The Fiesta ST Is Too Cheap, Nerf Now!!

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 01/25/2017 at 19:24 • Filed to: Rants

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It drives too well and has way too much power for a starting price of $21,140! Ford is awful for offering this vehicle at such stupid low pricing. Ford has made it impossible for the US to get awesome subcompact hot hatches because they completely locked out the segment. For shame, Ford!!

But what about the 500 Abarth or the Mini Cooper 4-door S? Those are “premium” brands in the US so they will never ever ever come close to matching the value of the Fiesta ST.

How about the Veloster Turbo? That’s like wanting a steak well done, just get a burger! The Veloster Turbo sat between the 197 hp Fiesta ST and a decked out 120 hp Focus. So you either see it as more liveable than a Fiesta ST or sportier than the Focus SEL, however that’s not how comparisons work because the Fiesta ST is totally liveable and essentially a pillow fort full of puppies, popsickles, and Schwarzenegger movies!

What if other automakers made a Fiesta-fighter? Well they can’t unless Ford moves the Fiesta ST up market enough to open the gap for mainstream sporty subcompacts. Every mainstream automaker has a subcompact ranging around 130 hp and well equipped at roughly $20,000. They can make a sportier trim just under that feature-heavy spec for around $19,000-$21,000 but it would only, sensibly, make around 165 hp-185 hp. Perfect value brand Abarth and Cooper S choices.

But nooooo, Ford decided to put Mutombo on the Junior Varsity Team and now no one wants to play ball! The problem is that the benchmark for the segment goes from 120 hp to nearly 200 hp (basically a 66% power increase) for the same premium as most brand’s navigation packages. Think about this, a 66% performance increase for the price of an option package people! It’s insane!!

It’s exactly as if Ford decided to offer the Shelby GT350 for the same starting price as the current Mustang GT. No, I’m not exaggerating, it really is that ridiculous of a deal! If you could buy a brand new GT350 starting at $33,000 would there be any room for direct competition? Who is going to compete with that?!

The Fiesta ST is the biggest little bully in the US market! Then add in the fact that the Focus ST is pretty tough stuff for under $25,000 and now you have the world’s most narrow gap for building/bringing over a car that will best the value levels Ford has made. Thankfully the Focus ST isn’t a universal fit so automakers are beginning to offer 200hp compacts for $21,000...but that darn Fiesta ST isn’t allowing anyone in its dojo.

Yes you should go buy a Fiesta ST, it’s a crazy awesome deal!!! It’s the subcompact equivalent of a GT350 for GT money! What more do I need to say?! Freaking pillow fort puppies with rocket launchers!!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:29

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This is good Oppo.

96Formula6spd > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:35

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Cool car but I would not own one. Yeah for the money its cool. But its built cheap. I have friends with them. One is trying to sell it mainly to buy a pickup truck. A few others are as well due to build quality complaints. After driving a few its a car that on a test drive I would have walked away from. Not the car for me. Its missing that special spark. It just feels like another economy box.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:37

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Get on it Mitsubishi.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:38

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No you shouldn’t. You should wait for a deal and get a Boostang or Camaro V6 for only slightly more.

Source: Didn’t wait for a good deal, got a FiST.

It’s a fun car, but watching some reviews is cringeworthy. “Excellent shifter” & “Great steering feel” are two of the worst factors to the journalism circle jerk. The shifter is one of the worst I’ve felt, and the steering feel is only okay. I mean I guess it’s good for EPS, but that’s like saying it’s good, for a turkey burger.

I love the car for what it’s good for, but it’s something I only tolerate up until the point it becomes fun.

wiffleballtony > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:44

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Wobbles the Mind > 96Formula6spd 01/25/2017 at 19:46

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Every car starting under $24,000 is an economy car! That’s the segment! That’s like being upset you ended up with a middle seat on a flight. Spend more, get more. The difference here is that the Fiesta ST will still keep up with that $50,000 6.2L Silverado 1500 and still have the same amount of hard surfaces and build quality!

wiffleballtony > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/25/2017 at 19:46

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Look what they did to the Eclipse. LOOK AT IT.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > wiffleballtony 01/25/2017 at 19:47

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We don’t talk about that.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/25/2017 at 19:49

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As long as everything’s EPS, saying “it’s good for EPS” is unfortunately kind of saying it’s good.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/25/2017 at 19:50

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No, Mitsu needs to up the ante. Mid engined turbo-4 Mirage for a bit less. Use the front end of the Lancer out back without concern for the trunk space and they can sell it for $20k.. I’d buy it.

