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So I think I regret buy he ST...

the duke

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#1
Background:

27, dude, calls himself an Engineer (Ehh...). Started automotive life with a 5-speed V6 mustang, then after many years bought a used 04 STi. After a painfully short 4 years, sold the STi and bought the ST. Do I feel it's worth dropping the "i"? Hmmm...

After having the STi and having to get an entirely new engine (Long story, dealership blew the car and took over a year to get it not fixed right). I finally had been working a real job for about a year, I wanted a new car that could be reliable/fun. I kept tabs on the ST and finally bit the bullet last May. Initially it was great, I was floored by how the power felt (a 1.6L shouldn't put out this much torque) and was amaze at how fast it spools. It was fun tooling it around, then things got boring in winter. No longer did I have my STi with Blizzaks which didn't give a fuck about snow and fun beyond fun here in Cleveland. Spring rolls around and that magic never came back. I put on an intake (My STi had one, I'm a kid and like making pew pew noises). It helps, but still didn't come back. A dog ran in front of the car in early May (10pm on a rainy night, I saw a flash in my headlight and THUMP. 7K in damage and entirely new front end, all the way to the battery tray). In the meantime I've been riding my GSX and driving the rental focus. I came to a realization.

I don't miss the ST.

I don't know why I feel like this. This car is an amazing hatchback. Unbelievable performance, THE best seats I've been in since the Scuderia I tracked (I have the Recaros obviously) and overall just a killer car. I bought it thinking I didn't have to fiddle with it, because Ford did all the work. And I was right.

And yet... I'm not in love with it. I almost feel it's too good. It's good everywhere. It does nothing BAD. As a car, it's all one person could want with no compromise. And I think that is the problem. It does nothing bad to make me appreciate what it does good. No crazy lag (I LOVE lag with matching power), it's not stupid fast, It's not a RWD sports car, etc. It's the most practical and compliant car with the best features one wants for a car. And it makes it...boring and dis-engaging (Also the engine doesn't sound good at all). It does nothing bad to make me appreciate what it does good.

I think Top Gears James May said it best. This car would be better if it were worse. For some context, let me explain. I'm a die-hard clutch guy. I'll also be the first to admit a DSG, flappy-paddle will no doubt out-perform a human clutch 103.4 percent of the time. But I hate them in street cars. The Nissan R35GT-R is an astonishing piece of technology and rightfully deserves it's "Godzilla" credentials. It also stands (in my view) for everything I don't want in a personal sports/street car. I'm not racing professionally, I don't need the DSG. I don't need the computer controlled braking/YAW sensors, etc. To me it's bloatwear (I'm not against things like DI or ABS, etc.).

Maybe that's it. I see this as too much of a future is scary and I don't like change. But the ST doesn't have this. It has a 6-speed, simple single-scroll turbo, and a small engine. Just a great chassis, great seats, and the most powerful version of the motor Ford offers (for the 1.6). But it feels sterile; too German. I like and appreciate the torque, but I don't like how the power is so linear. It's too much everywhere, there's no disparity (I feel an issue of all modern turbo cars to remove lag is a mistake, but that's me). There's no rush, it just keeps pushing you (pulling I guess, FWD) forward. There's no high rpm wail of a K-series engine, no

So my problem lies in the engine? Is it that? I somehow don't appreciate how well the engine responds and how well it offers power? I want the engine to be worse? I've talked to Randy, and he can induce some lag in a COBB program, but that's spending money (and warranty) on a car I'm not sure I want. And that will never fix the fundamental problem of how this car sounds.

Sorry if I'm rambling. Part of this is helping me figure it out.
 


C. love

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#2
You know man Ive been there. My very shortened story. Im 36, into drifting and at one point in time I was thinking when the hell will I grow up? and when will drifting(and cars in general) stop attracting people I loathe? I sold my drift car (this was in 2012) bought a 11' mustang and thought this is what adults have a nice car that can be raced (IE drifted) but not look like a 18yr olds car in the process.

Long story short I didnt want to grow up and I hated the mustang. No matter what I did to it I hated that car. In the meantime I acquired the ST and my mustang just sat and collected dust. I also acquired an old e30, the e30 showed me what a basic car could do and how much fun it was and made me like drifting and cars. The solution was a fully built drift car(again) and a decent yet fun daily.

