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No longer DINKs, Fiesta ST as a secondary car for new dad?

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Ridgecrest
#1
This sounds like a no brainer to me but I'll seek reconfirmation.


I just sold my C5 Corvette and I am looking for a car that will serve as a secondary vehicle for our little family. We already have the bigger vehicle for trips out of town and comfort.

The Fiesta ST's primary function will be commuting 5 to 10 miles to work and daycare. If the car is big enough, my wife and I can even carpool and still have the baby in the back, although that's not a 100% requirement. I'm 6'0, wife is 5'7 and we have a 5 month old in an infant rear facing seat. We'll eventually have a second child in the not too distant future. The wife even said if she has to sit in the back with the baby to make the seat fit with Recaros, she's fine with that (our commute is really short). I've seen people driving around with grown adults in normal hatchback fiestas so it must be doable.

So basically, what do current dads think? Does the Fiesta do the job? I basically want a non boring 4 seater car without breaking the bank. Seems like the Fiesta fits the bill. The focus seems to only be bigger in the trunk. I plan to still play in canyons and the occasional autocross/track day if i can fit that in.
 


caliboy15

Active member
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Location
Houston
#2
Do it! my wife and son approves the car.

I just wish trunk space is a little more bigger
 


OP
Brick
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Ridgecrest
Thread Starter #3
Just an FYI, I did test drive a fiesta about 5 months ago with the standard seats and thought they were fine. They weren't anything special, just like the standard seats in the c5 corvette, no bolstering. So either I get a base Fiesta ST or one with Recaros.
 


rodmoe

5000 Post Club
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wausau
#4
All depends on your needs and budget. I have yet to see anyone selling their Recaro's once they have them and are broken in (very comfy imho) and they hold you better if you get a hankering for the track. Plain seats work fine and fit a budget better. All up to the buyer to decide. I am glad I have the Recaro's for the fit and the nice bun warmers again this winter .. YMMV
 


Messages
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6
Location
Belleville
#5
To start, I do not have kids. In fact, I'm getting married later this year, but we're planning on staying DINK for ~5 years. However, I do have some thoughts on this topic...

I have a Fiesta ST, and my fiancee has a Focus ST. For a single daily driver, especially with small kids, I would seriously consider the Focus ST over the Fiesta ST. I love my Fiesta, but the ride is very harsh, the interior isn't quite as nice, and it's smaller. The Focus, simply by being a slightly larger car, will be easier to get kids and car seats in and out of. It will also haul more of your stuff, like strollers and whatever else you need for little kiddos. Plus, the ride is much better, and in a straight line it's more powerful. So unless you plan on doing canyon runs or track days all the time in your mom-mobile (just make sure you don't do it with the kid in the car...), the Focus is probably better.

Downsides - not quite as much fun in the twisties (but it still is tons of fun!), gas mileage isn't quite as good (I average 30-31 mpg in my Fiesta ST, my fiancee averages 27-28 mpg in her Focus ST, and we have identical work commutes).


So I just re-read your post and noticed you said you have a larger vehicle for comfort. Given that, the Fiesta is probably not a bad choice. Except, I would still go to a dealership and see if you can fit your stroller(s) and stuff in the back of the Fiesta, before you buy one. And take a test drive, and consider the ride quality, even for short trips (I'm 24 and I don't mind bad ride, but like I said I'm years off from making mini-me's).
 


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Levy
#6
My 11 & 15 yr/old boys fit in the back no problem (11 yr/old behind me). The wife has a Jeep Cherokee if we need more room. I'll have to defer to someone else as far as infant seat suitability, however.
 


Messages
40
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21
Location
Cincinnati
#7
My Fiesta ST is my daily driver and occasional kid taxi...we have a 5 year old and 3 year old. It's a great car for the job - fun to drive, good mileage, and the kids fit just fine in the back...one is on a booster, the other uses a full-size child seat. Easy to get in and out with the 4 doors (my previous car was an 03 Civic Si with 2 doors...it was a lot more hassle to load the kids). Plus, they love the "mood" lighting LEDs in the floors and cupholders.
 


MKVIIST

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#8
The Fiesta ST makes a great secondary car, the only thing I would suggest is to find the smallest stroller possible as it's a tight fit in the hatch or you can fold one of the rear seat down. Other than that its perfect.
 