Wobbles the Mind > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/25/2017 at 19:51

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It’s a phenomenal economy car. All y’all just bourgie.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:55

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Have you lived with one? I currently am. For it’s price, and even well above it, it can’t be beat for the fun factor. But as a package, it’s worth it to spend a bit more on a GTI or pony car.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:56

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But for 21 grand I could buy something better used.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:58

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No it won’t. Most V8 full-size trucks will absolutely dust a FiST, and the exterior build quality makes me believe that Trump tried to be human, bought a Fiesta, and quickly decided to build a wall.

96Formula6spd > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 19:58

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True. Just watch out. Have another friend selling his Fist for a C5 z06. He says his Fist at 40k miles is starting to get the annoying dash rattles. So you get what you pay for. Yes a new truck has this crappy plastic. One looking for a truck is probably going with a 200k mile Duramax from 06-07. Are the interiors nice. About the same crappy plastic. So yeah everything these days is built to a price. I like the idea of what the FiST is. But its not the car for me.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 20:01

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You’re wondering what the price of the MR Veloster is going to be now, aren’t you?

Xyl0c41n3 > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 20:04

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I’m sorry, but Ford put who on the junior varsity team?

yamahog > Xyl0c41n3 01/25/2017 at 20:08

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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > 96Formula6spd 01/25/2017 at 20:14

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Mine had a dash rattle off the lot.

Wobbles the Mind > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/25/2017 at 20:16

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Hnnng, don’t you try to seduce me with your talk of mid-engined Velosters. Especially in that matte blue from the Rally.

jimz > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 20:25

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my (Neon) SRT-4 was about the same price, about the same weight, and had 230 hp.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > yamahog 01/25/2017 at 20:31

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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/25/2017 at 20:32

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Could buy his’n’hers ‘63 Thunderbirds. More total hauling capacity, way more space, and one in a 390 - both convertible!

LJ909 > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 20:36

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Stop tempting me!

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/25/2017 at 20:39

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I’ve used too many manuals to count and I do think it has a satisfying shifter.

Wobbles the Mind > LJ909 01/25/2017 at 20:57

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You asked how to justify the FiST so I thought I’d mess with you! Nah, you definitely need something bigger since I can’t imagine anyone keeping a FiST past 2-4 years unless it’s the third car in the household.

LJ909 > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 21:03

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Yea I dont want to get tired of it quick. But the prices make them tempting.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 01/25/2017 at 21:05

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The only car I’ve driven with a worst shifter is a Chevy Aveo. The others I’ve driven: Ford 8N, Subaru BRAT, S197 GT, a Tacoma with 300k miles, an FRS, an RX8, ‘91 Wrangler, and probably something else. None of those felt as clunky and disconnected at the same time. It only feels right when you slam shift it.

Wobbles the Mind > LJ909 01/25/2017 at 21:12

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There is ALWAYS a better car on the way so keep patient. As long as you find something that suits your life rather than having your life suit the car then you’ll always go away happy.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > jimz 01/25/2017 at 21:30

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Wrong comparison. In 2005 the SRT-4 started at $19,999. That’s $24,600 in today’s money, which is right where the Focus ST starts at $24,775. Both the Neon and the FoST are right around 12.7 lb/hp.

DrDDay > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 21:34

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Everything I know about anything tells me I should be buying or leasing the FiST. Every time I spec one out I am shocked at what I am getting for the dough. I have yet to hear anything bad about this car which makes me think that it’s terrible (for some oddly deep rooted reason that probably relates to my childhood somehow). Couple of questions though:

1. How lenient is Ford on their leases and will they bury me if I do an Access Port?

2. Does someone want to let me test drive theirs in the Chicagoland area?

Orange Exige > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2017 at 21:47

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I get Mini, but the Abarth 500 being premium? I didn’t they were too much more than a Fiesta ST and their base models are pretty damn cheap. I was in a new Abarth last year at a car show and was utterly unimpressed by the interior - seemed cheap as all hell. Cheap and not distinctive at all. Knowing the cheap base model it was based off, I wasn’t surprised, but I didn’t think it could really be considered in any other segment besides what the Fiesta ST is in (low/mid-end hot hatch?).

I’d still consider an Abarth (over a FiST too, sorry), but just saying, I wouldn’t expect it to have the best build quality and attention to detail.

I did appreciate reading your writeup though! I’m impressed that it starts at $21k. American auto doing good things (note: good things = hot hatches :).
Too bad they don’t do three door models (in the US)...

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/25/2017 at 22:01

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Well the first issue is that there isn’t currently a hers side of this equation.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > yamahog 01/25/2017 at 22:18

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LOL that gif is fantastic. Such a great commercial

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > DrDDay 01/25/2017 at 22:38

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As an owner of one, there are tons of faults with it. The paint is extremely thin, the build quality is atrocious, the shifter isn’t very good, the clutch has no feel, the steering is okay(good for EPS, but...), and as a package, you are much better off with a GTI for not THAT much more

Vicente Esteve > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 07:48

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It seems that every time a car as hyped as the FieSTa comes out, initial reviews are unbelievable but after a while people start noticing its bad and almost get to the point of hating them.

