The Alltrack is more fun to me than the Fiesta ever was

"CB" (jrcb) 09/12/2020 at 17:37 • Filed to: Opinions are like Assholes

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(Author’s note: this is an opinion piece, so anyone who thinks I’m wrong can GTFAC)

A few days ago, I was in the middle of putting the Alltrack semi-sideways on a dirt road at a reasonable speed when I realized that I was having much more fun in it than I did the Fiesta. I know, this sounds ridiculous. The Fiesta ST is a poster-child for cheap fun, a tiny fast-enough econobox with handling that the less creative will describe as “on rails” and the more adventurous will describe as “confidence inspiring until your car decides it wants an all-ditch diet”. The Alltrack has about the same power, but the gearbox is much less licke ty-split than the Fiesta, and it’s hauling around a lot more weight. How can it be more fun?

This is when my old friend sociology kicks down and starts screaming how your environment is just as important, if not more, than any intrinsic traits you may have. The Fiesta, while an absolute riot on an autocross track and on curvy roads, everything coming together in a peachy combination to let you have enough fun without breaking too many traffic laws, is not designed for rural Saskatchewan. The 205/40R17 tires weren’t happy on grid roads, the suspension was rough, and I managed to make it to one autocross event during the year and a half I owned it.

For the most part, I was just scared about breaking it. It was my only car, and I couldn’t do something to get me stranded. I was worried to take it on grids once I saw how quickly the paint could chip and the harshness of the ride on a good road, let alone one covered in washboard. The exhaust was a little loud on the highway. The straight line speed was fun, but there aren’t many curves nearby that aren’t dirt or gravel. The fact that it was my only car made me worried at autocross, where we were told any damages wouldn’t be covered by insurance. It was something I felt I had to baby.

But the Alltrack has ground clearance. It was all-wheel drive. It has sidewall. It’s designed for comfort. It’s easier to get to the limits of the car , and is able to take me down those fun side roads. I can do a six hour trip in it to sixty kilometres of dirt and gravel corners without worrying about if I’ll be able to make it back, or that I’ll need to take it at less than fifty kilometres an hour. And where previous roads would have stopped me, I’m more than happy to take a detour and see where it goes. It’s a better fit for me and what kind of driving I actually do. I don’t need a canyon carver, I need something that can get me places in relative comfort and at a decent clip.

It made me realize that the automotive press and enthusiasts at large are much more willing to gauge a car on its merits than where the person owning it is going to drive it . I’m sure a Hellcat is great, but I’d rather take a kick to the balls than drive it through Toronto traffic. I’m sure a Miata is great, but it’d be pushing itself on a bunch of the roads out here. I bet a Raptor would be a riot, but as my solo vehicle, it probably wouldn’t be the nicest on road trips when it chugs gas. And Ferraris may cure cancer, but you can bet I’d be terrified taking it out for anything and risking it getting damaged.

The Fiesta ST may be a darling of the enthusiast community, but wasn’t the fun car for me . I think I’m beyond the point of critiquing and insulting others’ vehicles because they may be the best choice for their lifestyle at that point, and that’s okay. As long as you can have fun with what you drive, I think that’s the most important part.

jminer > CB 09/12/2020 at 17:45

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Solid take

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > CB 09/12/2020 at 17:45

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So when are you gonna get an APR tune on it?

facw > CB 09/12/2020 at 17:46

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Doggo s potted!

CB > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 09/12/2020 at 17:47

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I think I’m actually pretty content with it as is.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > CB 09/12/2020 at 17:51

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If you do lots of dirt roads you should look into proper mud flaps, the paint on the side of the car will thank you later.

  https://rokblokz.com/products/volkswagen-golf-sportwagen-mk7-mk7-5-rally-mud-flaps-2015

CB > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 09/12/2020 at 17:52

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Those were actually the ones I had on the Fiesta!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > CB 09/12/2020 at 17:59

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Full bolt ons?

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > CB 09/12/2020 at 18:07

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“ It made me realize that the automotive press and enthusiasts at large are much more willing to gauge a car on its merits than where the person owning it is going to drive it.”

Word!

“ As long as you can have fun with what you drive, I think that’s the most important part.”

Amen!

Captain of the Enterprise > CB 09/12/2020 at 18:27

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Good take, I think the environment is really important and is something I’ve been thinking about for my next car. The roads in SE Michigan are really bad and my Camry can take it with it’s wide sidewalls but I know people who have broken rims on larger wheels. I also value being comfortable when driving so the ride and size is important especially at 6’3”.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > CB 09/12/2020 at 18:28

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So definitely soon then?

CB > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 09/12/2020 at 18:28

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You can’t peer pressure me into #BOOSTLYFE like you guys did with the dog!

DipodomysDeserti > CB 09/12/2020 at 18:39

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Seems like a good balance between durability and fun. I actually used my wife’s 1st gen X1 as a camping rig for a while. That eventually caught up to me, so I went back to BOF trucks, but I do miss the fuel economy when doing long distance camping road trips.

CB > DipodomysDeserti 09/12/2020 at 18:41

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If only they had made the Blazer an economical offroading vehicle. I know offroading and fuel economy are at odds with each other, but I feel like there could be a good market, especially with the Instagram overlanding crowd.

DipodomysDeserti > CB 09/12/2020 at 19:00

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I think that market is 95% about image, so unless it’s a Wrangler, 4Runner or Taco, there’s not really a market. As long as they can afford to bolt every accessory imaginable onto their rigs and a fancy phone, they’re good to go.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > CB 09/12/2020 at 19:11

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You say that buuuuuuuuuut

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CB 09/12/2020 at 20:18

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The first time I took my bug  eye Impreza on a dirt road I knew what it was meant for. Even the stock suspension was amazing on gravel and washboard. I looked for opportunities to toss it around loose corners and take rough roads way too fast, this sounds like a similar type car.

Under_Score > CB 09/12/2020 at 22:29

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Meanwhile, I keep banging my undercarriage on stuff. There’s lots of inclines around here. The silver panel under the fog lights is scraped up.

I’ve got a Mister Car Wash pass so the outside doesn’t ever look like the top photo.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CB 09/12/2020 at 23:02

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There you go, making me more interested in one.

I brought it up to Mrs. Snuze, and she was like "why do you want another wagon?" 

Tohru > CB 09/12/2020 at 23:07

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There’s something missing on the wagon...

There we go. (I tried to add the stripes but they just kept looking terrible.)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > CB 09/13/2020 at 00:33

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Did the Alltrack let you have fun?

I know the biggest grip I have about my BIL’s golf wagon is that the traction control is such a huge nanny. Even if you turn it “off” it’ll come back on when it sees your tried spinning, and you can forget about any kind of side at shenanigans, not gonna happen.

Traction control isn’t all bad, but when you switch it off it should stay off, all the way off 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tohru 09/13/2020 at 00:37

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This is toning a wrap can’t fix.

Question to CB is that Gotta have it Green, Envy Green,  or something else

Tohru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/13/2020 at 00:58

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if we’re going just by the name of the shade, i’ve always been partial to Can’t Catch Me Copper

duurtlang > Captain of the Enterprise 09/13/2020 at 02:31

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Most small European cars (like the Fo rd EU product Fiesta...) do accommodate above average tall drivers pretty well. I’m 6'3" too and I fit in a Fiat 500 just fine.

CB > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/13/2020 at 03:10

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My Fiesta was Green Envy.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > CB 09/13/2020 at 09:18

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Okay. I think Gotta  have it Green is a fair bit brighter, more yellow. Less of a vivid green