was a solid car, just not particularly interesting to me. It wasn't remarkable but it wasn't terribly boring. I had a good test drive that included highway and winding hilly roads so I can say that it definitely felt balanced...just under-powered.

Cherry_man1 > Garrett Davis
05/06/2014 at 09:43

Well when my family bought one in 2010 and we took it on vacation.....to Branson MO and driving it around alton IL it redlined 3 times trying to go up a hill....

Cherry_man1 > Svend
05/06/2014 at 09:44

Who knows lol. They took out the best thing about the ST2 package though....matching recaro seat color inserts....they still have it for TS though...

Garrett Davis > Cherry_man1
05/06/2014 at 13:05

Not sure what engine you had, but the new 1.0L ecoboost is pretty lively.

mattc993 > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 14:21

You have a Fiesta ST?

I've been mulling this over a bit lately. Thinking about trading my 2013 4runner Trail but I can't quite bring myself to it just yet. I was expecting a pretty big drop in monthly expenses but it would really only be about $250/month less than my current payments.

There's one with the Recaros fairly close to me that was pretty fun to drive.

Need Oppo guidance (and author permissions).

Brian Silvestro > mattc993
05/06/2014 at 14:24

I'm picking it up on the 15th, so I don't have it yet. But I can probably get you authorship. All you have to do is leave a comment here and they'll give it to you.

Svend > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
05/06/2014 at 14:30

So Ford just about got it right with a small engine cheap runabout in the 1.0, something a little less sedate with the 1.6 and something more punchy yet economical with the 1.6 Ecoboost ST?

Svend > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 14:36

Why if not the ST the 1.0? Why not the 1.6? Its quite a drop from 1.6 Ecoboost to 1.0.

Brian Silvestro > Svend
05/06/2014 at 14:36

The 1.0L is more powerful and efficient.

Svend > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 14:49

I'd of thought more efficient but without Googling the stats I wouldn't of guessed powerful. When you say powerful is that 'off the line' powerful at the lights, more responsive to thottle pressure or all round powerful?

Brian Silvestro > Svend
05/06/2014 at 14:51

I have no idea, I haven't driven either, I'm just going off stats, and reviews I've read/watched.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Svend
05/06/2014 at 14:54

In my worthless opinion, yes. It's not a picky segment here, and it's not a large one. If you look at the Fusion (Mondeo) on the other hand, it has 3/4 engine options, three transmission options, and is available in FWD and AWD; I think that's indicative of that being much more the segment in which the median US car buyer is shopping.

Svend > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 15:21

No worries. I hope you enjoy your ST when she comes fella.

Brian Silvestro > Svend
05/06/2014 at 15:21

Thanks!

Svend > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
05/06/2014 at 15:29

Thanks. I only think Europe gets more engines, bodystyles and options as there are so many different countries that each have their own preferences that Ford would easily make there money back, that and that there are so many different makes and models about each company has to keep on their toes for change.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Svend
05/06/2014 at 15:53

I think you're on to something there. That was the case here through the 60s and early 70s, but then the market really contracted in its powertrain offerings through the 80s and 90s to the point where it became a two engine game for pretty much every car on the market: one base engine and one option engine. I think we're starting to see that ease back out here in the States towards more cars offering third engine options.