• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Fiesta ST Forum and Fiesta ST community dedicated to Fiesta ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Fiesta ST Forum today!


Another potential new owner -- buy a modded or stock car?

Messages
5
Likes
1
Location
Topeka, KS, USA
#1
Hey gang, I am looking at buying a Fiesta ST to replace our mk7 GTI. The GTI is great but I really really miss a 6-speed, the DSG is great but it's no manual.

Anywho, I figure I would do some power mods in the Fiesta, but I also tend to reallllly drag my heels with spending money on mods. Plus, the whole convincing the wife thing. So my question is, should I buy a modded Fiesta ST or is that a reliability nightmare? It appears to have had a Cyborg c39 on it for 30k miles, plus some other supporting mods. The car was previously owned by Bronxbomber from these forums up until the last 30k miles. Seemed to be a well sorted build, but I haven't seen it in person yet.

I can link his sale thread from 2017 if necessary (current owner isn't a forum member). So what say ye all, buy a stock car that's less likely to give me trouble or buy an already modded car and hope for the best? I can definitely afford repairs and maintenance (this car will be a fair bit cheaper than our GTI), but I also would hate to be spending $3000 on turbo fixes in the near future. Finding info on c39 reliability was hard, I kept seeing references to it failing early in its life but it seems that the units built properly didn't have trouble?
 


Dpro

6000 Post Club
Messages
6,157
Likes
5,779
Location
Los Feliz (In the City of Angels)
#3
Welcome, buying a modded car can be tricky. I have bought them im the past when the deal has worked one or both of two ways.
First one is you are buying it from the original modder dir3ctly and know how he treated it.
Two is your getting such a deal on it with mods that its totally worth it.
The combo is both combined.
I am very wary of purchasing a modded car down the line from the original modder.
I would be wary of a car equipped with a Cyborg given the whole history behind the debacle of Cyborg and no support as no longer around.
There have actually been a couple of modded cars sold here that were great buys as they came from the original modder , the mileage was low and they had proof of taking car of the car and not abusiing it.

You are not buying a track car so mods should not be as important as overall condition.

I actually bought new because I wanted something that was not touched.
Had there been a deal on a modded car with the color I wanted Perfromance Blue I would have looked at it. Though all the low mileage used Performance Blue cars I looked at were to high priced . It just made more sense to spend a couple k more on new.

GL
 


OP
R
Messages
5
Likes
1
Location
Topeka, KS, USA
Thread Starter #5
Thanks for the replies!

I don't think I'd buy new, because if I'm going to spend closer to $20k I'd probably go a different route (I'm really lusting after C5 Z06 Vettes). We also have a 4Runner so I'm not married to the idea of a 4-door hatchback.

But, a big turbo ST for under $12k is a huge value proposition to me, assuming it doesn't blow up! Haha
 


Messages
187
Likes
208
Location
Central CT
#6
Having owned a GTi, Z06, now a ST. The Z06 is in a different class. Yes, the Fiesta is fun, but if you already have a daily 4 door, go with a dedicated sports car for weekend fun.
Used vs. used Modded... I'd be more inclined to buy used stock, hoping it still has a warranty, not having any fear that the previous owner did something.

However, my personal belief is that since the Fiesta is a cheap car, I wouldn't buy used as you can buy new/ left over for under $20k. I don't know what shape your GTi is in, but I traded my GTi in for the ST with some money down and my payments are less than my cell phone per month.
 


SrsBsns

Active member
Messages
657
Likes
695
Location
San Diego
#8
I bought my '15 used, and although there were only a few mods on the car when I bought it... exhaust, suspension, short shift kit, etc... I found out later that there were more substantial mods installed at one point in its life.

I have had the FiST for just over 2 years now and have had only one problem with the car, which was related to a cooling hose... something I wouldn't associate with any previous mods.

I bought the car with the intentions of leaving it alone, but I've been slowly adding the mods back and I'm at the point now where the next step, if I go that route, would be upgraded cooling and a big turbo.

If I would have known then what I know now, I probably would have wanted to buy the car with the mods to save me the trouble and also to save some $$.
 


Messages
338
Likes
202
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
#9
It's almost impossible to determine who did the modding and if they had the mindset of "that'll do". If I may give an analogy: Are you buying "German engineered" modded car or one that was modded in British Leylands circa 1970's? I would want to see, and have, all the paperwork from the mods that were done. If it was the owner who did it himself with his buds...maybe, if it was just bolt on stuff. But, if it was highly technical or things like the suspension and body work....not so much.
 


OP
R
Messages
5
Likes
1
Location
Topeka, KS, USA
Thread Starter #10
It's almost impossible to determine who did the modding and if they had the mindset of "that'll do". If I may give an analogy: Are you buying "German engineered" modded car or one that was modded in British Leylands circa 1970's? I would want to see, and have, all the paperwork from the mods that were done. If it was the owner who did it himself with his buds...maybe, if it was just bolt on stuff. But, if it was highly technical or things like the suspension and body work....not so much.
It's this car: https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/2015-cyborg-39-modded-oxford-white-feeler.13043/

Unfortunately they don't seem to have a build thread and aren't active anymore so I can't really say for sure. But, it looks like all fairly simple bolt-on stuff to me.