I sold the Mustake bought an old 80's car as my racecar, I have my ST and a crappy pickup. I think what you need is to view the ST as a decent daily and get a car you can enjoy in its purest form.

My racecar is hot, smelly, obnoxious, and good only at one thing. The racecar makes me appreciate the fiesta and vice versa.

As for the "scene" it still sucks I just dont visit many forums, limit the amount I visit with "car people".

I dont know if my rambling helps you but yeah I feel yah man.


Oh PS the fiesta with blizzaks is pretty stellar esp when ass dragging via the ebrake on snowy roads (yes Im still a child lol)
 


Hijinx

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#3
Coming from an STi you have to know that you gotta pay to play. First off, the FiST power is not linear. It falls on its face after about 5k, and a tune can't fix that; a turbo will.

Talk about sound? No one has ever heard my car and said that sounds bad. Have a listen:
https://vimeo.com/133203320

That's catless down pipe, full 3 inch exhaust, ported manifold and ported hybrid turbo. My car sounds like a rally car in person. My car was downright fun in the snow this past winter and that was on all seasons. With the right suspension setup and winter tires (I'll have this season) it'll only get better.

I realize not everyone is blas? about their warranty, though. My point is that these cars are amazing, but they become glorious once you're ready to unlock their potential.
 


Izzy

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#4
I've been a Honda fanatical fanatic since I can remember. Turbocharging a honda is bliss, but the FiST reminds me there's so much more fun to be had down low. At 38 I too felt it was time to move on to "bigger" & "better" things. So once I got my dream job and started making some real bank I thought it was time to move into the luxury segment. The car a manual G37s Coupe. Really nice car and I modified it with many bolt-ons & got me tons of looks and attention, but at the end of the day it wasn't me. No matter how wide the tires were or how tight and how good the coilovers were the car felt heavy and it was heavy. I like nimble cars...that's my reality and my fault. So maybe the FiST is not for you...maybe you haven't modified it enough to really bring out it's potential. What ever the reason drive what you like and live with it. No matter what the haters say to mock...haters will hate...just do you. I did!
 


C. love

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#5
Coming from an STi you have to know that you gotta pay to play. First off, the FiST power is not linear. It falls on its face after about 5k, and a tune can't fix that; a turbo will.

Talk about sound? No one has ever heard my car and said that sounds bad. Have a listen:
https://vimeo.com/133203320

That's catless down pipe, full 3 inch exhaust, ported manifold and ported hybrid turbo. My car sounds like a rally car in person. My car was downright fun in the snow this past winter and that was on all seasons. With the right suspension setup and winter tires (I'll have this season) it'll only get better.

I realize not everyone is blas? about their warranty, though. My point is that these cars are amazing, but they become glorious once you're ready to unlock their potential.

That sounds bad lol, reminds me of the civics from F&F1. Im not a fan of it perhaps a different video would change that. What counts is if you like it.
 


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#7
I'm 22 and came from a 97 Toyota Corolla with the 1.6 and a 5 speed. Little monster had 85 horse power when she was brand new. I got the ST in April of 2014 and love it. Literally the only thing that pisses me off about the car is the fluid capacity's. 4.3 quarts on oil and the washer fluid not holding a full gallon. Shit like that annoys me. I put 26k miles on her within that first year. Can't get enough of my mongoose.
 


OP
T

the duke

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Thread Starter #8
Months later, I still feel the same. For as nice as the car is, I just don't find it particularly interesting to drive. It's a damn shame, I like the way it looks, but it just doesn't make me car how it drives. :(

I think I'll be looking for a different car sometime next year.
 


D1JL

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#9
Months later, I still feel the same. For as nice as the car is, I just don't find it particularly interesting to drive. It's a damn shame, I like the way it looks, but it just doesn't make me car how it drives. :(

I think I'll be looking for a different car sometime next year.

So, your major complaint is that the FiST is too good a car for what it is.

Before you take on a new car payment.
Put a No-Good, crappy ass battery in the FiST.
That way you will have something to screw with all the time.
This way you may decide to keep the FiST instead of getting another car that creates its own problems.



