I'm getting close to 5K on my ST (base model). Overall I love this car. I'm curious if others have similar likes/dislikes.
Likes:
1. The overall power train performance is fantastic! The car has just the right amount of power to be fun, but not land me in a ditch, court, or jail. As an avid motorcycle rider/racer, I really appreciate the broad powerband produced by the turbocharged engine. Unlike the bikes I ride, you get good forward thrust even at a relatively low rpm. The clutch action is nice and light with smooth engagement, shifting is super easy, and the transmission seems to have a good ratio for every driving situation. My wife’s benchmark for manual transmissions was always her Honda, but she likes this just as well.
2. The steering is super precise! The car corners like it is on rails, and I love how the car responds to steering inputs. It is a go kart that you can legally drive to work!
3. Brakes are outstanding. They seem a little “touchy” (see below), but the stopping power is there for sure.
4. It is surprisingly comfortable even on long drives! My first trip in the car was bringing it home from the dealer (about 4 hours). I actually felt a little car sick at points due to the stiff ride and rough highways. I must have adapted however, because several other 4ish hour drives have been very pleasant, and I felt great upon arrival. The ST is MUCH better in this regard than my NA miata, which could make a 2 hour drive feel like a 12 hour drive. I will not hesitate to use the fiesta even for cross-county trips. I’m also kind of glad I did not spring for the Recaro seats. They don’t seem like they would be comfortable on a long drive.
5. It is practical. Unlike my miata, the ST is a car I can use every day in every weather condition with no worries, and I can take a fair amount of stuff with me.
Dislikes:
1. Pedal placement sucks. My miata allowed effortless heel-toe shifting, whereas the ST does not. I’ve added “nopistons” pedal spacer (great quality, fast service, great price) and it has helped, but I still find the gas pedal to low for my skinny feet. Suggestions are appreciated! I want to fix this.
2. Brakes are outstanding in terms of stopping power, but kind of touchy. Perhaps it is a necessary consequence of electronic intrusions in modern vehicles, but neither the ST nor anything else I have ever driven brakes like my old NA miata. It had a perfect linear relation between pedal effort and stopping power, right up until the wheels lock. I’m not going to try anything soon as the ST is still “new” for me, but at some point I may try different pads that have less bite.
3. I can’t hear the blinker, and don’t notice the dash flasher, when driving. A minor annoyance for sure, but after the lane change I often end up driving for miles with the turn signal on.
4. This would exacerbate #3, but the exhaust could be a little louder, maybe something like the sound of that little Fiat hot hatch. I’m sure I could get what I want with the aftermarket, but prices seem kind of steep to change the exhaust note. I will likely keep my money and the boring stock exhaust.
5. What is with the damn double horn beep when you shut the door with the engine running? It startles me every time it happens and is super loud in the garage. Is there any way to disable that particular function?
6. Not a convertible. I probably should have looked for one with a sunroof to get at least a little of that convertible feel. Oh well…
Anyway, I am really glad I bought this car rather than another miata. I do miss the drop top, but the other benefits of the ST are a good trade-off. I have a few dislikes, but the only one I really want to fix immediately is the pedal spacing.
Likes:
1. The overall power train performance is fantastic! The car has just the right amount of power to be fun, but not land me in a ditch, court, or jail. As an avid motorcycle rider/racer, I really appreciate the broad powerband produced by the turbocharged engine. Unlike the bikes I ride, you get good forward thrust even at a relatively low rpm. The clutch action is nice and light with smooth engagement, shifting is super easy, and the transmission seems to have a good ratio for every driving situation. My wife’s benchmark for manual transmissions was always her Honda, but she likes this just as well.
2. The steering is super precise! The car corners like it is on rails, and I love how the car responds to steering inputs. It is a go kart that you can legally drive to work!
3. Brakes are outstanding. They seem a little “touchy” (see below), but the stopping power is there for sure.
4. It is surprisingly comfortable even on long drives! My first trip in the car was bringing it home from the dealer (about 4 hours). I actually felt a little car sick at points due to the stiff ride and rough highways. I must have adapted however, because several other 4ish hour drives have been very pleasant, and I felt great upon arrival. The ST is MUCH better in this regard than my NA miata, which could make a 2 hour drive feel like a 12 hour drive. I will not hesitate to use the fiesta even for cross-county trips. I’m also kind of glad I did not spring for the Recaro seats. They don’t seem like they would be comfortable on a long drive.
5. It is practical. Unlike my miata, the ST is a car I can use every day in every weather condition with no worries, and I can take a fair amount of stuff with me.
Dislikes:
1. Pedal placement sucks. My miata allowed effortless heel-toe shifting, whereas the ST does not. I’ve added “nopistons” pedal spacer (great quality, fast service, great price) and it has helped, but I still find the gas pedal to low for my skinny feet. Suggestions are appreciated! I want to fix this.
2. Brakes are outstanding in terms of stopping power, but kind of touchy. Perhaps it is a necessary consequence of electronic intrusions in modern vehicles, but neither the ST nor anything else I have ever driven brakes like my old NA miata. It had a perfect linear relation between pedal effort and stopping power, right up until the wheels lock. I’m not going to try anything soon as the ST is still “new” for me, but at some point I may try different pads that have less bite.
3. I can’t hear the blinker, and don’t notice the dash flasher, when driving. A minor annoyance for sure, but after the lane change I often end up driving for miles with the turn signal on.
4. This would exacerbate #3, but the exhaust could be a little louder, maybe something like the sound of that little Fiat hot hatch. I’m sure I could get what I want with the aftermarket, but prices seem kind of steep to change the exhaust note. I will likely keep my money and the boring stock exhaust.
5. What is with the damn double horn beep when you shut the door with the engine running? It startles me every time it happens and is super loud in the garage. Is there any way to disable that particular function?
6. Not a convertible. I probably should have looked for one with a sunroof to get at least a little of that convertible feel. Oh well…
Anyway, I am really glad I bought this car rather than another miata. I do miss the drop top, but the other benefits of the ST are a good trade-off. I have a few dislikes, but the only one I really want to fix immediately is the pedal spacing.