I'm Considering a FiST

"Hooker" (Hooker) 12/28/2014 at 11:09 • Filed to: None

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My last experience with a Fiesta was, well, awful. The DCT in those things are just horrifying. However, this wouldn't have a DCT. The reviews are awesome and the year end deals are possibly very attractive. So, to the owners of the FiST's out there, do I attempt it?

Possible concerns:

1) The Recaro's look positively uncomfortable. I'm 5-8 and damn near 200 pounds. I'd like to hear from folks who both have Recaro's and don't. I'm not going to autocross it. It will be rarely near its limits. Do I need them in that case?

2) Fuel mileage, what say you, Oppo?

3) Reliability. I would be buying a Ford again (and again, it wasn't a pleasant experience the last time). I work for a Chevy dealer (and love Chevrolet's) so that's a possible issue.

Thoughts? Have I lost my damn mind?

The one I am looking at: I'm not crazy about the red.

Brian Silvestro > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:12

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The only people that say the Recaros are uncomfortable are the people who haven't sat in them. They're comfortable. It's a great car, no regrets. More than 30 mpgs average since the beginning of ownership, even after 2 track days. So much fun.

Reliability: ??? Strange question considering it's only been out for a year. WHO KNOWS

but it is an aluminum block with a turbo so yeah

Get the blue.

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:15

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I'm 5'8" and last time I tried a FiST I was 220 pounds: the Recaros were uncomfortably tight. I'm sure I'd get used to it. I also drove on with the cloth seats and hated them.

Why a Fist if you like Chevy though? Sonic RS instead? Or even an LTZ? If you aren't going to autocross, it won't make a huge difference. Get a turbo Sonic and tune it.

I'm also still wondering when the Sonic will get an update, it's long overdue. If there's a chance that's coming next year, maybe wait and see what that is?

That being said the FiST is ridiculously good to drive. If it didn't look so much like a catfish and I didn't loathe Sync, I'd seriously want one.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:18

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You get 30 mpg? Da fuck is wrong with my FiST I average 25 at best.

TheHondaBro > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:20

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You know where you're asking, right?

Brian Silvestro > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/28/2014 at 11:22

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Well stop cruising at 120 and that might help!

What're the rpms resting at when you're cruising at 120

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 11:25

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I might be willing to wait. You and I both know GM isn't going to update the Sonic that much at this point in its product lifecycle. I just love the looks of the FiST. It's captured me for a while. The thing for me is that the FiST is the total package without having to tune. I love the Sonic but it's just not the car for me if I'm making this type of purchase. I will, however, drive them back to back to make sure. I've driven them on different occasions but feel it would make a difference if I could drive them back to back. I did like the manual in the FiST a bit better personally.

Hooker > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:26

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Fair enough on the reliability point. Just wanted to see if anyone has found anything weird across the board. I will sit in them, however, it's a lot of money. Thanks for the feedback! It will all depend on how much the dealer rapes me on my trade.

LeonardSkeonard, FiSTer > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:26

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I've had my FiST with Recaros since August, and just ticked over 4100 miles.

1) I'm 6'2", 190 lbs and I fit perfectly in the seats. I love them! My brother is 6'6", 250 lbs, and he does not fit. Took him for a ride in it recently, and he couldn't get over how terrible the seats are.

2) When I was all stock I was seeing up to 37 mpg hwy, 30 combined. Now with the Cobb Stage 2 OTS tune with intake and intercooler, I can't quite hit 32 mpg hwy, and I'm seeing 23-25 mpg combined.

3) So far I've had no issues with reliability, but it's early yet.

Hooker > TheHondaBro 12/28/2014 at 11:26

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Yeah. Haha. I do.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:28

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Stop cruising at 120?

But it sits around 5k? I'll make sure I check next time I'm in the car but I have been going slower because of the ice and snow that is for some reason all over the damn autobahn.

TheBaron2112 > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:28

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1. I bought my FiST without the Recaros and I don't regret it one bit. The cloth seats are great, reasonably comfortable, and well bolstered. The cloth seats don't get the heated seat thing though. The only reason I can think of to regret not getting them is resale value. And if you choose your seats based on how much more you'll get out of the car when you sell it, you're doing it wrong.