Dave
 


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#10
I think the o.p. should just hire a fifteen year old punk in the neighborhood to just go under the hood of his fist for ten minutes and EFF around with hoses and wires. Then his car will have some engaging issues. I have owned (and still do) some very basic, h.p.& torque old school cars.Four barrel carbs and Detroit locker diff's all the typical stuff. But they still drive like shit compared to any modern ponycar. You judge the Fiesta ST on the wrong yardstick. The fist does a whole lot of things pretty well while at the same time providing good fuel economy and damn near sports car handling with hatchback utility. My 69 mach 1 has its place. My Fiesta ST is a much more useable car in almost every way.It is also unfair to compare a fiesta st to wrx. They are totally different cars sold at totally incomparable prices.
 


JPGC

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#11
OP, you will always find something to find yourself wanting to move on to something new...with any car or anything else for that matter, if you allow yourself to. If it is something you must do, then by all means, do it. Just be aware or warned, that, in the future, you will find yourself throwing tons of money down the drain for nothing...just to make yourself happy until the next time.
 


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#12
IMO the ST speaks to people who love to get in a car and just have an experience. It really doesn't do any one thing very well with the exception of doing them all together a sort of an amazing purist-symphony. For some people it just gets old, and I can understand that.

For me, the car definitely isn't my dream car by a long shot. What it is however, is something I can beat the complete crap out of at AutoX and not feel too bad about. It has smaller cheap tires, it costs nothing to fuel up and maintain, and it is surprisingly competitive. I will say, it is growing on me though... I originally just planned to use it exclusively for racing, but this summer I found myself taking it on day/road trips and it is just a little ball of fun.
 


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#13
I bought my St because its a perfect daily driver. Its cheap to drive and maintain, nimble in traffic, park this thing in half a parking spot, aftermarket parts are cheap (compared to what I'm used too), and its a Ford, Im a die hard ford guy. So it fit the bill for me.

My truck makes around 500 hp and a quarter mile time of 12 seconds. Everytime I have to park the Lightning and hop in my ST I'm not disappointed, or longing for hopping back into the truck, which has really sold me on the ST. I hated when I had an Acura for daily duties, every time I got in that car I would cry because I missed driving the Lightning that much.

The ST is a Daily, that allows you to not miss your racecar(truck) as much.

Perfection in my books.
 


OP
T

the duke

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Thread Starter #14
So, your major complaint is that the FiST is too good a car for what it is.

Before you take on a new car payment.
Put a No-Good, crappy ass battery in the FiST.
That way you will have something to screw with all the time.
This way you may decide to keep the FiST instead of getting another car that creates its own problems.



Dave
I've already had an adventure of replacing the shortblock, 4 cams, 2 heads, a turbocharger, well pretty much everything but the accessories due to spinning a rod and starving the motor on my old STi. Then there was the transmission adventure in my old mustang (Still have the old one sitting in the shed). Major calamities are not a new occurrence with me and cars.

I think the o.p. should just hire a fifteen year old punk in the neighborhood to just go under the hood of his fist for ten minutes and EFF around with hoses and wires. Then his car will have some engaging issues. I have owned (and still do) some very basic, h.p.& torque old school cars.Four barrel carbs and Detroit locker diff's all the typical stuff. But they still drive like shit compared to any modern ponycar. You judge the Fiesta ST on the wrong yardstick. The fist does a whole lot of things pretty well while at the same time providing good fuel economy and damn near sports car handling with hatchback utility. My 69 mach 1 has its place. My Fiesta ST is a much more useable car in almost every way.It is also unfair to compare a fiesta st to wrx. They are totally different cars sold at totally incomparable prices.
I've driven faster, I've driven better, and I've owned more fun. I've also owned far worse and driven far worse. Again, the problem isn't the cars capabilities or reliability. I'm not saying its not as great as it is. I'm just saying I don't think it's for me. After owning the car, I'd rather compromise.


There's just something with the car I can't really get into it. I find it isolating dare I say boring to drive. Even under boost and whipping it around a corner, it feels like i'm in a bubble.
 