The way I see it, the Abarth is only a “premium” car because of the delicious leather seats. Since day 1 I have liked the Fiat more due to the overall experience even if the FieSTa was always seen as the much better drivers car. But in all honesty, what you want is RWD.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 08:30

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You mean the one that’s probably coming?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 08:51

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And I still say you got some bum built FiST because I own one too and the steering feel is very good (amazing by electric steering standards) and the shifter is bar none one of the best in the business. Better than a FR-S, better than a Mk7 GTI, better than an NB miata, and better than a FoST. All owned by my friends and by and large, the FiST was a clear winner and favorite.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 08:51

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Too bad the seats suck ergonomically. The cushion feels like a flat slab flanked by high bolsters, and the back is almost as bad

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > DrDDay 01/26/2017 at 08:57

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Ignore Jordan on some of these. The paint is thin (welcome to compact car ownership). Clutch and shifter are amazing though. Build quality is a little suspect on some models so be on them for issues ASAP and you won’t end up hating it. Granted, I’m at 60k and have no intentions of getting rid of it any time soon and don’t have any of the issues he does so.....get a 2014 model?

One point of contention - the GTI is *slightly* faster and much more luxurious but that car is a pig in the turns. Fun compared to the rest of the lineup but 3300lbs is very noticeable compared to 2700lbs.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/26/2017 at 09:34

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Everything I’ve seen seems to point to the FiST being the opposite of everything else, they developed teething issues as the years go by. I know someone else with a 2016, and it has the same issues.

It’s still a fun car, but a Boomba short shifter is on the list. And I’ve driven an FRS, and the FRS hands down has the better shifter.

TysMagic > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 09:35

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I have been considering a FiST to replace my Abarth come mid year.
I would argue the value of the Abarth on the USED market exceeds the bang for your buck you would get out of a used FiST. However as soon as you step in to the aftermarket world and cost of repairs, well the Ford pulls way ahead.

stelviopass > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 09:40

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My only car is a FiST and two years on I still love it. I have not modded it aside from a set of 205/45's for a softer ride in the city. I don’t have kids, but if I did I still feel like I could manage without anything bigger. Roof rack with a roof box if I need more storage. Still some of the most fun of any car I’ve owned (Cooper S, WRX Wagon, TT, E28, Miata...). My only gripes are no heated seats without the Recaro option, huge blind spots around the A-pillar, and no back up camera option even though it’s standard on the cheaper Titanium model (I can park just fine, it would just be nice to have.).

A lot of the people I hear complaining about certain cars being too small are the same ones complaining that cars keep getting bigger.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 09:42

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There must’ve been supplier changes at Ford. I can’t think of any reason why there’s such a huge gap. If you like the really really short throw, the FR-S would be better, but I don’t mind the throw length and the shifter placement was perfect for me in the FiST where the FR-S felt a it like playing an arcade game and it wasn’t *quite* in a comfortable spot for me. I could daily it, but it’d take some getting used to to track. But the gap in 2014 wasn’t there. They were easily capable of toe to toe battles on many fronts.

The *only* thing I can think of is Ford dialed back on some of the parts to make the mountune catalog look better.

stelviopass > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/26/2017 at 09:51

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If that ever is a production car, there is no way on hell it’s coming to the U.S.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 12:17

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Sounds like you should send it in for lemon law status.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 12:20

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It’s 5k more to get a 5 door GTI here in Canada, that is a lot of money.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/26/2017 at 12:21

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So buy a used Fiesta ST?

Baskingshark > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 12:27

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Ha ha I am glad to see some excitement for it. My delivery date is 3/6/17; White with Recaros and Black Wheels no other options. What really sold me is having 4 doors for my two kids.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/26/2017 at 12:27

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A base GTI here is less than a FiST with Recaros.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/26/2017 at 12:30

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It’s not mechanical issues, it’s just shit build quality. My 20 year old 4Runner in which I’ve removed most of the panels at some point, rattles less. The paint has less chips. There aren’t dents from acorns. The panel that holds the hatch release isn’t installed wrong and chipping paint.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 01/26/2017 at 12:42

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Are you talking about the recaros? Because the are damn comfy.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 12:52

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Are you taking into account 3 door vs 5 door?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 12:59

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Doesn’t the door hatch qualify as something that you should be able to get fixed? As far as paint thickness, pretty much all cars in that price range are not going to have thick paint.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/26/2017 at 12:59

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3-door was cancelled

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 13:01

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Interesting, in Canada the 3 door is base, the 5 door requires the performance package. FWIW the Recaros are standard on the Canadian FiST.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 13:07

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One problem, it’s the Camry of Hot Hatches, & its still a fucking Fiesta. I rather spend way more, & get a NISMO RS.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/26/2017 at 13:18

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Yeah, the hatch is supposed to be fixed, but I’ve seen the same issue on more than one 2016 FiST.