2. Use premium always and you'll get anywhere from 27 to 34 mpg city/highway. Unless it's winter. Then you get down to like 25.

3. I've owned Fords for 10 years. And by that I mean two fords. An 05 focus and my 14 FiST. Not one single problem with either one of them. The only thing I could think of on the FiST to give you problems is the Sync system. And even then, that's not reliability. It's just a finnicky radio.

Buy a FiST. It's better than the other hot/warm hatches in its class. It seriously is the best driving hot hatch on the market.

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:29

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There were spy shots of an all new Cruze earlier this year. It seems reasonable to assume a Sonic would come with it

Brian Silvestro > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/28/2014 at 11:30

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I thought the autobahn was just some invincible god?? It has weaknesses?!

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 11:30

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I hope so. I only hope they improve on the formula. We'll see. I'm not desperate for a new ride. Just looking for information.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:30

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I've driven a Fist with the Recaros and multiple FoSTs with them, they are uncomfortable to me. I might get used to them, but I'm not a fan. I'd like them if I could adjust the side bolsters. In the Mustang and Camaro the Recaros seats are fine, they feel narrower in the STs

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 11:31

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Well they're comfortable for me

This reminds me, did that oppo comparison between our cars ever get posted??

Hooker > TheBaron2112 12/28/2014 at 11:31

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Thanks for the feedback! I really don't think I'll need the Recaro's for what I am possibly doing with it.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:33

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It's actually incredibly dangerous right now. The snow and ice have crept from the median into the left lane, there are random snow patches in the middle of the road, and almost all of the on/off ramps and covered in ice.

Brian Silvestro > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/28/2014 at 11:33

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Well that's fuckin sketchy

Hooker > LeonardSkeonard, FiSTer 12/28/2014 at 11:34

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Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely going to be checking the car out in person again. Probably won't tune it myself (I like warranties too much!)

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:36

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Lucky you. I'd probably get used to them. I won't lie, I probably would have been damn happy wih the FiST, and had they come out with the 0% financing offer before I bought the Sonic I'd very likely have one now. Doesn't matter, getting Vette soon.

And no, loud hasn't posted it.

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 11:39

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C7 Z06 right? Right.

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 11:41

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It wouldn't take much to improve the Sonic, a few nicer materials in the cabin in certain areas and it'd be seriously good. Upgrade the gauge cluster to a fancy TFT instead of the old school LCD, drop a 1.6T in it, and you'd have a perfect ST rival.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 11:43

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Sure, once I win the lottery or you loan me 50 grand.

I'm getting a $15000 corvette. Whatever that is at the end of this year. Likely a C5 coupe.

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 11:46

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pls fixed roof

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 11:49

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I agree with some nicer materials. But honestly, the materials aren't my main annoyance. Backlight all the switches. It's a small annoyance but it really pisses me off in this day and age. I also prefer the MyLink systems of the larger vehicles. I like voice commands, and not the ones from my phone. The 1.6T would be superb.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 12:01

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I'm 5-8/180 and I absolutely love the recaros in my Focus ST.

Mind you, it take about a month to get used to them, so it's normal that people don't like them after a test drive.

jariten1781 > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 12:05

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I'm 6' and 180 and have absolutely no problems with the recaros. Most passengers of all different sizes found them fine except one dude who acted like I put him in a torture rack. You'd just have try them. I love them.

I get 25-27 on my 100 percent city commute (DC, for comparison my 2004 Mazda 6 got 14 on the same routes). I've gotten 40 on a long all highway trip.

ReliReliability? Nothing big yet. One of the key fobs drains its batteries and that's it. Beats my 2010 GTI by a mile in that regard. I'm running a down pipe, exhaust, and a Cobb tune.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 12:06

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they take about a month to get used to,that's why people say they aren't comfortable.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 13:13

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Not true. I sat in the Recaros and did not like them at all.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 13:14

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The ST recaros form to you after about 500 miles and really take shape after 1000. I'm 6'3" and 230 and they were bad for the first few miles but opened up pretty quickly after that. I did not care for the standard seats though. Not bad, just.......meh. Just a seat.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/28/2014 at 13:14

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I believe I told you before - your right foot is the problem :P

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 13:16

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Yes. Yes you should.