GAbOS

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#15
I sold my Turbo Mitsubishi for the FiST. Will I miss my AWD driven Firestone Winterforces in the Winter? I have no doubt. Everyone's situation and needs are different and that is the one thing you need to lock down. As mentioned before. Jumping big investments without this knowledge can be very wasteful in the long run. You have a bike, a sweet as truck (one day I will have my SVO!) and now juggling the FiST. During my ownership of the Mitsu, I purchased an '89 325i e30 and began the lengthy process of converting it to a BMW V8 and refreshing all of the underside. Selling the Mitsu almost paid for the FiST.

The Mitsu was..
A head turner. It even got annoying the attention it got. But fuq do they look good in Wicked White ;>
A 4 door. Being able to carry 4 people is handy, but it was a very tight fit.
A car with no real trunk space. It's got a brace supporting where the rear deck speakers would be. You can't push tall items that would fit to the back of the seats.
A damn quick and capable car for DD and more.
An expensive car.

The Fiesta ST is..
A great looking car in White but much more like to be ignored.
A 4 door. I would have taken the 2 door if offered.I wanted small and went in knowing whatever I purchased would be rear seat deleted. (Veloster was my second choice)
A car with massive amounts of trunk space! With just the rear seats out and the backs folded down is amazing. Giving up 2 barely usable seats? Well worth it.
A damn quick and capable car for a DD and somewhat more. ~2800 lbs!!
A very cheap car.
 


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#16
I haven't had the luxury of driving anything quicker than the Fiesta ST to be honest. So after I test drove a Fiesta ST and got back in my Escort ZX2 the Escort was quite disappointing when overall it's a pretty quick car for what it is and I was content with it for a long time. So it's all in perception of what you have driven before and you compare it to that, even if it's not how quick it is.

For me the Fiesta ST was quicker, had better seats, handled much better, made better gas mileage, had an extra gear, had newer tech, is a small Ford, and comes in orange. So all those things combined was what made me replace the Escort with it. I have driven the Escort once since I bought the Fiesta and I really don't miss it even though I once thought it was a fun car. One day I may feel the same about the Fiesta but I can't really think of any vehicle I'd rather be daily driving right now within reasonable price range.

But I can't think why the Fiesta ST having nothing wrong with it as you say would make it better if it did. It's not perfect to me. I have two complaints alone about the sun visors that I never even thought about it being a future problem in a new car when driving my Escort. The Sync 3 system has been giving me issues from day 1. I wish I could view more than one piece of info at a time where you can cycle through mpg, miles to empty, odometer, trip, etc. Shifter really should be a shorter shifter stock for a performance based car. But overall how the car drives, handles, and feels, I really have no complaints. I'm sure my list of quirks will become longer as I drive the car more and do some work on it in the future.

For me the FiST will be my only car as soon as the Escort sells. It's practical as a daily driver, fuel efficient even when having fun, you can have fun driving it, it's comfortable for me, it was affordable for me, and I like small cars. I don't want to daily drive a dull family sedan. I like shifting through the gears, taking corners quicker than most cars can, and being able to accelerate quickly when needed or wanted. I live in Texas so the summer tires will stay on year round and any big snowfall or ice storm we have it's a lot safer to stay home around here in whatever vehicle your drive.
 


D1JL

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#18
There's just something with the car I can't really get into it. I find it isolating dare I say boring to drive. Even under boost and whipping it around a corner, it feels like i'm in a bubble.
You are the first person that I have ever heard complain of this.

Maybe you should try changing you medications. LOL



Dave
 


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#19
I bought my St because its a perfect daily driver. Its cheap to drive and maintain, nimble in traffic, park this thing in half a parking spot, aftermarket parts are cheap (compared to what I'm used too), and its a Ford, Im a die hard ford guy. So it fit the bill for me.

My truck makes around 500 hp and a quarter mile time of 12 seconds. Everytime I have to park the Lightning and hop in my ST I'm not disappointed, or longing for hopping back into the truck, which has really sold me on the ST. I hated when I had an Acura for daily duties, every time I got in that car I would cry because I missed driving the Lightning that much.

The ST is a Daily, that allows you to not miss your racecar(truck) as much.

Perfection in my books.
100% agree. The ST is the perfect daily, it's economical, fun and cheap. When I was daily driving a civic sedan = [sleeping] I couldnt wait to get back in my GT500 = [rockon]. Now, no matter what i drive, it's [rockon].


OP, if you're not happy, sell it....issue resolved.
 




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