MPA > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 13:59

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Try adding a Boomba shift plate - shortens throws by 20%, and is a simple bolt on.

I love my FiST, but ya, the interior is a bit basic when you remove the Recaro seats from the inside of the car. I keep looking at GTis, and BRZs, but I’m not sure that their being less fun to drive is worth a nicer interiors to me.

And the only reason I’m looking at other cars now is because I’m running 15" winter tires, and a stage0 tune, which kills a lot of the fun the car is in summer mode. I’m sure once i go back to Summer tires and full power I’ll be happy again :)

MPA > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 14:05

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I’m 18 months in with mine, and love it. Well, I don’t love it as much in winter mode (15" General Altimax Arctics and a Stage0 tune), but once the summer tires go back on, and I can load my normal tune, I will be so happy again :)

Mods: 205/45/16 Federal 595RS-Rs on 16x7.5 wheels, Pierce Motorsports street bracing kit, MAP cat back, Boomba shift plate, MAP intercooler. Just got my bonus, and I think I’ll be adding MeisterR coilovers.

I love my FiST!I love my FiST!I love my FiST! I love my FiST!I love my FiST! I love my FiST!I love my FiST! I love my FiST! I love my FiST! I love my FiST!I love my FiST!I love my FiST!I love my FiST! I love my FiST!I love my FiST! I love my FiST!I love my FiST! I love my FiST! I love my FiST! I love my FiST!

Wobbles the Mind > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 01/26/2017 at 14:07

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I’m not gonna lie, the FWD Juke Nismo RS is badass. I want to check one out one of these days.

My bird IS the word > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 14:32

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Screw the mini. Have one. hate it.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/26/2017 at 15:09

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The clutch has no feel in *any* modern manual car with a dual-mass flywheel. None. They’re all vague as hell and frustrate the hell out of me.

On the other hand, they’re comically easy to drive, so people with little-to-no experience driving manuals can generally handle them with some basic training. Then they burn the clutch out at 10k miles, but that’s the way it goes.

The thing is that the GTI is a solid step up in everything. It’s more of a competitor to the FoST, which is much faster than the GTI. It all comes down to what you value the most - money, comfort, space, or power - pick two.

The World of Vee > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 01/26/2017 at 15:43

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A fiesta in name only really, I love mine to pieces and I’ve been driving much more premium cars for a while now. And I dunno about you but here in the windy city they’re rarer than hen’s teeth.

The World of Vee > stelviopass 01/26/2017 at 15:45

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I wish it had a backup cam too, not that I EVER booty bump when parallel parking, but it’d give me some more piece of mind if it did. Really kinda weird they omitted that.

And yeah it’s smaller than most cars, but it’s got plenty of space for a shopping trip or a crosscountry jaunt (yes I’ve done it) and did I mention it’s an absolute hoot to drive? :)

The World of Vee > DrDDay 01/26/2017 at 15:49

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You can have a ride in mine with me. And Ford is very lenient about leases and modifying them. Remember AP is just a flash, so it can always be flashed back, though if you want to get the best bang for your buck without upgrading a ton of internals on a lease I’d get the livernois tune 270/240 on stock internals and you can flash it back when you’re done.

I haven’t had any paint issues on mine, and I think it’s reasonably well put together and I LOVE the shifter on mine.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 01/26/2017 at 15:54

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Lies...they’re shit for long drives

The World of Vee > Wobbles the Mind 01/26/2017 at 15:56

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Pulling up on 3k miles on mine and nope. not a single complaint. I haven’t had an paint or build quality issues, the enjoy is a hoot and it’s juuust rare and different enough that you don’t see many. Also the aftermarket support is great. I really only wish it had a backup camera, I do a lot of parallel parking and it’d save me a couple points here and there sneaking into the truly tiny spots. Still being a hatch had advantages, end of the window is the car so no bumps yet!

Also if you’re in a bigger city or can drive to a bigger city Ford dealers deal hard on these, I got mine with everything minus recaros (didn’t like the two tone) for under 18k taxed and titled.

DrDDay > The World of Vee 01/26/2017 at 16:05

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Let me know when and where.

I know its just a flash, but when I worked with Audi, they were very picky about flashes. Just want to make sure if I up the fun factor I’m not going to get dinged for it when it’s in for service or returned.

The World of Vee > DrDDay 01/26/2017 at 16:07

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are you in the oppofacebook? If you are I’ll post a message there and then we can figure something out

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 01/26/2017 at 16:41

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Maybe brand new, but not after you break them in.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > DrDDay 01/26/2017 at 17:33

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Go to Mountune instead. It won’t void your warranty.