Fiesta ST: 10,000 Miles in Review

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
10/22/2016 at 20:51 • Filed to: Fiesta ST

I know reviews have been done and done and done on this car, but I’m doing another. I’m focussing on how it is to live with, and as just a car.

The Positives:

I adore this car. It is a fantastic daily driver. Even the dullest of commutes can turn into a boost filled adventure. Every turn can be apexed, every straight can be taken at full throttle, yet still at legal speeds. Not saying the car is slow, it has enough pep to easily get you to jail time, but you have to get up in the gears for that. On the interstate at 70, you are pretty much right in the sweet spot. You floor it to pass, it does not lug. The fuel economy is great, near 30, and I don’t drive efficiently at all. On long trips, it’s perfectly fine at eating up the miles, in relatively quiet comfort. The rest of you probably already know. It shouldn’t be this fun and be front wheel drive. I have no doubt that the Fiesta ST will go down as one of the greats, it’s already reviewed as one.

The Negatives:

The exterior build quality is piss poor of the most dehydrated sort. Within days of ownership, the paint was chipping. The roof gets significant damage from acorns. ACORNS. Microfiber scratches it like a pissed off cat. The panels fitment is only okay. And to top it off, it doesn’t really appear special at all. It’s a car that is appreciated by only those who know EXACTLY what it is. That doesn’t really bother me, I don’t care if people look at my car as a status symbol, but I at least wish my non-special looking car actually was built with non-Matchbox materials.

Also:

The Recaros break in, if you gave up on them during a test drive, you missed out.

Conclusion:

Amazing car to live with provided the body makes it 10 years.

DISCUSSION (11)

Vicente Esteve > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/22/2016 at 21:05

These 2 to 3 paragraph “Ownership” reviews are a hell of a lot more informative than any review from the big companies.

6SPD5.0 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/22/2016 at 21:06

Do you think the paint is similar in fords of this era? I had an 02 Eclipse that wouldn’t scratch if I drove through a thorn bush. My 14 Mustang gets a scratch, to the metal, if a button touches it as you get in.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Vicente Esteve
10/22/2016 at 21:07

Thanks!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > 6SPD5.0
10/22/2016 at 21:09

Yeah, Ford’s paint quality is just bad apparently. It wouldn’t dissuade me from buying another one, but in hindsight, I would have immediately gotten it clear wrapped.

ToyotaFamily > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/22/2016 at 21:46

Do you have any plans to modify it?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > ToyotaFamily
10/22/2016 at 21:54

Maybe MP215 or Cobb Stage 1 eventually, but definitely the motor mount.

ToyotaFamily > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/22/2016 at 22:08

The MP215 seems like the best option just because you get to keep the warranty. I look forward to seeing more of your updates, might look at one of these for a DD.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/22/2016 at 22:32

I really wish the Fiesta came in 3 door in the US. I quite enjoyed even the rental base model regular Fiesta though. I thought it was quite a really good balance of things. With the ST being better in every way, I feel like I would really enjoy it for eating up miles. Do you ever regret/despise it being FWD though? That (aside from cost) is really what sent me to Miata life instead. I was strongly considering FiST but I couldn’t find it in me go FWD.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/22/2016 at 23:06

Not at all, I came from RWD, and have no regrets. As a package, I think it’s much better than the Miata as a whole. Yes, the Miata will be better on those rare occasions, but day to day, or on weekend trips, I don’t think I would miss it during the few occasions that it would be better.

Dave the car guy , still here > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/23/2016 at 12:58

Some light engine mods and a tasteful exhaust would be good. I had to do a urethane trans mount even on my Audi. Seems like too many cars have soft mounts these days so they can have bragging rights on how smooth or quiet the car is but they suck. Engine motion that you can feel while driving is such crap. Have never heard of all the paint issues. Now I’m wondering if my daughter’s BF has issues with paint on his FoST?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dave the car guy , still here
10/23/2016 at 13:05

The exhaust has already been done, just a resonator delete, but I’m happy with it. But yeah, the paint is crap. It looks great, but chips and scratches easily.