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144
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34
Location
San Diego
#9
I have a 9 year old and she used to ask why are the roads are so bumpy, but that was only the 1st month or so. She hasn't mentioned it again and I bought mine in October '13. Maybe I kinda wish she would complain more, it would push me over the edge to get a set of coilovers šŸ˜ˆ
 


Messages
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51
Location
LA
#10
I am in a similar position as you. I have a 2 year old, sold the is350 for a Sienna SE, felt pretty emasculated and decided life was too short to DD a minivan. The Sienna ain't bad but its still a big bus of a car. I got my fiesta st a few months ago and now split my week 3/3 driving the van and fiesta. The fiesta does its job dropping off the kiddo at day care. Was thinking a focus st, price wasn't an issue but felt that I already have a big car and I really something smaller lighter and more fun while being less practical than. The focus. No regrets, its a personal gokart.

You can't go wrong choosing either, if they had a fiesta rs I would prob get that over a focus rs.

Cheers,


This sounds like a no brainer to me but I'll seek reconfirmation.


I just sold my C5 Corvette and I am looking for a car that will serve as a secondary vehicle for our little family. We already have the bigger vehicle for trips out of town and comfort.

The Fiesta ST's primary function will be commuting 5 to 10 miles to work and daycare. If the car is big enough, my wife and I can even carpool and still have the baby in the back, although that's not a 100% requirement. I'm 6'0, wife is 5'7 and we have a 5 month old in an infant rear facing seat. We'll eventually have a second child in the not too distant future. The wife even said if she has to sit in the back with the baby to make the seat fit with Recaros, she's fine with that (our commute is really short). I've seen people driving around with grown adults in normal hatchback fiestas so it must be doable.

So basically, what do current dads think? Does the Fiesta do the job? I basically want a non boring 4 seater car without breaking the bank. Seems like the Fiesta fits the bill. The focus seems to only be bigger in the trunk. I plan to still play in canyons and the occasional autocross/track day if i can fit that in.
 


OP
Brick
Messages
424
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131
Location
Ridgecrest
Thread Starter #11
Thanks guys.... we're going down to socal tomorrow... might be coming back with one if everything goes right. Gonna try Galpin.
 


meFiSTo

Senior Member
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Location
Redmond
#12
You could run into an issue with the rear-facing infant seats. Definitely test the setup before purchasing. I think a subcompact hatchback is a great option for a secondary car, but for your specific short-term situation, make sure the car seats fit in back whatever you get. I see your wife is willing to make an accommodation, which is helpful, but gets iffy with another kid, right? Good luck man.
 


Messages
79
Likes
51
Location
LA
#13
Try truecar, I got an really low price but that was 3 days before 2015. Good luck! As a 2nd car I'm reliving my teenage years, lol.
Rowing your own gears, rev matching and perfecting heel toeing, you'll love it in the Fist!
Cheers
 


OP
Brick
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Ridgecrest
Thread Starter #15
these are great things to know. The only option im considering are the Recaros. If the wife/baby have issues with the Recaros... base ST it is :)
 


OP
Brick
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Location
Ridgecrest
Thread Starter #16
No dice. Dealership wanted 26k before taxes and other fees. Wouldn't even budge. Wondering if I just had a bad experience. Car had recaros, wheels and nav.
 


OP
Brick
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Ridgecrest
Thread Starter #17
i waited and talked to Ken Grody Ford in Buena Park. We worked something out over the phone and email and I am very happy with the price. It was more in line with what I was expecting. Very interesting how they were willing to work with me compared to Galpin Ford and some other dealerships I went to.
 


westcoaST

1000 Post Club
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290
Location
Corona
#18
I also had the same result. I went back to the Ford dealer I bought my Mustang and the Wife's Focus titanium from. They were not willing to budge on price, or even work at finding a performance blue FiST. I then went through Truecar.com, and got several offers for what was in stock. I found a PB Fist in San Diego, and only Sunrise Ford in Fontana was willing to go down there and have my FiST trucked up to Fontana. They also gave me a really good deal on a Fist with everything except the Rado wheels. They are a little farther than a Ford dealer in Norco, but they really treat you well (Free breakfast), and don't get all bent out of shape when they see my mods. Needless to say, when I purchase my next Mustang, it will be from Sunrise Ford.
 


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