Edited to add: if I passed on this car and instead went with another Fiesta ST, it would likely be a 3-4 year old car with 50k miles or so, I think I can safely rule out the possibility of me buying a new Fiesta ST. They just don't tick enough boxes for me to pay more than $14k or so. :(
 


Messages
493
Likes
637
Location
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
#11
If you are shopping Z06's with this you are doing it wrong. One Z06 rear tire buys almost 4 good tires for this thing etc. Everyhting about them in terms of everything is in a different world.

I searched and found the right bone stock car for me. Took a few months and some running around but that was worth it to me. Settle on a couple exterior color choices and basically recaros and/or sunroof or not and you can find what you want.

I found a minty 17 with 16k miles bone stock for $13.5k. Seemed like a good deal. They are out there. Parts for these cars are about as cheap as it gets. No comparo to any Vette or any newer big V8 shit in terms of running costs.

Start from scratch and make all your own mistakes for relatively cheap.
 


jmrtsus

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,521
Likes
1,155
Location
Ooltewah
#12
Look for a low miles Mountune upgrade registered with Ford and owned by someone over 50. I am totally anal on caring for my car, 3500 mile oil changes with Kendall GT 1 full syn (Motorcraft) oil and tires rotated with each oil change. My ST has never had a clutch drop start and the OEM RE050A tires have lasted well over 30K with 90% interstate and many Tail of the Dragon and similar runs. If the previous owner went through the OEM tires in 12,000 miles run like hell. The MP-215 is proven safe and legal in all 50 if you are looking for a modest improvement and if registered was installed by Ford or a certified ASE mechanic. Also keep in mind even "stock" ST's are often abused. Start with a known point not a guessing game of what was done when and by who. My 2 cents! Find the right car not the cheapest. And a 2016 or up to stay away from cooling problems/recalls. Have fun, the ST will give you more smiles per gallon than any other car!
 


Mikey456

Active member
Messages
672
Likes
406
Location
Los Angeles
#13
Look for a low miles Mountune upgrade registered with Ford and owned by someone over 50. I am totally anal on caring for my car, 3500 mile oil changes with Kendall GT 1 full syn (Motorcraft) oil and tires rotated with each oil change. My ST has never had a clutch drop start and the OEM RE050A tires have lasted well over 30K with 90% interstate and many Tail of the Dragon and similar runs. If the previous owner went through the OEM tires in 12,000 miles run like hell. The MP-215 is proven safe and legal in all 50 if you are looking for a modest improvement and if registered was installed by Ford or a certified ASE mechanic. Also keep in mind even "stock" ST's are often abused. Start with a known point not a guessing game of what was done when and by who. My 2 cents! Find the right car not the cheapest. And a 2016 or up to stay away from cooling problems/recalls. Have fun, the ST will give you more smiles per gallon than any other car!
Wow... oem tires with over 30k miles. My tires will probably be bald around 20k.
 


OP
R
Messages
5
Likes
1
Location
Topeka, KS, USA
Thread Starter #14
If you are shopping Z06's with this you are doing it wrong. One Z06 rear tire buys almost 4 good tires for this thing etc. Everyhting about them in terms of everything is in a different world.

I searched and found the right bone stock car for me. Took a few months and some running around but that was worth it to me. Settle on a couple exterior color choices and basically recaros and/or sunroof or not and you can find what you want.

I found a minty 17 with 16k miles bone stock for $13.5k. Seemed like a good deal. They are out there. Parts for these cars are about as cheap as it gets. No comparo to any Vette or any newer big V8 shit in terms of running costs.

Start from scratch and make all your own mistakes for relatively cheap.
Haha, I can explain! If I owned a Z06, I'd buy a cheap daily for $3k or so. That's why I'm not concerned with wear items being costly on the Z06.

It seems like the consensus is to avoid a modded car, especially without documentation etc.
 


OP
R
Messages
5
Likes
1
Location
Topeka, KS, USA
Thread Starter #15
Look for a low miles Mountune upgrade registered with Ford and owned by someone over 50. I am totally anal on caring for my car, 3500 mile oil changes with Kendall GT 1 full syn (Motorcraft) oil and tires rotated with each oil change. My ST has never had a clutch drop start and the OEM RE050A tires have lasted well over 30K with 90% interstate and many Tail of the Dragon and similar runs. If the previous owner went through the OEM tires in 12,000 miles run like hell. The MP-215 is proven safe and legal in all 50 if you are looking for a modest improvement and if registered was installed by Ford or a certified ASE mechanic. Also keep in mind even "stock" ST's are often abused. Start with a known point not a guessing game of what was done when and by who. My 2 cents! Find the right car not the cheapest. And a 2016 or up to stay away from cooling problems/recalls. Have fun, the ST will give you more smiles per gallon than any other car!
The current owner is still running the same Falken tires, so they have about 35k miles on them, not 12k. They mentioned it needs replaced soon. I think that's a pretty good sign it wasn't driven too crazy
 


jmrtsus

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,521
Likes
1,155
Location
Ooltewah
#16
Wow... oem tires with over 30k miles. My tires will probably be bald around 20k.
Lot's of people do them in in 12K if you AutoX or track the car. New ones Thursday morning, getting iffy in the rain, but dry traction is great! Picking the General GMAX AS as it is a good all around tire and better than most in the wet. Lost my free Goodyear's as they no longer make a tire in our size. Have family that work at Goodyear and get 4 sets of tires a year. As to life, just check pressure and rotate often, and don't be a late braking specialist. I also get 38 mpg on the interstate @ 75 Mph. My thrills are mountain roads as often as possible. The rest of the time I drive fairly sedately for the in town gas mileage, 32 mpg.
 


Similar threads



Top