If I can do a 4000 mile road trip in one in 5 days, while also doing the ST octane academy driving school (which is FREE with the purchase of a FiST) and then also do a bunch of autocross and rallycross events while averaging 30mpg and not a single sacrifice to anything........it is pretty much the car to get if you want to use every bit of your car.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 13:19

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If it's not a Z06 I'm not getting the fixed roof.

Jayhawk Jake > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/28/2014 at 13:21

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I hated the standard seats. They weren't even close to good enough for how much the car costs. I know they did it to upsell you to the recaros, but I really wish they would offer it with the leather seats from the standard Fiesta. That would be perfect.

Of course that still wouldn't fix how much I've disliked Sync every time I use it in my Dad's Edge.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 13:57

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Sync isn't too bad in the Fiesta compared to the other fords by virtue of them making it do less which speaks volumes for their rush to get it out before the GM and Chrysler systems were ready. My complaints about the system are minimal besides the need to go to the dealer to get it reset once after an update caused the system to lock up and crash on me. Apparently Fiesta owners get off easy......the nightmares I heard for the "luxury" versions of sync......*shudder*

Jayhawk Jake > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/28/2014 at 13:59

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I suppose I haven't played with it in the fiesta much. I also didn't like where it was located, I thought it would be better if it was lower.

I guess in general I feel like the layout of the fiesta's interior could be better

Brian Silvestro > Kate's Dirty Sister 12/28/2014 at 14:04

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But I got used to mine right away

Brian Silvestro > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/28/2014 at 14:05

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YOU'RE SHAPED DIFFERENT

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 14:05

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but y no

it looks best

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 14:07

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I'm one of the oddballs who finds the layout comfortable (including the shifter, FoST drivers at octane academy HATED the fiesta's shifter placement apparently) but again - 6'3" with long arms. I think the fiesta was meant to be comfortable for taller people with the seat back a ways, something I struggled with in other cars, particularly the korean ones. Veloster, sportage, Forte.....the optima was okay, but that was also a mid-sized sedan. ANd the sportage was a rental so it was never under consideration at all.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 14:07

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I disagree wholeheartedly. The coupe looks better than the fixed roof. Also because targa and massive hatch

Jayhawk Jake > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/28/2014 at 14:08

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I liked the shifter placement, it was the reach up to the screen that I disliked. In the Sonic the screen is placed perfectly.

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake 12/28/2014 at 14:09

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I think the lines are much better with the FRC, personally. At least with your preference, you'll have more options.

Jayhawk Jake > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 14:19

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I just think the roof drops off too abruptly on the FRC, and the gap where the roof meets the deck lid looks bad on every one I've seen.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 14:57

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I'd say I look like any normal human male.

I could stand to lose a few pounds, but even then I doubt I would like the Recaro seats.

You want amazing seats, go find an Lexus RC and sit in it. Especially the 350 F Sport or F models. Those are good seats.

Brian Silvestro > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/28/2014 at 15:01

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I hear Volvo makes the best seats in all of the industry.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 15:04

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Haven't had tue chance to try a Volvo yet.

I'll have to find a dealer and have a go.

Hooker > Kate's Dirty Sister 12/28/2014 at 15:10

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I want so bad. I just hope the financials work out. I can get a killer rate (yay good credit!) but not sure about the trade and incentives yet.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 15:27

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I got 0% and 4.5k off on my st3 Focus 18 months ago

Hooker > jariten1781 12/28/2014 at 15:39

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The big concern on the seats isn't so much for me. I think I'll love it. But I have older folks (and some wider folks) who would feel very much in a torture chamber. Not to mention my 91 year old gram who wouldn't be able to ride with me. At all. It's my car, however, I have to consider these things.

That mileage is really good actually. Better than I imagined. Makes the case even stronger.

One of the things I would miss going from my Cruze to this is the remote start. Can't really get it on that car. Also, there are a couple Chevy specific things I really like. I am just going to have to drive one again to see.

Hooker > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/28/2014 at 20:35

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I'm going to re-read your review. Really, if the financials work out, I might just do it. Most people wouldn't be able to ride with me though. Not a bad thing. Free driving school. That's an entry in the plus column.

Vicente Esteve > Hooker 12/28/2014 at 22:52

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The only way to know if you want it, is if you try it out.

I would buy it over the FocuST.